IMPROV COMEDY CAST
| Real people. Funny people. Real funny people. |
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.
Carrie's career as an artist can be traced back to age four when she began creating
'mud pie' sculptures on her picnic table in Lansing, Michigan. Dancing, writing,
painting, (and some inspiring choreography to Joan Jett's "I Love Rock n Roll" with
her sisters) soon followed. After completing her BA at Western Michigan University in
Creative Writing and 'gypsy-ing' around the country for a while, she landed in Los
Angeles with her fabulous husband, Ken. She has studied improv at The
Groundlings, Joy Theatre, and The Empty Stage and is now so hopelessly addicted,
her gambling addiction doesn't stand a chance of resurfacing.
Turn-ons: Traveling, backpacking, and margaritas.
Turn-offs: Littering and people who litter.
'mud pie' sculptures on her picnic table in Lansing, Michigan. Dancing, writing,
painting, (and some inspiring choreography to Joan Jett's "I Love Rock n Roll" with
her sisters) soon followed. After completing her BA at Western Michigan University in
Creative Writing and 'gypsy-ing' around the country for a while, she landed in Los
Angeles with her fabulous husband, Ken. She has studied improv at The
Groundlings, Joy Theatre, and The Empty Stage and is now so hopelessly addicted,
her gambling addiction doesn't stand a chance of resurfacing.
Turn-ons: Traveling, backpacking, and margaritas.
Turn-offs: Littering and people who litter.
Carrie Aikman
Dawn Akemi
Sandie Bass
Ben Bates
Mary Benedict
Shane Boroomand
Heather Brumley
Eric Field
Lauri Fraser
Phil Gibbs
Wendy Lee
Marshall McGehee
Jason Palmer
Andrew Pari
Tara Powell
Rodrigo Sáenz
Nikki Turner
Janet Villalba
Dawn Akemi
Sandie Bass
Ben Bates
Mary Benedict
Shane Boroomand
Heather Brumley
Eric Field
Lauri Fraser
Phil Gibbs
Wendy Lee
Marshall McGehee
Jason Palmer
Andrew Pari
Tara Powell
Rodrigo Sáenz
Nikki Turner
Janet Villalba
The Real Funny People of the Main Company:
Carrie Aikman, Dawn Akemi, Sandie Bass, Ben Bates, Mary Benedict, Shane Boroomand, Heather Brumley, Eric Field,
Lauri Fraser, Phil Gibbs, Wendy Lee, Marshall McGehee, Jason Palmer, Andrew Pari, Tara Powell, Rodrigo Sáenz,
Nikki Turner, Janet Villalba
Carrie Aikman, Dawn Akemi, Sandie Bass, Ben Bates, Mary Benedict, Shane Boroomand, Heather Brumley, Eric Field,
Lauri Fraser, Phil Gibbs, Wendy Lee, Marshall McGehee, Jason Palmer, Andrew Pari, Tara Powell, Rodrigo Sáenz,
Nikki Turner, Janet Villalba
Dawn Akemi grew up in Hawaii and has been a nomadic traveler living in various
cities throughout the U.S. She likes to laugh at life's ironies, absudities, perplexities,
complexities, irritations, jubilations and depressions. She also likes to do dramas
where she can vent her sadness by crying on cue. More pics and her resume are at
http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/DawnAkemi and her (hopefully) entertaining videos
are at http://www.youtube.com/DawnAkemi.
cities throughout the U.S. She likes to laugh at life's ironies, absudities, perplexities,
complexities, irritations, jubilations and depressions. She also likes to do dramas
where she can vent her sadness by crying on cue. More pics and her resume are at
http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/DawnAkemi and her (hopefully) entertaining videos
are at http://www.youtube.com/DawnAkemi.
Sandie has been rejected for the lead role (or any role whatsoever) in many
productions including Grease, Man of La Mancha, and The Crucible. She feels that
her lack of theatre training, and lack of sense of humor, sets her apart from the rest
of the group. Originally from Chicago (the greatest city in the world), Sandie is
afflicted with frequent tics where she forcefully proclaims "Chicago is the greatest city
in the world!" But when confronted with actually moving back, she grows reticent and
clings to her surfboard. You can usually find Sandie taking the hard way up the side
of a mountain, or at home - tending to her two adorable dogs and large collection of
marzipan babies.
productions including Grease, Man of La Mancha, and The Crucible. She feels that
her lack of theatre training, and lack of sense of humor, sets her apart from the rest
of the group. Originally from Chicago (the greatest city in the world), Sandie is
afflicted with frequent tics where she forcefully proclaims "Chicago is the greatest city
in the world!" But when confronted with actually moving back, she grows reticent and
clings to her surfboard. You can usually find Sandie taking the hard way up the side
of a mountain, or at home - tending to her two adorable dogs and large collection of
marzipan babies.
