Duke University Improv (DUI)

Duke University Improv (DUI) is Duke's premier comedy troupe.

Contents 1 About 1.1 The Group 1.2 Big Show 1.3 Scott Carter Foundation 1.4 History 1.4.1 1996-1997 1.4.2 1997-1998 1.4.2.1 Big Show 1 1.4.3 1998-1999 1.4.3.1 Big Show 2 1.4.4 1999-2000 1.4.4.1 Big Show 3 1.4.5 2000-2001 1.4.5.1 Big Show 4 1.4.6 2001-2002 1.4.6.1 Big Show 5 1.4.7 2002-2003 1.4.7.1 Big Show 6 1.4.8 2003-2004 1.4.8.1 Big Show 7 1.4.9 2004-2005 1.4.9.1 Big Show 8 1.4.10 2005-2006 1.4.10.1 Big Show 9 1.4.11 2006-2007 1.4.11.1 Big Show 10 1.5 FAQs 2 Shows 3 Videos 4 Members 4.1 Brandon Curl 4.2 Matt Manocherian 4.3 Brett Aresco 4.4 Alex Berghorst 4.5 Lawrence Chen 4.6 Andrew Tutt 4.7 Tom Blemaster 4.8 David Distenfeld 4.9 Scott Peppel 5 Alumni 5.1 Class of '99 5.1.1 Laura Bronner 5.2 Class of '00 5.2.1 Harris Brodsky 5.2.2 Cason Carter 5.2.3 John Grant 5.2.4 Scott Hecker 5.2.5 Sean Loughlin 5.2.6 Matt Kovalick 5.2.7 Porter Mason 5.2.8 Nupur Mehta 5.3 Class of '01 5.3.1 Andy Cies 5.3.2 Flynn Barrison 5.4 Class of '02 5.4.1 Bobby Jones 5.4.2 Bret Runestad 5.4.3 Dana Vachon 5.5 Class of '03 5.5.1 Tom Cass 5.5.2 Seth Weitberg 5.6 Class of '04 5.6.1 Greg Anderson 5.6.2 Paul Downs 5.6.3 John Marnell 5.7 Class of '05 5.7.1 Jeremy Chapman 5.7.2 Caroline Haubold 5.7.3 Rob Painter 5.7.4 Ryan Welsh 5.8 Class of '06 5.8.1 Andrew Humphries 5.9 Class of '07 5.9.1 Stephen Cox 5.9.2 Laura Pyatt 6 Photos 7 Contact 8 Demand a Show! 9 Merchandise 10 Community 11 External Links

[edit] About

Duke University Improv (DUI) is Duke's only improv comedy group. They perform across campus throughout the year, leading up to their final comedy showcase, the Big Show. All money DUI raises through their performances, approximately $10,000 per year, benefits the Scott Carter Foundation. Throughout their history, DUI has raised close to $100,000 and almost as many laughs. If you'd like to find out more information including bookings and auditions, check out these FAQs.

[edit] The Group

DUI was founded by a handful of freshmen in the basement of Gilbert-Addoms dormitory in the fall of 1996. The group rapidly grew in popularity and by the spring of 1998, the Big Show, DUI’s end-of-the-year comedy extravaganza, was born.

DUI regularly performs for capacity crowds throughout the year in venues ranging from Page Auditorium to Pegram dormitory to campuses across the country. Dorm shows are DUI’s most common performance, but they also perform in large theatre venues on campus and at various recruiting events for the administration.

DUI performs around 30-40 shows in a school year. A typical show includes 10-12 short-form improv games similar to the ones you would find on “Whose Line is it Anyway?” On top of short-form improv, DUI also mixes in long-form improv, scripted sketch comedy, and videos—basically anything to make you laugh.

Ultimately, DUI’s members pride themselves on being a comedy group with the ability to adapt to any performing situation that presents itself—whether that’s performing in front of 1,200 people in Page Auditorium or 4 people at a birthday party in a cramped hotel room (yes, they’ve done that too!). Have DUI perform for your dorm or quad. Demand a Show!

DUI alumni span the globe, many performing. Some of our alums are members of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York, while others are members of Second City and IO in Chicago. You can also find DUI alumni in print. Dana Vachon’s debut novel Mergers and Acquisitions, a Wall Street satire, has received critical acclaim and Porter Mason, author of the successful Chronicle comic Johnny the Mediocre Human while at Duke, writes the comic strip Bassist Wanted.

Become a member of the DUI community and feel free to contact DUI for information on bookings, auditions, or any other questions you may have.

[edit] Big Show

Shane Battier with Paul Downs at Big Show 4 Mike Dunleavy Jr. (2nd from left) with DUI at Big Show 4 Jon Scheyer in Big Show 10 ESPN's Mike Hall in Big Show 9

The Big Show is DUI’s last and largest show of the year. Every April since 1998, the Big Show has gone up in Page Auditorium, offering an evening of top-quality entertainment to a consistently sold-out crowd of 1,200 people.

DUI spends a large portion of the Spring Semester conceptualizing, rehearsing, and publicizing this event. The show, which includes original sketches and films in addition to improv comedy, parodies campus goings-on, TV hits, and blockbuster movies. DUI’s Big Show has become famous for incorporating various campus and national celebrities.

The growing list includes:

• Shane Battier (4 times)
• Jason Williams
• Mike Dunleavy Jr.
• Chris Duhon (3)
• Nick Horvath (5)
• Reggie Love (2)
• Shavlik Randolph
• Lee Melchionni (2)
• Jamal Boykin
• Jon Scheyer
• Brian Zoubek
• Lindsey Harding
• Brittany Hunter
• Laura Kurz
• Dick Vitale
• ESPN’s Mike Hall
• Duke Cheerleaders
• Herb Neubauer aka Crazy Towel Guy
• President Nan Keohane (3)
• President Dick Brodhead (2)
• Dean Sue Wasiolek (5)
• VP Larry Moneta (4)
• Ryan Lombardi

Many students, even professors, have mentioned they look forward to Spring Semester at Duke because it’s Big Show season. In fact, in 2001 NBA player Shane Battier told ESPN on SportsCenter that his favorite Duke memory besides basketball was being in DUI’s Big Show.

Videos from DUI’s Big Shows 5-8 are available for purchase on DVD and Big Shows 9-10 are slated to be released in the Fall of 2008. Find out how to get your copy today as well as other DUI merchandise.

You can also view all DUI videos and photos, including those from past Big Shows, online.

[edit] Scott Carter Foundation

Shortly after DUI began performing regularly on campus, they were presented with the question of what to do with the money they were raising from their performances.

Several of the members’ lives had been touched by cancer. Scott Carter, younger brother of Cason Carter, a founding member of DUI, had died in 1993 after a three year battle with bone cancer. His parents had founded the Scott Carter Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research, and so it was unanimously decided that DUI would donate every dollar that it ever raised to this cause.

Each year DUI raises over $10,000 through Big Show and other performances. They present the Foundation with a check at the annual Scott Carter’s Heroes Golf Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma in August.

Everything we do, we do for Scott. There is not one member of the group whose life he has not touched, and we would like to thank both he and the Carters for everything they have given the group. Scott, you are our hero.

For more information on Scott Carter and the foundation in his name, please click here

[edit] History

DUI has been entertaining the Duke community for over a decade. From a mock-appella group winning an East Campus talent show in 1996 to self-proclaimed "Ninja Consultants" crashing the Duke Career Fair in 2002 to christening the plaza with an improv performance in 2007, DUI has performed everywhere and in every way.

For many Duke students, DUI is synonymous with the Duke experience. You may have seen DUI perform as a p-frosh at a Duke Up Close show, as a part of over literally half the incoming freshmen class at the Orientation Show, as an upperclassmen with your family at the Parents' Weekend Show, or as a soon-to-be graduating senior at your fourth and final Big Show.

That's your history. Here's ours.

[edit] 1996-1997

In the Fall of 1996, DUI was born--or at least conceived. The eight founding members of DUI had organized themselves and officially birthed the group with DUI's first performance on April 3, 1997 in Gilbert-Addoms dormitory. Although DUI performed eight times before the end of that year, the idea for Big Show had only begun formulating. Read DUI's full creation story below written by the founders.

DUI: The Creation Story

Written by The Founders

Every once in a long while the stars and moons align and something amazing happens. On one particular day in February 1997, something did happen. Harris Brodsky bought Snapple. It is rumored that this is how the original members formed Duke University Improv in the Gilbert-Addoms “Down Under” that year. Well, it’s partly correct, but here goes the real creation story.

