Doug's Info
Doug is currently the Artistic Director for Big Canvas in Omaha, NE. Doug started performing short form improv with Lighten Up (KC) in 1995, Then started performing with W.I.T (NE) and a Co-founder of Big Canvas (NE) when he returned to Omaha. Doug got is start in the mid-1990s after a successful audition with Lighten Up Improv Company (KC) and started performing with the Kansas City Theatresports League. Shortly after that Doug was one of the original coaches for the KC High School Improv League. Doug was the Festival Director for Spontaneous Combustion FIVE which begat the KC Improv Festival. Doug also performed with several long-form troupes including Lighten Up (KC), Funny Outfit (KC), Backline (NE), Shades of Yellow (NE), and PodProv (NE). For the last several years, Doug has coached award winning teams including Chantilly Mace (NE) and regularly teach troupes, teams, corporate groups, and assorted other bunches of people improv skills, teambuilding and how to just plain have fun and play.Background & Influences:
Doug is an improv geek. Doug studied improv for hundreds of hours in various forms— intensives, festival workshops, private coaching, and classes—with a who's who of improv, including (but not limited to) Del Close (iO Chicago); Mick Napier, Joe Bill (Annoyance Productions), Dan Izzo (Improv Inferno) Trish Berrong (Lighten Up and Comedy City) Armando Diaz (Magnet Theater, Upright Citizens Brigade, iO), and Rob Reese (Amnesia Wars). Doug really enjoys the honesty in iO's approach to improv, but after all these years prefer the Annoyance style.
Teaching philosophy:
Anyone that takes a class, workshop or has Doug as a coach will find that He will be your biggest fan! Doug's approach in coaching and performing is too always Be Real, Be Honest, BE REAL HONEST! Support! Find the game to beat the hell out of the game in both long and short form. Del taught Doug “it’s not about YOU!.” Don’t force the funny because through real honesty the funny will come. React honestly and the audience will react in kind. Be in the moment at all times! The second your brain starts working the joke is the second the scene dies. Turn off your Brain, Tune into the scene and tune out the urge to be the center of the scene, but always, always do something.
Currently Teaching at: Big Canvas
For more info: http://bigcanvasne.com/
Doug's Workshops
| ABCs of Improv |
| RE-ACT-ING |
| Sweat the Small Stuff |
| Simple Six |
"Doug is a fantastic Coach, Teacher, and Improv Artist. His laid-back style is fun and funny! With Doug the glass is always half full. Doug has a real talent for bringing out the best in people. It has been a pleasure to work and play along with Doug in the Improv world." - Dwayne Brown