Ben began studying improv as an intern and student at iO West and as a student at
the Second City Training Center in Los Angeles, where he was fortunate enough to
study under some great improv instructors and observed many legendary
performers. Currently, he continues his study of improv at the Empty Stage where
he grows daily as an improvisor as he interacts with many brilliant performers and
teachers. Ben is originally from Indiana and is happy to be in California where it's not
cold.
the Second City Training Center in Los Angeles, where he was fortunate enough to
study under some great improv instructors and observed many legendary
performers. Currently, he continues his study of improv at the Empty Stage where
he grows daily as an improvisor as he interacts with many brilliant performers and
teachers. Ben is originally from Indiana and is happy to be in California where it's not
cold.
Irish-Italian vixen Mary Benedict has been doing the improv thing since 1995. Cute
as a button, this New Jersey native has trained at the Groundlings theater, studied
and performed at Comedy Underground and Empty Stage, and was a founding
member of Jeff Michalski’s Beat to Beat troupe. She has also starred in a stage
musical, written for an entertainment magazine and self-published a novel. Yet even
a dedicated artiste like Mary needs money to fund her shopping habit, so she works
as a “writing and research” paralegal in Pasadena. Her hobbies include Argentine
tango and pondering whether the universe resulted from a design or a series of
random events culminating in her own existence.
Turn-ons: Neil Young, Jim Carrey, artichokes and of course, the Magic Meathands.
Turn-offs: Beets, crickets, and injustice, dang it!
as a button, this New Jersey native has trained at the Groundlings theater, studied
and performed at Comedy Underground and Empty Stage, and was a founding
member of Jeff Michalski’s Beat to Beat troupe. She has also starred in a stage
musical, written for an entertainment magazine and self-published a novel. Yet even
a dedicated artiste like Mary needs money to fund her shopping habit, so she works
as a “writing and research” paralegal in Pasadena. Her hobbies include Argentine
tango and pondering whether the universe resulted from a design or a series of
random events culminating in her own existence.
Turn-ons: Neil Young, Jim Carrey, artichokes and of course, the Magic Meathands.
Turn-offs: Beets, crickets, and injustice, dang it!
Heather Brumley (if that is her real name) came to do Improv at the Empty Stage
Theatre on the recommendation of a friend. She now refuses to speak to them.
Born in Wheaton, IL, a glamorous college town suburb of Chicago, she gradually
migrated west until reaching the Pacific Ocean. As Heather has no boating skills,
she has opted to stay in southern California and discontinue her westward migration.
Heather first got into acting while playing the playful platypus in her second grade
class play. Her parents fears came true when she graduated from college with a B.A.
in Theatre Arts. She has taken Improv at the Groundlings and the Comedy Dojo, but
has made the Empty Stage her Improv home. Needing another redhead in the
group, the Magic Meathands have decided to adopt her. She has reportedly drunk
the Kool-Aid and her brainwashing is running along right on schedule.
Theatre on the recommendation of a friend. She now refuses to speak to them.
Born in Wheaton, IL, a glamorous college town suburb of Chicago, she gradually
migrated west until reaching the Pacific Ocean. As Heather has no boating skills,
she has opted to stay in southern California and discontinue her westward migration.
Heather first got into acting while playing the playful platypus in her second grade
class play. Her parents fears came true when she graduated from college with a B.A.
in Theatre Arts. She has taken Improv at the Groundlings and the Comedy Dojo, but
has made the Empty Stage her Improv home. Needing another redhead in the
group, the Magic Meathands have decided to adopt her. She has reportedly drunk
the Kool-Aid and her brainwashing is running along right on schedule.
Eric was born at a very young age. He was raised by a pack of hyenas for a while,
but was quickly returned to his parent because he made the hyenas laugh too much.
He has been alive in many different places, including China, Tijuana, and Hawaii.
He has performed in plays, musicals, experimental theatre and detention hall. He
was a DJ on the radio for a few years, but he quit that because his audience never
made eye contact.
Turn-ons: Laughing, breathing and laughing some more.
Turn-offs: People who get turned off easily and too much television.
but was quickly returned to his parent because he made the hyenas laugh too much.
