Commedus Interruptus

Commedus Interruptus is an American theater troupe operating from the US state of California.
Origin
Commedus Interruptus originated as a short and long-form improvisational theatre troupe at the University of Southern California. The oldest of USC's five currently performing improv troupes, Commedus was created in 1989 by then-senior Don Friesen. The group is best known for performing a free hour-long lawn show every Friday at 1 p.m. in front of Tommy Trojan. In addition to their weekly shows, the troupe writes and produces a full-length sketch comedy show every semester.
Commedus quickly established itself as a fixture within the USC theater community, and has served as a stepping-stone in the careers of many USC alumni.
Sketch show
Twice a year, Commedus puts on an original sketch comedy show for the student body, shortly before finals week, showcasing original material written and performed by the Commedus cast (commonly known as the "Commedes"). The show is widely acclaimed by the USC theater community, and performances are regularly sold out.
Annual Improv-a-thon
Every spring, Commedus performs 24 straight hours of improv as a fundraiser. The event begins at 2 p.m. Thursday and ends with Commedus' regular lawn show, from 1-2 p.m. Friday. The event has become a staple of the Commedus calendar, and is well-attended throughout its twenty-four-hour span.
Audition process
Commedus Interruptus holds auditions each fall, open to undergraduates of all majors. The primary auditions are administered jointly with three other USC improv troupes: Second Nature, The Merry Men, and Spoiler Alert, after which each troupe will offer callbacks on an individual basis. Commedus is unique, however, in that it requires an additional workshop phase: eight candidates are selected to be mentored by the troupe over a six-week period, after which 1-4 will be invited onto the troupe proper. This unusual process is designed to assess the candidates' ability to display talent consistently, take direction and improve over time, and work collaboratively with the rest of the group.
Alumni
*Rob Kerkovich, actor known for his work on the television series NCIS New Orleans
*Don Friesen, stand-up comedian and two-time winner of the San Francisco International Comedy Competition
*Jason Reitman, Academy Award-nominated director of Juno and Up in the Air
*Abby Kohn, writer of Never Been Kissed and
*Damien Haas, former cast member of , a Disney Channel sketch comedy series and current cast member of Smosh
*Beck Bennett, star of the AT&T "It's Not Complicated" commercials and Saturday Night Live cast member
*Kyle Mooney, cast member of Saturday Night Live<ref name="GN SNL" />
*Nick Rutherford, writer for Saturday Night Live<ref name="GN SNL" />
Additionally, the following comedy groups have been formed by alumni of the Commedus cast:
*Good Neighbor<ref name="DT GN"/>
*Trust Fall
*Invisible Engine
*Summer of Tears

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu