Why Impov:
Bess fell into improv accidentally after being surprised with improv classes for her birthday. What started as a fun way to get out of the house quickly became an obsession. Her love of improv comes from the inner game and how the process helps shapes one as an individual. Improv helped her at a challenging time in her life. She wants nothing more than to share the joy of improv with as many people as possible.
Name One Weird Thing About Yourself:
Bess used to train in circus arts with a focus on static trapeze.
Professional Bio:
Bess has taken local classes with IndyProv and is a graduate of Comedy Sportz. She has also traveled all over the country to seek out the best instruction. She has completed an intensive with the Annoyance, where she has performed on the main stage. She attended a long form intensive at Second City where she geeked out on forms with Susan Messing and Rachel Mason. She adores working with Jimmy Carrane, as his art of slow comedy approach meshes well with her slow play preference. Her other travels have included annual sojourns to The Improv Retreat and a week in Minnesota at Huge Theater studying with Jill Bernard and Stacey Smith. Bess has found her current training home at iO Chicago. After completing a week long intensive there in 2016, she decided to begin the formal program. She is currently in Level 4 and is set to graduate next year. In addition to directing IIC, Bess also owns Collaborative Ventures LLC, which offers improv geared towards business needs.
Bess is a cast member of Dinner Detective where she performs as both a detective and seated actor.
Comedy Influence:
He earliest exposer to comedy were the countless hours of watching The Three Stooges with her father as a young child. Bess also enjoys Tina Fey, Jim Gaffigan, Kristen Schaal, and Flight of the Conchords. Her improv influences include Jill Bernard, Tara DeFranscisco, and any show directed by Mick Napier.
Life Outside of Comedy/Acting:
Bess' primary career is as an Information Architect specializing in Microsoft SharePoint. She is a homeschooling mom to her three children and she does mom things like drive kids to scouting, karate, and art lessons. While there is little free time to spare, she enjoys video games, comic books, and the geek lifestyle in general.