He has been alive in many different places, including China, Tijuana, and Hawaii.
He has performed in plays, musicals, experimental theatre and detention hall. He
was a DJ on the radio for a few years, but he quit that because his audience never
made eye contact.
Turn-ons: Laughing, breathing and laughing some more.
Turn-offs: People who get turned off easily and too much television.
Lauri was born in L.A. and may very well be the last one to stay with the exception of
Wendy Lee. She loves being served by the pool, but not by the Marshal. She also
loves her fellow Meathands. In her spare time she scopes out storytellers and
musicians for her venue I Love A Good Story. Check it out! www.iloveagoodstory.com
Wendy Lee. She loves being served by the pool, but not by the Marshal. She also
loves her fellow Meathands. In her spare time she scopes out storytellers and
musicians for her venue I Love A Good Story. Check it out! www.iloveagoodstory.com
Born in Italy, raised in the long shadow of the Pentagon, Phil spent 17 chilly, happy
years in Chicago where he attended the University of Chicago then studied with
Martin DeMaat and Josephine Forsberg at Players Workshop of Second City,
performing plural times in The Second City Children's Show as Kazoo, the loveable
but morally adrift townsfolken, a role originated by Betty Thomas of all people, you
know she was that tough blonde cop in Hill Street Blues, after which he continued
studying and performing in various plays, first in Chicago, later in Los Angeles – but
not before joining the Neofuturists as an original member in their long-running show
"Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind". He and Emi are proud parents of
Charlie.
Turn-ons: Emi. Jazz Guitar. Competent Parking.
Turn-offs: Run on sentences.
years in Chicago where he attended the University of Chicago then studied with
Martin DeMaat and Josephine Forsberg at Players Workshop of Second City,
performing plural times in The Second City Children's Show as Kazoo, the loveable
but morally adrift townsfolken, a role originated by Betty Thomas of all people, you
know she was that tough blonde cop in Hill Street Blues, after which he continued
studying and performing in various plays, first in Chicago, later in Los Angeles – but
not before joining the Neofuturists as an original member in their long-running show
"Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind". He and Emi are proud parents of
Charlie.
Turn-ons: Emi. Jazz Guitar. Competent Parking.
Turn-offs: Run on sentences.
Wendy J.N. Lee is an avid fan of beach activities, The Golden Girls, and awkward
social situations. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she often wonders where all the
others have gone... Having achieved a BA in philosophy at Boston College, she is
currently a graduate student at USC School of Cinematic Arts in pursuit of the day
when her fame will allow her to cut the line at the Blue Bayou inside Disneyland.
Wendy is one of the founding day-one members of the Magic Meathands, and takes
credit for conjoining the words Meat and Hands in the early days. Wendy enjoys
spiritual humor, and also regular humor.
social situations. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she often wonders where all the
others have gone... Having achieved a BA in philosophy at Boston College, she is
currently a graduate student at USC School of Cinematic Arts in pursuit of the day
when her fame will allow her to cut the line at the Blue Bayou inside Disneyland.
Wendy is one of the founding day-one members of the Magic Meathands, and takes
credit for conjoining the words Meat and Hands in the early days. Wendy enjoys
spiritual humor, and also regular humor.
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
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
Jason M. Palmer is new to the improv scene and does not hold a fancy pedigree from
“theatahs” like the Groundlings or Second City. A Los Angeles native and graduate
of Loyola Marymount’s School of Film, Jason has made his living writing freelance
teleplays for such unforgettable shows as “Dawson’s Creek,” “The Bernie Mac
Show,” “That’s So Raven,” and “Everybody Hates Chris.” If pressed, he will regale
you with stories of the time Katie Holmes mistook him for a Mexican and asked him
where to get the best turquoise jewelry, or when he impersonated a celebrity to get
into a fancy Hollywood party, only to be exposed by New York magazine. Or maybe
he won’t tell you anything at all.
“theatahs” like the Groundlings or Second City. A Los Angeles native and graduate
of Loyola Marymount’s School of Film, Jason has made his living writing freelance
teleplays for such unforgettable shows as “Dawson’s Creek,” “The Bernie Mac
Show,” “That’s So Raven,” and “Everybody Hates Chris.” If pressed, he will regale
you with stories of the time Katie Holmes mistook him for a Mexican and asked him
where to get the best turquoise jewelry, or when he impersonated a celebrity to get
into a fancy Hollywood party, only to be exposed by New York magazine. Or maybe
he won’t tell you anything at all.
