Laughing Gas Hall of Fame
A directory of recent Laughing Gas performers. Some have moved on to other projects, others have sought fame and fortune in distant cities. Where are they now?
CARLOS ALAYETO
Carlos Alayeto is a graduate of Miami-Dade College, where he studied drama and had the privilege of performing in works ranging from Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams to British farce. A Miami native of Cuban descent, Carlos has a peculiar fascination with New England (though he has never been there). Enamored with the film industry, he plans to relocate to Los Angeles eventually, to pursue a career in the greatest business on earth. He recently appeared in Jesus Hopped the A Train at The Experimental Space at American Heritage in Plantation.
Click here for Carlos' picture and resume.
PATRICK ARMSHAW
Patrick Armshaw has studied acting in Dublin, Ireland, London, England, and at the Stella Adler Academy in New York City. He has also trained at the Asolo Conservatory in Sarasota, Florida. While his professional life has only just begun, he has been active in the theatre for 8 years, and has appeared in Shakespeare repertory at the Florida Playwright's Theater in Hollywood, Florida. Some of his favorite roles include "Laertes" in Hamlet, "Ben" in The Dumbwaiter, and "Garcin" in No Exit. He was seen most recently as young Prince Malcolm in "the Scottish Play." He can also be seen sitting in the audience in a recent late-night infomercial, acting his little heart out. He has now embarked on a new journey to graduate school.
BEL BACA
BelisaBaca has appeared in various plays (including No Exit, The Vagina Monologues and Stay), musicals, short films, improv shows (also at Orlando's SAK Comedy Lab), and dinner theatres. She holds her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Central Florida. While in college she helped produce, write and starred as "Annie Christ" in her own Fringe Festival show entitled My Father the Savior. The oldest of six siblings, Bel is a quasi-Florida native of Spanish/American and British descent, born and raised in Brazil until the age of 15. Her dream jobs include sitcom ensemble member, TV show host, or renowned writer. Most recently, Bel was seen in a production of Steambath at the Tamarac Theatre of the Performing Arts. She has made the big move to Los Angeles, where she helped found the all-female improv troupe, .
Click here for Bels' picture and resume.
CYRILLA BAER
Cyrilla Baer is a singer/actress/comedienne who appeared in virtually every theatre in Florida. Laughing Gas was Cyrilla's first stab at real improv. Originally from Atlanta, where she soloed with the Atlanta Symphony in her teens, Cyrilla has been featured on South Florida stages from The Jupiter Theatre to The Coconut Grove Playhouse. She was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Carbonell Award as "Mabel" in The Pajama Game at The Actors' Playhouse and was given a Carbonell Honorable Mention for her Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense Jamboree at The Off-Broadway Theatre in Wilton Manors, under the direction of Nunsense creator Dan Goggin. Favorite credits include "Aldonza" in Man of La Mancha, "Cleo" in The Most Happy Fella, and the evil "Miss Thorn" in the multi-Carbonell Winner Ruthless! She recently did her first co-starring film role in the outrageous new indie comedy Raging Hormones, currently airing on Cinemax. She has also appeared in the film comedy And with her husband, Andrew Pond, she is co-author/co-star of Earthlings & Other Incorrigibles, a sketch comedy show. Cyrilla is one of the most frequently heard female voiceover talents in Florida, including TV or radio commercials for Ford, Toyota, and American Express and was a longtime on-air personality at the late-lamented WTMI Classical 93.1 FM. She has relocated to the windy city of Chicago.
MONIQUE BOURGERY
Monique Bourgery is a native of Rhode Island, and received her Bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts from Rhode Island College. She made the move to Miami in 1992, and she joined Laughing Gas shortly afterward. Monique has also performed in numerous dinner theatre productions, including four months in Knockoff, a comedy mystery in which two actors play ten roles. She is also a producer and writer in her own right, and she played a role in the English-language "telenovela" (miniseries), Miami Sands. Monique was featured in the independent film, , which was released in 1999 by Fine Line Pictures, and she has also made appearances in television infomercials and music videos.
