The 400 Cat
Fridays at 9 PM, $5
The 400 Cat is a group of humans that perform Around the Horn where an audience suggestion is sent around the group and twisted ever so skillfully into a loose Harold. A very loose Harold. Their offbeat brand of character-driven improv has made them a mainstay on the mainstage for years before and for years to come.
The 400 Cat is Greg Boytos, Michael Gantz, Ben Goldsmith, Ashley Opstad, Lawrence Marshalian, Blake Rosier, Elizabeth Triplett, Megan Hendricks, and Anisha Jagannathan.
Greg Boytos is a writer/actor/comedian originally from New York's Upper East Side by way of New Jersey, by way of Claremont by way of UC Riverside by way of UCLA's screenwriting program. He auditioned for his high school improv team every year and never made it. He heard that acting would help his writing and never believed it. Then he wanted an excuse to stay out of trouble two nights a week, so he signed up, and the rest is history.
Michael got his start in comedy at Arizona State University's sketch troupe The Farce Side. He has been a main stage player at ImprovOlympic West with Squadron and Bacon's Pipe. He has appeared in numerous commercials, music videos, and films, including the Jennifer Lopez video "I'm Real" and the award winning short "Hustler's Instinct" featuring Eva Longoria. He is currently a member of The Board at The Improv Space. Michael likes the beach, soup, and Deborah Gibson.
Ben Goldsmith has been improvising with the Improv Space for over 7 years. Attending UCLA school of Theater, Film, and Television Ben found his home in the UCLA Spring Sing sketch group 'COMPANY' for three consecutive years. Now, he operates two small production companies; "BackHaüs Productions" and is the co-founder of "Dumb Owl Productions". He's a happy kind of a guy. You know he's quirky.
Ashley Opstad is a mom, teaching artist, arts administrator, producer and improviser. Ashley served as the founding artistic director at The Improv Space from 2009-2013 and returned as Artistic Director in 2016. Currently, Ashley works as the Experiential Manager at DAQRI, a tech company focused in augmented reality. Ashley has improvised for over 15 years at various theaters including Ultimate Improv, Story Pirates, iO West, UCB, and the LA Improv Comedy Festival. Favorite credit: #arlenegail.
Lawrence started to perform at the Improv Space towards the tail end of his academic career at UCLA. He began with the famously known "Execution" Improvisational competition. From then on, he started taking classes through the theater and joined a main stage team. After a two year hiatus of being in New York and San Francisco, he returned back like the comedic prodigal son that he was to be placed on the well loved, 400 Cat.Lawrence has done commercials, sketches, stand up, and of course improv.
Blake Rosier is an actor and improviser originally from the Bay Area. He is thrilled to be a part of the 400 Cat and loves the Improv Space like a second home! Blake is represented by Elev8 Talent agency theatrically and commercially and makes his own content on Instagram and YouTube. Make sure to check him out @BlakeRosier and YouTube.com/BlakeRosier1 for videos and for all booking or deep questions about life contact him by email Rosier001@aol.com Long live the Improv Space. Come see a show!
Megan has been praised as a "good enough player," said to be "okay," by a random passerby, and noted that "we only made-out" by some guy(s). Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Megan moved to LA to pursue her love of wine and paying a bunch of money to do improv. She won the "Best New Improviser" award at the Colorado Improv Awards 2015, but it was given to another player due to her absence...so...everyone wins. "What a beautiful place, to be with friends" - Dobby