Momentum to form an improv comedy group at Duke started before February, 1997. In late 1996, East Campus held an “East Campus Extravaganza” at Reynolds Theater, Bryan Center. Each dorm was to showcase “talent” for the show. Judges would award a pool table to the winners. GA dorm created a “mock-appella” group to enter the contest and sing parodies of Speak of the Devil and Pitchfork songs. It is in preparation for this event that Sean Loughlin and Matt Kovalick met Cason Carter, all 3 were a part of the approximately 10 person group. Now, the term “preparation” should be used loosely. Somehow, members threw a few songs together the night before the show and completed them 1 hour before the show. Somehow, the hits like “Breakfast at the Marketplace” captured the hearts of dozens and the group walked away with a pool table for GA.

DUI owes much gratitude to Bill Burig, director of student housing, for concentrating much of the comedic talent of the freshman class in GA and Randolph (plus a diamond in the rough in Alspaugh). Six of the original members came from GA, 2 from Randolph, and 1 from Alspaugh. John Grant, Matt Kovalick, and Sean Loughlin lived on the first floor of GA, aka “the Zone.” Scott Hecker and Cason Carter lived on the second floor. (The “9th” member of DUI, Peter Gail, lived on the third floor—but Pete dropped out of the group due to pledging and soccer commitments—never to have performed with DUI). Porter Mason and Nupur Mehta lived in Randolph and Harris Brodsky lived in Alspaugh.

Ramblings of creating an improv group had persisted during the year. All group members were fans of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and had seen Comedy Sportz during orientation week. In approximately mid-February the time was right for a new campus group. John and Sean called a meeting for an evening at the GA Down Under. Sean invited Scott, Matt invited Porter who was friends with Nupe. The message found Cason and Peter. And mysterious Harris came to GA after hearing from a hallmate (a friend of Cason) about the beginnings of an improv group. The hallmate never showed up, but Harris did.

So that was the original eight, plus one:

• Harris Brodsky
• Cason Carter
• John Grant
• Scott Hecker
• Sean Loughlin
• Matt Kovalick
• Porter Mason
• Nupur Mehta
• (Peter Gail)

The rumors are true. This new improv group, coined “DUI: Duke University Improv” by Scott Hecker, was awful, awful, awful at the beginning. But that did not dissuade this precocious crew. By the end of freshman year, DUI performed ten times including the inaugural show at GA commons room, Trinity Café, Alspaugh, Randolph, the west campus premiere at Delta Sig, and a final show at GA again.

Spring 1997 was also the year that the idea of the Big Show was conceived. A few members including Porter Mason, Scott Hecker, and Cason Carter were in GA talking about their pasts and it came out that these three members’ families had been greatly affected by cancer. At this point, DUI was doing well financially and did not have any costs. The idea to have a big show entitled, “The Big Show” was born. All the proceeds from the group would be donated to the Scott Carter Foundation for cancer research. Cason’s family started the foundation in memory of his brother Scott who died of bone cancer.

Those were the carefree days of long hair and TV themed opening sketches. DUI was on the verge of campus stardom. But they would have to wait until fall of 1997 and survive a horrible outdoor sophomore class picnic performance before DUI truly established its monopoly of comedy on campus.

Flynn Barrison was the official ninth member of DUI. Andy Cies was the tenth. After a heartfelt performance as a Civil War soldier discussing the virtues of peaches, Flynn was assured a spot in the DUI ranks. Andy Cies’ portrayal of a National Geographic photographer who lived with ants in the kitchen won him the second spot at the first DUI auditions.

So that is the beginning.

Much happened between that fateful day in February 1997 and Spring 2000—the year the founding members graduated. Three Big Shows raised approximately $25,000 for cancer research. Big Show III sold out Page Auditorium and featured the likes of Shane Battier, Jason Williams, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Nick Horvath, Nan Keohane, Bill Burig, Diane Conners of the BC Café, Lisa Zeidner, Duke Cheerleaders, Jeff West, and a video by Dick Vitale. Shows included those at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Baldwin Auditorium, the Durham Academy, Alumni lounge, Cable 13, dozens of dorms, and even the “Rat.” Tour stops were made to University of Virginia, UNC at Chapel Hill, and Georgetown. And the Annual Christmas Show and new Mystery Show (Fall 1999) were performed.

1996-1997 DUI Events Calendar

Date	Event	Location	Time
Thurs., Apr. 3, 1997	Gilbert-Addoms Dormitory Show (DUI's 1st Show)	Gilbert-Addoms Commons	10:00 PM
Fri., Apr. 4, 1997	Trinity Café Show	Trinity Café, The Marketplace	8:00 PM
Sun., Apr. 13, 1997	Out of the Blue Show, Opening Act	Randolph Commons	9:30 PM
Sun., Apr. 20, 1997	Randolph Dormitory Show	Randolph Commons	10:30 PM
Tues., Apr. 22, 1997	Bassett Dormitory Show	Bassett Commons	9:00 PM
Wed., Apr. 23, 1997	Mirecourt Quad Show	Mirecourt Commons	10:00 PM
Sat., Apr. 26, 1997	East Campus Show	Outside Baldwin Auditorium	7:30 PM
Thurs., May 1, 1997	UNC Game Pep Rally	Cameron Indoor Stadium	8:15 PM

[edit] 1997-1998

DUI's freshmen were now sophomores and the full first year of DUI existence began. In the first ever DUI auditions, freshmen Flynn Barrison and Andy Cies joined the group. The group began to gain recognition across campus. In October, a front page appearance in The Chronicle announced "Much Ado About Dook Improv" DUI performed home and away. In Cameron Indoor Stadium, the University of Virginia, and of course Gilbert-Addoms dormitory. Big Show 1--then just "The Big Show"--was performed on April 17, 1998 as the first major benefit for the Scott Carter Foundation.

DUI in 1997-1998

1997-1998 DUI Events Calendar

Date	Event	Location	Time
Wed., Sept. 17, 1997	Gilbert-Addoms Dormitory Show	Gilbert-Addoms Down Under	9:00 PM
Wed., Jan. 21, 1998	Brownstone Show	Brownstone Commons	10:00 PM
Fri., Jan. 23, 1998	Inaugural "Beer on Points" Show	The Rat	7:00 PM
Sat., Jan. 24, 1998	UVA Show	Espresso Corner, UVA	9:00 PM & 10:00 PM
Sat., Feb. 21, 1998	Lady Blue Groovin' Spring Concert, Emcees	Nelson Music Room	7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Sat., Feb. 28, 1998	UNC Game Pep Rally	Cameron Indoor Stadium	8:15 PM
Mon., Mar. 2, 1998	Bassett Dormitory Show	Bassett Commons	10:00 PM
Wed., Mar. 11, 1998	Mirecourt Quad Show	Mirecourt Commons	10:00 PM
Wed., Mar. 25, 1998	Blackwell Dormitory Show	Blackwell Commons	10:00 PM
Fri., Apr. 17, 1998	Big Show 1	Page Auditorium	8:00 PM

[edit] Big Show 1

DUI's first Big Show took place on April, 17 1998. Its 10 original members looked to bring improv to Page Auditorium. Shane Battier prominently featured in Big Show 1 when he stole the buzzer used for an improv game. To this date, it is uncertain whether this event was staged or not. With the help of the audience and many other charitable donations, the Big Show in its first year raised over $7,000.

[edit] 1998-1999

In DUI's third year, the group grew to 13 members when in auditions freshmen Tom Cass and Bobby Jones and senior Laura Bronner joined the group. So despite the fact that DUI has historically been largely male, DUI's oldest member is in fact female.

Many firsts marked this year as DUI sought to expand its reach on campus. The DUI News list was born. The first annual DUI Christmas Show was performed in the Alumni Lounge on West Campus. And Big Show 2 was the first of three themed Big Shows. 1998-1999 DUI Events Calendar

Date	Event	Location	Time
Fri., Nov. 12, 1998	Blackwell Dormitory Show	Blackwell Commons	9:00 PM
Tues., Dec. 7, 1998	1st Annual Christmas Show	Alumni Lounge	8:00 PM
Wed., Jan. 20, 1999	Brownstone Show	Brownstone Commons	9:00 PM
Thurs., Feb. 11, 1999	Gilbert-Addoms Dormitory Show	Gilbert-Addoms Commons	9:00 PM
Sat., Feb. 20, 1999	Lady Blue Groovin' Spring Concert, Emcees	Nelson Music Room	7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Wed., Mar. 10, 1999	Burton Dormitory Show	Burton Commons	9:00 PM
Tues., Mar. 23, 1999	Mirecourt Quad Show	Mirecourt Commons	9:00 PM
Tues., Mar. 30, 1999	Central Campus Show	Trent Café	9:00 PM
Fri., Apr. 16, 1999	Big Show 2	Page Auditorium	9:00 PM

[edit] Big Show 2

DUI's second Big Show did its darndest to be even bigger than the first. Through the inspiration and might of the wily Matt Kovalick, they began with a musical fanfare and tribute to the Lion King. It was beautiful and touching, but a bit to touching for Cason and many others in the group. The group was summarily disbanded on the spot five miunutes into the show.