BRIAN BREITER
Brian Breiter has relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career, but he comes back for guest appearances from time to time. In 2001, he appeared in an episode of Comedy Central's The Man Show. He was also seen as a regular performer on the Game Show Network's The Ultimate Gong Show. Brian has been training with The Groundlings improvisation troupe, and he collaborated with the late Avery Schreiber in a sketch comedy project. For over nine months, Brian performed in an improvised 1940's style radio show (in front of a live audience) with an L.A. improv company, Liquid Radio Players. Visit their website for Internet rebroadcasts of their show. He is represented by the Commercial Talent Agency. In 1999 he was tapped to serve as Al Pacino's stand-in for the Oliver Stone football film, Any Given Sunday. Brian came to Laughing Gas from a different kind of theatre he is a practicing attorney, having earned his J.D. degree at Nova Southeastern University Law School. He is a veteran of over two dozen jury trials, and improv offers him a chance to vent some steam in a socially acceptable way (it sure beats screaming at a judge, and you don't get sent to jail). Brian was also active in South Florida's regional theatre scene. He performed at Miami Beach's Edge Theatre in the comedy Sylvia, by A.R. Gurney. He portrayed "Tom" in a production of The Sisters Rosensweig at the Hollywood Playhouse, and he also appeared in a production of Prelude to a Kiss at the Studio Theatre. He even played a Hasidic jewel thief in a music video, Bone Thugs and Harmony. Brian is not a doctor but he played one on TV. He was seen in a Truth commercial as a righteous E.R. physician, and he appeared in a series of 11 regional commercials for Toyota. He also appeared in a recent national Honda commercial. Brian is a prolific comedy writer.
Brian's headshot was done by photographer Paul Greco.
MARILYN BRITO
Marilyn Brito is an actress, model, and writer. She has been active in South Florida's independent film scene, having appeared in half a dozen independent shorts and student films as well as an independent feature, Sunburn. She has worked on several stage and television projects including The Theater Within with NYC director Alec Rubin and the TNN Network's promotions for Miami Vice. She has also written several well-received short films.
LUCKNER BRUNO, JR.
Luckner Bruno, Jr. is an actor,singer, dancer, and choreographer who hails from Miami Shores, Florida. Recently attaining his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Miami Musical Theatre Conservatory Program, Lucky is now leaping headlong into everything that he bloody well can. Lucky looks forward to getting his act together and taking it anywhere they'll pay. Creating a new dance company, Project X Factor, and trying to survive, he's one of the hardest working performers in show business. In 2000, Lucky appeared in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at The Actors' Playhouse in Coral Gables. He was also the author and director of It's Not Gas, a futuristic farce about male pregnancy, which premiered in Miami last year, and completed production on another original play, The Greatest Story Ne'er Told, at the Miami Light Box. Lucky appeared in A New Brain: The Musical at the Mosaic Theatre in Broward County, and he has just returned from a seven-month touring production that took him all over the country.
MAUREEN BURDINE
Maureen Burdine does not own the Burdine's Department Store chain (but she wishes she did).
She attended Florida State University in Tallahassee for four years, and being a committed masochist, finished her Bachelor's degree in Communications at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. She was seen in productions of Laundry and Bourbon and Dark of the Moon, and The Children's Hour at Broward Community College. She also appeared in Isn't It Romantic? with the Fort Lauderdale Players, and was seen most recently in The Actor's Nightmare and Just Like Old Times with the Actor's Community Theater.
JAY COLLIGAN
Jay Colligan is a versatile actor with experience in theatre, television, and film, as well as voiceovers, industrials, and commercials. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia, majoring in Foreign Affairs with a minor in Acting. Most recently, Jay portrayed an evil golf pro in the straight-to-video comedy film, He has now made the big move to New York City.
JENNIFER DAWSON
Jennifer Dawson began her acting and hosting career in South Florida. She attended New World School of the Arts collegiate theater program as well as studying at David Mamet's Atlantic Theater Company in New York City. She has worked on numerous theatrical productions, student films and independent projects throughout the tri-county area as well as making her New York theatrical debut at Gallery Players playing a 75-year-old retired cabaret singer in Mittelschmerz (written by Laughing Gas alum Susie Taylor). Currently, Jennifer can be seen on the government channel as the host for the City of Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department. She also co-hosted the cruise line industry's shopping program, All Ashore, and hosted Air Canada's in-flight television schedule Essential, their duty-free shopping program. She also appeared in the recent independent feature film, Quick Pick. Jennifer is now based in Los Angeles, where she helped found the all-female improv troupe, .
J.C. DEL VALLE
J.C. del Valle was born in Passaic, New Jersey, but has lived in Miami all his life. After graduating from the University of Miami, he began employment as a marketing manager and special events coordinator. He enjoyed his acting classes so much at UM, that he decided to to take some private classes upon graduation. He is a very proud Big Brother and the devoted father of Chrystie Gonzalez del Valle, his true passion. He is currently earning his Master's degree in Public Administration at Florida International University.
