ArACkA Spontaneous Comedy

ArACkA Spontaneous Comedy (simply known as ArACkA) is an improvisational comedy troupe based out of Gainesville, FL. Founded in 2007, the group specializes in short and mid form improvisational comedy. Since its inception, ArACka has created a following within Florida, performing comedy shows throughout the entire state.
History
(2007)
ArACkA Spontaneous Comedy was started in the fall of 2007 by five roommates with improv experience who simply wanted to have some fun together. Creating a unique brand of games and establishing a definitive look, ArACkA began performing at the 1982 Bar in Gainesville, Florida. As they built a small, loyal fan base, ArACkA made their Gainesville Improv Festival debut as well as hold their first benefit show for Toys for Tots.
Amidst their early success, many of the original ArACkA members were forced to move on. Jeff Quintana moved to Miami to pursue his other improv troupe, Impromedy. Ross Asdourian moved to New York upon graduating from the University of Florida. Kamay Lafalaise and Brandon Wurns left to concentrate on their schooling. The only remaining ArACkA member, Augie Artiles, look towards other improv groups in Gainesville to find a whole new cast to continue the progress ArACkA had already made.
With Scott Arel, Rich Camillucci, Tony Kolt Chris Mullet and Steve Reale on board, ArACkA continued to attract packed houses to 1982, but began to expand even further. ArACkA started their charity work with Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society as well as bringing the Florida improv scene together for March Mayhem, a one-night festival that attracted eight different groups from all over the state.
(2008)
The summer of 2008 was very busy as ArACkA began to travel. Ocala was their first stop, receiving a regular performance slot at Jokeboy’s Comedy Club and building another dedicated audience. ArACkA also ventured to West Palm Beach to perform with their friends, Mod 27, and Miami to perform with co-founder Jeff Quintana and Impromedy. Around this time, Maxx Mann joined the cast for a brief period and Brandon Wurns returned for another stint. Both made solid contributions to the group, but bowed out due to their restrictive schedules in September. Before they left, however, both men joined ArACkA in creating their first piece of merchandise: a beefcake calendar that served as another benefit for the American Cancer Society.
Around ArACkA’s one year anniversary, the group continued to expand their audience (by beginning to perform on the University of Florida campus for dormitories), bring more improv to Gainesville (by organizing the GIF Shuffle, an off-shoot festival to hype the annual Gainesville Improv Festival) and be accessible to any and all audiences (no matter if it were a bar or even a local apartment complex).
(2009)
To ring in 2009, ArACkA look to some of its idols for their second Gainesville Improv Festival performance. Doing a “Whose Line is It Anyway?” tribute show, ArACkA proved they were willing to take risks and do whatever they feel necessary to entertain an audience. The GIF show marked the ArACkA debut of Matt White in the cast.
The winter and spring of 2009 consisted of ArACkA continuing to do charitable work. ArACkA performed for a local high school and was invited back to teach workshops to the school’s drama class. ArACkA held multiple events such as Rock Band, dodgeball and basketball tournaments to benefit Relay for Life. ArACkA performed during 12 Hours of Improv for the second year in a row and, with their “Chez ArACkA” concept of audience members buying games that they want to see played, ArACkA’s total money raised for Relay for Life totaled over $5,000 in 2009.
ArACkA began receiving another huge opportunity in the spring of 2009 when the University of Florida invited the group to perform for their Gator Nights events. ArACkA still performs at these events and, most recently, almost had the fire marshal shut down the event due to the venue being over capacity.
The summer of 2009 saw ArACkA receive their most consistent work to date. On top of their Gator Nights shows, ArACkA performed for more UF dorms, traveled to Jacksonville and Miami for shows with Mad Cowford and Impromedy, began a new relationship with Gainesville pub Brophy’s and added Tim Anderson as a full-time member of the cast.
Expanding beyond improv, ArACkA started a podcast in the summer of 2009 that is currently featured on iTunes for free and attracts listeners from all over the world. ArACkA has also begun to sell their authentic T-shirts that are almost in their third circulation.
ArACkA is able to be found on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, Podbean and iTunes and are very accessible to their audience and always trying to give back and entertain in any way. While improv is ArACkA’s primary focus, the group has extensive experience in sketch comedy. Many of the performers have stand-up routines. Several of the cast members have experience in community theater as well as telecommunication production, editing and directing as well as very accomplished musicians. ArACkA is well-versed in so many different fields in entertainment.
With a rapidly growing fan base, a dedicated work ethic that is always trying to get better and a fervent need to entertain any and all, ArACkA Spontaneous Comedy is slowly but surely making a name for themselves in the improv community.
Current Members
Tim Anderson (2009 - Present)
Scott Arel (2008 - Present)
Augie Artiles (2007 - Present)
Rich Camillucci (2008 - Present)
Chris Mullet (2008 - Present)
Matthew White (2009 - Present)

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