Fortunately, Marty McFly and Doc Brown came back from the future and delivered a copy of A&E's Biography to them. The videos showed the peril of the group's disbanding. The horror's within were enough to keep the group together, and they continued on to finish the Big Show with some wily improv (but not as wily as Matt).

Then of course Shane Battier made another appearance,helping out the group with his skilled and dreamy singing. Again, with the increased crowds as well as many generous donations, DUI was able to raise $8,000 in its second year for the Scott Carter Foundation.

[edit] 1999-2000

This year was the final year for the founding members of DUI. Laura Bronner had graduated the previous Spring and Tom Cass quickly dropped out of the group due to time constraints with the Duke Wrestling team. Realizing the eight seniors would graduate at the end of the year and strip DUI of over half its members, DUI held both Fall and Spring Auditions. In the Fall, freshman Seth Weitberg joined and was followed by sophomores Bret Runestad and Dana Vachon in the Spring.

DUI performed a Mystery Show, their second annual Christmas Show, and at ImprovFest 2000 at Georgetown University. The third and final Big Show for the founding members was themed as an awards show for the seniors. Big Show 3 sold out Page Auditorium--a first for the group.

DUI's founding members had created the group, established its traditions, and gained popularity on campus as Duke's preeminent comedy troupe. Now they were leaving the group for a new generation.

1999-2000 DUI Events Calendar

Date	Event	Location	Time
Wed., Dec. 1, 1999	Gilbert-Addoms Dormitory Show	Gilbert-Addoms Commons	10:30 PM
Mon., Dec. 6, 1999	2nd Annual Christmas Show	Alumni Lounge	9:30 PM
Sat., Jan. 15, 2000	Spring Auditions	--	6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Thurs., Jan. 20, 2000	Brownstone Rush Show	Brownstone Commons	10:00 PM
Fri., Jan. 21, 2000	Spring Auditions Call-Backs	--	5:00 PM
Fri., Feb. 18, 2000	Lady Blue Groovin' Spring Concert, Emcees	Baldwin Auditorium	7:00 PM & 9:00 PM
Wed., Feb. 23, 2000	DUI/Chapel Hill Players Show	Murphey Hall, UNC	8:00 PM
Wed.-Thurs., Feb. 23-24, 2000	Duke's 1st Annual 24hr Dance Marathon	--	Midnight
Sun., Feb. 27, 2000	Mirecourt Quad Show	Mirecourt Commons	10:00 PM
Tues., Feb. 29, 2000	The Leap Year Day Show	Randolph Commons	9:00 PM
Wed., Mar. 9, 2000	Gilbert-Addoms Show	Gilbert-Addoms Commons	9:00 PM
Fri., Mar. 24, 2000	Improvfest 2000	Georgetown University	10:00 PM
Sat., Mar. 25, 2000	Improvfest 2000	Georgetown University	8:00 PM
Fri., Mar. 31, 2000	Duke's 75th Anniversary Celebration	Wallace Wade Stadium	--
Sat., Apr. 1, 2000	Relay for Life Benefit	--	--
Fri., Apr. 14, 2000	Big Show 3	Page Auditorium	8:00 PM
Tues., Apr. 18, 2000	Pegram Dormitory Show	Pegram Commons	10:00 PM
Sun., May 14, 2000	Senior Graduation Show	Alumni Lounge	2:00 PM

[edit] Big Show 3

This was was huge. With 8 founding seniors, it seemed appropriate to give them their own awards show (well, they thought it would be appropriate...).

Big Show 3 was a star studded event to say the least. And, of course, in an event that few will forget, Shane Battier made his annual appearance-this year assisted by the cheerleaders (doing the Rock-Lobster, no less!). The Chronicle covered the preparations including Battier's dance lessons.

For the first year, the Big Show sold out! With this maxed-out crowd as well as some hefty fund-raising during the year, DUI was able to raise $10,000 for cancer research, bringing the total to $25,000 that DUI had raised for the Scott Carter Foundation.

[edit] 2000-2001

DUI's first year without its founding members and a new era for the group. At auditions that Fall, DUI raised its numbers to nine admitting freshmen Greg Anderson, Paul Downs, and John Marnell.

Again DUI expanded itself to new venues and performances. DUI performed its first ever Orientation Show on August 26, 2000--an event which has since become a staple of Freshmen Orientation. The first DUI Parents' Weekend Show went up in a crowded Von Canon in October of that year. DUI also performed at the Durham Academy, the Ark on East Campus, the third annual Christmas Show, and at Blue Devil Days for prospective students.

Big Show 4, "Who Stole the Big Show?", was the last of DUI's themed Big Shows.

2000-2001 DUI Events Calendar

Date	Event	Location	Time
Sat., Aug. 26, 2000	Freshmen Orientation Show	Baldwin Auditorium	8:30 PM
Fri., Sept. 22, 2000	Durham Academy 6th-8th Grade Show	Durham Academy	2:00 PM
Tues., Oct. 10, 2000	Southgate Dormitory Show	Southgate Commons	8:00 PM
Tues., Oct. 24, 2000	Gilbert-Addoms Dormitory Show	Gilbert-Addoms Commons	9:00 PM
Fri., Oct. 27, 2000	Parents' & Family Weekend Show	Von Canon, Bryan Center	8:00 PM
Sat., Nov. 4 & 11, 2000	Arts in the Ark Show	The Ark, East Campus	Evening
Thurs., Nov. 17, 2000	AOPi Sophomore Retreat	--	--
Sat., Dec. 2, 2000	Apple Pies and Funny Guys Show	Von Canon, Bryan Center	9:00 PM
Fri., Jan. 26, 2001	3rd Annual Christmas Show	--	--
Tues., Feb. 20, 2001	"The 1st Show After The Christmas Show" Show	Randolph Commons	9:00 PM
Thurs., Mar. 1, 2001	Language Dormitory Show	Language Dormitory	9:00 PM
Tues., Mar. 6, 2001	Alspaugh Dormitory Show	Alspaugh Commons	10:00 PM
Tues., Mar. 20, 2001	Gilbert-Addoms Dormitory Show	Gilbert-Addoms Commons	9:00 PM
Tues., Mar. 27, 2001	Bassett Dormitory Show	Bassett Commons	9:00 PM
Sat., Mar. 31, 2001	Lady Blue Groovin' Spring Concert, Emcees	Griffith Film Theater	2:00 PM
Thurs., Apr. 12, 2001	Blue Devil Days Show	Devil's Den	8:30 PM
Fri., Apr. 20, 2001	Big Show 4	Page Auditorium	8:00 PM

[edit] Big Show 4

Big Show 4 was the last of DUI's themed Big Shows. Subtitled "Who Stole the Big Show?", Big Show 4 featured campus celebrities like President Nan Keohane, Shane Battier, Chris Duhon, and Mike Dunleavy Jr.

[edit] 2001-2002

In the Fall, DUI's first members to be admitted through auditions (Flynn Barrison & Andy Cies) were replaced by incoming freshmen Jeremy Chapman and Rob Painter.

DUI continued to expand itself on campus as noted by The Chronicle in a September article entitled, "Getting Down with DUI". DUI peformed its first ever improv musical in Mirecourt, raised money for victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11 by performing at a Parizade fundraiser, performed at fraternity/sorority mixers, and began its first shows at the Hideaway on West Campus.

Big Show 5 again packed Page Auditorium helping DUI raise money for the Scott Carter Foundation.

[edit] Big Show 5

Big Show 5 began the second era of Big Shows for DUI. Rather than a themed show like the previous three had been, Big Show 5 was structured as a variety show featuring improv, scripted sketches, and short films shown on the big screen in Page Auditorium.

Big Show 5 featured campus celebrites such as Chris Duhon, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Nick Horvath, and Reggie Love. Videos shown at Big Show 5 included "Say No To Improv," "DUI vs. Ballers," and "Day at the Park" among others.