ELISABETH DRAKE
Elisabeth Drake leads several lives. She started doing improv one day on accident. (She thought she was just making really interesting conversation.) Her performing career started at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida, as a (really high-singing) soprano. In addition to being a soloist, she has played the piano since she was five, she's pretty good with a yo-yo, and she holds a Bachelor's degree in French from Florida State University. She is originally from Oklahoma and has lived in places as varied as New York, Las Vegas, and Paris, France. You can also find Elisabeth in Miami's hip professional scene during the week, (wearing very pointy-toed shoes). She blames her sense of humor on her parents.
TODD EVELYN
Todd Evelyn is an actor and dancer who has been performing on South Florida stages for over five years. He was most recently seen as the snooty director in a miami.com television commercial. He was also a participant in the 1999 Florida Renaissance Festival in Fort Lauderdale, where he performed in a farcical version of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. He has recently returned to Florida after a stint in the city of New York, and is trying the waters in Orlando.
MAX FABIAN
Max Fabian is the youngest performing cast member of Laughing Gas and has already made a name for himself in the South Florida performing community, appearing in many area productions. As a member of Child's Play, Max performed at the Chicago Improv Festival and at the Gainesville Improv Festival. As a member of THEY improv, Max performs in a lot of charitable events. Max has also taught improv and sees a bright future ahead. He attends college in Chicago.
JENNIFER FOLLIA
Jennifer Follia is an actress, dancer, choreographer, costume designer, writer, make-up designer, voiceover artist, and occasional stiltwalker. A native of Jupiter (Florida, not the planet), she now resides in Hollywood. When she is not appearing with Laughing Gas, she is usually busy with convention shows, industrials, and stadium events for local sports teams. Jennifer is an accomplished celebrity impersonator, including Madonna, but her favorite challenges involve bringing to life the many strange and wonderful people who exist in her imaginationno one really knows what she'll look like from one day to the next. She also co-starred in the recent independent film, The Fatouche, which premiered at the 2004 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. She now lives in Stuart, Florida.
CESAR GRACIA
Cesar Gracia is an actor, comedian and filmmaker who performed with Laughing Gas for more than three years. He studied theater and film at Miami-Dade Community College, where he appeared most recently onstage in a production of Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth. He was also featured on the Spanish-language Sabado Gigante variety show, which is seen all over the US and Latin America. In 2000, he worked on the Andy Garcia film, , for HBO, and he was seen in a long-running regional commercial for Pollo Tropical Restaurants. He made the big move to New York City, where he took an intensive course in sketch comedy offered by The Second City. More recently, he has studied with the Upright Citizens Brigade improv and sketch comedy troupe, and is establishing himself in the New York/New Jersey stand-up comedy scene as well. He currently performs with a sketch and improv troupe in New York, known as Cubicle. You can also visit them on . Cesar would also like to remind all of us that even velociraptors need love.
MIGUEL HERNANDEZ
Miguel Hernandez came to Laughing Gas from a bit of a different walk of life. During the day, he is an award-winning advertising copywriter, writing creative print ads, radio spots, and television commercials. By night, Miguel is an improvisational actor, a habit he cannot quite give up. Miguel studied Theatre at (and minored in Advertising). While at CU he appeared in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Getting Out, Come Blow Your Horn, and Desire Under the Elms. As a student, he rewrote and directed Swingers, by Jon Favreau, for the stage. Although Miguel's present career is in creative advertising, he wishes to one day return to the stage full-time. After a year of moving around the world, Miguel has now settled in Chicago, where he is studying with Second City.
MICHAEL JOSEPH
Michael Joseph is an actor/dancer/singer/model/producer/ pet/writer/coach/director/filmmaker and a healer/friend/lover/son/brother. That about covers it. The rest comes with time. Michael is interested in meeting anyone who is interested in learning, growing, making art, and tasting all that life has to offer...or anyone who is a good cook and wants to give him some food! While his heart belongs to the Big Apple, is also a graduate of UCLA's Theater, Film and Television program. In January and February, you may have seen him dance in the Florida Grand Opera's production of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers. He appeared most recently in Footloose at The Actors Playhouse in Coral Gables.
KATHRYN KARPINSKI
Kathryn Karpinski hails from Long Island, NY, and graduated from the University of Miami in May with a B.A. in Music and Theater. Kathryn has played a wide variety of roles, including Rosalind in As You Like It, Bonnie in Anything Goes, Fagin in Oliver! and the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. She returned to New York, landing several touring roles, before heading west to Los Angeles. She plans to grace our stage when she returns to South Florida from time to time.
KEELY KIRK
Keely Kirk (formerly Coulthurst) is a blonde Jamaican-American who works as a free-lance video producer, voiceover artist, and video editor by day, Diva of Improv by night. She has studied Method Acting at Miami's New World School of the Arts, and first explored improv in classes at the Mental Floss Comedy Improv Theatre Company in Coconut Grove (in those bygone days before Hurricane Andrew blew it all away).
