LOL WITH IT: PHIT reveals their two newest house teams

In April, over a hundred local comics auditioned for a place on Philly Improv Theater's (PHIT) two new house teams. The 18 that were finally selected will premiere two special shows tonight at Shubin Theater.

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LOL WITH IT: PHIT reveals their two newest house teams

POSTED: Friday, August 5, 2011, 11:00 AM

Every Friday, Ryan Carey takes a look at who and what’s giving Philly the giggles.

In April, over a hundred local comics auditioned for a place on Philly Improv Theater's (PHIT) two new house teams. The 18 that were finally selected will premiere two special shows tonight at Shubin Theatre. The house team code-named "Shadowfax" is directed by Kristien Schier and team "Brandybuck" (yes, both Tolkien references) is directed by Matt Holmes.

If you're only a casual fan of improv comedy, you may be wondering why improv teams have directors, since there's no script and the plot is made up as they go along. According to PHIT founder Greg Maughan, "The directors chose their team members based on a vision for the kind of vibe or tone they want. They lead the performers through regular exercises, and as a non-performer, they can point out what people are doing right or wrong."

Says Mat Holmes about his Brandybuck gang: "I picked people who are very playful while also character-driven. I'm expecting unreal stuff played realistically. A combo of serious and silly."

Kristin Schier also commented on her Shadowfax group. "Rehearsal has been not only hilarious to watch these guys work together, but fascinating. I chose a group of very talented people with the idea that they would be able to move together like a school of fish. They would support one another and be amazingly funny. And I imagine audiences will find them [just] as visually appealing as they [find them] funny."

Philly Improv veteran Nathan Edmondson — one of Schier's conscripts — is excited to be on a PHIT house team. "Anybody can start their own independent group and start up shows. But if you're on a PHIT house team, they provide rehearsal space for us and you're automatically on a team with people at a certain [ability] level."

Congratulations to the following new PHIT house team members:

Brandybuck (Fri.-Sat., Aug. 5-6, 8:30 p.m., $10)

Aaron Hertzog
Alex Gross
Dennis Trafny
Jen Curcio
Lizzie Spellman
Mark Leopold
Rob Cutler
Scott Sheppard
Tara Demmy

Shadowfax (Fri.-Sat., Aug. 5-6, 10:00 p.m., $10)

AJ Ortiz
Billy Thompson
Brian Ratcliffe
Claire Halberstadt
Erin Pitts
Karen Coleman
Matt Akana
Nathan Edmondson
Scott Hinners

Both shows will be performed at Shubin Theatre, 407 Bainbridge St., 215-592-0119, phillyimprovtheater.com.

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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