IMPROV COMEDY CAST
| Real people. Funny people. Real funny people. |
The Real Funny People of the Main Company:
Mary Benedict, Corey Blake, Shane Boroomand, Kathie Bostian, Lily Gatica, Liz Gill, Eric Chad Ho, Jim Maloy, Marshall
McGehee, Travis McElroy, Carol McLaine, Seth Rotkin, Lara Sterling, Nikki Turner
Alumni of the Main Company:
Carrie Aikman, Dawn Akemi, Sandie Bass, Ben Bates, Heather Brumley, Kevin Callahan, Eric Field, Lauri Fraser, Phil Gibbs,
Wendy Lee, Jason Palmer, Andrew Pari, Tara Powell, Carmen Rohde, Rodrigo Sáenz, Randy Turner, Tony V, Janet Villalba
Mary Benedict, Corey Blake, Shane Boroomand, Kathie Bostian, Lily Gatica, Liz Gill, Eric Chad Ho, Jim Maloy, Marshall
McGehee, Travis McElroy, Carol McLaine, Seth Rotkin, Lara Sterling, Nikki Turner
Alumni of the Main Company:
Carrie Aikman, Dawn Akemi, Sandie Bass, Ben Bates, Heather Brumley, Kevin Callahan, Eric Field, Lauri Fraser, Phil Gibbs,
Wendy Lee, Jason Palmer, Andrew Pari, Tara Powell, Carmen Rohde, Rodrigo Sáenz, Randy Turner, Tony V, Janet Villalba
Name: Clarissa Siobhan Ariadne Pacino III
Stage name: Mary Benedict
AKA: "Cheekbones McGee"
As soon as adorable baby Mary began to say her first syllables, it was clear she was destined for more than
just spitting out gobs of Gerbers. When she grew to womanhood, "Cheekbones" began studying The Improv
Craft at the School of Hard Knocks with some extra training at the Groundlings theater, Comedy Underground
and Empty Stage Theater. A paralegal, published writer and former entertainment journalist, this versatile
vixen has been a founding member of Jeff Michalski’s Beat to Beat troupe and of Bill Johnson's Magic
Meathands ensemble. Yet she still finds time for Magic Meathand sketch work, hitting the beach, and pulling
boardgame all-nighters.
Turn-ons: Cashmere, broody actors and Democrats. ;)
Turn-offs: Beets, crickets, and elevators.
Stage name: Mary Benedict
AKA: "Cheekbones McGee"
As soon as adorable baby Mary began to say her first syllables, it was clear she was destined for more than
just spitting out gobs of Gerbers. When she grew to womanhood, "Cheekbones" began studying The Improv
Craft at the School of Hard Knocks with some extra training at the Groundlings theater, Comedy Underground
and Empty Stage Theater. A paralegal, published writer and former entertainment journalist, this versatile
vixen has been a founding member of Jeff Michalski’s Beat to Beat troupe and of Bill Johnson's Magic
Meathands ensemble. Yet she still finds time for Magic Meathand sketch work, hitting the beach, and pulling
boardgame all-nighters.
Turn-ons: Cashmere, broody actors and Democrats. ;)
Turn-offs: Beets, crickets, and elevators.
Eric Chad has performed ever since the 6th grade musical production of Tumbleweeds, wherein he portrayed
the tragic hero Tumbleweeds. He then moved on to play the pivotal role of Brother Dan in the 12th grade
musical production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat about a boy named Joe and his coat of dreams.
Unfortunately, fame, like fate, was a fickle mistress. Puberty, along with the Great Depression and internet
spam, struck Eric Chad at a most inopportune time, and he lost his heavenly angelic voice to the triple threat.
Today, in his old age, Eric Chad remains a recluse, leaving his flat only to go to Trader Joe’s for groceries
and perform improvisational theatre.
the tragic hero Tumbleweeds. He then moved on to play the pivotal role of Brother Dan in the 12th grade
musical production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat about a boy named Joe and his coat of dreams.
Unfortunately, fame, like fate, was a fickle mistress. Puberty, along with the Great Depression and internet
spam, struck Eric Chad at a most inopportune time, and he lost his heavenly angelic voice to the triple threat.
Today, in his old age, Eric Chad remains a recluse, leaving his flat only to go to Trader Joe’s for groceries
and perform improvisational theatre.
Nikki sings, writes and improvises.
Turn-ons: Kissable lips and brevity.
Turn-offs: Talking about herself and sentences ending in prepositions.
Turn-ons: Kissable lips and brevity.
Turn-offs: Talking about herself and sentences ending in prepositions.
Corey Blake is a goofball. There’s just no getting around it.
Before becoming a member of The Magic Meathands, Corey helped form the sketch comedy group Foe Pa
after a memorable stint with The 3rd Floor: LA. He has been seen in the award-winning short film Hattie
Needs Rehab, the feature film Chasing Happiness, and the pilot for the children’s show “Imagination Station”,
as well as on stage in an award-winning Los Angeles production of Chekov’s Three Sisters and
Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Corey also has experience behind the camera. He wrote for the sketch comedy groups Foe Pa and The 3rd
Floor: LA, providing scripts that ranged from insightful social satire to nonsensical whimsy. He was also a
writer for the musical comedy Mission: Improbable, which he also helped produce. Additionally, he served as
associate producer for the demo trailer for Voices From Chornobyl and the documentary Dig Comics.
Before becoming a member of The Magic Meathands, Corey helped form the sketch comedy group Foe Pa
after a memorable stint with The 3rd Floor: LA. He has been seen in the award-winning short film Hattie
Needs Rehab, the feature film Chasing Happiness, and the pilot for the children’s show “Imagination Station”,
as well as on stage in an award-winning Los Angeles production of Chekov’s Three Sisters and
Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Corey also has experience behind the camera. He wrote for the sketch comedy groups Foe Pa and The 3rd
Floor: LA, providing scripts that ranged from insightful social satire to nonsensical whimsy. He was also a
writer for the musical comedy Mission: Improbable, which he also helped produce. Additionally, he served as
associate producer for the demo trailer for Voices From Chornobyl and the documentary Dig Comics.
Shane Boroomand was born in Iran. He developed his sense of humor while growing up in Tehran, or as he
calls it, the comedy capital of the Middle East. Shane has acted in, produced and directed short films, and
now is obsessed with comedy improv. In fact, when Shane is not busy running his tax firm, he is busy
preaching the gospel of improv to anyone who’ll listen. Shane also loves to travel (to the dismay of his
clients), eat fatty foods (to the dismay of his wife) and waste time surfing the net (to the dismay of both his
clients and his wife).
calls it, the comedy capital of the Middle East. Shane has acted in, produced and directed short films, and
now is obsessed with comedy improv. In fact, when Shane is not busy running his tax firm, he is busy
preaching the gospel of improv to anyone who’ll listen. Shane also loves to travel (to the dismay of his
clients), eat fatty foods (to the dismay of his wife) and waste time surfing the net (to the dismay of both his
clients and his wife).
The Real Funny People of the Main Company:
Copyright © 2007 Bill Johnson Productions. All rights reserved.
The Magic Meathands is a registered trademark of Bill Johnson Productions.
Website created by Mike Thompson.
The Magic Meathands is a registered trademark of Bill Johnson Productions.
Website created by Mike Thompson.
Travis McElroy
*reads recipe*
3 cups of Friendlness
2 tablespoons of SassyHumor
5 drops of Ambition
A dash of Wit
A pinch of Charm
Pour into bowl, mix well.
Melt in oven - 810 degrees.
Spread evenly on hardwood floor, let cool.
Cut into pieces. Makes 34 servings.
*reads recipe*
3 cups of Friendlness
2 tablespoons of SassyHumor
5 drops of Ambition
A dash of Wit
A pinch of Charm
Pour into bowl, mix well.
Melt in oven - 810 degrees.
Spread evenly on hardwood floor, let cool.
Cut into pieces. Makes 34 servings.
Lily Gatica was born last year on a small street in Paris. Obviously Paris is a small city, so she's sure you
know what street she's referring to. Yup, that one. Thankfully, she was able to escape and make her way to
the westside in time for improv class where bill johnson took her in and made her his own. She taught Bill
two French words (which she can no longer remember) and he let her become a Magic Meathand. Now she
attends UCLA where she slaves away learning about sociological theories and Italian. She'd like to thank all
the little people who have made it to the Spot Cafe and MI's Westside Comedy Theater to see the incredible
Magic Meathands perform every month.
know what street she's referring to. Yup, that one. Thankfully, she was able to escape and make her way to
the westside in time for improv class where bill johnson took her in and made her his own. She taught Bill
two French words (which she can no longer remember) and he let her become a Magic Meathand. Now she
attends UCLA where she slaves away learning about sociological theories and Italian. She'd like to thank all
the little people who have made it to the Spot Cafe and MI's Westside Comedy Theater to see the incredible
Magic Meathands perform every month.
As a native Angeleno and the only member of the troupe who can remember when City Hall was the tallest
building downtown, Liz Gill brings decades of life experience to MMH's shows. When you've lived as long as
she has, comedy is the only option. Liz loves the transformative power of improv, that she can be any sex,
any race, any age, even any species or object, and it's all YESSED. Her other team sport is soccer. A writer
by compulsion and profession, she also teaches part-time at USC's School of Cinematic Arts and strives to
bring the zen of improvisation into all her activities.
building downtown, Liz Gill brings decades of life experience to MMH's shows. When you've lived as long as
she has, comedy is the only option. Liz loves the transformative power of improv, that she can be any sex,
any race, any age, even any species or object, and it's all YESSED. Her other team sport is soccer. A writer
by compulsion and profession, she also teaches part-time at USC's School of Cinematic Arts and strives to
bring the zen of improvisation into all her activities.