Keely enjoys any and all outdoor activities that do not involve sweating, and longs for world peace and a cure for the heartbreak of psoriasis. She has now relocated to the Northern Virginia after having studied with IO Chicago (formerly Improv Olympic).
JENNIE KLEIN
Jennie Klein considers herself a South Florida native, although she was born in Anaheim, California. She was brought to Florida as a little babe and has no recollection of earthquakes or Disneyland jaunts. As a child she trained with Ruth Foreman Theatre Company and then attended PAVAC (now the New World School of the Arts). Jennie attended the University of Miami where she studied voice and business. For several years she performed with an Irish folk group, The Liffey Folk, lead by the renowned Irish fiddler, James Kelly. And then it was off to Iowa, to polish her musical skills and learn more about farms, cows and feed-corn. Jennie attended the Professional Music Program at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, headed by Grammy-nominated arranger, Phil Mattson. There she spent a year studying jazz and classical piano, jazz vocal arranging techniques, jazz and classical voice and touring with several school choirs throughout the Midwest. After about a year, she moved back down to South Florida. Bitten by the acting bug yet again, Jennie became a member of the wacky & insane local sketch-comedy theatre group, . She also works as a voice-over artist locally, nationally and internationally and enjoyed volunteering her time as a live-reader for the WLRN Radio Reading Service. Jennie has moved to New York, where she now works as voiceover personality Jennie Sunshine.
If you STILL want to know more about this very silly gal, check out her website at: www.jenniebug.com
LUIS SEVILLA-LEVY
Luis Sevilla-Levy grew up in Miami, and attended the New World School of the Arts. He took the summer of 2001 off, traveling to London for the Shakespeare intensive acting program offered by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. In addition to his work as a performer, Luis has been involved in martial arts for many years, and is a Second Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Luis spent a year studying acting as a member of the esteemed Circle in the Square Acting Conservatory in New York City. He is currently studying Spanish-language theatre in his native Nicaragua.
RAY LOCKHART
Ray Lockhart is concentrating on his work as an actor following a stint as a radio personality with AM 1490 WMBM in Miami Beach. He attended Florida State University and was a member of the Black Players' Guild. He recently costarred in Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil, at the M Ensemble Theatre in North Miami. Ray previously appeared there in a production of Home, by Samm-Art Williams, and he recently participated in a Fort Lauderdale production of A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Broadway legend Vinnette Carroll. Ray's other theatre credits include Why Are They Crying, Prelude to a Kiss, Piano Man, Ashella, Amen Corner, and Blues For Mister Charlie. His television credits include political commentary on NAACP Speaks, and a stint as a campus talk show host on FSU's What's Goin' On! He is currently hosting a Hip-Hop show called Planet Rhythm, and is also developing an improv variety show for television.
JOHN LYNCH
John Lynch comes to us from a different kind of performance art. In addition to acting, John is a professional clown and mime artist, having performed for four seasons with Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus. He is currently a performer with the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit, which entertains patients at Miami Children's Hospital.He appeared as a pregnant man in the original play, It's Not Gas, by our own Luckner Bruno, Jr. On a more serious note, John also appeared as "Tom" in the Tennessee Williams classic, The Glass Menagerie, at the Miami Light Box in November, 2001, the first production of the Theatre Illuminata Company. He has now relocated to Kentucky.
GREG MAGNANTI
Greg Magnanti has a bit of a different background than some of our other performers, as he came to Laughing Gas from the world of radio.....you know, "Theatre of the mind"? There, he spent just over five years in the West Palm Beach market as an on-air personality and engineer. In addition to his radio background, Greg is a singer and musician. Greg joined Laughing Gas in 1999. He was the lead singer of one of Fort Lauderdale's best (but sadly, short-lived) rockin' blues bands, The Helldorados. Greg is now the vocalist for an experimental/metal/fusion/avant-garde rock band called .
PAMELA MCCOOL
Pamela McCool is a veteran actress with numerous stage, film, and television credits, and was seen last season in HBO's hit series, The Sopranos. Her film appearances include Working Girl, She-Devil, The French Atlantic Affair, Porky's 2, Women in White, Night People, Hot Stuff, Incident at Channel Q, and The Dogs of War, among others. Pamela's TV roles include Miami Vice, Inside Report, Rumpole of the Bailey, and One Life to Live. She has appeared in many stage productions Off-Off Broadway, in regional theatre and in touring productions. Her roles have included "Maggie" in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, "Desdemona" in Othello, "Elaine Navazio" in Last of the Red Hot Lovers, and "Mary" in Vanities. And you may have seen Pam dodging a falling safe full of money in a commercial for the Florida Lottery not too long ago. Pamela studied at the University of Miami and New York University, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre. She has also studied with Warren Robertson and Paul Sills in New York, and attended . She has been a member of Laughing Gas for twelve years.
