T H E C O L L E C T I V E
There are eight of us, but only one of you. Better get reading.
Photo credit for all images to Rob Anderson.
Warren Bates - @swordofshame
Warren Bates has been performing improv comedy for twelve years with Combat Improv (Regina) and the Canadian Improv Games,as well as Instant Theatre and UBCi (Vancouver). He has also been involved in Stand-up comedy for the last four years, winning the Canadian Comedy Award's "Funniest Person in Saskatchewan" contest back in 2008. He has appeared in shows such as Corner Gas and Incredible Stories Studio.
Nik Bunting - @nikolasbunting
Nik has been weaving his own brand of chocolate sandwich his whole life, more recently applying it to improv and sketch with UBCimprov, Instant Theatre and Pump Trolley Comedy. What's a chocolate sandwich? Hold a labyrinth in your mind hand.
He has requested to hear less jokes involving balls and more involving Hugo Ball.
He has requested to hear less jokes involving balls and more involving Hugo Ball.
Ember Konopaki - @ekonopaki
Ember has been improvising for almost a decade. In high school she was a national bronze and gold medalist in the Canadian Improv Games (CIG). She remains involved with the CIG, training and judging at the regional and national levels. During university she performed weekly with Rapid Fire Theatre (Edmonton). Since moving to Vancouver, Ember has performed improv and sketch at Bronx Cheer's Hero Show, in UBCi's Impulse Festival, at the Upfront Theatre in Bellingham and with Vancouver Theatresports League. She currently coaches one of UBCi's teams.
Nick Harvey-Cheetham - @probably_nick
Nick Harvey-Cheetham has performed in over 11 types of building, including hockey arena, synagogue and metal bar. He is an alumnus of the Canadian Improv Games and has been a senior player with UBCimprov for four years. He is currently co-president of UBCimprov with Brandon Yan. Nick regularly improvises and sketches comedy around Vancouver and has performed at shows like Bronx Cheer, the Man Hussy Total Series and the Sunday Service. Some of Nick's recent show highlights include the Next Act Improv Festival in Victoria, BC and a guest appearance at the Upfront Theatre in the U.S.A.
Tom Hill - @itstomhill
Tom is an improviser, writer, and sketch comedian from Regina and Vancouver. Improvisation has been his magic of choice for years, from the Canadian Improv Games as a young lad, to UBCimprov where he at one point reigned as co-president. In 2008 he created Hip.Bang! with Devin Mackenzie, with whom he has played Vancouver International Improv Festival and the 2010 Improvaganza Festival in Edmonton. Tom has had the good fortune to work/perform with Bronx Cheer’s Hero Show, Man Hussy, the Exploding Sandwich! podcast, and other friends.
Alex Hudson
Alex Hudson has a beard on his face. He's never asked for any help growing it, nor has any been offered. In this regard, he is alone. His comedic life began playing with UBC Improv, who were even nice enough to let him be Co-President. With Richard Lam he makes up half of History Alive!, a Vancouver International Improv Festival-featured show about things that have already happened. Occasionally Alex does stand-up as well! Mostly he likes settling down in a finely-upholstered chair with a glass of something-or-other to write sketches.
Devin Mackenzie - @drgmackenzie
Devin is an improviser. He improvises with Hip.Bang!, Ghost Jail Theatre Vancouver, Instant Theatre and Vancouver Theatresports League. He has performed in the Vancouver International Improv Festival and Rapid Fire Theatre's Improvaganza. He acted as co-president of UBCimprov and co-hosted the popular Exploding Sandwich! podcast. He has taught and been taught. Currently he is working on a fringe tour with Tom Hill for 2011, as well as writing a solo devised theatre piece based off his adventures hitchhiking from Vancouver to Newfoundland and back.
Tegan Verheul - @tegantegantegan
Tegan is arguably the best Nintendo player in Western Canada. A UBCimprov alumnus and winner of the 2009 UBCi Impulse Tournament, she has also trained in performance at the Lyric School of Acting and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. During this time, Tegan has studied under such greats as Keith Johnstone, Randy Dixon, and Ken Rea. Tegan also performs with Ghost Jail Vancouver and Vancouver TheatreSports League’s Rookie League. While alphabetically the last member of Pump Trolley, she'd be the first to roundhouse kick a werewolf in the face.
L E G E N D S
You're right, we have lost weight, thanks for noticing. Over the years Pump Trolley has counted some of the finest comedians in the world amongst its core cast. Now, these names grace our history books:
Jessica Bryson is an improviser and comedian also from the ranks of UBCimprov. She's off making it big east-coast styles in Toronto. You'll find her in the Second City conservatory and doing shows at awesome places like Comedy Bar.
Tim Carlson is an improviser and co-founder of the Vancouver-based trio LORAX. Tim is now studying the hell out of acting at the prestigious Studio 58.
Nima Gholamipour is an improviser and animator living and performing in Vancouver. Nima is studying animation at Capilano College and can be seen as part of Instant Theatre and the improv trio LORAX.
Ben Gorodetsky is living the dream in Edmonton, Alberta. Home of one of the finest acting programs in the world (U of A), of which Ben is one part. When he's not learning Ben is a proud member of Edmonton's Rapid Fire Theatre.
Richard Lam is a tough-love obsessed former Vancouverite who is also currently studying at the University of Alberta and performing with the illustrious Rapid Fire Theatre.
Devon Lougheed is one of the most interesting men in the world. Co-creator and host of the Exploding Sandwich! podcast, Hush Hush City, and frontman for musical sensation Beekeeper, he's also almost a doctor. What more could you want.
Adam Pateman was a founding member and has since moved to New York, where you can find him hosting his very own comedy show Not Fridays! His stand up special will be appearing on Comedy Central real soon, and if you ever get the chance to see him doing stand up, take that chance. He has a nice website.
Nicole Passmore is an improviser and comedian now performing with Pony Hunters, Instant Theatre, and Bronx Cheer's Hero Show. Don't miss her any chance you get to see her ok?
