Getting Tickled

billchott — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:35:48 +0000

We’re tickling our old fashioned wordpress blog. As you’ve noticed, all current info is now listed at www.theimprovtrick.com.

But this blog will continue. We’d like to use it to connect with the alternative comedy scene in St. Louis, and become more of an outlet for St. Louis comics and writers. If you have a joke or a favorite comedy quotes, original articles or any other original content you’d like to share, please write info@theimprovtrick.com.

billchott — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:03:35 +0000

The Improv Trick was founded by nationally known actor/comedian/writer Bill Chott. The Improv Trick, St. Louis’s first Improv School offers CLASSES, SHOWS, TEAMBUILDING and COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

Bill Chott is one of the few nationally known stars to reside in St. Louis while still remaining successfully busy in Hollywood. He’s appearing with Johnny Depp in the upcoming film The Rum Diary, and recent credits include a staring role in the Top Ten Farrelly Bros. film The Ringer, Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place, all while voicing cartoons on Saturday Night Live.

Bill Chott teaches all levels of improvisers from absolute beginners to successful working actors. He teaches improv to the Global Messengers of the Special Olympics, and Bill has coached some of the world’s top executives in teambuilding, leadership, and communication. He has produced and performed in shows for Pepsico International, NatWest Markets, Tenneco, and GE.

In LA, Bill teaches and coaches for performers from MAD TV, Nickelodeon, Boston Legal and much more. He is a alumnus of Chicago’s Second City and Improv Olympic . He has co-starred with such giant comedy names as stars as Tina Fey, Dana Carvey, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Johnny Knoxville and Katherine Heigl.

His experience and talent drive Improv Trick. And his teaching and performing staff is just as impressive. Teachers and coaches for the Improv Trick include top talent from The Second City, Improv Olympic, and some of Hollywood’s biggest hits.

Emmy Win for Wizards, NBC considers next top comedy

billchott — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:09:43 +0000

Friends and Fans of Bill Chott. You can make a big difference by joining our letter-writing campaign to help Bill Chott get the role of Curly in the Farrelly Brothers’ Three Stooges film. Click HERE to find out how you can help.

Hollywood, CA – Wizards of Waverly Place Wins Emmy Bill Chott returns to LA for two more episodes of Wizards of Waverly Place this month. The Disney Channel show is now the top rated show on cable. Just this week, Chott attended a working table read for Bob Odenkirk’s sitcom pilot Incompetent Husbands which featured the talents of David Cross, Jeff Garlin, Andy Richter, Beth Littleford and Lee Majors. The table read was attended by NBC’s top execs and Conan O’Brien himself, expected to produce the pilot.

Cult Activity on Cherokee Street

billchott — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:20:26 +0000

St. Louis, MO – Cult Activity on Cherokee Street

THE IMPROV TRICK CULT-MOVIE NIGHT premeires the first in a monthy series at The Improv Trick Comedy Underground. The Improv Trick presents THE STUNT MAN Sunday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Since The Improv Trick opened it’s doors, the city of St. Louis has been suspicious of this “too happy” crowd of people pitching in and transforming Cherokee Street into a den of degenerates. Dangerous cult activity includes laughing at inappropriate times, bizarre affinities and producing “cult” comedy in an enclosed environment and trapping small groups of people, forcing them to a point of “group laughter”.

The Improv Trick’s Cult-Movie Night is proud to present a screening of “The Stunt Man,” director Richard Rush’s kaleidoscopic paean to the pleasures and dangers of filmmaking — yet it’s so much more than even that. Based on a French novel of the same name, the “The Stunt Man” filters the already intoxicating narrative through the artful lens of the director’s vision. Is it a comedy? An action movie? Suspense?An anti-war statement? It’s all of those and none of those. At the very least it presents the illusionary art of filmmaking as an allegory for reality at large. But what is reality for “The Stunt Man”? Watch this obscure ’80s masterpiece, and allow your own flickering perceptions to take the ride of a lifetime. Starring Peter O Toole, Steven Railsback and Barbara Hershey. The screening is FREE.

“I am shocked and amazed,” said Bill Chott, star of The Ringer and SNL’s Ambiguously Gay Duo (owner of The Improv Trick). “I’ve left town for only two months and my Improv Theater has become a gathering nest for subversives….the last Sunday of every month at 7:00pm!”

Chott will be present at the premeire!

KDHX Review of The Improv Trick

billchott — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 08:15:19 +0000

St. Louis, MO - KDHX critic Sheila Schultz reviewed last Tuesday’s Harold Night and Longform Jam featuring Ugly Coyote, Donny Blake and The Improv Trick Players.

“…hilarious sketches…”

“…The results were a scream, especially the musical.”

“One improv included audience volunteers. The audience response was especially favorable. I admit it was a blast to see my guest strut her stuff.”

“I found the Improv Trick filled with talent…”

To read the whole review, visit: http://www.kdhx. org/index. php?option= com_content& task=view& id=10926& Itemid=364

That show is every Tuesday. Visit www.theimprovtrick. com for more details.

NEXT COMEDY CABARET IS AUGUST 28TH…CLEAR YOUR CALENDARS.