KELDRICK MOBLEY
Keldrick Mobley is an award-winning humor columnist and actor, who comes to us from right here in Miami. Keldrick has always had a passion for the stage and loves to entertain. His talents for both were honed while attending Miami-Dade College where he excelled in the improvisational aspects of his theatre class. He resolved to take what he'd learned while attending Miami-Dade, coupled with the wit he'd sharpened in high-school to become the first C-student nominated for "most intellectual", combine that with his borrowed good looks and join the cast. When Keldrick is not volunteering his time to help kids in his community (something he REALLY does) or saving old women from falling buildings (which he REALLY does also!) he can be read in various magazines dishing out his brand of what passes for humor. His aspirations are to utilize what he has learned since January 19, 1979 to teach 5th grade and write a series of novels and children's books. Of course, he wouldn't turn down a chance to write a nationally syndicated column, either. Keldrick appeared in the independent feature film, . He appeared most recently in Andy Sottilare's short mockumentary film, . He is currently working on a novel.
BEATRIZ MONTANEZ
Beatriz Montaez is a rising, talented, young, local actress. She is currently studying with Teresa Maria Rojas, director and founder of Promoteo, a bilingual theater group based at the Miami-Dade Community College Wolfson Campus. One of the most challenging roles she encountered during the XVI International Hispanic Theater Festival, with her portrayal of a sensual, primitive woman in Lydia Cabrera's Yoruban tale, Suandende. While in Miami she divided her time between polishing her craft at Prometeo, teaching drama and dance at The Barnyard, touring with an anti-tobacco theatre ensemble based out of the Miami Light Project and goofing around with whoopee-cushions in the hallways of Miami Children's Hospital as Doctora Florita, one of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit's doctor clowns (and of course the occasional gig!). Beatriz appeared as "Graciela" in the New Theatre's mainstage production, Barrio Hollywood, and followed that with roles in Paradise, The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth. Most recently, she played the character of Malena in the independent feature film, I Love Miami. Beatriz has now made the big move to Los Angeles.
DANNY PAUL
Danny Paul is a man of many talents, ranging from acting, improvisation, and stand-up comedy, to disc jockeyin various South Beach night clubs. When he is not busy in front of the camera, he can often be found behind it, as he has extensive experience in television and film production work. If you live in South Florida, you have probably seen him as a TV pitch man for Pollo Tropical. He also appears in national commercials for Hotels.com and others. You can see a lot more of him on cable now that his series, In a Fix has debuted on The Learning Channel. Danny is part of a team of home improvement specialists who rescue hapless homeowners whose own remodeling projects have ended in disaster. He previously appeared with the Improvisation Foundation troupe (which he co-founded), and appeared with them in clubs all over South Florida in the early '90's. You can also visit Danny on .
ANDREW POND
Andrew J. Pond is thrilled to have been a part of the inspired silliness that is Laughing Gas. He recently appeared at the Hollywood Boulevard Theatre in Schoolhouse Rock, Live! and was recently seen with the Public Theatre as "Algernon" in Ernest In Love. For the past five years, he has been seen at various theatres across South Florida, begging for work. Andrew appeared in Not Now Darling, and Beau Jest at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, and he appeared in Sweet Charity at the Shores Performing Arts Theatre. Other favorite roles include the blue suede-shoed "Visitor" in Picasso at the Lapin Agile at The Actors' Playhouse, "Conrad Birdie" in Bye Bye Birdie, "Scoop Rosenbaum" in The Heidi Chronicles, understudying all four male roles in the campy whodunit, Shear Madness, as well as various crazy characters in many children's theatre shows at the Miami Shores Theatre. With his wife, actress Cyrilla Baer, Andrew is co-author of the musical sketch comedy review, Earthlings and Other Incorrigibles. Andrew is a graduate of The Burt Reynolds Institute for Theatre Training. Andrew also has a degree in philosophy, mainly because it gives him license to be pompous and use terms no one else understands, like epistemology. Andrew has relocated to the windy city of Chicago.
