Upcoming Chicago Improv Shows

Hello friends and family!

Just wanted to let you know about all the improv happening in my life. My improv group "WILDCARD!" has a boat load of shows coming up in the next week.

If you have a free night and want to see some improvised hilarity, we would love to have you! We recently advanced in the Gorilla Tango Theater's $1,000 Competition and really need people this Friday Jan 22 at 8pm.

Hope you all are doing well and are having a great new year!

-Nick Paul

SHOW LIST:

WILDCARD with pH Productions @ Studio BE
Where: Studio BE 3110 North Sheffield Ave, Chicago IL, 60657
When: 8pm on January 21 Thursday
Price: $5
Do they sell booze: Nope...this theater is BYOB
How can I buy tickets: Not necessary. Show up and smile.
Description: My independent improv ensemble was chosen to open for pH Productions Improv Company. Come out and see some cheap, off-the-cuff hilarity. Improv Comedy.

WILDCARD @ The $1000 Improv Thing ROUND 2!!!!******
Where: Gorilla Tango Theater (1919 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL)
When: 8:00 pm on Friday January 22
Price: $12.00
Do they sell booze: YUP!
How can I buy tickets: Online (https://www.gorillatango.com/cgi-bin/public/gttv2.cgi?location_number=2&show_num=2803) Or you may walk up to the theater and purchase at the box office. However, I strongly urge against doing this because this show will sell out.
Description: The hottest and most influential independant improvisation ensembles from around the city battle for a grand prize of $1000 and a spot in the 2010 Chicago Improv Festival. The winners are chose by audience vote...think NCAA March Madness bracket-esque.

*****We really need supporters for the Jan 22 Show! The competition works by audience vote!!

WILDCARD @ Cornservatory's Original Improv Gladiators - Season 9
Where: Cornservatory Theater (4210 N. Lincoln, Chicago, IL)
When: 8pm on Saturday evenings on January 23, 30th and February 6th, 13th, & 20th
Price: $10
Do they sell booze: Not sure.
How can I buy tickets: Call 312-409-6435, ext 1 or to buy tickets with your credit or debit card click: https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?e=d2888f888125b2a857edf3777bfc35bc&t=tix
Description: Another improvisational battle royale, however this show is much less like NCAA March Madness and more like American Idol. A weekly-rotating panel of judges from Second City, iO Theater, comedysportz, and other renown institutions will judge and score each weekly competition. My ensemble will perform a 10-15 minute set and then we will battle Cornservatory's House Team - The Improv Gladiators.


WILDCARD (& Friends) @ "Community Chest!" at Stage Left Theater
Where: 3408 North Sheffield Avenue Chicago, IL 60657
When: 8pm on Tues January 26 & Feb 2
Price: Not sure :(
Do they sell booze: Nope...this theater is BYOB

Conan Rally at NBC building in Chicago

So I get it. I understand why NBC is taking the tonight show back.

One of the perks of living in a big city is hearing about rediculous rallys that can occurs. I'm not talking about banning gay marrige or abortion, but a Conan Obrien rally to keep him on the air. Naturally being a huge Conan fan I had to partake, plus I had nothing better to do on a Monday.

I aproached the crowd of maybe 60 plus Cone-Zone fans infront of the NBC 5 building in Chicago with my roomate Jeff. He was holding a hockey stick coverd in a Trader Joes paper bag on top stating "I'm with CoCo" on one side, and "Thanks for the day off MLK" on the other.

We began to assimilate into the crowd. I quickly realized something, no one there was over the age of 25 (not counting the mother of the 6 and 15 year old girls from the suburbs) With this age range how was NBC supposed to get great sponsors when no one who watches the show has disposable income? That's like putting up a Jaguar dealer in downtown Detroit, ain't gunna make money. Or a GMC dealerhsip for that matter.

So as I smiled for the multiple news cameras covering the event and dodged the kid spray coloring everyone's hair orange, it all made sense. I guess a goofy guy with funny hair and a great back up band is not enough to succeed.

Maybe one day it won't be about money, but instead, good content. Not very likely, those Mcdonalds nuggets don't sell them selves...oh wait.

Megabus Madness

So I'm on the Megabus for to cagillionth time (don't think that's really a word). Seems the heavy flow of holiday traffic has finally come to a stand still. Less crowded, but the annoying factors still exist. Like the guy behind me counciling his best buddy on a recent break up. Not that i want to be a jerk about this, but I didn't know the Megabus ticket came with a free broadcast of Jr. Dr. Phil here.
It seems like such an impropper place to play counsilor. My theroy is that he wants everyone to listen to his advice. In his mind not only will his buddy feel good, but the entire bus will as well. I'm guessing he was not the popular kid in HS (high school for all you un-acronym types out there)

Who knows maybe I'll learn something.
Or I may break his phone. Stay tuned.

