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The errant brigade R.I.P.

improv comedy troupe

2004 - 2006

Shows
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About

How it all started

Hillary Marzec, who eventually went on to be in one of the regular weekly groups in the IO (formerly the Improvolympic of chicago - the second most well known comedy club in Chicago, next to Second City, whose members have gone on to SNL and other comedy careers) and was also in Spicy Clamato (the longest lasting improv troupe at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign whose members have also gone on to Second City and SNL) during her 6 years at UIUC, wanted to create a group in her own hometown before she went on to live in Chicago, work with the IO, run her own businesses such as the Finer Point and Inside Chicago Walking Tours (the premier, #1 rated walking tour service in Chicago). She used a local college - the University of St. Francis, as a home. With the help of Rick Laib, and Jamie Albert who posted fliers, both students and non-students were recruited, and, open auditions were held. Basically anyone who showed up was accepted into the, at that time, unnamed "Errant Brigade"

and practices began on a weekly basis. The name was chosen by the second practice by members. People suggested adjectives, and nouns in a separate category. The 'Errant' 'Brigade' was the best combo and all agreed. The group first performed at the auditorium at USF, and the coffee shop of USF. They went on to perform at the Ashbary Coffee House, many other packed houses at St. Francis, and even at bars for money. The lineup changed over the years. Over 25 people were in the EB at one time or another, and they are all listed on this site.

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Photos/Videos

Games

Press

About

members

Hillary Marzec - Founder

Rick Laib (march, 2004) - CoFounder

Jamie Albert (march, 2004) - 1st meinal member
art insurriaga (april, 2004) - Original Member 
carrie monaco (april, 2004) - Original Member 

amanda welsh (april, 2004) - Original Member 

andy majetich (april, 2004) - Original Member 
jessica jannusch (april, 2004) - Original Member
kevin leonard (april, 2004) - Original Member 
megan kearney (april, 2004) - Original Member 
nikki talaga (april, 2004) - Original Member 
stacey hogan (april, 2004) - Original Member
trevor lynn (april, 2004) - Original Member

Joe Zordan (may 2004)

Sarah Barkley (may 2004)

Liz Krahulic (june, 2004)
chris bersano (june, 2004) 
katie vargo-bersano (june, 2004) 

jamin gahm (july, 2004) 
ron clay (October, 2004) 

anthony cisneros (December, 2004) 

Sarah Moore (December, 2004) 
tim gaines (January, 2005)

katherine jannusch ('05) 

Jeff Hicks (september, 2005)

Nick Cerovac (november, 2005)

josh Mastel ( December, 2005) 

steve Shanks (December, 2005) 

tony Dore (December, 2005) 

 

contact jamiemichaelalbert@yahoo.com for info
 

Videos

members

Hillary Marzec - Founder

Rick Laib (march, 2004) - CoFounder

Jamie Albert (march, 2004) - 1st member

Keith Hernandez (april, 2004) - Original member
art insurriaga (april, 2004) - Original Member 
carrie monaco (april, 2004) - Original Member 

amanda welsh (april, 2004) - Original Member 

andy majetich (april, 2004) - Original Member 
jessica jannusch (april, 2004) - Original Member
kevin leonard (april, 2004) - Original Member 
megan kearney (april, 2004) - Original Member 
nikki talaga (april, 2004) - Original Member 
stacey hogan (april, 2004) - Original Member
trevor lynn (april, 2004) - Original Member

Joe Zordan (may 2004)

Sarah Barkley (may 2004)

Elizabeth Krahulic (june, 2004)
chris bersano (june, 2004) 
katie vargo-bersano (june, 2004) 

jamin gahm (july, 2004) 
ron clay (October, 2004) 

anthony cisneros (December, 2004) 

Sarah Moore (December, 2004) 
tim gaines (January, 2005)

katherine jannusch ('05) 

Jeff Hicks (september, 2005)

Nick Cerovac (november, 2005)

josh Mastel ( December, 2005) 

steve Shanks (December, 2005) 

tony Dore (December, 2005) 

Underlines represent last lineup in January of 2006

 

The Errant Brigade was created as an experiment in teaching improv, and also so that both USF and Joliet had an improvisational comedy troupe. They were rusty at first, as they, for the most part, with the exception of a couple of members who had taken a some classes at Second City, were amateurs. Funny to think of improvisational amateurs but when it comes to actual performance and working with others on stage, and learning the art of give and take, takes practice. 

Many of you may wonder, "How do you "train" for improv???" Well, there is a lot, some of which is mentioned above... just because improv is "on the spot" doesn't mean you can't hone that skill by rehearsing. Coming to the site is a list of "Games" a lot of which are strictly for practice, some of which are used both in practice and some in performance, that made the Errant Brigade funny. There will be a link up soon that lists these all and their descriptions.       

 

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE MEMBERS THAT MADE THE ERRANT BRIGADE SO MUCH FUN.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Gallery
Press
Personal Appearances

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