| *Motor
City Improv Timeline 1999-2003
Motor
City
Improv was formed to provide a vehicle for their wit,
humor and desire to act. The history is richer and deeper than these
web pages can provide, not to mention the gossip. But we have
attempted to give you some highlights that tell the true history of the
troupe. A troupe formed by young men and women in the summer of
1999. Motor City Improv has
already become a well-known cult following favorite.
With a blend of sketches and improvisation – a love of their
youth and pop culture you will see why people call it “Detroit
Style” comedy.
*1999
*2000 *2001
*2002 *2003
1999 June - Birth of the
improv troupe.
Adam Burkett, Rob English,
PJ Jacokes and
Michael Lomas talk about forming a troupe. They decide to meet a
week later at the Jacokes residents. Invite future cast members and
bring a list of names for the yet to be named troupe. Michael calls Billy
Zakolski from a former troupe called "The 3rd Level".
On Billy's list of names is Motor City Improv.
The members vote that it become the name of the troupe. Original
line up and founding members. ; Adam Burkett,
Rob English,
Michael Lomas, Amy
Johnson, PJ Jacokes, Kenny
McClain, Jean Parker and Billy
Zakolski.
1999 July - First public
appearance.
Westfield Center, Trenton Michigan. A charity benefit show.
1999 August -First line up
change.
Rob English leaves for California to further his acting career. Jean
Parker leaves to devote more time to her teaching career. Billy
Zakolski takes what would be two month break to attend to family
business. The troupe ask James Bonadio to join.
1999 August -First written
show.
The Capitol Theater Windsor, Ontario, Canada host the first written show
entitled "His and Hurricane".
1999 September -Second
written show.
The Second City Detroit, Detroit, Michigan. "Bare Wit Project".
1999 September -Weekly
shows in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Every Friday night at The Wunderground Theater, Motor
City Improv has Improv Shows for the next 3 years.
1999 October - Line up
changes.
Kenny McClain leaves to perform as musical director for The Second City
Detroit Touring Company, Billy Zakolski
returns to cast.
1999 December -Third
written show.
The Second City Detroit, Michigan "MCI vs. Second City".
1999 December - Line up
changes.
Julieanne Ziegler joins the cast.
1999 December -
"Being Rob English"
Motor City Improv has a sketch/improv
show called "Being Rob English" at the Wunderground
featuring Rob English--returning home for the holidays--which concludes
with an improv set that turns into a rip-on-Rob festival - roast style!
2000 February - Line up
changes
Michael Lomas leaves cast to pursue theatre.
2000 March/April - Line up
changes.
Julieanne Ziegler and PJ Jacokes depart troupe.
Julieanne leaves
for New York to pursue theatre. PJ is hired by The
Second City Detroit for the Touring Company.
2000 June - Line up
changes.
Matthew S. Gannaway joins the Motor
City Improv cast.
2000 July - Forth written
show.
Detroit, Michigan "Buffet for Vampire Slayers" performed
on the stage of The
Second City Detroit.
2000 August - Line up
changes.
Adam Burkett leaves for New York to pursue theatre and acting.
2000 September - Line up
changes.
J. Chris Newberg join the cast. Motor
City Improv performs at The Detroit Improv Festival held
at The Second City Detroit.
2000 October - Line up
changes.
Billy Zakolski is involved in auto
accident, will not perform on stage for next several months, still stays
active with troupe. Amy Johnson leaves
troupe to perform in "Tony and Tina's Wedding". Lesley
Braden joins cast.
2000 November - Line up
changes.
Michael Lomas rejoins cast. Nate DuFort from the troupe "Your Fat
Friend" later renamed "YFF" fills in for Billy
Zakolski until his return to stage.
2000 December - Fifth
written show.
The Wunderground Theatre, Royal Oak, Michigan "The Downtown Ho Ho
Hoe Down" is Motor City Improv's
first holiday show. Tim Shornak and
Brad Barbaza join the Motor City Improv
family.
2001 January - Stop the
Press!
Motor City Improv's
weekly improv shows at the Wunderground Theatre get a review by The Mirror
Newspapers. Read it here!
2001 March - Sixth written
show.
The Wunderground Theatre, Royal Oak, Michigan: "Bringin' Home the
Bacon (A Show Inspired by the Footloose Soundtrack)" based partly
on a 80's high school reunion. For one performance, Nate DuFort
fills in for J. Chris Newburg. This show marks the stage return of Billy
Zakolski.
2001 April - Motor City
Improv hits the road.
Rochester Hills, Michigan - Motor City Improv
performs a two act show consisting of a mix of improv and written material
for the students of Oakland University.
2001 July - Seventh written
show.
The Wunderground Theartre, Royal Oak, Michigan "Drai Hoomph, The
One Hoomph or Two Reunion Tour". Directed by Lisa Maxine Melinn from The
Second City Detroit.
2001 August - Real Detroit
features Motor City Improv
Real Detroit writer Kip Dexter reviews Motor City
Improv's "Drai Hoomph, The One Hoomph or Two Reunion
Tour" show. Read it here!
