BLACKOUTpresents:

shows
dominizuelan | cook county social club | improvised shakespeare company | the reckoning | tomato | tomatoe

music
band called catch | lola balatro | section 4

websites
The Laughing Parrot | failblog.org | ted.com | worldstarhiphop.com

blogs
tim o'malley's blog

places
iO Chicago

live shows
BOPWP - Alex Fendrich

other stuff
our vocalo radio page

Most improv groups don't take enough risks. The five members of BlackOut often take too many, challenging each other and tinkering with setups until bits are either stuck in the mud or an uproarious mess. At the show I saw, a hint of wrestling turned into full-out body-slamming. The chances of success are good, though, because these guys have a commitment to the moment and an impressive range of pop-culture references that leads to material both literate and lowbrow. Their flirtation with race--all are black--further adds to the surprises. A scene of God lecturing Jesus became a lot funnier when it turned into a movie starring Bill Cosby, with Will Smith as the jazz-playing messiah.

--Ryan Hubbard, Chicago Reader

Who Is BLACKOUT?
BLACKOUT is a cast of four black actors from different backgrounds, yet similar walks of life. They bring to improv comedy a voice that is rarely heard in this art form, the voice of the African American people. Improv comedy can be defined as the satire and honest depiction of human civilization, but unfortunately in an industry dominated by white males the more diverse influence of our society gets lost. BLACKOUT was formed to regain that often unheard perspective in this genre of entertainment/social study. In addition to their ethnicity and individuality, these men are also accredited improvisers. With training and professional experience in improvisational acting from such institutions as iO Chicago, Annoyance Theatre, ComedySportz Chicago and Second City Chicago, BLACKOUT also forms a virtual improv comedic power house.

What Does BLACKOUT Do?
BLACKOUT does a high energy long form improv show but the form is usually no form.

Where Has BLACKOUT Performed
CIC - Chicago Center for the Performing Arts – 2009 Chicago Impov Festival - ComedySportz – Cornservatory - 11th Annual Del Close Marathon - Donny’s Skybox Theatre - Gorilla Tango Theatre - Green Door Tavern Speak Easy - Playground Theatre - The Spot -

Who’s in BLACKOUT
Sherman Edwards | Darwin Smith | Ramon Smith | Warren Phynix Johnson

info@BLACKOUTcomedy.com | 312.772.3255
1403 N Wicker Park Ave #3 Chicago IL, 60622

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