VERONICA PULEO
Veronica Puleo made the big move to Los Angeles, where she studied with the Groundlings improvisation company. She guest-starred as a tempestuous Italian cook last season on According to Jim, the ABC comedy starring Jim Belushi. Following a stint as an on-air personality for WAMI TV in Miami, Veronica moved on to the recurring role of "Julietta" in the recent English-language "telenovela" (miniseries), Miami Sands. Onstage, she performed in a very well-received production of Sylvia by A.R. Gurney at the Edge Theatre in 1998, and appeared in a production of The Snow Orchid at The Little Stage in Miami Beach. A self-described "Jersey Girl," Veronica is a graduate of William Paterson College in New Jersey. Other credits include A Christmas Carol at The Actors' Playhouse in Coral Gables, as well as productions at the Musicana Supper Club in Boca Raton and The Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs. She also has a passion for 1940's swing dancing, and she showed off her technique as part of the Liquid Radio Players improvised comedy show in Los Angeles.
Most recently, she has been pursuing a singing career in the Los Angeles area, where she performed in the new rock and roll musical, Generator Girl at the American Renegade Theatre in 2002. For more information on when and where she is performing, or to download a sample song from her demo, click here. She now has a lucrative second career as a photographer.
CHRIS REY
Chris Rey performed with Laughing Gas for only a short time before he moved from Miami to Orlando to pursue the acting possibilities there. He has now moved on to New York City to further his acting studies. Chris has also become involved in several projects through the Columbia University independent film department.
JAMES ROSE
Jim Rose was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the latter half of the 20th Century, supposedly to parents of earthly origin. His talents include songwriting, film acting, and comedy writing/performing. He is a dark, angst-ridden celibate who loves poppy seeds, reptile handling, and The Indigo Girls. When he isn't campaigning for Lyndon LaRouche, he fills his time as a radio and television personality for live PBS broadcasts on WXEL. He now performs with Broward County's THEY Improv troupe.
LAURA SEBASTIAN
Laura Sebastian is a writer, originally from Chicago. While there, she studied comedy improvisation at The Second City and acting at the Victory Gardens Theatre. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in English/Creative Writing from the University of Miami. She now works as a freelance writer for various corporations; is a columnist for the Chicago Sun Times' Pioneer Press newspaper chain and a journalist for Miller Publishing's Miami-based newspapers. She was a recent winner of the annual Edward Bulwer-Lytton bad fiction-writing contest, a competition in which entrants compose the opening sentence to the worst of all possible novels (it was Bulwer-Lytton who once began a novel with, "It was a dark and stormy night...").
Her entry: Becky Flatbush was the quintessential Girl Cop; wisecracking, shrewd, prone to PMS-inspired shooting "mistakes," yet tender, merciful and actually very good with criminals when she was not feeling bloated and cranky and like she wanted to plug some perp just to relieve her monthly depression.
DEBORAH SHERMAN
Deborah Sherman relocated to Miami after spending almost 4 years in St. Louis, Missouri. She was born in New York City, but grew up in Houston, Texas, which she calls home to this day. She studied Theatre Performance at Lamar University in Beaumont,Texas. Some of Deborah's favorite roles include "Annie Sullivan" in The Miracle Worker, the "Marquis de Merituil" in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, "Phoebe" in As You Like It and as a company member of Brand X Improv. Deborah filmed a TV pilot called Wisps and Vapors before leaving St. Louis. In South Florida's indie film scene, she appeared in the short film, Hot Pork, directed by Gerald Owens, as well as , directed by David Cirone. Deb is now a member of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit, entertaining children in Miami Childrens Hospital. She starred as the tragically stricken "Lil" in Last Summer at Bluefish Cove for the Public Theatre in Fort Lauderdale. She also appeared in The Glass Menagerie, which opened at the Miami Light Box in 2001, the first production of the Theatre Illuminata Company, which she co-founded before the troupe moved to Houston, Texas. Deborah was also in the Dreamer's Theatre production of The Just Assassins as the dutiful yet misguided violent femme "Ynez." In 2002, she created the role of "Conchita" in the Pulitzer Prize-winning world premiere of Nilo Cruz's Anna in the Tropics, at the New Theatre in Coral Gables. She appeared in the Juggerknot Theatre Company's production of The Houseguest, and also appeared in The Dreamer Who Unlocked the Secrets of the Universe at the Dreamer's Theatre. She returned to the New Theatre in 2003, playing Emilia in Othello, and Lady Olivia in Twelfth Night. She appeared in the 2004 Gables Stage production of Ten Unknowns. She costarred in Hollywood Playhouse's production of Brilliant Traces, and also appeared in House and Garden at The Actors' Playhouse. Deborah is the producing artistic director and co-founder of the Promethean Theatre Company, which now produces plays at Nova Southeastern University.