Carol McLaine has many interests, however none of them are interesting enough to include in a bio. Carol
has many talents, but writing about herself in third person is not one of them. She is a retired school teacher,
and enjoys growing healthy vegetables with other volunteers and students at a local school garden.
has many talents, but writing about herself in third person is not one of them. She is a retired school teacher,
and enjoys growing healthy vegetables with other volunteers and students at a local school garden.
Mary Benedict
Corey Blake
Shane Boroomand
Lily Gatica
Jim Maloy
Liz Gill
Eric Chad Ho
Travis McElroy
Marshall loves to find the funny. She realized that when she started her improv journey at the Empty Stage.
Originally, Marshall hails from Richmond, Virginia. She arrived in LA after living in a myriad of places including
New York, London, San Francisco, and Wyoming - she loves both the great outdoors and concrete. She can
be seen most recently in the upcoming CSI dvd game playing Kelly, who claims the girl was dead when she
got there. More information can be found at http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/marshallmcgehee
Originally, Marshall hails from Richmond, Virginia. She arrived in LA after living in a myriad of places including
New York, London, San Francisco, and Wyoming - she loves both the great outdoors and concrete. She can
be seen most recently in the upcoming CSI dvd game playing Kelly, who claims the girl was dead when she
got there. More information can be found at http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/marshallmcgehee
Marshall McGehee
Carol McLaine
Nikki Turner
Lara Sterling
Contact us: (310) 600-6109 Bill Johnson, Director
(310) 979-8676 Nikki Turner, Promotions
(310) 979-8676 Nikki Turner, Promotions
In a former life, Lara Sterling was a nightlife connoisseur, an avid traveler, a model, an expat in Spain, a
journalist for magazines such as Spanish Playboy, and a producer of documentaries about L.A.’s
underground rock en español scene. Today, Lara dedicates herself to the married life in the port town
of San Pedro, where, in between taking care of her two small boys, she writes as well as teaches writing.
Lara has a BA in History with an emphasis on Latin American Studies from UCLA.
journalist for magazines such as Spanish Playboy, and a producer of documentaries about L.A.’s
underground rock en español scene. Today, Lara dedicates herself to the married life in the port town
of San Pedro, where, in between taking care of her two small boys, she writes as well as teaches writing.
Lara has a BA in History with an emphasis on Latin American Studies from UCLA.
Seth was born in Los Angeles, making him one of the only actors never to take a bus there. He has
performed improv all around the Pacific Rim, including Japan, Los Angeles, and San Diego with UCSD’s
FOOSH. Seth has also acted in and written for sketch comedy shows. Seth likes to take relaxing breaks
from working hard at improv and auditioning by working hard at golf and basketball. He’s relieved to
finally be recognized by the public for having hands made out of meat.
performed improv all around the Pacific Rim, including Japan, Los Angeles, and San Diego with UCSD’s
FOOSH. Seth has also acted in and written for sketch comedy shows. Seth likes to take relaxing breaks
from working hard at improv and auditioning by working hard at golf and basketball. He’s relieved to
finally be recognized by the public for having hands made out of meat.
Seth Rotkin
Born and raised in Southern California, Kathie has the keen sense of pointing out the obvious. After slaving
away in the Corporate Commercial Real Estate world for years, she has now focused all her energy towards
making people laugh, cry and sometimes even scream. She enjoys napping while watching her favorite
television show as well as long walks through public restrooms.
away in the Corporate Commercial Real Estate world for years, she has now focused all her energy towards
making people laugh, cry and sometimes even scream. She enjoys napping while watching her favorite
television show as well as long walks through public restrooms.
Kathie Bostian
James Scott Maloy is a Canadian artist, designer, children's author and film-maker who played an important
role in the recognition of Inuit art and introduced printmaking to the Inuit. The name "Saumik" was attributed to
him by the Inuit, which means "the left-handed one". He fought in World War II with the Toronto Scottish
Regiment receiving the Canadian Active Service Medal. After the war, he went to the Eastern Arctic to paint
and lived there for twelve years. He was a Northern Service Officer and Civil Administrator of West Baffin
Island. No, wait, that’s someone completely different. What were we talking about?
role in the recognition of Inuit art and introduced printmaking to the Inuit. The name "Saumik" was attributed to
him by the Inuit, which means "the left-handed one". He fought in World War II with the Toronto Scottish
Regiment receiving the Canadian Active Service Medal. After the war, he went to the Eastern Arctic to paint
and lived there for twelve years. He was a Northern Service Officer and Civil Administrator of West Baffin
Island. No, wait, that’s someone completely different. What were we talking about?