2001 October - Line up
changes / Road Shows.
J. Chris Newburg leaves troupe to pursue stand-up career. Adam
Burkett returns from New York, rejoins cast.
Motor City Improv
invades Trenton, Michigan. Two benefit performances for the Trillium
Center of Performing Arts. Read promo by
Trillium.
2001 December - Eighth
written show.
The Wunderground Theatre, Royal Oak, Michigan "Naughty or Nice?
Motor City Improv is Naughty!" Directed by The
Second City Detroit main stage talent and former member of "The
3rd Level," Jeff Fritz. Real Detroit provides another
review - read it here!
Motor City Improv
starts to shoot scenes for a pilot entitled "After Hours".
2002 February - Last Show
at the Wunderground.
The Wunderground Theatre on 110 S. Main in Royal Oak Closes down
forever. After hundreds of Friday night shows Motor
City Improv performs one final show at the corner of Main and
11 Mile. Bonanza show features many surprise guests and alumni
members.
"After Hours" pilot is
made then scrapped due to production differences. Thompson
Productions, Inc. jumps on board to shoot new pilot.
2002 March - Improv Shows
for the road.
Rochester Hills, Michigan: Motor City
Improv pays a return visit to the students of Oakland
University with another two-part show consisting of a mix of improv and written
sketch comedy.
First appearance at the Comedy Castle in
Royal Oak, Michigan. J. Chris Newberg hosts a CD release party for
his new disk entitled "Sucker For A Pretty Face." Motor
City Improv is on hand to perform on the bill with comedian and
future cast member Martin Butler.
Motor City Improv
performs at Planet Ant's Monday night improv. Opening up for the Planet
Ant's Home Team.
2002 April - Improv Show
for the Arts
The Corktown Press, a newly-formed non-profit collective created to
provide a structural framework for creative endeavors in the Detroit area,
hosts a grand opening party. Motor City
Improv performs at this event at the Historic Bohemian House in
Detroit, Michigan.
2002 May - Improv at the
Idiot.
For the next eight months, Motor City Improv
performs bi-monthly shows at The Village Idiot Pub in Detroit,
Michigan. By rotating opening acts and guest comedians, these shows
became a mainstay for Detroit-area improvers, allowing many troupes a
chance to perform before a new audience.
2002 July - Line up
changes.
Michael Lomas leaves troupe to pursue theatre and teach improv classes.
2002 August - Line up
changes.
James Bonadio and Matt Gannaway leave the
troupe. James moves to California to further his acting career. Matt joins
The Second
City Detroit Touring Company.
2002 September - Line up
changes.
Tim Robinson from the troupe "YFF" fills in until a
permanent cast member is chosen.
2002 October - Line up
changes.
Martin Butler joins the cast. Marty is
a long time friend of the troupe and successful stand-up comedian.
2002 November - Line up
changes.
Lesley Braden leaves troupe to pursue other interests.
2002 December - Line up
changes.
Original cast member Amy Johnson returns
to troupe. Detroit improv up-and-comer Kimberly Fox joins troupe.
Searching for a venue more suited to improv
comedy, Motor City Improv leaves
Village Idiot Pub after a eight month run.
2003 January - The Z by
any other name...
Billy Zakolski changes his stage and
screen name to Billy Blanzy.
2003 January - Line up
changes.
Matt Gannaway rejoins troupe. Brad
Barbaza steps down from field operations, still involved in company
operations.
2003 February - Improv
returns to Detroit.
Continuing their pursuit for a new home stage, Motor
City Improv performs weekly, Sunday nights at Jacoby's in
Detroit, Michigan.
2003 March - Plans for a
ninth written show.
Motor City Improv begins search for
director of their ninth written show.
2003 April -Director
found.
Motor City Improv invites Steve
Sabaugh of The
Second City Detroit to direct their ninth written show.
2003 April - Adam Burkett
steps back from show.
Due to scheduling conflicts, Adam Burkett regrettably needs to step back
from this show.
2003 April - Rehearsals
begin.
Rehearsal and writing process begins for ninth written show with director
Steve Sabaugh.
2003 May - Improv at
Jacoby's.
After a four month run, Motor City Improv
leaves Jacoby's to concentrate on their next writen show.
2003 May -Line up changes.
Kimberly Fox leaves troupe to pursue other interests.
2003 September - New Web
Site.
New web site is launched to coincide with Motor
City Improv's 9th Written show and to promote video
productions. "Rock & Roll 101" is launched as Motor
City Improv's first online video.
"Alumni" and "Timeline" are launched one week later. 2003
October - More Web Content.
Video of "Traffic Jam" is added to Media
section. 2003
November - Pilot is screened.
Motor City Improv's pilot video is
debuted featuring "Rock & Roll 101", "Michigan
Hunter" and "Frat Breakup" at the Double Olive in Dearborn
Michigan. "Michigan Hunter" is released online a
week later. 2004 -
February - Canada hits the site.
Motor City Improv's live recording of
Canada from the "Drai Hoomph, The
One Hoomph or Two Reunion Tour" is made public on the web site.
©2007, Motor City Improv, LLC.
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