Marshall Givens
Marshall is a child of the 80’s, born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. He never had a brother, never had a sister. What he did have was a brain, TV, and an unquenchable thirst for attention. His brain came in handy at school, but the thirst was the bane of his existence. He attempted to make use of his brain studying computer engineering at Northwestern University. However, the thirst led him to the stage which was infested with acting bugs. He was bitten and the rash still itches.
The scratching led Marshall to The Second City Chicago where he learned to harness the the thirst for attention and use it for good. Along the way he got lost in a light booth and was trapped there for years until he escaped TO L.A…then got lost in a light booth again. Now he’s out and scratching away! Marshall performs regularly now and feels right at home with several groups: TuskegeeXperiment, current (hopefully) Mainstage Cagematch champs Orpheus Roy!, ADT Harold team Popular Science, current (hopefully) Student Cagematch champs Party Like It’s 1991, and The Thunder of Mount Stallion! That means you have plenty of chances to see Marshall perform, or just say hello when you see him house managing on Monday nights. He’s really nice.
Shows:
Representation Info:
Commercial Agent: Reign Agency – 310.399.5735
Management: Mike Abrams, Industry Entertainment – 323.954.9000
Interview:
1. Where are you originally from and what was the improv scene like there?
Chicago, IL. The improv scene there is hardcore street. Ain’t no punks in the City of Wind!
2. What made you want to start doing improv?
I HAVE to entertain at any cost and improv lets me do that.
3. What stumbling blocks did you have to overcome when you first started studying improv?
Who said anything about overcoming stuff…I’m still stumbling!
4. How long have you been doing improv?
Long enough to … sorry… started 10 years ago. Wow. I probably should be better.
5. What’s your favorite part about improvising?
The satisfaction of making something up that has never and will never be seen again and making it work.
6. What is one of your best memories on stage at iOWest?
TuskegeeXperiment’s 1st show on the mainstage. We so were excited to show that improv has more color than what people normally see.
7. What’s some advice you would give to someone that’s starting out?
I was gonna ask you that same question. Well, let me think. Oh! Make it a point to have fun on stage.
8. Who is someone you really look up to in the improv world and why?
I’m a big fan of Matt Craig. The amount of fun that he has in every scene that he does is completely contagious. He listens, he supports unselfishly, and he gives gifts like he was improv Santa!
9. Other than your own, what is your favorite show at iOWest?
I LOVE ‘EM ALL! WINK WINK
10. How do you use improv in your professional life?
I’m an actor. So the question is, how do I use professional in my improv life? I don’t, I’m an actor.
11. If you could sum up iO in one sentence, what would that be?
Imagination + beer + love / # of improv finger guns = iO
Friday, May 24 @ 10:00 PM in the Main Stage - tickets are $10
Friday, May 31 @ 10:00 PM in the Main Stage - tickets are $10