Chris Littler
Chris Littler grew up in Tempe, Arizona, where he spent his childhood tossing a tennis ball against the garage until the ice cream man showed up. He wrote his first story when he was six, about a bunch of dinosaurs chasing his first grade class (and the family cats) around a gigantic luxury submarine. He kept writing, and eventually got into the Tisch School of the Arts with a story he wrote about a man who continually sabotaged his own relationships. It was a work of fiction and in no way had anything to do with his own life at all.
Chris moved to LA in 2008 to pursue a career in television writing and commercial acting. After three months and two car accidents, he signed up for classes at iOWest and graduated from the program in March. He’s currently working on a web series called Laugh Track Apartment which will premiere this summer on an internet near you.
Teams:
Shows:
Interview:
1. Where are you originally from and what was the improv scene like there?
I grew up in Tempe, Arizona, which I believe has the seventy-sixth largest improv community in the world, right after New Delhi.
2. What made you want to start doing improv?
I went to school in New York and majored in dramatic writing. Near the end of the program I had a professor who just so happened to be friends with Mike Myers. So he came in – this was right before the Love Guru came out – and he talked to us about much improv informed his writing and how failing in front of an audience is one of the most freeing things in the world and then, as parting gift, he took out his satchel of cold coins and tossed them in the air and proved how much better he was than the rest of us. I signed up for classes that night and haven’t stopped since.
3. What stumbling blocks did you have to overcome when you first started studying improv?
I wouldn’t say I’ve overcome my stumbling blocks as much as I’ve been made aware of them. I’m very inventive and have no problem coming up with this and that, but I’ve had to work really hard to not listen to the little voice in my head that says, “This isn’t enough” and just commit to what’s there.
4. How long have you been doing improv?
Two years.
5. What’s your favorite part about improvising?
The people. Improv is an interesting beast; it attracts people from every possible background. It’s not fly-fishing. There are a lot of wonderful things about the craft itself, but I think they’re all secondary to the joy of getting to know and becoming friends with all the people who find doing it as fun and interesting as I do.
6. What is one of your best memories on stage at iOWest?
My first big laugh in front of a packed house. I wish been able to record it and make it into my ring tone because I’m getting really sick of Ascending Bells.
7. What’s some advice you would give to someone that’s starting out?
Don’t make the same mistake I did. Pick one person in class to have a crush on. And don’t make it the teacher. Oh, and don’t go overboard. It’s really easy to get addicted to this wonderful thing we call improv. I guess what I’m saying is: don’t forget to visit your grandmother. She misses you.
8. Who is someone you really look up to in the improv world and why?
Too many to name, but I’m going to risk sounding like a suck-up and give kudos to the guys in the office. Grace, Canale, and BOC. I worked in the office for few months last year and let me tell you, those guys put up with a mountain of bullshit every day to keep this place running.
*9. Other than your own, what is your favorite show at iOWest? *
I have a hard time saying no to anything the I.O. Rep does. I’m a huge proponent of pushing the limits of what improv can be and wish I was at a level where I could be a part of that push. Like any good art form, there are people out there who are making a killing off simplifying it so that it goes down easier, but I don’t think that’s as honest or interesting.
*10. How do you use improv in your professional life? *
Well, I have a much easier time lying to my boss. Also, there are a lot of heavy hitters in this town who have improv training, and it’s done me a lot of good to be able to keep up with their bits.
11. If you could sum up iO in one sentence, what would that be?
A place to drink and do comedy and then argue with the valet.
Friday, August 06 @ 11:00 PM in the Main Stage - tickets are $5 (FREE for iO students)
Friday, August 13 @ 10:00 PM in the The Loft - tickets are FREE
Saturday, August 14 @ 08:30 PM in the Del Close Theater - tickets are $5 (FREE for iO students)
Saturday, August 28 @ 10:00 PM in the The Loft - tickets are FREE
Friday, July 30 @ 08:30 PM in the Del Close Theater - tickets are $5 (FREE for iO students)
Friday, August 06 @ 09:30 PM in the Del Close Theater - tickets are $5 (FREE for iO students)
Friday, August 13 @ 10:30 PM in the Del Close Theater - tickets are $5 (FREE for iO students)
Friday, August 27 @ 10:30 PM in the Del Close Theater - tickets are $5 (FREE for iO students)