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Introducing the Cast of Mad Cowford!!!
Ensemble
John Kalinowski (Director, CEO, Player, Trump manifestation)
""John Kalinowski, or "Johnny-K" has been the Director of Mad Cowford Improv since its creation in May, 2006. John has a theatre degree from the University of Florida and spent four years in Theatre Strike Force, the University of Florida's improvisational group. While there, John was a member of "The Sunday Group" which specialized in long-form improvisation. He was also once the "Alternate Horse" in a stage production of Peter Shaffer's "Equus." John has been performing and directing improv for more than 10 years and has been taught by such noted improvisors as Mark Sutton and Joe Bill of Chicago's Annoyance Theatre, Bill Arnett and Danny Mora of iO Chicago, and Wayne Brady of "Whose Line Is It, Anyway?"
Rachel Wical became addicted to improv when she saw her first live show with ImprovJacksonville in 2003.She became a groupie.Rachel rarely missed a performance and could often be seen stalking some of the players to their cars after the shows. After her subsequent arrest for "general malfeasance in a public place with a mime" Rachel was sentenced to community service, ironically at ImprovJacksonville, where she gained a much broader understanding and appreciation for the art of improv.Rachel performed with Improv Jacksonville from 2004 - 2006 and is ecstatic to now be performing with Mad Cowford!She is proud to share the stage with her friends.
You can also see Rachel performing the role of Caramella Frappuccino in Boomtown's "Not Necessarily Pink Cabaret" on the 2nd and/or 4th Friday of every month.
Bill Welch (VP of Marketing, Web Geek, Player)
Bill has been performing improvisation for over 8 years in Jacksonville, first with Improv Jacksonville and now with Mad Cowford. Bill works at IBM as a software architect, but his first love is being on the stage with his friends making people laugh. Bill hopes that a pianist will fall out of the sky that wants to play with Mad Cowford, so that his dream of improvised musicals in Jacksonville will become a reality. Also, Bill would like to thank his wonderful wife and pastry cook, Sara, for her continued patience and support.
To contact: info@madcowford.com
Rick Spruiell (VP of Finances, Player)
A student of improv since '04, you'd think he'd have learned something by now. Extremely timid and easily frightened, he'll usually come out of his shell long enough on Friday nights to help his cast members have enough people to put on a show. He belongs to a paranormal investigation team and loves to investigate the paranormal because spirits don't judge. Rick works by day repairing medical diagnostic equipment because electricity doesn't judge. The rest of his spare time is usually spent making movies for festivals, making commercials for foreign countries or just generally waiting for his real life to begin. If you should see the cover of the book that is Rick, don't judge.
Bobby Parker (Player)
Bobby is painfully shy and is a mild stutterer. He is overweight and nearsighted. The most embarrassing moment of his life is updated on a day to day basis. Bobby is willing to use all of these gifts to amuse you.
Jamie "Don't Touch Me" Armstrong (Player)
Jamie is an incredible actor that started his performance journey by having his McDonald's cherry pie microwaving job outsourced to India and being embarrassed by singing the Polish version of Divinyls' "I Touch Myself," on Germany's "American Idol" (for some strange reason, it is still called "American Idol" in Germany). Due to his 30 seconds of fame, Jamie was abducted by a humans-obsessed race of aliens from the Khan galaxy. That is why you never see him at our shows. Jamie, if you can read this, you probably have a killer internet package in the Khan galaxy (Comcast is really big out there, also). Also, Jamie, if you can read this, if the Khanerians ever return you to earth, your wife is safe and she misses you, and she will be returned to you when you deposit 50 G's in random, unmarked bills in trash can #3 in Hemming Plaza. Even though the Khanerians abducted Jamie, they still have yet to find signs of intelligent life on earth. Khan...erians!!!!
Matt Flagler (Player)
""Matt mistakenly joined Mad Cowford after originally searching for organizations that shared his anger at cows and the Detroit auto giant, Ford. After serveral awkward meetings/rehearsals, Matt caught on and learned the trade of improvisation. Matt would love to perform with you, hopefully during our performances. Matt also would love to discuss our nation's crippling cow lobbyist group as well as the ridiculously low miles per gallon of a Ford Escort.
Collin Cunninghame (Player, The Future)
""Collin began improvising in 1978 and was later born in 1991. He has never stopped a crime but almost witnessed one once. He feeds on applause and vegetable platters. A framed Aaron Carter autograph is his most prized possession. All jokes aside, he performs comedy while facing to the left.
David Patton (Player)
David teaches theatre and religion and directs at St. John's Country Day School. He has been acting most of his life and had his first television appearance at 4 in a local PSA. He began improvising at ComedySportz Richmond. He earned his Master of Fine Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University with his thesis on the "Pedagogy and Ethics of Improvisation Using the Harold" (available online at http://etd.vcu.edu/theses/available/etd-05142007-122233/unrestricted/pattondd_thesis.pdf). David recently moved from Chicago where he studied with some of the greats of improv and sketch at IO and the Second City, including Michael Gellman, Bernie Sills, Pat O'Brien, Anne Libera and Charna Halpern. He taught improv and acting in Chicago and is most proud of his time teaching in the Improv Program at Second City Chicago. Most recently, he performed with the two man long-form group Yorick. In June of 2009, David will marry the love of his life, Tamara Merfeld. He is very excited to join the ranks of Mad Cowford.
