Comedian Profile: Mark Bringhurst

Editors Note: In this segment, we step away from the stage and take a look at comedians in the Philadelphia area… Learn a little more about where they come from, what they do while not performing and of course the question we all ask ourselves… Why do we do it?

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MARK BRINGHURST

Might have seen him in: CUBED, Ladies & Gentlemen, Delaware Comedy Theatre

Hangs his hat in: Berlin, NJ

Stomping Grounds: Berlin, NJ

Pays the Bills: Teaching 5th grade

Other Hobbies: writing, hiking, reading

Why Improv?

I have been acting since elementary school but did not discover improv until I was well into adulthood.  I was visiting Disney World’s Pleasure Island (which is now sadly only a memory) and attended my first improv show at the Comedy Warehouse.  I started out the evening thinking “This is awesome!” which later progressed to “I could do this!” which finally ended up with “I HAVE to do this!”  When I came back to New Jersey I did some internet searching and signed up for classes with ComedySportz.  After going through every level class that ComedySportz offered, I was beyond hooked and knew I had to continue.  At the time, the “closest” group that was holding auditions was Delaware Comedy Theatre in Lewes, Delaware.  The fact that I was willing to make a six-hour round trip drive to Lewes at least once a week for several years tells you that I had either found my calling or I was out of my mind…or a little of both.

Improvisational comedy is such a rewarding performance outlet.  I enjoy playing many different types of characters and experimenting with different types of physical comedy.  Anything is possible in any given show.  I am never limited by the words and stage directions someone else has written for me.  It is also rewarding to know that when you elicit any kind of reaction from an audience member…laughter…a happy sigh…a gasp…it is a result of something that you developed on stage in that moment–something that only you and your scene partner(s) brought to life.  The improv scene in Philadelphia has also allowed me to be a part of many different types of improv, from musical to premise-based, from shortform to longform, so it is always exciting, changing, growing, and completely fulfilling!

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If you know someone who you think should be profiled, we’d love to hear about them.

DCT North to disband

Dave Warick announced yesterday that the Wilmington-based wing of his popular Delaware Comedy Theatre troupe will be calling it fini. In a letter to fans, he wrote:

After a great run of a year, Del Comedy Theatre North is disbanding. Some of the members will be performing together under a different name, and all will be honored alumni of Delaware Comedy Theatre… Thanks for all your support… Dave Warick

So it looks like although we’ve seen the last of DCT North in its current form, we may see some members again soon. DCT still has lots of great shows coming up around Rehoboth Beach for them to appear in as well. Best of luck to the blue coats of DCT.

Time For PHIT At The Shubin

We’re now upon the March run of PHIT @ The Shubin. This month’s showcase is a giant fundraiser for Project HOME; a charity working towards ending homelessness in Philadelphia.

This Week’s shows

Monday
7pm: Tongue & Groove with Illegal Refill. $5.

Wednesday
8pm: Bedtime Stories: Way Down in the Hole (A Tribute to The Wire). $5. PW A-List Pick!

Thursday
8pm: Theatresports: DCT North vs. Philly. $5.
10pm: CAGEMATCH: Holmes vs. Holmes vs. Homelessness. $5.

Friday
8pm: Meg and Rob with Traffic Jelly. $10.
10pm: Cajones with BWP. $10.

Saturday
8pm: Cajones with BWP. $10.
10pm: Meg and Rob with Traffic Jelly. $10.

Sunday
7pm: The Parade of A-Holes: A Benefit Auction for Project H.O.M.E. Free & BYOB!

Comic Vs. Audience has the lowdown on the benefit auction:

“Part comedy show, part benefit auction, The Parade of A-holes will take you on a hilarious trip through your bad dating decisions. In the style of a charity bachelor auction, these eligible and annoying singles (played by a selection of Philly’s favorite improvisers and sketch comedians) will be “auctioned” alongside fabulous prize packages. The winning bidder goes home with the prize, not the a-hole, and everyone gets a chance to laugh at some characters everyone’s dated but nobody likes. Bonus: It’s all for charity! The Parade of A-Holes: Laugh! Bid! WIN!”

PHIT @ THE SHUBIN

407 Bainbridge

Mon 3/3 – Sun 3/9

Who Dat At PHIF?

The lineup has been announced for the 2007 Philadelphia Improv Festival.

Among the 30 groups performing are: 30,000 kHz of Sound, BillyHawk, The Boss, Cajones, Cathcart & Olson, Caveat, ChImp, Choosical, Cubicle, Delaware Comedy Theatre, Dwayne’s Guesthouse, Get Up, Gunshow, Gus, iMusical, Industrial, Jackie, Kick the Squirrel, Makeout Clinic, Men About Town, N Crowd, Onesixtyone, Rare Bird Show, Sidecar, The Throng, TTFKATGPDCH!R, Tybrus, Unexpected Company, Viceroy and ZombieShark.

These groups will be coming in from all over the country, including cities as far away as Los Angeles, Portland, Austin and Chicago – as well as from east coast locales like NYC, DC, Dirty South and more.

PHIF 2007 runs Nov. 8-10 at the Mum Puppettheatre in Old City.