English Speaking Moose is a Los Angeles-based improv and sketch comedy group, and current resident team at IO West.
About[]
Officially formed in November 2009, English Speaking Moose was made up of three longtime friends and award-winning performers who manipulate time and space, command the elements, and forge history in their wake.
They were originally the house team of IO West's Ok, Intriguing Comedy Show every Wednesday. Next they became part of Saturday night's ADT Smash Night series. Then, in Spring 2010 they started hosting their own show, still running, every Tuesday in the Del Close Theater at iO West called The One Hour Improv Festival.
At one time the group was only a two-person show with Markeia McCarty and Keith Saltojanes. In Spring 2011, new members were added to the cast including Miles Stroth (of The Family) and Emily Candini (of The Annoyance Theatre). Their most current show format is: "Starting with a song lyric suggested by the audience, they proceed to do a scenic deconstruction exploring the themes and deeper truths of those scenes. Be there, while they find meaning in chaos. Chances are it will be dark, but that will only make you laugh harder."
In 2010, the members are the group wrote, directed, and performed in a sketch comedy pilot television show for IFC. Currently, the sketches from the first episode can be seen on Funny or Die.
In 2011 and 2012, they performed as part of The Annual Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival at iO West.
In 2013, they became one of the first groups to perform in Longform Tuesdays as part of The Miles Stroth Workshop.
Members[]
- Keith Saltojanes, co-founder
- Stephen Ji
- Skander Halim
- Ariana Lenarsky
- Jonathan Sacramone
- Elisabeth Hower
Former members include:
- Kevin Allen, co-founder
Past guests have included:
- Miles Stroth
- Emily Candini
- Shaun Landry
- Jeff Hawkins
Awards[]
Official Selections:
- 2012 Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival
- 2011 Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival
- 2011 Valley Improv Festival
- 2011 Los Angeles Comedy Festival
Awards:
- 2011 Del Close Award Nominee: Best DCT Show
- 2011 Del Close Award Nominee: Best Line (Markeia McCarty)
- 2012 INNY Award Nominee: Best Long Form Group
- 2012 Del Close Award Nominee: Best Other Show