The following is an imaginary interview from Imaginary Interviews magazine, Nevruary 31st, 2010. Though fictional, all the information is true.
II: Hi, Dave. Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. I don’t actually exist, but like so many imaginary people I’m a huge fan of yours.
Dave: I’m the one who’s grateful. I would be nowhere without my imaginary fans.
II: It says here you have an extensive improv background. How did you get involved in improv?
Dave: When I was twenty, one of my acting teachers they told me I needed to learn to be more spontaneous. I took her advice and joined an improv company called Seattle TheatreSports, which I loved so much I quit the acting class.
In those days TheatreSports had “leagues” in cities around the world so I was fortunate to travel and perform for audiences in several countries. Once, they had an international TheatreSports tournament as part of an arts festival attached to the Olympics, and I won a bronze medal.
II: Really? It's hard to believe improv was ever an Olympic sport.
Dave: Well, okay, it wasn’t an official Olympic event, but the IOC made official-style medals. And I was the only American to win. That makes me the best American improvisor of all time.
II: Actually, I don't think that's how that works...
Dave: No, I'm pretty sure I'm officially the best. Do some research next time.
II: Okay. So after Seattle you came to Los Angeles?
Dave: I spent some time in San Francisco where I worked regularly with Bay Area TheatreSports and other groups. After that I landed here and worked with L.A. TheatreSports for quite a few years. In Los Angeles there are so many great companies, and I was fortunate to work or guest with many of them.
For about four years I produced a weekly show at Acme Comedy Theatre where I invited players from groups like Groundlings, ImprovOlympic, Second City, TheatreSports, and others, to play in a sort of jam session.
II: And you did some touring, right?
Dave: Yes, that’s right. My good friend and Whose Line Is It Anyway castmember Brad Sherwood was asked to tour as a headliner, so he invited me to take a 2-man improv show on the road with him. For the next few years we spent roughly 30 weekends per year doing gigs at comedy clubs, theatres, universities and festivals around the country.
II: Did you enjoy doing improv shows on the road?
Dave: It was an unbelievable blast. In addition to delighting sold-out audiences again and again, I had the chance to work with hundreds of comics, unknown and known.
II: Who are some of the famous comics you’ve worked with?
Dave: I don’t like to drop names. It's cheap and sleazy.
II: Okay, next question —
Dave: Jim Gaffigan, Lewis Black, Mike Birbiglia…
II: Thanks. Moving on —
Dave: Kevin Meaney, Harry Anderson, Wendy Liebman, Jeff Cesario, Greg Fitzsimmons, Wayne Federman, Greg Proops, Bobby Slayton…
II: But weren't you really just Brad's comedy sidekick? Do you really believe you deserved the same billing as all those A-list comics?
Dave: Um, what's your point?
II: So, what are you doing now?
Dave: I do live improv shows now and then, but not as often as I used to. Lately I've been focussing on my TV and film career.
II: You mean, begging producers to give you little co-star parts?
Dave: Why, do you know someone?
II: Have you done commercials?
Dave: Yes. I have a wonderful agent and I’ve been doing commercials since the late 90’s. Seriously, do you know any producers?
II: No. Did you study acting in school?
Dave: In high school, I won lots of awards at competitions, and I was voted “Most Dramatic” in my senior year. I’m not sure, but I think they made up the category that year. Not that I’m ungrateful. Hell, come to think of it, I deserved it.
I went to Washington State University and became active in the theatre program, even though my intended major was — if you can believe it — electrical engineering. I found myself squandering all my time studying for my theatre classes and practically none at all for the ‘money’ classes. I learned some wonderful things about theatre there, but it took a long time to pay off the whole engineering-study fiasco. You’ll notice I’m not designing circuit boards today.
Since college I’ve continued my education by taking classes with scores of teachers.
II: Do you think your improv background has helped your acting career?
Dave: Yes! In the last ten years or so, producers have sought out actors with improv backgrounds more and more. And I think it makes me a much more spontaneous and imaginitive actor. I'm sensitive to the moment and ready to embrace abrupt changes in direction.
II: Would you say improv has helped you become a good listener?
Dave: Yes, I am sexy too, thank you.