A Brief History of In All Seriousness..
It started, as did our planet, out of a cloud of dust and Cosmic Debris. Fellow Thespians, provocateurs, and general ne’er-do wells John Stockhausen, Jim Gandolfo, Mark Tanenbaum, Ralph Pontillo, Mike Kohlmiller, and early on, Robert Pontis, would gather to mock and gawk at the Open Mike Night at a treasured hangout called Olivers. Having all been seasoned actors, dancers, and generally ensconced in the artsy fartsy disciplines, we were all self-acknowledged as “better than what’s on”. And drunk. And lo, though the EUREKA! moment of inception is not truly noted by the scribes, It was on or about September to October-ish of 1983 when most scholars agree that it may have occurred. Let’s put on OUR show. The performances confirmed the genius…nay…divinely inspired cataclysm that was soon to be foisted upon the bewildered denizens of the place they call EARTH.
The screaming hordes of literally DOZENS of patrons confirmed that it was sound business judgment to radically expand. Soon, the Troupe named “In All Seriousness” (Because we’re not serious EVER- GET IT!?!?) acquired the talents of Rich Tryzbiak, Chuck Smith, Gail McGaughey Kurre, Jane Harrington, Don Herbaugh, and Chuck Smith again. This always enabled us to perform as a group and maintain excellent quality while allowing Troupe members the opportunity to do the other stupid artsy stuff they did. (By that time, Troupe members had collectively performed 500 shows, including Shakespeare, Nutcracker Suite, Afternoon of a Swan, and virtually every well known play and musical in America…as a hobby)
The Format consisted of Skits, song parodies, commercial lampoons, and unlike anyone else…Improv. Real Improv. The old cohunes swingin’ in the wind. And it worked. Soon more joined-Bill DeLozier and Susan Berthold and Dr.Jim Kurre. For over 3 years, consistent monthly performances at “Smugglers Wharf” served as the Troupe’s home and Mad Scientist Laboratory.. Sell out crowds were standard. Soon, an agent was hired, and Corporate engagements for the likes of American Sterilizer, with specially written sketches on …STERILIZERS?! Yes. Sterilizers…were successfully performed. Then…the acid test. The Three Rivers Arts Festival. 2 weeks. Every day. Only 3 performers at a time. We drove down- Asked where we performed. The answer? “ There are stages here, here, here, here, here, here, and here… Anywhere but there.” And we kicked posterior. Drawing hundreds of people at a time in parks, sidewalks, kiosks, bus stops, and used fire hydrants…we prevailed.
Within a short time, we were producing City Wide BEST COMMERCIAL OF THE YEAR television commercials, institutional video tapes for the Mental Health Industry, Advertising videos, many commercials, a Drive Time Radio broadcast, and Live performances…most of the time with our pants on. (you’d be surprised how sweaty your legs get when you’re doing all that stuff!)
Improv Classes graced us with the talents of Steve Schelinski, Phil Huntley, Peggy Schelinski, Linda Kemp, Harley Hartley, Rob Bush, Wydetta Carter, Monica Williams, Paul Williams, and John “Pillow Lips” Skywark.
With bigger fish to fry, the Troupe embarked on a mission to see how good they were nationally, and joined the National Association of Campus Activities- NACA- a national organization that held conventions to book talent for colleges across the country. Veni Vidi Vici. During our 3rd convention we were signed to a national agency that eventually had us performing from 1991? To 1994? In 350 cities in 43 states for over 450 performances from Notre Dame (3 times- they REALLY liked us), Villanova, Oral Roberts University, LSU, UMASS, UCON, Fashion Institute of NY, University of Nebraska, Maine, Oregon, Iowa, Baylor, Texas A and I, and the Aircraft Carrier Nimitz (DURING the Persian Gulf War). For a quick rundown- see “I’ve Been Everywhere”.
MORE TO COME….
The screaming hordes of literally DOZENS of patrons confirmed that it was sound business judgment to radically expand. Soon, the Troupe named “In All Seriousness” (Because we’re not serious EVER- GET IT!?!?) acquired the talents of Rich Tryzbiak, Chuck Smith, Gail McGaughey Kurre, Jane Harrington, Don Herbaugh, and Chuck Smith again. This always enabled us to perform as a group and maintain excellent quality while allowing Troupe members the opportunity to do the other stupid artsy stuff they did. (By that time, Troupe members had collectively performed 500 shows, including Shakespeare, Nutcracker Suite, Afternoon of a Swan, and virtually every well known play and musical in America…as a hobby)
The Format consisted of Skits, song parodies, commercial lampoons, and unlike anyone else…Improv. Real Improv. The old cohunes swingin’ in the wind. And it worked. Soon more joined-Bill DeLozier and Susan Berthold and Dr.Jim Kurre. For over 3 years, consistent monthly performances at “Smugglers Wharf” served as the Troupe’s home and Mad Scientist Laboratory.. Sell out crowds were standard. Soon, an agent was hired, and Corporate engagements for the likes of American Sterilizer, with specially written sketches on …STERILIZERS?! Yes. Sterilizers…were successfully performed. Then…the acid test. The Three Rivers Arts Festival. 2 weeks. Every day. Only 3 performers at a time. We drove down- Asked where we performed. The answer? “ There are stages here, here, here, here, here, here, and here… Anywhere but there.” And we kicked posterior. Drawing hundreds of people at a time in parks, sidewalks, kiosks, bus stops, and used fire hydrants…we prevailed.
Within a short time, we were producing City Wide BEST COMMERCIAL OF THE YEAR television commercials, institutional video tapes for the Mental Health Industry, Advertising videos, many commercials, a Drive Time Radio broadcast, and Live performances…most of the time with our pants on. (you’d be surprised how sweaty your legs get when you’re doing all that stuff!)
Improv Classes graced us with the talents of Steve Schelinski, Phil Huntley, Peggy Schelinski, Linda Kemp, Harley Hartley, Rob Bush, Wydetta Carter, Monica Williams, Paul Williams, and John “Pillow Lips” Skywark.
With bigger fish to fry, the Troupe embarked on a mission to see how good they were nationally, and joined the National Association of Campus Activities- NACA- a national organization that held conventions to book talent for colleges across the country. Veni Vidi Vici. During our 3rd convention we were signed to a national agency that eventually had us performing from 1991? To 1994? In 350 cities in 43 states for over 450 performances from Notre Dame (3 times- they REALLY liked us), Villanova, Oral Roberts University, LSU, UMASS, UCON, Fashion Institute of NY, University of Nebraska, Maine, Oregon, Iowa, Baylor, Texas A and I, and the Aircraft Carrier Nimitz (DURING the Persian Gulf War). For a quick rundown- see “I’ve Been Everywhere”.
MORE TO COME….
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