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Player Profile: Archives
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Player Profile: Joey Bland
We caught up with Joey Bland, a recent competitor on Jeopardy. Jeopardy appears on ABC 7 every week day at 3:30pm.
1. Wow! You're on Jeopardy! What was that experience like?
The whole thing was surreal. I have rarely in my life been that nervous. When I called my wife afterwards, I couldn't tell her anything about the results of the show; I was sworn to secrecy. I think I told her, "It wasn't the worst experience of my life." Which it wasn't by any means. It was, though, very stressful. |
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The great thing is that the Jeopardy contestant staff is great. Their job is to make you feel comfortable, and they are excellent at it. They are also all very big personalities. Everyone involved with the show's production, including Alex Trebek, is surprisingly silly. That felt familiar.
2. Did you make Alex Trebek laugh? Have they ever had a comedian on before?
First off, you see so little of Alex Trebek while you are there. They keep him pretty distant, so if my goal were to make him laugh, I'd be at an extreme disadvantage based on amount of face time. You only see him during the actual show-play. That said, yes, I did make him laugh. He barely chuckled during my "get to know the players" interview. Hopefully, it reads on TV.
Aside from Celebrity Jeopardy, I have no idea if they've ever had a comedian. I wish I'd been on Celebrity Jeopardy. It seems easier, and if I were on it, that would mean I was a celebrity.
3. How do you think performing at ComedySportz helped you be a better trivia star?
I think my interest in lots of subjects helps me as an improvisor and as a game show contestant. I really think my CSz experience helped with my Jeopardy "audition" and helped me tame my nerves. I am trained to think fast so that probably helped, too.
4. Allright, enough about your newfound game show stardom. How long have you been in ComedySportz? What do you enjoy about performing here?
I got hired in February of 2002, and it changed my life. I enjoy everything about CSz. The show is great; I feel like the ensemble is an extended family; the crowds we get are the best. My time with CSz has been rewarding both professionally and personally.
5. You also teach in the ComedySportz Training Center. What do you like about teaching here?
Teaching feels so different at first. Then, once you get comfortable, you can feel a kind of flow in it. You can make adjustments as you go, and you can sense where your class is and how to get them where you need them.
I love knowing all the students in the training center, too. I see 404 and 505 shows now and remember everyone from my 101 and 202 days. That's nice-to see the students continue on.
6. Okay, fine. One last Jeopardy question: what would your advice be to people who want to be Jeopardy's next "Joey Bland?"
There can only be one Joey Bland. I am he. Sorry.
-10/27/05 back to top
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Player Profile: Jay Sukow
1. So, where you from, Jay?
I was raised in the southern suburbs - Glenwood, to be exact. Home to the outskirts of Indiana. About 30 miles south of Chicago.
2. How long have you been a performer? What different kinds of performance have you done?
I really enjoy reaching different audiences through performance, and believe in being creative in defining what a performance is. I've been performing in one way or another for the past 15 years. |
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Aside from working all the usual local improv stages and assorted sketch troupes, I've also performed a year of onsite entertainment for several Club Med locations; I've performed as a Driver/Demonstrator for the Maybach brand of ultra-luxury cars; and I've really enjoyed doing corporate performances. Of course, the ComedySportz remote shows are always a favorite to work on, because the energy of the crowd can be contagious
3. Jay, you're Breathe Easy Man! Thanks for helping us all breathe easier. Tell us about how you got that gig, and what being a municipal superhero entails.
My friend Justin Seidner was working at the PR firm that had the EPA account. I went in for the audition and the rest is history. Being Breathe Easy Man means that I need to know the mission of the Clean Air initiative and share it with as many people as possible. Reps from the EPA and its PR firm go with me to festivals, fairs, and sporting events. I've thrown out the first pitch at suburban minor league games, appeared on camera during the NBC morning news, and done radio spots in character, as well. The best thing is that I actually endorse what I'm promoting.
4. Does Breathe Easy Man have any arch villain nemeses that you have to watch out for?
Anyone who passes on an opportunity to take the Clean Air Pledge is my sworn enemy! Go to www.cleantheair.org to join in my crusade against them and their environmental pollutants. By taking the Clean Air pledge, you have a chance to win a Toyota Prius. Last year, one of the 30 finalists for the Prius was former CSzer Lauren Bishop, who won a mountain bike.
5. Alright, Jay. Tell us about ComedySportz. What's it like to be in the ComedySportz ensemble?
The ComedySportz ensemble has been like a second family for me. A dysfunctional, quirky, but always amusing and supportive second family.
6. Jay, you've been in ComedySportz a long time! How has ComedySportz changed during your time here?
ComedySportz has definitley evolved since I first got my start here in '93. For me the big difference is due to the increased size of the ensemble. It is great to play with a more diverse group of performers, but at the same time, we've lost some of the camaraderie that went along with being part of a smaller more close-knit group. Now the challenge is that the ensemble has a lot more people, each with their own unique priorities.