[edit] 2002-2003

In the Fall, DUI admitted it second female member, sophomore Caroline Haubold, along with freshman Andrew Humphries and sophomore Ryan Welsh.

DUI was performing at an ever increasing rate for audiences at the Durham Academy, the Hideaway, Georgetown University and the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. on DUI's annual Fall Break road trip, Moot Court, a benefit at the Duke Primate Center, and the Freeman Center. In October of 2002, DUI notoriously crashed the Duke Career Fair, posing as "Ninja Consultants." Convincing more than a few Duke students looking for jobs, "Goldblatt, Schwartz, Schwartz, & D'Chezowick" carried business cards that promised "immediate impact, long term results for the modern ninja clan." The Monday, Monday columnist that year covered the story in The Chronicle.

Big Show 6, performed on April 11, 2003, was another success for DUI and the Scott Carter Foundation.

[edit] Big Show 6

Big Show 6 featured campus celebrities Dean Sue and Chris Duhon. Videos included "Cribs" with Duhon, "Lord of the Rings," and "Sports Monocle." Stage performances included the notorious "Bible Rap Battle" of Moses Def vs. MC Acquinas, "Troll Shakespeare," and Dean Sue singing and dancing to "Fever."

[edit] 2003-2004

With the graduation of senior Seth Weitberg the previous Spring, DUI truly began a new era. At this point, Not only had all of DUI's original members graduated, but DUI had no members that had even been in the group with the founding members. At auditions that Fall, DUI picked up freshmen Stephen Cox and Laura Pyatt bringing the group to 10 members--the largest it had been in 4 years.

DUI performed across campus at dorms, quads, special events. DUI performed for a second year at the Duke Primate Center and again regularly at the Hideaway. On their Fall Break road trip, DUI traveled to New York where they performed for the Pingry School and Blair Academy--former high school of Duke Basketball player Luol Deng. Over Parents' Weekend, DUI's performance was attended by and drew praise from speaker Ben Stein. DUI was also prominently featured in a front page article in The Chronicle--"For DUI, practice makes funny".

Big Show 7 on April 15, 2004 was again sold out in part thanks to the popular promotional posters on campus that parodied the Duke Basketball posters.

[edit] Big Show 7

Big Show 7 continued in the variety show format. With the enormous popularity of DUI's "Lord of the Rings" parody in Big Show 6, DUI created another parody that opened Big Show 7. DUI then dramatically entered through a backlit TV screen on stage. Campus celebrities featured in the show included President Nan Keohane, Dean Sue, Chris Duhon, and Nick Horvath. Videos included "Saved by the Bell," "DU Eye for the Straight Guy," and "Robot & Mole." The show ended with an extravagant parody of the infamous Janet Jackson Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show.

[edit] 2004-2005

At the beginning of the year, DUI lost four of its former members: the three graduating seniors and sophomore Laura Pyatt, who resigned from the group due to time constraints with PWILD. At auditions in the Fall of 2004, DUI brought its numbers back up to 8, admitting freshmen Brandon Curl and Matt Manocherian.

In 2004-2005, DUI performed in many of Duke's dormitories and quads as well as at Career Week, at a Duke employee's retirement party, for the Annual Fund Executive Committee, and for the Moot Court. Over Fall Break, DUI road tripped to the mecca of improv in Chicago, IL where they performed at a local community center. DUI also performed their third Little Big Show in December titled "The Ryan Welsh Experience," which was modeled after the improvisational long-form known as "The Armando Diaz Experience."

Big Show 8 took place later in the Spring semester than had ever been done before. DUI's members scurried about preparing for the show during the Last Day of Classes (LDOC), which was the day before the show. All the preparations were worth it, however, as Big Show 8 was a huge success.

2004-2005 DUI Events Calendar

Date	Event	Location	Time
Fri., Aug. 20, 2004	Freshmen Orientation Show	Baldwin Auditorium	8:00 PM
Thurs., Sept. 9, 2004	Secret Show 17	Blackwell Archway, East Campus	9:00 PM
Sun., Oct. 3, 2004	Southgate Dormitory Show	Southgate Commons	9:00 PM
Sun., Oct. 10, 2004	Northbrook Show	Chicago, IL	6:00 PM
Wed., Oct. 20, 2004	Freshmen Orientation Show	Wilson Commons	9:00 PM
Fri., Oct. 22, 2004	Parents' & Family Weekend Show	Von Canon	9:00 PM
Tues., Oct. 26, 2004	Few Quad Show	Few Commons	9:00 PM
Wed., Oct. 27, 2004	Alspaugh Dormitory Show	Alspaugh Commons	9:00 PM
Fri., Oct. 29, 2004	WEL Quad Show	WEL Commons	8:30 PM
Sat., Nov. 6, 2004	Duke Employee Retirement Show	Von Canon	7:00 PM
Mon., Nov. 8, 2004	Gilbert-Addoms Dormitory Show	Gilbert-Addoms Commons	8:00 PM
Mon., Nov. 15, 2004	Pratt Show	Gilbert-Addoms Down Under	8:00 PM
Tues., Nov. 16, 2004	Aycock/Epworth Dormitories Show	Aycock Commons	9:00 PM
Thurs., Nov. 18, 2004	East Campus Show	Gilbert-Addoms Down Under	9:00 PM
Mon., Nov. 22, 2004	Pegram Dormitory Show	Pegram Commons	8:00 PM
Tues., Nov. 23, 2004	Brown Dormitory Show	Brown Commons	9:00 PM
Mon., Nov. 29, 2004	Crowell Quad Show	Crowell Commons	7:30 PM
Fri., Dec. 3, 2004	Little Big Show 3: The Ryan Welsh Experience	Sheafer Theater	7:00 PM & 8:30 PM
Sat., Dec. 4, 2004	BN Duke Scholars Show	Devils Den, Central Campus	8:00 PM
Sun., Jan. 23, 2005	Career Week Show	Baldwin Auditorium	4:00 PM
Wed., Feb. 16, 2005	DELISH Show	Griffith Theater	8:00 PM
Thurs., Feb. 24, 2005	Few Quad Show	Few Commons	9:00 PM
Sat., Feb. 26, 2005	Moot Court Show	Hilton Hotel, Durham, NC	7:00 PM
Fri., Mar. 4, 2005	Annual Fund Executive Committee Show	--	8:30 PM
Thurs., Mar. 31, 2005	Latino & Black Student Recruitment Show	--	9:00 PM
Sun., Apr. 3, 2005	Duke Up Close Show	--	8:30 PM
Thurs., Apr. 28, 2005	Big Show 8	Page Auditorium	8:00 PM

[edit] Big Show 8

Big Show 8 included a record number of 7 videos. These included "24," which DUI opened the show, "Jewmanji," and "Safe Ride to the Moon." Along with classic acts such as Party Quirks, the show also presented thriving first attempts at song and dance in two original musical numbers, "Cats" and "Stapler."

[edit] 2005-2006

DUI again lost four members coming into the year, this time all graduating seniors. DUI was down to four members at the beginning of the year. But, no fear, at auditions that Fall, DUI admitted four freshmen Alex Berghorst, Brett Aresco, Lawrence Chen, and Andrew Tutt.

DUI continued their run of campus performances. New additions to the show schedule in 2005-2006 included a benefit with other Duke performance groups for Hurricane Katrina relief in Page Auditorium. DUI also teamed with Mike Hall from ESPN to produce content for ESPN's coverage of the Duke vs. UNC basketball game in the Spring. Over Fall Break, DUI visited New York where they performed at a community college.

Big Show 9 was a star studded event held on April 12, 2006 that again helped to raise funds for the Scott Carter Foundation.

