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20 Questions With...
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Mark Bolan
An orginal member of the ComedySportz ensemble, Mark recaps 20 years of making people laugh!
1.)What about ComedySportz Chicago has made this your home for the past 20 years?
Well, the show is never the same. Each night you perform it’s like an opening night all over again.
2.) When you first started in 1987, what was ComedySportz like then?
8 or 9 people and we were really “green” at improv. |
 
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3.) How did you get started in improv?
I took a class or two and had fun with it, and then I went to an audition for ComedySportz. I was probably the only one who showed up, that explains how I got the job.
4.) Where did you study improv?
I studied from the legendary Don DePolo at Second City and also some classes from The Annoyance.
5.) What are some of your improv goals and how have they changed over the years?
I am waiting for CSz to have a permanent home and then I’ll set some goals.
6.) Do you prefer playing on the Blue or Red team?
Blue!
7.) Over the years what jersey was your favorite to wear?
My favorite shirt to wear when lying around is the Baseball jersey… comfort at its best.
8.) What game is you favorite game to play on stage?
Any game can be your favorite when it’s working well… Story, Sing It, Gibberish Opera, Pic a Play some of my favorites.
9.) What is one of your most memorable on stage moments?
March Madness…called up a player from the audience to be on our team that no one but me knew was going to be playing…she was an alumni ComedySportz member Joanne…first time I ever saw Randy Smock break character on stage...he just lost it!
10.) Out of all the theaters and spaces you performed with ComedySportz, which one has been your favorite?
My crystal ball says 929 Belmont is going to be the best!
11.) What is one of your most interesting fan encounters?
I have been recognized at concerts or on the street...it’s kind of fun. Most interesting was when I met the owner of a place we were playing at... (Ciao)...in the bar I worked in...he found out I was with ComedySportz and started talking about the show and what he wanted...he wanted us to “dirty “ it up a bit. I laughed and knew our days there were numbered.
12.) Do you prefer to be a player or referee?
Referee of course!
13.) Have you ever been brown bagged?
Not in the past 10 years. Pre 1997, too many times to count.
14.) Do you have any warm-up traditions?
Read the newspaper and relax
15.) What kind of audience do you like to perform to the best?
Any on Saturday are good, they have had a good nights sleep and are ready to have fun. Friday 8 pm sometimes tough...they are worn out from work.
16.) What are some inspirational words you could give to those pursuing improv as a career?
Be funny and don’t quit your day job
17.) What are some of the biggest changes in the ComedySportz show over the past 20 years?
The level of talent is light years better now than then.
18.) After doing improv at ComedySportz for 20 years clearly you are a “historian.”
Things to know: The show is really as fun to do as it appears on stage. The people are really as nice as they appear on stage...except for Tim Ryder. He’s actually pretty mean.
19.) The first weekend of shows in August will feature ComedySportz of Chicago alumni. Who are you hoping to see that weekend?
Would be nice to see DP, Miller (he can return all the clothes he’s borrowed), Chudnow(he’s too afraid to come to chicago), Shonster the Monster, The Hairiest man in ComedySportz, The Original Fire Brother, and anyone else that still owes me a drink.
20.) When the new theatre opens this Fall and you perform there the first time, what do you think you’ll be feeling?
We’ve come full circle, but we arrived a lot better this time.
-7/19/07 back to top
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