I really give a shit.
I've been teaching improv since 2007, and I've worked with ages 18 to 80. I've coached stand-up comics, and helped develop and direct sketches, plays, pilots and screenplays. I am direct and constructively honest, because I know you want to look good and get better. I always focus on getting performers to find what works best for them, rather than forcing them into a mold.
I've been teaching improv since 2007, and I've worked with ages 18 to 80. I've coached stand-up comics, and helped develop and direct sketches, plays, pilots and screenplays. I am direct and constructively honest, because I know you want to look good and get better. I always focus on getting performers to find what works best for them, rather than forcing them into a mold.
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Performers: I will work to pinpoint your specific challenges, and work towards your artistic goals.
Teams: I will help you discover what makes your team unique, and help develop signature forms and styles. Writers: I will help you develop your material, and get it off the page and onto the stage/screen. I have taught many classes at both Comedy Theaters and Theater Programs. I will have news here about upcoming classes and workshops, but I always remain available for independent instruction and directing. Contact me for availability and pricing - if you're on a budget, I am negotiable! |
TRAINING
PLACES
• Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre • Power Improv • Chicago City Limits • The Magnet • Syracuse University - First Year Players •
• LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts - yes, it's" Fame," deal with it •
PEOPLE
• Matt Walsh • Ian Roberts • Paul Scheer • Owen Burke • David Wain • Joe Bill • Mark Sutton • Amey Goerlich • Tyler Bunch •
• Michael Delaney • Sean Conroy • Jackie Clarke • Kevin Mullaney • Rebecca Drysdale • Armando Diaz •
PLACES
• Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre • Power Improv • Chicago City Limits • The Magnet • Syracuse University - First Year Players •
• LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts - yes, it's" Fame," deal with it •
PEOPLE
• Matt Walsh • Ian Roberts • Paul Scheer • Owen Burke • David Wain • Joe Bill • Mark Sutton • Amey Goerlich • Tyler Bunch •
• Michael Delaney • Sean Conroy • Jackie Clarke • Kevin Mullaney • Rebecca Drysdale • Armando Diaz •
Fantastically nice things people have said...!
"If you like to have a good time while also being disciplined to be the best improviser you can be then you should take a class from Marcus. One of my favorite people to watch improvise he is magical."
-Amey Goerlich
Performer/Teacher, Westside Comedy Theater
-Amey Goerlich
Performer/Teacher, Westside Comedy Theater
"Marcus capital-g Gets It. He's a great coach with a smart, fun and fluid approach to improv - part scientist and part wizard. He's fun as hell and will elevate your improv game. Endorsed! I give Marcus five out of five vampire bats, because that's how I've decided to rate things from now on."
-Ari Voukydis
Performer/Teacher, Upright Citizens Brigade
-Ari Voukydis
Performer/Teacher, Upright Citizens Brigade
Testimonials
"Marcus is a thorough teacher - he watches each of his performers intently, without judgement and with curiosity. He delivers very precise, technical feedback to help the beginner improviser (speak loudly and move big, to get out of your head) and nuanced suggestions for the advanced improviser (think about the overall arc of the show - the pace needs to increase here, etc)." – Becca Foresman
"I love working with Marcus because his comedic perspective is truly unique and always spot on. Just when you thought you were utterly stuck, he will show you 5 different escape routes you didn’t even see before. He’s also great with helping you find what’s most interesting in your work, then drawing it out and strengthening it. If World War III happens, and we have to pick teams for an apocalyptic afterworld, I want Marcus on my team!" – Kassi Dougherty
"He brought great energy to each meeting, and always had thoughtful comments. I often found myself pleasantly surprised by his insights. Most importantly - he knew when to teach and when to let us practice." – Tucker Johnson
"I love working with Marcus because his comedic perspective is truly unique and always spot on. Just when you thought you were utterly stuck, he will show you 5 different escape routes you didn’t even see before. He’s also great with helping you find what’s most interesting in your work, then drawing it out and strengthening it. If World War III happens, and we have to pick teams for an apocalyptic afterworld, I want Marcus on my team!" – Kassi Dougherty
"He brought great energy to each meeting, and always had thoughtful comments. I often found myself pleasantly surprised by his insights. Most importantly - he knew when to teach and when to let us practice." – Tucker Johnson
"The most important thing Marcus asked the team was, “What are your comedy goals?” He helped me start to place Improv and Comedy into a space outside of just a hobby in my life. What did I want to do with it? Why was I doing it? Marcus has a natural ability to add meaning to the work, and he helped us all move in that direction with enthusiasm and purpose. He creates and shares energy, and he’s a comedy role model - someone who walks the walk. Marcus is fucking dope. We’re lucky to have found him, and I wish it would have happened earlier in my Improv training." – Adam Stanley
"While we all have fun doing improv, it's important to have discipline when practicing which can sometimes get lost. Marcus had us practice like we were playing on stage in a show to form good habits. He is also very active in that he would periodically stand up and demonstrate something with one of the people in the scene to make sure we all understood what he was saying. A technique I've always valued because as creatives we tend to be visual learners! Beyond that, he was very encouraging, no BS, and was funnier than all of us which, let's be honest, you want in a teacher." – Bethany Taylor
"When my team started working with Marcus, we had just finished a stint with a coach that was nice and supportive but rarely gave in-depth or critical feedback. Marcus was completely different. He provided specific, personal and challenging feedback for each individual teammate. As a result, our team started performing better as a collective. The first time we performed after working with him we were a completely different set of performers: more focused, more driven, less afraid to fail. His knowledge of different forms and styles of improv was extremely helpful, and his positivity and sense of humor helped keep his more challenging critiques from feeling like an attack. He’s one of the best improv teachers I’ve ever had." – Brian Goodwin
"While we all have fun doing improv, it's important to have discipline when practicing which can sometimes get lost. Marcus had us practice like we were playing on stage in a show to form good habits. He is also very active in that he would periodically stand up and demonstrate something with one of the people in the scene to make sure we all understood what he was saying. A technique I've always valued because as creatives we tend to be visual learners! Beyond that, he was very encouraging, no BS, and was funnier than all of us which, let's be honest, you want in a teacher." – Bethany Taylor
"When my team started working with Marcus, we had just finished a stint with a coach that was nice and supportive but rarely gave in-depth or critical feedback. Marcus was completely different. He provided specific, personal and challenging feedback for each individual teammate. As a result, our team started performing better as a collective. The first time we performed after working with him we were a completely different set of performers: more focused, more driven, less afraid to fail. His knowledge of different forms and styles of improv was extremely helpful, and his positivity and sense of humor helped keep his more challenging critiques from feeling like an attack. He’s one of the best improv teachers I’ve ever had." – Brian Goodwin