2005-2006 DUI Events Calendar

Date	Event	Location	Time
Fri., Aug. 26, 2005	Freshmen Orientation Show	Baldwin Auditorium	8:30 PM
Tues., Sept. 13, 2005	Secret Show 6	Blackwell Archway	9:00 PM
Tues., Sept. 20, 2005	Hurrican Katrina Relief Show	Page Auditorium	7:30 PM
Thurs., Sept. 22, 2005	Devils After Dark Show	Gilbert-Addoms Down Under	10:00 PM
Sun., Oct. 2, 2005	Wilson Dormitory Show	Wilson Commons	9:00 PM
Sun., Oct. 16, 2005	Gilbert-Addoms Dormitory Show	Gilbert-Addoms Commons	9:00 PM
Mon., Oct. 17, 2005	Brown Dormitory Show	Brown Commons	9:00 PM
Fri., Oct. 21, 2005	Parents' & Family Weekend Show	Von Canon	8:00 PM
Sun., Oct. 23, 2005	Alspaugh Dormitory Show	Alspaugh Commons	9:00 PM
Mon., Oct. 24, 2005	WEL Quad Show	WEL Commons	10:00 PM
Wed., Oct. 26, 2005	Blackwell Dormitory Show	Blackwell Commons	10:00 PM
Thurs., Nov. 10, 2005	Edens Quad Show	Edens Commons	8:00 PM
Thurs., Jan. 19, 2006	Devils After Dark Show	Gilbert-Addoms Down Under	10:00 PM
Fri., Jan. 20, 2006	Bryan Center Blizzard Show	Bryan Center	8:00 PM
Mon., Feb. 6, 2006	Pegram Dormitory Show	Pegram Commons	9:00 PM
Wed., Feb. 8, 2006	Froshlife, Emcees	Richard White Lecture Hall	8:00 PM
Sun., Feb. 12, 2006	Southgate Dormitory Show	Southgate Commons	10:00 PM
Thurs., Feb. 16, 2006	DELISH Show	Social Psychology Bldg.	7:30 PM
Sat., Feb. 25, 2006	Moot Court Show	Millenium Hotel, Durham, NC	--
Thurs., Mar. 30, 2006	Latino Student Recruitment Show	--	9:30 PM
Sun., Apr. 2, 2006	Duke Up Close Show	Freeman Center	8:30 PM
Wed., Apr. 12, 2006	Big Show 9	Page Auditorium	8:00 PM

[edit] Big Show 9

Big Show 9 included a bevy of campus celebrities. Basketball player Jamal Boykin appeared in the opening video and Lee Melchionni appeared live on stage in a sketch about the origins of the "Lee" chant. Women's basketball player Laura Kurz made a surprise appearance (even to her) in Party Quirks. Dean Sue made her usual appearance in a "Deal or No Deal" parody. Herb Neubauer, Crazy Towel Guy himself, attended the show and came on stage for the "How We Make Funny" sketch. ESPN's Mike Hall was featured in the opening video, "Streetprov." In the crowd, one could spot Duke Basketball players Greg Paulus and Abby Waner.

Videos from Big Show 9 included "Streetprov," "Wikidate," "Lost," and "Lawrence & the Purple Crayon." The show also included a touching tribute to senior Andrew Humphries in which DUI parodied Humphries' e-mail he famously wrote to Mike Krzyzewski in the summer of 2004, convincing him not to take the L.A. Lakers coaching job.

[edit] 2006-2007

DUI picked up three freshmen at auditions in the fall: Tom Blemaster, David Distenfeld, and Scott Peppel.

DUI saw a change in venue for many of its performances this year. Rather than in Baldwin Auditorium, DUI's Freshmen Orientation Show was moved to Reynolds Theater to be near the newly built Plaza on West Campus. The Parents' Weekend Show finally was moved out of the stiflingly crowded 343 seat Von Canon rooms to the somewhat stiflingly crowded 1200 seat Page Auditorium. Over Fall Break, DUI traveled to Vero Beach where they performed for young and old, literally at a local high school and a retirement home.

Big Show 10, as always, was still in Page Auditorium where hundreds of students came to watch in part due to the popular "Last Supper" Big Show 10 poster that proclaimed, "Big Show 10: We guarantee it's funnier than finding out you're gonna betray Jesus."

2006-2007 DUI Events Calendar

Date	Event	Location	Time	Tickets
Sat., Aug. 26, 2006	Freshmen Orientation Show	Reynolds Theater, Bryan Center	8:00 PM	Free
Sun., Aug. 27, 2006	A Cappella Jam, Emcees	Page Auditorium	8:00 PM	Free
Thurs., Aug. 31, 2006	Devils After Dark Show	Gilbert-Addoms Down Under	10:00 PM	Free
Tues., Sept. 26, 2006	Secret Show 9	Blackwell Archway	9:00 PM	Free
Thurs., Sept. 28, 2006	Pegram Dormitory Show	Pegram Commons	9:00 PM	Free
Wed., Oct. 4, 2006	Giles & Wilson Dormitories Show	Giles Commons	8:00 PM	Free
Sat., Oct. 7, 2006	Old Folks Home Fall Break Show	Vero Beach, FL	6:45 PM	Free
Tues., Oct. 10, 2006	High School Fall Break Show	Vero Beach, FL	10:30 AM	Free
Sun., Oct. 15, 2006	Alspaugh Dormitory Show	Alspaugh Commons	9:00 PM	Free
Fri., Oct. 27, 2006	Parents' & Family Weekend Show	Page Auditorium	8:00 PM	$5
Thurs., Nov. 2, 2006	Basset Dormitory/Devils After Dark Show	Gilbert-Addoms Down Under	10:00 PM	Free
Thurs., Nov. 30, 2006	Randolph Dormitory Show	Randolph Commons	8:00 PM	Free
Sun., Dec. 3, 2006	Edens Quad Show	Edens 1A Commons	8:00 PM	Free
Wed., Jan. 31, 2007	Bassett Dormitory Show	Bassett Commons	8:00 PM	Free
Sat., Feb. 10, 2007	Devils After Dark Show	Gilbert-Addoms Down Under	10:00 PM	Free
Sun., Feb. 11, 2007	Froshlife, Emcees	Richard White Lecture Hall	8:00 PM	Free
Thurs., Feb. 22, 2007	On Tap Spring Show	Page Auditorium	8:00 PM	Free
Sun., Mar. 4, 2007	Southgate Dormitory Show	Southgate Commons	10:00 PM	Free
Wed., Mar. 7, 2007	Gilbert-Addoms Dormitory Show	Gilbert-Addoms Commons	9:00 PM	Free
Tues., Mar. 20, 2007	Belltower Dormitory Show	Belltower Commons	9:00 PM	Free
Wed., Mar. 21, 2007	Plaza Show	Plaza	12:00 PM	Free
Fri., Mar. 23, 2007	Mystery Science Theatre 3000, Lady in the Water	Griffith Film Theater, Bryan Center	Midnight	Free
Sat., Mar. 24, 2007	Lady Blue Show, Emcees	Richard White Lecture Hall	3:00 PM	Free
Sun., Mar. 25, 2007	Edens Quad Show	Edens 1A Commons	8:00 PM	Free
Thurs., Mar. 29, 2007	Latino Student Recruitment Show	French Family Science Center Lecture Hall	8:15 PM	Free
Thurs., Mar. 29, 2007	Randolph Dormitory/Devils After Dark Show	Randolph Commons	10:30 PM	Free
Fri., Apr. 6, 2007	Big Show 10	Page Auditorium	8:00 PM	$7
Tues., Apr. 10, 2007	Duke Up Close Recruitment Show	Griffith Film Theater, Bryan Center	8:00 PM	Free
Wed., Apr. 11, 2007	Duke Employees' Children Improv Clinic	Multi-Cultural Center, Bryan Center	1:10 PM - 2:30 PM	N/A
Thurs., Apr. 12, 2007	Wake Forest University Show	The Werehouse, Winston-Salem, NC	10:00 PM	Free
Wed., Apr. 15, 2007	OUSF Recruitment Show	Richard White Lecture Hall	10:00 PM	Free

[edit] Big Show 10

Leading up to Big Show 10, DUI posters across campus built excitement for the show. The popular posters included the "Last Supper" poster that proclaimed, "Big Show 10: We guarantee it's funnier than finding out you're gonna betray Jesus," as well as flyers of famous DUI offenders' mug shots in support of DUI.

Big Show 10 opened with the video parody, "4 Fast, 4 Furious," which featured some of the best filming, cinematography, and editing in DUI history. Playing off of campus sentiment over the mishandling of the Duke Lacrosse case by D.A. Mike Nifong, Big Show 10 included homages to the case in "4 Fast, 4 Furious," "Johnny Ohten," and "Nifong Press Conference," as well as a song parody set to Don McLean's "American Pie" about the lacrosse case.

Campus celebrities featured in the show included Jon Scheyer, Brian Zoubek, President Brodhead, Dean Sue (who appeared live on stage leading a stripperobics class), and Larry Moneta. Videos included "Jon Scheyer in 75 Seconds," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Brain on Drugs."