ETHAN SMITH
Ethan Smith was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and reportedly began performing improv as a six-month-old fetus. In Atlanta, he appeared onstage as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Marcellus in The Music Man. Since moving to Coral Springs in the summer of 1998, he earned his Equity card performing in the Broward Stage Door Theatre's production of The 1940's Radio Hour and was also seen in Broward Stage Door's productions of Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh and Funny Girl. Ethan has been seen in numerous local and national commercials as well as having roles in the feature films Big Trouble, All About The Benjamins and The Bahama Hustle. Ethan appeared in the second season of CSI Miami, playing the track physician at the Grand Prix of Miami. More recently, he completed a role in a new Sean Astin film, Thanks to Gravity. He recently filmed the pilot for a new Showtime series called , and landed a role in an Italian film, Christmas in Miami. Ethan also appeared as the Winn Dixie checkmark in a series of national commercials. He had a role in the film, The Year of Getting to Know Us, starring Jimmie Fallon, which premiered at Sundance this year. And most recently, he picked up a supporting role in the HBO docudrama, . He is also an accomplished pianist/arranger and enjoys writing original music. One of our busiest actors, Ethan now splits his time between South Florida and Los Angeles. You can also visit Ethan on , where you can sample his short films and professional reels courtesy of YouTube.
STUART TAFT
Stuart Taft graduated magna cum laude with Bachelor's Degrees in English and Theatre from Florida State University, before moving to New York. He spent two years with the Moving Circle Theatre Company, which included performances at The Living Theatre. One of his favorite roles was "Pale" in Burn This. Stuart performed with Laughing Gas for four years.
MARYANN TATUM
Maryann Tatum Maryann Tatum became the youngest member of Laughing Gas at the ripe old age of twenty. A former high school English teacher, she is now working on her PhD in education at the University of Miami. Her semi-legitimate stage credits include "Tomfoolery," "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged," and her Sabrina-award winning turn as Marian in "The Music Man" with the Main Street Players. When not at class, Maryann works in the cruise industry singing to those at sea, as well as hosting the cable game show "U.M.I.Q." Maryann is also an accomplished equestrian, soprano, pianist, tap dancer, and high school English teacher. She speaks 3 1/2 languages, has a mean tennis serve, and is often tired. Her debut album, Take These Wings, was released Christmas 2001.
SUSIE TAYLOR
Susanne Kreitman-Taylor is originally from Miami and is thrilled to work with this intoxicating group of artists. Susie attended New World School of the Arts in Miami and college at Penn State, after which she jumped the pond and spent a few years training in London at the Webber Douglas Academy of Classical Theater. In New York, Susie is affiliated with several theater companies including Resistance Theater and Broad Horizons. Some of Susie's favorites roles include "Helen" in The Trojan Women, Antigone, "Rosalind" in As You Like It, "The Fag Hag" in Timothy Leary in Space, and "Mephistopheles" in Not My Heart's Desire, as well as "Jill" in Jack and Jill at Miami's Florida Shakespeare Company. She appeared in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at The Actors' Playhouse in Coral Gables, and she was seen next in Five Women Wearing the Same Dress at the Amaturo Theatre in the Broward Center of the Performing Arts. She landed a recurring role in an English-language Telenovela, Ocean Boulevard. You may have seen her in a commercial for TNT promoting cable reruns of Miami Vice, and she appeared in the Summer Shorts short play festival at the University of Miami's Ring Theatre in Coral Gables and the Amaturo Theatre in Fort Lauderdale in 2001 and rejoined the Summer Shorts ensemble for the 2002 season in Miami and at the Broward Center of the Performing Arts. In June 2004, her short play, Mittelschmerz, premiered as part of the Gallery Players Black Box Festival in Brooklyn, New York. She recently completed shooting of the film Eagles Gathering, American Skin 2 with Straightaway Movies in which she plays Lead villain Rene Bergman. She also portrayed a detective in the pilot for the new Showtime original series, . Susie most recently appeared in the film, The Year of Getting to Know Us, starring Jimmie Fallon, which premiered at Sundance.
R.J. WALKER
You have to spell his name "Are Jay" (his parents were Hooked On Phonics). After he received his degree in Music and the Video Business, R.J. Walker started his career performing stand-up comedy and working in several improv troupes, murder mysteries, and mock weddings, including eight years with Laughing Gas. The next chapter of R.J.'s career took him from Miami to the windy city of Chicago, the center of the improv universe. He studied with the famed Improv Olympic company across from Wrigley Field, and also took classes at Second City. He has now returned to South Florida.
R.J. has also had appearances on Moon Over Miami, and the Japan Television game show Naruhodo The World! He has been seen in commercials for Budweiser, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and most recently, in a slew of regional commercials for the Sound Advice electronics chain. He has also been seen across the country at professional sporting events with the Florida Marlins and Panthers, where he entertained fans between plays with the Sportsmagic Team. An avid guitarist, R.J. also enjoys writing song parodies.
