Director's Note
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DIRECTOR’S NOTE In 1974, The Groundlings discovered a series of interlocking chambers underneath this very site, 7307 Melrose Ave. It was obvious The Groundlings had uncovered a pre-clovis archeological find of unspeakable value. A painstaking dig revealed 90 ton monoliths, frescoes depicting ancient gods and a recipe for corn mash frittatas that is actually quite good. Most importantly, in the central chamber, surrounded by guardian statues and booby traps, a gilded chest was discovered. When it was opened, a renaissance character based sketch comedy was unleashed. The Groundlings will never publicly reveal the nature of the treasure they uncovered. Some say it was an amulet of unspeakable comedic power, others maintain that it was simply a box of hilarious wigs. We invite you to ponder the mysterious forces at work in this theatre. But we beseech you, DO NOT pull on the torch sconce in the lobby. For the love of all that is holy, LEAVE THE TORCH SCONCE ALONE! Pull on anything else in the lobby, but not the ANCIENT TORCH SCONCE!!! Now, please sit back in one of the theatre’s ancient thrones, marvel at the stage’s mysterious alignment with the center aisle and fire exits, and enjoy GROUNDLINGS TREASURE HUNTERS! -Ted Michaels Ted Michaels is an actor, writer, director and puppeteer. As an actor, he’s starred in TV shows like THE COMEBACK, CSI, ACCORDING TO JIM, MAD TV, and as Floyd in the acclaimed web series, THE GUILD. He’s written for MIKE TYSON MYSTERIES on Adult Swim and BUCKET & SKINNER’S EPIC ADVENTURES on Nickelodeon. As an improviser, Ted performed with Eddie Izzard in his One Word Improv, and is a founder of the Crazy Uncle Joe Show at The Groundlings Theater in LA, where he often directs their main company shows. As a puppeteer, Ted starred in THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS, THE MUPPETS on ABC, MTV’s Ted WARREN THE APE, and the 2011 Grammy Awards Michaels as Cee Lo Green’s bass player. (Director) Lauren Burns comes from San Francisco and New York. She attended NYU and the Stella Adler Conservatory where she became proficient in mask work. Film and TV credits include I FEEL BAD, SUBURBICON, MIKE TYSON MYSTERIES, MIGHTY MED, TWO BROKE GIRLS, GO ON, WHITNEY, and WEEDS. Lauren writes and teaches and does lots of commercials for you. She co-created the live talk show “Happy Hour” with Groundlings Lisa Schurga and Ariane Price, and the web series “Winsburg” with Groundling Chris Eckert, where she plays her hero, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She also created two attractive children in her body and is married to a Lauren sexy cinematographer named Brian Burgoyne. Burns Tony Cavalero co-stars in THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES, the upcoming Danny McBride series for HBO and previously starred in and directed an episode of the Emmy-nominated SCHOOL OF ROCK as Dewey Finn. Other credits include MODERN FAMILY, LIFE IN PIECES, NEW GIRL, ANGIE TRIBECA, and DOG DAYS to name a few. Cavalero can be seen in the memorable role of rock icon Ozzy Osborne in the Motley Crue biopic, THE DIRT. He’s an Eagle Scout, a Black Belt, and a graduate of VMI. Tony is crazy in love with his wife, Annie, and their three rescue pups, Lucy, Tippi, and Maggie! Tony Cavalero Originally from Australia, Michael came to America as part of the Australian wave in the early ‘00s and is thrilled to be a Main Company member at The Groundlings Theatre. His television credits include MODERN FAMILY and Tru TV’s YOU CAN DO BETTER. He has appeared on Australian television in the series BUTTERFLY ISLAND and THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SKIPPY. Theatre credits include the Australian national tour of THE KING AND I, and Open Fist Theater’s production of DELEARIOUS. His short film, TROUGHMAN, took the Best Humor Award at Dan Savage’s 2019 Hump Film Festival and is currently part of the 14th Annual Hump Fest Michael National Tour. Churven Matt can be seen on the CBS Comedy MAN WITH A PLAN. Other TV: CLIPPED, THE COMEBACK, GRACE & FRANKIE, MARON, MOM, 2 BROKE GIRLS, AUSTIN & ALLY, HARRY’S LAW, TRUE BLOOD, and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM. Matt is a puppeteer in FAIRY TALE THEATRE: 18 & OVER, which has played in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Matt received his BA from Rider University. He grew up on the Jersey shore and, although he lived a block and a half from the beach, he spent most of his time indoors playing Sega Genesis. Matt is a member of the Dungeons & Dragons podcast CRIT JUICE and still plays a lot of video games (like a real indoor kid). Matt is thrilled to be a member of The Groundlings Matt Main Company! Cook H Michael’s credits include WHAT WOULD DIPLO DO?, MARY + JANE, REVIEW, MOM, THE BIG BANG THEORY, WORKAHOLICS, CLIPPED, and