[edit] FAQs

Audition Information

DUI holds auditions during the beginning of each Fall semester. Our next round of auditions will be Monday, September 3, 2007 and Tuesday, September 4, 2007 from 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM. To audition, sign up for a thirty-minute time slot on one of those days by visiting us at the Freshmen Orientation Show, the East Campus Student Activities Fair, or by e-mailing us at DUI@duke.edu with the day and time slot.

Callbacks will be invited to an improv workshop on Thursday, September 6, 2007 followed by the actual callback auditions on Saturday, September 8, 2007.

We try to make our audition process as friendly and comfortable as possible, and have provided a detailed FAQ below that we hope will answer many of your questions.

Feel free to contact us at DUI@duke.edu with any questions you may have. We'd love to hear from you!

What is DUI?

DUI is Duke University Improv, Duke's preeminent improv comedy troupe. We perform weekly in dorms and at larger venues across campus as well as throughout the country.

I've never done improv before. Can I still audition?

Of course! No experience other than life experience is necessary when improvising. Some of our finest members had zero improv or theater experience when they auditioned. If you have done improv before, that's cool too.

I'm not a theater student. Can I still audition?

Of course! Believe it or not, DUI has very few theater majors. Some of us are political science, public policy, or economics majors and even, dare we say it, Pratt students.

I'm not a freshman. Can I still audition?

Of course! Some of our finest members did not make the group until they were older. We welcome everyone to audition.

I've auditioned before and didn't make the group? Can I still audition?

Of course! Some of our finest members actually tried out, didn't make the group the first or even second time, but eventually joined the ranks of DUI.

What kind of time commitment would I need to make if I joined DUI?

DUI spends a lot of time together. We're like a family.

We perform, on average, once to twice a week as well as practice for two hours twice a week. For everyone in DUI, the group has become our top priority at Duke besides school. Expect for DUI to become a top priority for you too if you join. Expect that, and an amazing life-changing experience to your Duke years.

Do I need to have anything prepared for auditions?

Nope. We're an improv group aren't we? For those reaching callbacks, there will be one prepared piece but you'll learn about that later.

How does the audition process work?

The first round of auditions will be held on Monday, September 3, 2007 and Tuesday, September 4, 2007 from 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM. You'll sign up for a thirty-minute time slot along with three or four other people for one of those days. The auditions are completely informal and a lot of fun! If you're even slightly thinking about it, we highly recommend you audition.

On the day of your audition, you'll come in fifteen minutes early for your time slot and fill out a short information sheet. We'll give you some quick pointers for doing well at improv. Then we'll all warm up together and play some improv games that we'll teach you.

After the first round of auditions, we'll post a list of callbacks by Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at the Information Desk in the Bryan Center Lobby.

Callbacks will be invited to a non-evaluative workshop on Thursday, September 6, 2007 where we'll get to know you and teach you more about improv. The actual callback auditions will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2007.

Sometime that weekend after callbacks, we'll make our decision and invite the new members into DUI. Then the real fun begins.

Where are the auditions?

Auditions will be held in Brody Theater, which is conveniently located on East Campus, behind Pegram dormitory. The first building behind Pegram is Biddle Music Hall. Keep on walking, past Biddle, and you should see Brody Theater on your right.

If you're still not sure, have a look at the campus map on page 13 of the Freshmen Orientation pamphlet.

How many people will DUI take?

We've always been emphatic that we don't pick who makes the group, you do! We will gladly take every deserving person we see at the auditions.

Yeah, yeah, yeah... But how many people will DUI really take?

Historically, DUI has taken between 1-4 people at auditions.

Why are there no girls in DUI?

Coincidence. We're not an all male group. Lots of girls audition every year and the callbacks group almost always includes girls. For some reason, the girls haven't been the best ones at the auditions in recent years. We have had girls join the group in the past and would like to have more in the future. Frankly, we're all tired of dressing in drag. As we've said before, you pick who makes the group and we gladly take every deserving person we see at the auditions. So audition for DUI no matter what letter chromosome you have?

I still have questions!

Great! E-mail us at DUI@duke.edu so we can answer them.

[edit] Shows

Date	Event	Location	Time	Tickets
Wed., Aug. 22, 2007	Freshmen Orientation Show	Baldwin Auditorium	9:00 PM	Free
Tues., Aug. 28, 2007	"Welcome Back" Student Performance Showcase	The Plaza, West Campus	6:00 PM - 6:20 PM	Free
Fri., Aug. 31, 2007	Student Activities Fair	East Campus	4:00 PM - 6:00 PM	N/A
Mon., Sept. 3 - Tues., Sept. 4, 2007	Auditions, Round I	Brody Theater, East Campus	6:00 PM - 11:00 PM	N/A
Thurs., Sept. 6, 2007	Auditions, Callback Workshop	Brody Theater, East Campus	6:00 PM - 10:00 PM	N/A
Sat., Sept. 8, 2007	Auditions, Callbacks	Brody Theater, East Campus	10:00 AM - 2:00 PM	N/A
Sat., Nov. 3, 2007	Parents' & Family Weekend Show	Baldwin Auditorium	8:00 PM	$5

[edit] Videos

[edit] Members

We're DUI! Nice to meet you.

[edit] Brandon Curl

Class: Trinity '08

Hometown: Clemmons, NC

Brandon is the only member of DUI from North Carolina. He has been performing comedy of one form or another since middle school and has been trying to make people laugh pretty much his entire life. Since joining DUI his freshman year, Brandon has performed in over 80 shows. In addition to DUI, Brandon majors in Public Policy, dances with the Duke Lithuanian Club, and writes the Monday, Monday column for the Chronicle. To date, Brandon has completed 3 of the 5 graduation requirements.

[edit] Matt Manocherian

Class: Trinity '08

Hometown: Mamarowack, NY

Likes: Sports (especially football, go Dolphins), spinach, and shark bites

Dislikes: Bananas

Matt is confused. No, not like that ladies. Rather, he is clearly confused about his identity. One look at the kid and it is clear that he is Italian, yet he maintains that he is of Brazilian, Persian, Russian, and Jewish decent, and does not have any Italian blood. Also, he looks serious all the time, yet he is in a comedy group. On top of that, whenever you see him, he is wearing a hat, while actually, well, he always wears a hat. Anyway, if you would ever like to spend some romantic time with Matt watching old episodes of Doug, he will be your (metaphoric) Skeeter…No, not like that Mr. Bone.

[edit] Brett Aresco

Class: Trinity '09

Hometown: Westport, Connecticut

Likes: Food, football, and improv (all life necessities according to Brett)

Dislikes: Walking, the sun, and small animals

Brett is a Scorpio. He wants to give a shout-out to all his boys and girls, including his twelve-year old son Tommy. Good luck in Little League this year, champ!

[edit] Alex Berghorst

Class: Pratt '09

Hometown: Winnetka, Illinois

Likes: Cars, especially ones with sunroofs

Dislikes: country music, the engineering workload, and answering questions about his freakish height.

Alex's interest in Improvisational comedy was sparked through a two-week stint working with Tim O'Malley of The Second City comedy club in Chicago and through his time spent with the improvisation club at his high school. In his free time Alex plays tennis, runs, and nurtures his obsession with everything automotive (he is also involved with the Duke Formula S.A.E. car team).

[edit] Lawrence Chen

Class: Trinity '09

Hometown: Beijing, China

Other Hometowns: Minneapolis, Pasadena, Boston, and Philly.

Likes: break-dancing, eating bread, and laughing a lot

Dislikes: He does not like humidity.

He can cook Chinese food. He hopes you have a nice day.

[edit] Andrew Tutt

Class: Pratt '09

Hometown: Davis, California

Likes: Incessant lying

Dislikes: The man

Andrew has been running the Improv circuit since the late 80’s. Known then only as “tim” he was the first actor to break into the raging California Elementary school scene for both dramatic and improvisational comedy. His escapades won him glory, but he tired of the endless sex and drugs. Urged by his Dr.’s, he gave up the lifestyle, choosing to take on the straight-laced, serious, and implacable persona he still uses today.

[edit] Tom Blemaster

Class: Trinity '10

Hometown: Our Nation’s Capital

Likes: The smell of gasoline in the summer heat

Dislikes: Crumbers (for those who don’t know, a crumber is the utensil that waiters and waitresses use to pick up your crumbs off the tablecloth). They make him out to be messy and boorish.

