Author Archives: Ben Whitehouse

Ben Whitehouse has been studying and performing improv in New York since 2001. He has studied with Eliza Skinner, Shannon O’Neil, Neil Casey, Joe Wengert, Chris Gethard, Billy Merritt, Christina Gausas, Michael Delaney, Rob Riggle, and Matt Walsh at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre New York. In addition, he has also studied with Armando Diaz of Magnet, Susan Kaessinger, and Jay Rhoderick of Centralia.

He performs regularly with the 4 person group LD & The Scientist and 2 person group Boy Girl Party.

You can also find him at Up The Tree, where he talks about music, life, and his struggle with twizzlers.

Ben is one of the 550 members of IADAS (International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences) and an official judge of the Webby Awards.

10th Annual Del Close Marathon August 8-10 2008

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 – 2:23 pm

So, it’s been a rough week with UCB Harold auditions consuming most of my attention this week, but I thought I would point out that UCB Theatre New York has announced this years Del Close Marathon on August 8-10. For anyone who’s never attended or knows nothing about the DCM marathon, it’s the 3 day [...]

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Del Close’s Notes

Thursday, April 24, 2008 – 2:45 pm

From Del Close’s Notes
GENERAL PRINCIPLES

You are all supporting actors
Always check your impulses
Never enter a scene unless you are needed
Save your fellow actor, don’t worry about the piece
Your prime responsibility is to support
Work at the top of your brains at all times
Never underestimate or condescend to your audience
No jokes (unless it is tipped in front that [...]

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Lessons Learned from Musical Improv

Monday, April 21, 2008 – 2:21 pm

My Musical Improv class at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade, taught by the incredibly talented Eliza Skinner, ended the other week. It was undoubtedly the most fun I’ve had in an improv class to date. Learning to sing improvised songs was a liberating experience, not only because singing is so much fun, but because it’s a [...]

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What is Game?

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 – 11:42 am

I’ve been working on this series of articles for a few months on Game and I wanted to start with a seemingly simple question to all of you, what is game to you?
I’m looking for anything you find useful; quotes, thoughts, or experiences.

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UCB Theatre Announces Harold Team Open Auditions

Thursday, April 10, 2008 – 5:38 pm

Ah, spring is in the air and UCB, contrary to previous rumors to the contrary, is once again holding open auditions. Complete information after the jump
The only question we have is, when the sign up process end? We are assuming the sign ups are from Wednesday April 16th to Sunday April 20th. This is purely [...]

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This American Life Records Gethard at UCB

Thursday, April 10, 2008 – 5:02 pm

Anyone who attended This weeks Harold Night at UCBNY got an added bonus to their entry when Chris Gethard, longtime Nights of Our Lives contributor, performed one of his hilarious written pieces after UCB house team 1985. The reason for this impromptu performance was for the story to be recorded for the NPR Radio program [...]

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