Catch Tumbleweed’s premiere show this Friday, July 14 at the Rendezvous in Belltown! Not sure what any of that means? Here’s some more info on our summer improv program featuring five teams consisting of 40 new performers and coached by Bandit staff.
What’s the deal with Tumbleweeds?
One thing about Bandit is we’re passionate about teaching improv and bringing people up on stage. Sure, we love to delight an audience with our improv magic, but we’re just as excited about giving people who love improv theater the opportunity to learn and take the stage themselves. And that’s exactly what we’re offering with our first-ever Tumbleweeds Summer improv program.
Why did Tumbleweeds START?
Seattle is filled with incredibly talented and funny improvisers, both experienced and up-and-coming. We wanted to give these players an opportunity to improve their skills, take the stage and become even more immersed in the art form. It also provides an opportunity to build an even broader and more diverse community of improv comedians. Similarly, Tumbleweeds gives our very own collection of Bandit performers a chance to coach and direct these new teams.
Who are the players?
Early this summer, we held our first Tumbleweeds auditions (you can learn more about what that entailed in this post!). Over 40 players were selected and spread across five different teams.
Team 1:
Mia Iseman, Chido Onyeze, Riley Dolan, Sam Cathcart, Jeff D'Angelo, Matt Vergara, Sonia Dillane, Laura Kirol, Kody Smith, Annie Barry. Directed by Stephen Carter
Team 2:
Taylor Kessner, Nathalie Graham, Eloise O'Loane, YC Chan, Sara Jo Geiger, Drew Jacobson, Jake Foerg, Zhi Bo Deng, Ciera Young. Directed by Jonny Riecke
Team 3:
Joe DeSautelle, Natalie Holt, Tiger Oakes, Jonny Riecke, Lana Voynova, Jo Bechtold, Tami Aranguiz, Pamela Cannon, Robbie Bidinger. Directed by Chrysta Storm and Mack Suits Baer.
Team 4:
Derek Dzik, Max Horowitz-Gelb, Ginger Baker, Julia Kolski, Ilana Degann, PJ Weisberg, Chris Zimmerman, Mack Suits Baer. Directed by Winnie Yeung and John Wachter.
Team 5:
Zak Nelson, Abby Schwartz, Melissa Zargon, Sam Cooper, Bjorn Sorenson, Christopher Callagan, Brian Toews, Annie Henderson, Chris Carter. Directed by Janelle Bentley and John Michael Jennings.
Who are the directors?
If you’ve ever seen a Bandit show, chances are you’ve seen these directors doing their thing right on stage! Each Tumbleweeds team has one or two Bandit performers directing and helping the ensembles establish their own unique personalities. Some directors are really immersing themselves in the experience by participating as a player on another Tumbleweeds team.
HOW CAN I CATCH A SHOW?
Mark your calendars! Tumbleweeds will have three shows over the course of the Summer, all at the Rendezvous in Belltown.
Friday, July 14, 7 pm @ The Rendezvous
Purchase tickets by block, or buy all three blocks
Upcoming shows:
Friday, August 4, 7 pm @ The Rendezvous
Friday, August 11, 7 pm @ The Rendezvous
We’re so excited to see all the hard and fun work these teams have put in come to life this summer. Thank you to all the Tumbleweeds participants and supporters for helping Bandit continue to build a positive comedy community!