Call him Tom. Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in his purse (yes, he carries a purse, and yes, it’s a manly thing to do), and nothing particular to interest him in DC, he thought he would drive about a little and see the southern part of this country. It is a way he has of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation. It was a damp, drizzly November in his soul (but a dry, clear September elsewhere) when fate landed him in Duke University Improv. If you’d like to get in touch with Tom, stop by Pegram 3rd floor and knock in Morse code:
.–. . .-. ..-. . -.-. - / … .- -. -.. .– .. -.-. ….

[edit] David Distenfeld

Class: Trinity '10

Hometown: Rockville, MD

Likes: Movies, Music, TV

Dislikes: Books…all of them

David is “fantastically” excited to be making his improv debut with DUI. Past credits include Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: CI, and According to Jim. He enjoys making up songs (lyrics not music) and attempting to sing them for the young and old alike. David’s fantasy job would be some sort of a cross between what Steven Spielberg and Kanye West do, but until then…he can just dream.

[edit] Scott Peppel

Class: Trinity '10

Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota

Likes: mountains, snowball fights, building forts and roller disco

Dislikes: splinters and jerks

Scott wants to go cliff diving, make a boomerang work, learn Portuguese, and find his sweet Lego stash from when he was a kid. He also plans on one day becoming a real man by picking a fist fight. The seven year old girl will likely win.

[edit] Alumni

There have been 35 members in DUI's history. DUI alumni span the globe, many performing. Some of our alums are members of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York, while others are members of Second City and IO in Chicago. You can also find DUI alumni in print. Dana Vachon’s debut novel Mergers and Acquisitions, a Wall Street satire, has received critical acclaim and Porter Mason, author of the successful Chronicle comic Johnny the Mediocre Human while at Duke, writes the comic strip Bassist Wanted.

DUI alumni are many things. They are doctors, lawyers, teachers, authors, musicians, actors, comedians, and humanitarians. Our alums go on to a variety of fields where ultimately they will have great success. Because above all, members of DUI are marked by their ambition, pleasant nature, and ability to happily laugh at themselves.

Many of our alumni's bios are written from when they were students at Duke but they will be updated as our alumni send us new ones.

[edit] Class of '99

[edit] Laura Bronner

DUI Tenure: Fall 1998 - Spring 1999

Laura Bronner joined DUI for her senior year and DUI's third year of existence. She is the oldest member of DUI and the first female member. Laura starred in Big Show 2 with DUI. She is prominently featured in this article about DUI from The Chronicle on April 16, 1999.

[edit] Class of '00

[edit] Harris Brodsky

DUI Tenure: Fall 1996 - Spring 2000

Title: Secret Service chairman, Token Wayne Manor meber, Sexual Reference King

Height: breath-taking

Weight: splendid

Turn-Ons: sexual references, Doing Lines (the game, not the activity)

Turn-Offs: none, Harris loves everyone and everything, and he really likes sexual references

Harris Brodsky is Jewish. I mean, I don't want to dwell on it, but there it is, you know? No way around it. Besides being Jewish, Harris' hobbies include running the D.U.I. secret service and writing bar-none, the funniest eMail responses in the known universe. Quite the ladies man, Harris often attracts more groupies than the rest of the group combined (excluding Cason, who is often excluded), causing great problems for Groupie Control chairman, Nupur Mehta. Says Mehta, "Sloppy Joe's are not sloppy; in fact, they're very nutricious." Harris excels in the "Doing Lines" game, who's name I've recently decided to change (the one where one guy reads lines from a play and some other guy, usually Harris, replies with something funny). His deadpan humor and unrelenting spunk have won him numerous accolades including an MTV Video Award for his work in the Spice Girls' "2 Become 1". Harris' favorite cheese is Quembly, which is a saucy little number developed in South Wales. Harris hopes to one day write his own bio.

[edit] Cason Carter

DUI Tenure: Fall 1996 - Spring 2000

Title: The Christian Mack, Sassinator

Height: about like so

Weight: varies

Turn-Ons: Should've Said, Should've Said, Should've Said, Should've Said

Turn-Offs: unsassy people

Cason Carter. What can I say about Cason Carter? What can't I say? Well, I can't say he has an adamantium skeleton and a mutant healing factor. I can't say he really knows much about early 11th century music. And I can't say whether or not its boxers or briefs for Cason. My guess is boxers. Cason plays "Should've Said" like a boy out in the rain. He plays it a lot. Almost every show. If he's not scheduled to play in a "Should've Said" game, the preshow practice turns into a big bartering session in which Cason trades money, beads, and collectible plates for a spot in "Should've Said". If anybody's low on cash, we just schedule him for "Should've Said" at a show, and boom, Cason sets him up. Funniest line Cason has ever said, in my opinion, is "Can I have some candy?" Sounds very unfunny there, but if you had heard it in context. Woo. And speaking of that, why weren't you at the Bassett show to hear it in context? Were you just too busy, Mr. Important? I mean, we're out there busting our... (I rambled on for several more minutes, but it got cut out in post). Cason can play the 1812 Overture using only a handsaw and a woodchuck. Well, he could if he ever tried. Man, Carter, live a little every now and then.

[edit] John Grant

DUI Tenure: Fall 1996 - Spring 2000

Title: Member of the Executive Board Who is Tall

Height: not confirmed, but the boy's damn tall

Weight: 10-5000 lbs.

Turn-Ons: Sentence Game, Film and Theater Styles, getting to be a lawyer character

Turn-Offs: anyone else talking ever

John Grant, one of the Executive Board members, began his rise to improv power at an early age. After an abortive coup attempt in New York (the famous "Apollo Putsch"), he spent several months in prison where he penned his autobiography "Mein Kamp" - literally "My Camp." Spurred by the words of his stirring tale, hordes of people (2) flocked to his call and the DUI Executive Board was formed. John found his improv niche in such games as "Film and Theater Styles" and "Sentence Game." He is particularly admired for his bravery in "Film and Theater" because of the danger that, at any moment, Sean might jump on him. After leaving DUI, John would like to see the Executive Board collapse in a struggle for control of the power vacuum left in his wake. He would also like to get a job writing inspirational posters or working in the ultimate comedy venue: politics.

[edit] Scott Hecker

DUI Tenure: Fall 1996 - Spring 2000

Title: Member of Executive Board Who Can Sing

Height: N/A

Weight: N/A (Scott is an ethereal being who exists without height or weight)

Turn-Ons: Party Quirks

Turn-Offs: Forwards/Backwards

Born in a log cabin in the frozen Alaskan tundra, Scott cultivated his humor by doing stand-up routines for families of polar bears (this would explain his inability to actually be funny to people). Scott often plays the straight man in DUI, not only because the rest of the group is gay but also on account of the fact that he doesn't have the creativity or versatility to play interesting characters. The game Party Quirks, Scott's personal favorite, yields itself to this characteristic of Scott's improv abilities. When not making a fool of himself with DUI, Scott sings with the Pitchforks, an all-male a cappella group here at Duke. He also enjoys reading the Chronicle cartoon strip Johnny the Mediocre Human. Scott would like to thank the comedian who opened for Kevin Nealon for inspiring him to enter the wonderful world of comedy because if that guy could get paid to tell bad jokes why shouldn't Scott be able to? By the way, Scott is a pisces for anyone who's interested.

[edit] Sean Loughlin

DUI Tenure: Fall 1996 - Spring 2000

Title: Skippy, the roadie, B.J., Horatio

Height: yes

Weight: definitely

Turn-Ons: jumping on people, Film and Theater, filming everything, having John sleep on him

Turn-Offs: jumping on some people

Sean is the very essence of an experiment gone horribly awry. He was born in zero gravity on a secret space station orbiting the earth where space monkeys raised him because the government thought it would be “cool.” Officials at NASA were hoping to create some sort of human/monkey hybrid, but when it was discovered that all parties aboard the space station were male, the mission was scrapped. Sean was quickly brought back to earth for reconditioning. Sean is still recovering from his unconventional childhood. You could say that this is reason he often disregards gravity and jumps on people. You could definitely say that. But you’d be wrong. Dead wrong.

