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Philip Amler is one of millions of starving improvisers in Chicago. He began performing comedy in 2001 and is a founding member of the still thriving troupe IMPROVABILITY at the University of California, Santa Barbara. After moving to the Windy City, he persevered over near-insurmountable unnamed obstacles to become a graduate of the iO Theater's Training Center and a champion of The Cornservatory's The Original Improv Gladiators. Currently, he plays with the iO Harold team Thank You, Dr. Science!, two-man group Salacious Crumb, and his beloved Charles Grodin. Why not invite him over for dinner sometime?
Eric Pedersen was born in Evanston, rasied in Chicagoland, and has lived in the City for the last eight years. After a 3 year stint as a professional poker player, he decided it was time for a career change (he ran out of money) and began taking improv classes at the iO Theatre in 2007. He was honored to have been put on the great Harold team Electric Mayhem and in the winter of '08 was delighted to start his favorite project to date, Charles Grodin. Eric is overly proud to say that he has won and been runner up for iO's "Get a Life Award" for the person most likely to be at the theater. He is also very proud to have played in Messing With a Friend at the Annoyance Theater with Susan Messing, who he is pretty sure is a god. He would like to thank that Papa's and the Mama's (music) and his Papa and Mama (parents) for not yelling at him for trying to be an actor.
Joe Hartenstine Born and raised on the other side of the Mighty Mississip, this St. Louis native is proud to now reside in the other city where The Compass Players regularly performed, Chicago. In 2008, Joe completed the training centers at both The iO Theater, and The Annoyance Theater. Upon completion of the former, he was placed on iO's house Harold Team, Electric Mayhem, where he was lucky enough to meet the talented people that would make up the long form troupe Charles Grodin. He couldn't think of anything better that could possibly come along than making audiences laugh with his four favorite idiots. Joe has performed all around Chicago: iO, The Second City, The Annoyance, The Playground, Victory Gardens, and many more but his favorite place to be is wherever you are.
James Tierney is a native Chicagoan. He has studied at Second City, iO, and The Annoyance. Past ensembles James has had the fortune to perform with include Seen.Heard.Touched.Loved (winners of The Original Improv Gladiators Season Two) and the late great Electric Mayhem at the iO Theatre. He was runner-up for iO's prestigious "Get a Life" award in 2010. Currently, he can be seen performing with Charles Grodin, Fire Cup, and Salacious Crumb. He has been inspired by Michael Jordan, Emily Wilson, and Charlie Rose.
Lars Weborg left his dear Pennsylvania with three Bachelor's degrees and embarked for Chicago to master the most lucrative pursuit of them all: improv. His pockets lined only with laughter, he graduated from the iO training center in 2008 and he continues to perform there with a house team called Thank You, Dr. Science!. His Chicago improv pedigree mirrors his fellow Grodinites, as he's also performed with Electric Mayhem and Seen.Heard.Touched.Loved. Before Lars joined his beloved Charles Grodin, nobody in Charles Grodin--nobody--had ever heard of Svengoolie.