Green Peace

I lied to one of those Green Peace guys today. You know, the ones who stand on the corner and pretend to be your friend. I told him I had a friend who used to work for them (true) and I was already a member myself (not true). Thinking my brilliant plan had worked, I began to continue my walk across the street until he said, "Congradulations, you should feel proud of yourself man! Savin' some Polar bears!" I smiled, nodded and proceeded to walk away. Now all I can think about are those poor Polar bears...and Al Gore coming to hunt me down with his Nobel Prize.

I think I'm going to join Green Peace, or at least send some money to a Polar bear. I'm sure their unemployment rate is as bad as ours now.

-nP
www.magicofnick.com

Auditions

I have been on an auditioning rampage this past week. All of which I've failed to book. But they say it's about persistence...so I will persist. First one was to do "short form" improv in the burbs' of Chicago. As any trained Chicago improvisor knows...short form is at the bottom of the improv totem pole. I can't deny that it's fun, because many times it is. But it is not always my first choice when doing an improv show...and apparently I'm not its first or...20th choice either, seeing I didn't get a call back.

Second audition was for "Point Break LIVE!". Yes the Patrick Swayze movie from the early 90's. Apparently it was transformed into a hit live show in LA and New York. (Such a hit that they had to pay for the rights to the story. I guess even after death there are residuals) So I go into this audition with about 13 other people. The theatre lobby looked like Pee Wee's Playhouse had given birth to a small drunk child (there was a bar) And in the process of the hour plus time I was there, we did everything from pretend to rob a bank as ex-presidents, to watch people give emotions on command (a big 'no-no' in the acting world. Your not supposed to play emotions, more so wants and intentions. But I wasn't about to correct the lady who produced over two successful live shows of a B rated Swayze picture) On a positive note, I was proud to say I made up a monologue in the character of a California Surfer about God possibly being a baby with a gold diaper and a beard.

Haven't heard back from them. Fingers crossed.

And today was the icing on the cake. I get a call from a talent agent saying the Lotto is doing a print shoot and needs extras to audition. I thought the point of a paid photo shoot was for them to look at my headshot ahead of time (ha that's a pun) to see if I am photographable. I guess I was wrong. The lady on the phone says I need to stop in between 12 and 3 or 4 and 7 today. Seeing as it was already 2pm I told her I'd be there at 12:30. She said, "Great!" They are a little behind at this particular talent agency. For legal reasons I can't say there name publicly. But I can say that it rhymes with ShmaBaker-ShmaRowley.

Any-who, I go to the address given to me, and I immediately feel like I am back in Detroit. Lots of abandoned warehouses and several people walking around who look like they could clearly use the Public Option on Health Care. I find the place and it is a loft building, so at least they are trying to be trendy. There is a line of people outside in the cold waiting for these photographers to get off there break. Once the clock hit 4 I rushed passed the mesh of people and zoomed up to the suite where they were shooting. I get to my turn in line and the camera starts flashing. I begin to feel like I'm a fake celebrity, or a real one who just happens to shoot with 100 other people. Then the photographer says, "Ok now your going to jump into the air towards the camera smiling and land on this mat." Now I had no problem with this, but I was concerned about the two old ladies up next. In the end I walked away with a jaw that felt like I had been punched by a really weak guy, but I got to show off my skills of flight.

Still haven't heard anything back.

So those are my Tales from the Audition Crypt. If you are at all thinking about being a professional performer, consider all your options be for you "go for the role". Your jaw and dignity will thank you.

-nick paul

www.magicofnick.com

Comedy Magician Nick Paul Promo Teaser 09

Halloween Magic

Its that time of year again. Dressing up as spooky creatures, getting free candy from people, and having your house toilet papered...but enough about memorial day, Fall is almost here! And that means there will be halloween events popping up all over the midwest. I have been putting together a brand new Halloween Magic Show this year. Filled with comedy magic, audience involvement, and entertainment for both the kids and adults. It is sure to be a ghostly good time!

Give us a call today to reserve your halloween event at 800 579 8051.

Nick Paul
Comedy Magic & Mime
(586) 489. 8697
www.magicofnick.com

"Nick Paul is a Pro!"
-Second City Chicago

"..the highlight of the show!.."
-Chicago Reader

"We had many compliments on your performance!"
-March of Dimes