Join Laughing Gas for its 17th fantastic season! Now Miami’s longest-running improvisational theatre troupe, The Laughing Gas Comedy Improv Theatre Company was founded in November, 1992 by former members of Mental Floss, Coconut Grove’s once-legendary troupe, which lost its theatre after Hurricane Andrew devastated the Miami area. The actors formed a new company, now known as Laughing Gas. After a ten-year run at the acclaimed New Theatre in Coral Gables, they have made their home for the last five years at The Main Street Playhouse, located at 6766 Main Street, in Miami Lakes. They perform every Friday and Saturday night at 11 PM. Admission is $10, no age restriction, no minimums (this is an alcohol-free event). 305-461-1161 or visit us online at http://www.laughinggasimprov.com
Website
laughinggasimprov.com
Influences
Del Close, Keith Johnstone, Sandy Mielke, Second City, Mental Floss, The LA Connection, Upright Citizens Brigade, Improv Olympic
Members
Current cast members include producer/director Gerald Owens, Nicole Areu, Wing Armstrong, Gene Ballard, Anthony Camilo, James Carrey, Valerie Carrey, Kimberly Cox, Ashley Dixon, L. A. Edwards, Mark Ginzo, Denden Girmay, Jessica Gross, Carl Guerra, Linda Jarvis-Guerra, Kimberly Ann Jones, Heather Kashick, Justin Lewis, Aniela McGuinness, Eric Mullins, A. J. Navarrete, Todd Rice, Rita Ritvin, Benjamin Shahoulian, Fawad Siddiqui, Andy Sottilare and Tara Taglienti.
For pictures, resumes and biographies of the cast, visit our bios page.
TV Shows
Here is a short documentary segment on the troupe from WLRN TV:
We're also famous in Spanish. A documentary segment en Espanol from City of Sound's TV Colombia (though we only perform in English).
Films
For film and television resumes of the individual cast members, cast, visit our bios page.
Laughing Gas's Interests
General
Improvisational theatre, both short and long form. We also offer INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS in improvisational acting at Peaches School of Dance, 2018 NE 155 Street, in North Miami Beach. Class meets every Thursday from 8:00 to 10:30 PM, and the cost is $15 per session. Just shoot us an e-mail to register. For travel directions and a list of frequently asked questions, go to: http://members.aol.com/lafimprov/class.html
Television
Whose Line Is It, Anyway? SCTV
Books
Click on any title--the links are active. Impro,
by Keith Johnstone. An innovator in his own right, Johnstone devised an approach to improvisation in the UK, working independently of Spolin and the Chicago school of improvisors. Includes much useful information on status relationships; Guru:
My Days With Del Close, by Jeff Griggs. Del Close may not have been the father of American improvisational theatre, but he was certainly its crazy uncle. He was mentor to many improv greats, including Bill Murray, John Belushi, John Candy, Tim Farley and Mike Myers; Truth
in Comedy, by Charna Halpern and Del Close. This book by the founders of Chicago's "Improv Olympic" (now simply "IO"), offers a foundation for all improvisational technique, as well as the structure and strategies of long-form improvisation; Improvisation
for the Theater, by Viola Spolin. Spolin was the pioneer in the field, and the formats she created at the University of Chicago in the 1930's and 40's provided the groundwork for nearly all improvisational theatre since. Her students founded the "Compass Players," which eventually evolved into "The Second City"; The
Second City Almanac of Improvisation, by Anne Libera. Chicago's improvisation and sketch comedy theatre, "The Second City," is legendary as the launching pad for hundreds of actors, including many who became famous on Saturday Night Live.
For more books on improvisation and the entertainment industry, go to our book page.
About me:
The Laughing Gas Comedy Improv Theatre Company is the longest-running professional improvisational theatre troupe in South Florida. We present a 90-minute, interactive show combining music, sketches, and improvised comedy based on your suggestions from the audience. And we've been doing it since 1992! Laughing Gas is a leader in satirical and politically relevant comedy, often taking on social issues and pop culture. Here is a selection of show clips, improvised in front of live audiences.
First is "The Mating Game," our improvised dating show featuring host Gerald Owens, Andy Sottilare, James Carrey, and guest performer Keegan Michael Key, from Fox's "Mad TV," during our appearance at the "Hope for Vision" charity show.
Next is Valerie Carrey and Andy Sottilare as a dysfunctional couple in "Pick a Line."
In "You Tell Us," Andy Sottilare and Cesar Gracia struggle with the moral ramifications of a five pound hamburger, as called by Gerald Owens.
Here we have a segment called "Talk Show," featuring Gerald Owens, Andy Sottilare, Denden Girmay, Anthony Camilo and Todd Rice (off camera). The audience has suggested a random noun and verb as the topic.
Here is a female Mating Game, featuring Heather Kashick, Kimberly Ann Jones and Aniella McGuinness, with Gerald Owens hosting.
Fawad Siddiqui and Keldrick Mobley as Muslim astronauts during Eid ul-Fitr in "Pick a Line."
"Mating Game," featuring Gerald Owens, Keldrick Mobley, Andy Sottilare, AJ Navarrete. An unsuspecting audience member participates in an improvised dating show.
Andy Sottilare and Gerald Owens provide dubbed voices for Wing Armstrong and AJ Navarrete in "Foreign Film."
Gerald Owens, Michael Joseph, Keldrick Mobley and Benny Shahoulian in "Double Jeopardy."
Here we have Andy Sottilare and AJ Navarrete as a scoutmaster and boy scout in the untamed Florida Everglades in "Pick a Line."
Do you Kahuna? Looking forward to launching off at Tobacco Road at 9pm on Nov. 5th! Check out our site and give a listen to our new release, "Howl at the Moon", available soon on itunes!
Hi Gerry, This is Tracey Barrow from a long time ago-Miami Laugh Machine and Improvisation Foundation. I now teach drama at Coral Gables High School and I have a couple of graduating seniors who are amazing at improv. I'd love to send them to you. When are your auditions?
Hi have a great week and if in my area holla...and we can chill...also hope U make that feature film documentary about U.all..it might just rock the world!!!!
Thank you very much for the invite to your show last night. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend due to production. Please keep me posted for any future shows. Thanks a million!
I love you:) Thanks for coming by! Keep the beats hot and kisses from the sunshine..I'm bringin the Chicago beats to the heat..HOUSE MUSIC ALL NIGHT LONG!
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