IDIOTSITTER. He is currently voicing characters on Netflix’s F IS FOR FAMILY and Cartoon Network’s UNIKITTY and CRAIG OF THE CREEK. H Michael Croner Allison is an actress and writer who is currently appearing as Kelly on STARTUP (Sony/Crackle), Veronique on YELLOWSTONE (Paramount network), and Charlene on SINGLE PARENTS (ABC). Upcoming films include FILM FEST (directed by Marshall Cook), THE FUCK IT LIST, and OPENING ACT. Big Al is also a professional dancer who appears monthly at Harvelles. This summer, she will move into Greg Worswick’s beach pad for their upcoming E! reality show, SCRAPS.COM. Allison Dunbar Josh is thrilled to be a member of the Main Company. His TV and Film Credits include, PARKS AND RECREATION, 911, GOOD GIRLS, MODERN FAMILY, THE MIDDLE, REL, WORKAHOLICS, AMERICAN VANDAL, TEEN WOLF, BONES, CONAN, JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE, GAMESHAKERS, IN LIVING COLOR REBOOT, TED, ALLEGIANT: PART 1, THE FIRST TIME, BACKUP BOYFRIEND. Josh is from Santa Barbara and is a graduate of the BFA acting program at USC. Talk to him about dogs or the Dodgers and he will be happy! Josh Duvendeck Chris Eckert performed in the 2017 CBS Sketch Comedy Showcase and was the head writer for the 2018 showcase. His TV credits include RAISING HOPE (GLAAD Award), SUPER FUN NIGHT, THE COMEBACK, MAD TV, and numerous national commercials. He created the sold-out shows ‘YOU PAID TO DIE* TONIGHT’ (an LA Weekly top pick) and ‘THE GALE’ (a night of queer improv) which recently performed at SF Sketchfest 2019. Chris got arrested for stealing a Hanson CD when he was 16. He learned his lesson but still enjoys an occasional mmmbop... Chris Eckert Julian Gant is an actor and improviser from Detroit, Michigan with a BA in Radio and Television Production. Equity theater credits include shows at PERFORMANCE NETWORK, WILLIAMSTON THEATER, and THE PURPLE ROSE THEATER COMPANY in Michigan. Film and TV credits include REAL STEEL, LOVE AND HONOR, HOUSE OF LIES (HBO), and KEY AND PEELE (Comedy Central). Julian’s recent performances include SUPERIOR DONUTS (CBS), 2017 CBS DIVERSITY SHOWCASE, FAMELESS (TruTV), NOBODIES (TV Land), SPLITTING UP TOGETHER (ABC), and GOOD GIRLS (NBC). Julian Gant After growing up on the central coast of Maine, Ryan moved south and attended Stonehill College outside of Boston, MA. Following a brief career as an office supply salesman, Ryan transitioned into acting and performing at Improv Asylum in Boston. From there, Ryan moved to LA and landed guest star roles on numerous television shows, including HOUSE OF LIES, IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, and BAJILLION $ PROPERTIES. Currently, you can watch Ryan recur on NBC’s SUPERSTORE, and as a series regular on TBS’s THE LAST O.G. Film credits include FATHER FIGURES, THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS, Ryan IDENTITY THIEF, and KILLING GUNTHER. Gaul After graduating from Indiana University, Patty Guggenheim moved to LA to intern for a show on Comedy Central. She then got into acting but also finance, as you do. Not! Nobody does that. Don’t do that. Things you may have seen her on: SPLITTING UP TOGETHER, MODERN FAMILY, LA>VEGAS, NOBODIES, THE MIDDLE, 2 BROKE GIRLS, WEB THERAPY, MARY+JANE (MTV), TOSH.0, HASHTAGGERS (E!), and the film CASA DE MI PADRE. Things you may have heard her on: MIKE TYSON MYSTERIES, SUPERMANSION, and BRICK NOVAX’S DIARY (SUNDANCE Award Winning Short). She wrote and acted on VH1’s BARELY FAMOUS. Check out her new show FLORIDA GIRLS Patty on POP TV. Don’t do finance. Do art. Guggenheim Kiel Kennedy was born and raised in beautiful Chico, California. He studied theater at UCLA and is a current member of The Groundlings Main Company. Credits include: NOBODIES, SUPERSTORE, and MILTON (the 2019 SXSW and ASPEN award winning short) and the upcoming feature film, LAZY SUSAN. He has written for ROBOT CHICKEN and SUPERMANSION. Kiel Kennedy Andrew Leeds currently recurs on the HBO series BARRY. He has also appeared on such shows as GET SHORTY, VEEP, SILICON VALLEY, IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, AMERICAN HORROR STORY, BONES, SHAMELESS, MODERN FAMILY, and in the feature film OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY. He will next be seen in the Charlie Day movie EL TONTO, and the Apple series MORNING SHOW. On stage, Leeds was on Broadway in the musical FALSETTOS, TEDDY & ALICE, and toured with LES MISERABLES. Andrew Leeds Lyric is from New Orleans, LA and you may have seen her on: AP BIO (her super show on NBC- watch it!!!), BASKETS, DRUNK HISTORY seasons 4 and 5, MADTV, THE GAGGLE, BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, GAY SKIT HAPPENS, and all sorts of other fun things! You may have also seen her in the 2015 CBS Diversity Showcase, and she’s a dinosaur NUT! Lyric Lewis Laird is originally from Evanston, IL.