Bendy People
Stefanie Dinsbeer (Player)
"" Stefanie, former member of the Jamaican Bobsled Team, has traded in her uniform and helmet to join the improv scene. A household name to many (because of her current reign as Macarena Queen), Stefanie is a new member of Mad Cowford. When Stefanie is not traveling the world in her magic bobsled, she spends time with the Mad Cowford troupe in efforts to change the lives of those in Jacksonville- One Laugh at a Time!
Matt Shuman (Player)
""Matt Shuman is more or less a native of Jacksonville. After graduating from William M. Raines Sr. High, he became involved with acting while studying theatre at Jacksonville University under the instruction of Debbie Jordan and Devlin Mann. At JU he was involved in such productions as "You Can't Take It With You", "The Threepenny Opera", "Twelfth Night", and "Buried Child" for which he received the honor of the best actor of 2005 from Jacksonville University's fine arts department. During a brief absence from the stage he studied art as well as stage lighting. He returned to the theatre scene in "Biloxi Blues" at the Limelight Theatre in St. Augustine and recently in "Home On Deranged" at Players by the Sea. He is currently involved in an independent film being produced by KillaCozzy productions. Matt is proud to be working with everyone involved with MadCowford and looks forward to a rewarding experience.
James Allen (Player)
""James Allen was a former child star in shows like Full House, Mr. Belvedere. He joined Mad Cowford to bring class back to the troupe, which was noticeably lacking before his arrival. On his days away from the troupe, James enjoys lying to strangers and making fun of childrens' sense of style. In all honesty, James thinks Mad Cowford is awesome, and he is extremely proud to be a part of the troupe.
Robert Wical (VP of Technical Operations, Player)
Robert is our “man behind the curtain”. He began his study of Improv and technical theatre with the former ImprovJacksonville where he earned the title of Technical Director. Over the past few years he has become a well-versed and talented improviser and technician who creates lighting and sound magic. You’ll often find him in the tech booth but he likes to perform on stage when the opportunity arises.
""Chuck is a sick man. He is an angry man. He is an unattractive man. He thinks something is wrong with his liver. True, Chuck has been nervous, but why do they insist that he is mad? The disease has sharpened his senses, not deadened or dulled them (As scary as this rant is, Chuck is relatively safe to be around. As safe as a teddy bear: A teddy bear that wears a Hannibal Lecter mouth guard, and whose main mode of transportation is a furniture dolly).
Alumni Section
Steven Bright (Player)
""In elementary school Steven was often picked on for his improbable appearance. Steven had developed two industrial-sized front teeth which protruded from his mouth regardless of whether or not his lips were closed. He was held back by his fourth grade teacher who claimed that he had not "matured correctly". In addition, his curly hair was a breeding ground for put-downs and a small family of pocket mice. His turning point in life occurred after a family picnic when he stepped in a big pile of poop. He realized then that improv was the future.
Shawn "Live or Let Die"sey (Player, Wolf boy)
I don't know how else to say it... Shawn was raised by wolves, along with his brother, Remus. Nurtured by his mother wolf's sweet mother nectar, Shawn grew strong and was due to become the leader of the pack until it was determined that Shawn could only grow man hair on his head. Shawn tried to convince Gorgon, Aragon and Joe, the current chieftains of the pack, that he simply had waxed for the leader of the pack ceremony, but it was no use. So, Shawn headed out with three of his finest wolf pups into the wild. Unfortunately, the three pups looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah and were instantly turned into pillows of salt. Shawn misses his pups and shakes salt on his abdomen before every show in honor of them.
Meagan English
""Meagan was on loan to us from New York City for a period of time and quickly established herself as a crowd favorite. Meagan has since moved to where all crowd favorites go: Los Angeles. She will live on in such fairytales as "Jamaican and the Beanstalk" and we hope there might be a word for us in her eventual Oscar speech.
Taylor Wilson (Player, Navy Girl)
""Taylor was a beloved member of our troupe until the Navy was tired of her consorting with us. She was reassigned for national security reasons and likely knows what really goes on in Area 51.
Tammy Juicyfruit (Player)
Tammy has been performing improvisational theatre for close to 30 years now. She, her husband, and her 10-20 kids used to have a VW bus, a dream, and an improv show aptly named, "Animal Farm." where every game would begin with a suggestion involving either a farm animal or George Orwell. Her traveling show would bring in 10's of people. In fact, the movie "Little Miss Sunshine" was loosely based upon Tammy's experiences on the road, except in her version, Alan Arkin didn't die.