NEWS – Feel Good Film Festival

billchott — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 10:33:01 +0000

Hollywood, CA – Bill Chott is judging short films in the Feel Good Film Festival. This summer he has been heavily hitting the festival circuit, including a five week run as the Spotlight Series of the LA Comedy Festival with Supergroup.

The Feel Good Film Festival is in it’s second year, and is wildly successful with a SOLD OUT opening night gala. Bill was selected for his “feel good” career working with Disney, Special Olympics and strong volunteerism and service at The Improv Trick in St. Louis. He joined celebrities Andy Dick, Kate Flannery, Eric Roberts and many more. For images from this event, click HERE.

Chott will also attend the award ceremonies on Sunday August 9th.

— Posted by Marc Pruter

Bill Chott in The LA Comedy Festival

billchott — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:39:13 +0000

Bill Chott will Join SuperGroup in the LA Comedy Festival in an ALL-STAR Lineup.

Supergroup is: Steve Agee, Frank Caeti, Bill Chott, Tom Clark, Drew Droege, Matt Kaye, Annie Sertich, Mark Teich
Guitar: Michael Berson

Performers and Guests from: SNL, MAD TV, The Sarah Silverman Program, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, The Office, The Late Late Show on CBS, Comedy Central – Premium Blend, Reno 911, Jimmy Kimmel-Live, Frank TV, The Groundlings Main Co., The F*#king Bastards, The Second City, IO, Upright Citizens Brigade, etc.

Tickets: $10

Reservations: Click HERE.

– Posted by Marc Pruter

NEWS

billchott — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:00:35 +0000

St. Louis, MO – Hear Bill Chott and The Improv Trick on John Carney’s show tonight on KMOX AM 1120, Tuesday June 23rd sometime after 10:30! John Carney has been incredibly supportive of The Improv Trick and now we’re going to make a mess of his studio. We’ll be discussing The Stage Match, Harold Night and Bill’s 40th Birthday Comedy Roast. For more details, visit www.theimprovtrick.com and see our “EVENTS” page. Tickets available online.

Doug Golden, Bill Chott and George Malich prepare for Comedy Battle

News

billchott — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:04:41 +0000

Disney Celebrity Hosts XXX Rated Roast!

ST. LOUIS, MO – Bill Chott, a St. Louis Native Celebrity presents his 40^th Birthday Roast, an adults-only event.

Bill Chott, one of the stars of the Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly place will hold his 40^th Birthday Party Roast on Saturday, June 27^th at The Improv Trick Comedy Underground at 2715 Cherokee Street. Doors open at 9:00pm

He’s known for his work in Disney film and TV, as well as family films like the top ten film The Ringer where he played Thomas, the Special Olympian who brings home the bronze. But just like Bob Saget, he has a dark side and so do his funniest comedy friends.

Chott worked at The Second City with such comedy luminaries as Tina Fey, Steve Carrell and Stephen Colbert. They can’t make it in for this event on Cherokee, but his funniest St. Louis friends, performers and local celebrities will be ripping him a new one for his 40^th birthday. This event will be every bit as raunchy as a Friar’s Club or Comedy Central roast and it’s open to the public for only $8.

“I moved from St. Louis originally in 1992, and I knew I was saying goodbye to some of the funniest undiscovered talent here in St. Louis” said Chott. “When I decided to move back and split my time between St. Louis and LA, I discovered some great new talent as well. Some of the best comics in town will be out on this night to rake me over the coals, and I’m shaking in my boots!

For Ticket Resservations, call 314-922-1998 or visit www.theimprovtrick.com

About The Improv Trick:

The Improv Trick was founded by Bill Chott, star of The Ringer, Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place, Saturday Night Live and countless cartoons and television shows. Improv Trick improvisers perform and teach improv to individuals, corporations and groups all over St. Louis including weekly shows at both The Stable and The Improv Trick Comedy Underground

Chott is a 1987 Ritenour Graduate.

Reported by Marc Pruter

News

billchott — Sun, 31 May 2009 10:29:10 +0000

St. Louis, MO - The Improv Trick has been very busy in the St. Louis film scene. Bill Chott just finished shooting a web comedy with The Browncoats, a Firefly inspired punk band, and several other Improv Trick players just shot a film in St. Louis with Peter Carlos (a top director of St. Louis film, commercial and industrial work) entitled Big Time, written and directed by Peter Carlos. Both Chott and Carlos are graduates of Ritenour High School in St. Louis.

Big Time Cast and Crew including Tricksters Bill Chott, Mike Lara and Adrienne Lamping

The film Big Time featured Tricksters Adrienne Lamping, Mike Lara and Bill Chott. Lamping is an Improv Trickster who recently shot several scenes with George Clooney in the film Up in the Air. Lara, an Improv Trick mainstage performer, will be performing the title role in Black Elk Speaks in Blair, Nebraska. Chott stars as Bucco the Clown, a washed up kids show performer.

The WAY-OUT-THERE punk comedy short with The Browncoats will go viral in July. The band’s first video, The Hero of Canton got 16,000 hits on YouTube in the first three days. It features Bill Chott as the nauseous host of a cooking show as well as fellow Improv Trickster BJ “Honkey” Lange, the No Limit Honkey from MTV’s Spring Break.

- reported by Marc Pruter