CHARLES WATSON
Charles Watson hails from Nashville, Tennessee, where he studied Theatre at Trevecca University. He has performed in numerous plays, including The Boys Next Door (Norman), School House Rock Live, The Good Doctor, My Fair Lady, Peter Pan, and many more. He was a member of Musical! The Musical, a remarkable improv show that improvised a full-length, two-act, Broadway-style musical every night! He was also a member of Nashville's leading improv troupe, One Hand Clapping. Charles has appeared in music videos and independent films, including an independent movie for HardRoad.com. He is very happy to be a part of this crazy and talented group, and hopes that soon, Miami will be a great place to call home. He most recently completed work on an independent film called Sunburn. He also appeared on MTV as a "veejay for a day" in 2001.
BETSY WISE
Betsy Wise is something of a Renaissance Woman she's an actress, stand-up comedienne, voiceover artist, writer, and law professor! Born in Miami, Florida, she studied acting in New York City at Circle in the Square and studied improvisation at Ensemble Studio Theater. After taking first place in The Stanislavski Open, New York's tri-state improvisation competition, she returned to Miami to join the Mental Floss Comedy Improv Theatre Company. During her first tour of duty in the artsy-fartsy world, Betsy appeared in numerous commercials, on the insipid TV drama South Beach and was a finalist on America's Funniest People.
Bets took a short break from her performing arts career to earn a law degree at The University of Miami School of Law and joined the faculty of the law school while practicing commercial litigation with the law firm of Fowler, White, Burnett, Hurley, Banick & Strickroot. Realizing that she'd rather choke on her own vomit than die an attorney, Betsy abandoned the practice and teaching of law to return to comedy full time.
One of the fastest rising female comics in the Southeast, Betsy was a finalist in the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival showcase and was a standout at the South Florida showcase for the Montreal Comedy Festival. Her style is edgy, sexy, intelligent and irreverent. Betsy is constantly touring clubs throughout the United States and Canada, and performed improvisation with Laughing Gas when she wasn't on the road. She recently participated in a Second City sketch writing workshop in New York. In addition, she was a writer and performer with Miami's and Best Medicine sketch comedy troupes. She has now relocated to Los Angeles.
Want to catch Betsy's stand-up comedy? Click here to find out where she's performing!
RORY ZACHER
Rory Zacher was once a nice, suburban Jewish boy from Chicago, until he decided to come to Miami to attend college, and he has not been the same since. A student at the University of Miami, he just graduated with a B.A. Degree majoring in Screenwriting and Acting. he became one of the youngest Laughing Gas performers at the ripe old age of twenty-one, and he has been performing onstage for 16 years and thinks that he is pretty good at it. Previous stage credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, ComedySportz, Oedipus Rex, The Good Doctor, The Crucible, and Anything Goes, which were done in Chicago. More recently, Rory was seen in the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre productions of The Grapes of Wrath, On Tidy Endings, Hair, Crazy For You, and Suburbia. He has now moved to Los Angeles. When not on the stage, Rory loves movies, gambling, mischief, mayhem, John Mellencamp, the Wisconsin Dells, and quantitative physics.
DARREN ZIEGER
Darren Zieger (shown here being sucked into a space-time vortex) was the original musical director of Laughing Gas for about 15 minutes before relocating to the Washington D.C. metro for no discernible reason. After nine years of kicking around the Capitol area, he returned to Miami with a wife (another former Laughing Gas musical director) and one and 8/9ths children in tow. After a welcome but regrettably short stint with Laughing Gas in South Florida, he and the family have decided to return to Virginia.
Before helping to found Laughing Gas, Darren tickled the plastic ivories for Mental Floss (and its farm team, Experimental Floss) for about 500 performances. Before (and during) that, he was a busy musical generalist, directing musical theater, composing scores, playing in local rock bands, and, above all, getting absolutely nowhere as a singer-songwriter.
Currently, like most struggling musicians, he is a professional Web designer. To view his portfolio, visit http://www.darrenzieger.net/. To listen to his original songs, visit his . To read a bunch of stupid junk he and his friends wrote when they were ten years old, check out Sarcastic Echoes.
Photos of R.J Walker, James Rose, Maryann Tatum and Jennifer Follia are by Bob Lasky. Headshots of Brian Breiter, Maureen Burdine, and Betsy Wise were done by photographer Paul Greco. Patrick Armshaw's photo is by . Marilyn Brito's photo is by Lynn Parks.
Copyright 2008 - Laughing Gas - All Rights Reserved
for Reservations
Home