[edit] Matt Kovalick

DUI Tenure: Fall 1996 - Spring 2000

Title: Phantom of the Improv, The Suggestor, thirf member of The Virginia Triad

Height: this many

Weight: bigger than a breadbox

Turn-Ons: gibberish, suggesting things, suggesting things in gibberish, three words: Zip Zap Zop

Turn-Offs: this would imply Matt is ever unhappy, which is a wacky suggestion

Matt is a freedom fighter, going wherever injustice is prevalent. He fights for the weak, helpless, blind, and gimpy. He recently defended a small Brazilian village from evil developers using only a family-sized tube of toothpaste (empty, of course) and a rubber ducky. He weaves toilet seat covers out of coca leaves and sells them at flea markets as he wanders the earth looking for the one he calls “El Guapo” or “El Guano.” No one is sure which. Matt never asks for anything in return for his services, as he is a kleptomaniac and just takes things

[edit] Porter Mason

DUI Tenure: Fall 1996 - Spring 2000

Title: El Presidante de Figureheado, Advertising Czar/Slave, or Cartoon Boy

RECENTLY RELEASED "JOHNNY THE MEDIOCRE HUMAN" the book BUY YOURS TODAY!! Email phm@duke.edu for your copy

Height: 6'0"

Weight: Unimportant

Turn-Ons: World's Worst, Should've Said

Turn-Offs: being Party Quirks host

The president of D.U.I., Porter plays an important role in the group. As president, he is forced, er, rather, he willingly, and from the goodness or his heart, spends several hours a day putting up those annoying signs all over campus. As you can probably guess, this incredible position of power gets a lot of respect from the other members of the troupe. Except for Sean. He doesn't respect Porter. He does stalk Porter. Anyhoo, Porter hails from Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. He spends most of his time at home mining through the Europan ice crust, in hopes to become the first human to discover Weezer b-sides on another planet. Porter is really cool in that, if he hears any song he remotely knows the words to (which includes 98.456% of all Beatles songs), he will sing along with them and/or harmonize with them. And he does it really well. And all his friends can't get enough of his singing. He also enjoys exagerating while writing short biographies of himself. You may also know Porter from such cartoon strips as: "Johnny, the Mediocre Human", "SuperHeroes", and "Lopita: the Touching Story of an Orphan Stranded in the Jungles of Madagascar". "Johnny", which runs daily in the Duke Chronicle, follows the life of a maverick Russian submarine commander who uses his position of power to assemble a crew willing to help him in his flight to freedom. Or is the defection plot simply that, a plot? Does Ramius intend to fire his missiles on the coast? Stay tuned to "Johnny". Which also features cute little bats and squirrel characters for the kids. Porter is also a big dork and does websites like this one and R&R Online.

[edit] Nupur Mehta

DUI Tenure: Fall 1996 - Spring 2000

Title: Elephant Boy, Captain Optimist

Height: tall enough, must you pry?

Weight: less than me

Turn-Ons: sonar transmitting devices, REM, and sleeping pe... oh nevermind.

Turn-Offs: too numerous to list

Nupe hails from the royal family of a small province in the red light district of the Indian outback. When the existing government insisted on levying taxes to raise revenue for universal education and employment programs, the Mehtas, fed up with the abuse of power, quickly overthrew the government and sentenced former officials to no dessert or TV for a week. When Nupe discovered that he was betrothed to the only child of the neighboring royal family (who was incidentally a large one-eyed man), he fled the country and left everything behind. He went back to get his CD’s, favorite Airwalks, and the stuffed rabbit he affectionately calls Nehasapetapetalan (translates to Blinkey). Nupe lived like a hobo for years, jumping freight cars, eating out of dumpsters, and turning states evidence to testify against dummy-front corporations for the Russian Mafia. The list goes on.

[edit] Class of '01

[edit] Andy Cies

DUI Tenure: Fall 1997 - Spring 2001

Title: Cuppa, That Tall Guy, Jenny's Sister, That Guy Who Gets Us Beer at KA Parties

Height: 3.0986 x 10^45 miles

Weight: probably a lot, but he won't tell, he's shy about these things

Turn-Ons: weird cult religions like Christianity, pretending like he's southern, Choc-ola

Turn-Offs: fire

The son of a professional jockey, Andy was genetically destined to live the life of a midget. To this end, his parents enrolled him in the Bella Carolis midget curling camp, hoping he would one day capture the hearts of the vertically challenged community of Canada. However, the endless forced repetition of “De plane, boss, de plane!” had a profound effect on Andy. Through sheer will, he forced himself to grow to his present towering stature and can thankfully repress his painful past through improv comedy.

[edit] Flynn Barrison

DUI Tenure: Fall 1997 - Spring 2001

Title: The Second Jew (his name from the scriptures of DUI), Drama Boy

Height: higher than the highest mountain

Weight: greater than the greatest barbell

Turn-Ons: blonde women from Seattle who like computers, Seinfeld, Ben Folds

Turn-Offs: a great many things piss Flynn off and I haven't the space to list them all

Flynn hasn’t been allowed outside in several years. It’s about time the truth came out: he’s a recovering bubble boy. Locked up in isolation for so long, he had no outlet for his energy but through the authorship of Hallmark cards. There’s a smile behind every card. It’s Flynn’s. When Flynn was finally permitted to once again walk amongst the rest of society, he realized how incredibly stupid most people are and longed for the security of his bubble, which had since popped. Bitterness ensued, and his cards were never the same. Slogans like “Wow, it’s your birthday! Now you’re one year closer to death. Hope you choke on a candle” just didn’t sell.

[edit] Class of '02

[edit] Bobby Jones

DUI Tenure: Fall 1998 - Spring 2002

Title: Booby

Turn-Ons: English Accents, Latin, Greek, his leg Flynn

Turn-Offs: Ancient Sumerian

Bobby grew up in small town of Dingletown, Connecticut. Son of a proctologist and a pimp, many assumed that he was destined for improv greatness from the start. That was until the fateful day when Bobby, age six at the time, was "forgotten" in aisle 4 of the local Walmart. Dedicating the rest of his childhood to becoming a five star general, Bobby soon became grand-master of 'Stratego' and later 'Don't Wake Daddy'.

Dark days lay ahead for poor Bob-o. After piece accords with Teddy Ruksbin and the red army of aisle 12 fell through, Mr. Jones found himself on the verge of total Thermo-Nerfular war. In spite of fringe elements of both sides attempts at sabotaging the peace process with a few well aimed lawn darts, the perilous 13 hour ordeal (soon to be a major motion picture) came to an end.

Traumatized by these string of events (and with new found courage in his own potty training), Bobby left on a whaling ship called "The Origin of the Species" in order to study and better understand Beagles. Once on the in crowd, Snoopy introduced Bobby to some of the top brass. The brass introduced him to copper and silver. Copper was a jerk and stood Bobby up. Silver on the other hand stuck around and even let him meet Technetium once. That's about it. Oh yeah, and Bobby somehow got involved with improv at some point.

[edit] Bret Runestad

DUI Tenure: Spring 2000 - Spring 2002

Title: Ewing?

Volume: 10,827 cc's

Weight: A metric pound

Turn-Ons: Try-outs, Dana, warm fuzzies

Turn-Offs: Those who might kill his savior

Bret is your typical eccentric recluse. After cracking what has often been referred to as "The Great American Joke" some seven years ago now, he mysteriously disappeared from the spotlight and now rarely appears outside except to purchase Mountain Dew and donuts. Bret now engages in what he insists is the next great comedy art form: the E-Card. If you get directed to an Internet site that contains a quirky quip about Kwanzaa, a panache-filled paragraph on Pi Day (March 14), or a witty witticism about Wit Day you can bet that he had something to do with it. Bret loves alliteration. And redundancy. And tautology. And pleonasm. Yeah. Every summer, Bret works for the US Government developing new Blow-dart technology. His laser-sighted, automatic blow-guns are currently being used to protect the cast of Survivor 2 from the natives of the Australian outback. Bret enjoys moderation. Bret is a religion major cuz he figured if he could get his eternal salvation worked out in college, he could spend the rest of his life figuring out how to make six figures. Bret is currently using his collegiate studies and love of comedy to write a stirring Gospel titled "That wacky, wacky Jesus" which he expects will someday be included in the New Testament.

[edit] Dana Vachon

DUI Tenure: Spring 2000 - Spring 2002

Dana Vachon was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, and raised in Chappaqua, New York. He attended Duke University, and graduated, as he claims, “cum nihilo” in 2002. While at Duke, he joined DUI in the Spring of his sophomore year--just in time for Big Show 3. After graduation, Vachon landed a job as an analyst at JPMorgan and began work on this novel. His writing has appeared in the International Herald Tribune, Men’s Vogue, The New York Times, and Salon. He lives in New York City.

[edit] Class of '03

[edit] Tom Cass

DUI Tenure: Fall 1998 - Spring 1999

Tom Cass joined DUI his freshman year and appeared in Big Show 2. Only a member of DUI for one year, Tom resigned from the group due to time constraints with the Duke Wrestling team.

[edit] Seth Weitberg