As a licensed Social Worker who provides emergency mental health interventions for
the people of Los Angeles, Andrew is adept at diagnosing himself quickly and
accurately. A mild narcissist with addictive tendencies, he took to the improv stage
and won't give it back. Trained with the Groundlings, April Scott, Westside Eclectic,
Bill Johnson and Stan Wells of The Empty Stage, he is a founding member of The
Magic Meathands Main Company. He's worked in various film and stage projects
and is well-loved by all. Seriously. All. You know how hard that is? When asked for
a personal quote, Andrew replied, "Don't touch me! I'm SUPER-important." (He may
be taking the Jesus thing too far.)
the people of Los Angeles, Andrew is adept at diagnosing himself quickly and
accurately. A mild narcissist with addictive tendencies, he took to the improv stage
and won't give it back. Trained with the Groundlings, April Scott, Westside Eclectic,
Bill Johnson and Stan Wells of The Empty Stage, he is a founding member of The
Magic Meathands Main Company. He's worked in various film and stage projects
and is well-loved by all. Seriously. All. You know how hard that is? When asked for
a personal quote, Andrew replied, "Don't touch me! I'm SUPER-important." (He may
be taking the Jesus thing too far.)
Tara took the long road to improv, and by long we're talking up hill both ways
through 10 feet of snow, people! It was tough. Still she'd like to think her time in the
"real" world has served her very well in the imaginary world of improv. We're not truly
sure if she can tell the difference. Hailing from the great states of Indiana and
Colorado, she considers herself to be a high altitude mix of apple pie and aspen
trees with cinnamon and a scarf on top. A fitting combo. She's trained with Bill
Johnson and Stan Wells of the Empty Stage and the remainder of her talent was
cultivated on that aforementioned long and windy path!
through 10 feet of snow, people! It was tough. Still she'd like to think her time in the
"real" world has served her very well in the imaginary world of improv. We're not truly
sure if she can tell the difference. Hailing from the great states of Indiana and
Colorado, she considers herself to be a high altitude mix of apple pie and aspen
trees with cinnamon and a scarf on top. A fitting combo. She's trained with Bill
Johnson and Stan Wells of the Empty Stage and the remainder of her talent was
cultivated on that aforementioned long and windy path!
Rodrigo Sáenz, lived in a womb in Monterrey, Mexico for nine months. After that, at
the age of zero, he realized he would rather breath through the nose than through
his belly button, so he moved out to pursue his dream. During his early years he
discovered he spoke Spanish and that he hated any sport that involved a ball or
being restrained. Being from a town where the national sport is
volleyball-in-restraint-jackets sent him on a journey to find a place that would be a
better fit for him. After many years and many miles he finally found the place that
would make him happy, the city of Improv, a place with no balls, restraints or belly
buttons.
the age of zero, he realized he would rather breath through the nose than through
his belly button, so he moved out to pursue his dream. During his early years he
discovered he spoke Spanish and that he hated any sport that involved a ball or
being restrained. Being from a town where the national sport is
volleyball-in-restraint-jackets sent him on a journey to find a place that would be a
better fit for him. After many years and many miles he finally found the place that
would make him happy, the city of Improv, a place with no balls, restraints or belly
buttons.
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.
Janet Villalba does not really hail from any one place (although some people may
think: Florida, New Jersey or Canada/Colombia). Besides those places, she began
her improv and sketch comedy career at Second City and The Annoyance Theatre in
Chicago. Don’t even get her started on how she LOVES Chicago. Janet continued
training and performing in Los Angeles with the Groundlings and the Empty Stage
and is now thrilled to be a part of the Magic Meathands Main Company. In her spare
time, she uses her work in Hispanic advertising as a source of inspiration for
endearing characters. For this reason, you may hear a Spanish word thrown in a
vez en cuando...oh and Go Gators, tu sabes, tu sabes!
think: Florida, New Jersey or Canada/Colombia). Besides those places, she began
her improv and sketch comedy career at Second City and The Annoyance Theatre in
Chicago. Don’t even get her started on how she LOVES Chicago. Janet continued
training and performing in Los Angeles with the Groundlings and the Empty Stage
and is now thrilled to be a part of the Magic Meathands Main Company. In her spare
time, she uses her work in Hispanic advertising as a source of inspiration for
endearing characters. For this reason, you may hear a Spanish word thrown in a
vez en cuando...oh and Go Gators, tu sabes, tu sabes!
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).
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).