7. How has your time with ComedySportz helped your other acting pursuits?
Learning how to be a strong Referee has helped me learn how to manage an audience, which is an invaluable skill for a performer to have. Being able to elicit a reaction from a tough crowd can positively affect an entire show. The same can be said for knowing how to control disturbances so that it adds to rather than detracts from the show. I owe the development of my stage persona to my training at ComedySportz. Additionally, I have been able to subsidize my living thanks to ComedySportz jobs.
8. If someone wanted to be the next Breathe Easy Man, how would you suggest they get started?
Do you know something that I don't, Matt? Excuse me...I've got to make a phone call.
-8/23/05 back to top
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Player Profile: Bob Ladewig
Local Grad Serious About Comedy
OAK FOREST H.S. GRADUATE BOB LADEWIG CELEBRATES 5 YEARS WITH CHICAGO'S COMEDYSPORTZ
Class of 1995
Bob Ladewig was no jock. A devotee of the speech team and the drama department, Oak Forest alums may remember him from Dracula: The Musical or Once Upon a Mattress. So it is ironic that he now looks back on a five year career in the sportiest theater show in the city: ComedySportz. |
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"No one ever told me a comedy show would make me sweat this much," Ladewig jokes. Why the sweat? ComedySportz is an improvised comedy ? the performers have to make up their comedy as they go along, and they usually do it in the loudest, most active ways possible.
"Imagine Drew Carey's "Whose Line Is It Anyway" slammed together with professional wrestling," explains Artistic Director Joe Janes, "Our [comedians] improvise all their scenes, songs, and games. In the space of 4 minutes you can see an improvised action movie, a Broadway musical, or an Olympic event. You have to see it to believe it."
Ladewig explains: "On a good night doing a ComedySportz show is work. I am up there thinking at 360 words a minutes trying to anticipate the next move. You have to be ready for anything and everything. In playing around 100 different games you have to shuffle through the comedy-encyclopedia in your mind and find just the right moves to make. It's a process and you don't have a lot of time to go through it, but when it all works out - it's the best feeling in the world."
This Summer represents two anniversaries for Ladewig: 5 years as a professional comedian with The ComedySportz Theatre, and 10 years as a graduate of Oak Forest High School. While at ComedySportz, Ladewig has not only performed, but written and directed for the ComedySportz Family Matinee Series, where he adapted the children's favorite, "Tales from the Stinky Cheese Man."
Why Improv?
Like many Chicago actors in their first years of work, Ladewig supplements his income with a "day job". When asked how improvisation helps him during the day, Ladewig explained: "I believe improv can help anyone who has to deal with people on a daily basis. It gets obvious when you answer a phone call from any sort of vendor and they're reading from a script. Improv can help anyone sound more genuine, whether or not they actually are interested in what they do. If you work with any word processing program (Microsoft Word, etc.) the spellcheck always changes the word "improv" to "improve" - I can't think of a more honest and appropriate interpretation."
Missing Oak Forest?
Of course, the call of the big city rings in more ears than just comedians. Every year, actors, musicians, painters, artists of every medium begin their pilgrimage to Chicago across much greater distances than the scant 25 mile trip from Oak Forest. But, like all of them, Bob tries to recreate a little bit of his youth.
"Ten years ago, pretty much the only thing I did outside of school was spend time with my girlfriend and skateboard, both of which I'm still doing. I try to get to the skate-park twice a week. I used to do it every day, but now I'm an old man."
-8/08/05 back to top
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Player Profile: Sarah Pfouts
1. What was your training prior to C-Spo?
I went through the training program at ImprovOlympic, where I am currently on the team Traffic & Weather; the beginning program at Second City and several musical theatre classes at Old Town School of Folk Music.
2. What did you get out of C-Spo training that you haven't gotten anywhere else?
It's all about the love ? it is such a wonderful community of teachers and students. Everyone is pulling for each other so you feel free to be yourself and take more risks on stage. |
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3. Do you feel C-Spo training prepared you for the ensemble and do you feel it is helping you with your other artistic aspirations?
Absolutely. In addition to all the games we learned, the training program gave me the insight into what kind of player the ensemble and improv community is looking for. We also got to perform after each level so we could benchmark our growth as well as the areas to work on.
4. What has it been like to be a member of the C-Spo ensemble?
A blast! I am so thrilled to be a part of this diverse, fun ensemble. Everyone has been so supportive of the "new kids" and the talent and enthusiasm at CSz continually inspire me.
5. What would you say to people thinking about taking classes at C-Spo?
No matter what your background is or what your goals are with improv, the training program has something for you. You won't regret signing up!
-7/26/05 back to top
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