We had the good fortune of connecting with BMC Improv and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi BMC, what are you inspired by?
BMC was originally created as a practice group by founding member Sean Grant, but quickly became a performing team. Their first show was at a hip-hop club in Downey, CA where the group wanted to introduce long-form improv to hip-hop fans. They figured if they could develop fans of BMC, they could open the doors of improv fandom to a new community and be a part of new wave of improv entertainment. Improv had become an incredibly white dominated space, making players of diverse backgrounds feel left out. Bernie Mac & Cheese sought to bring players of every background and field of entertainment together. Bernie Mac & Cheese was birthed out of the need for more accurate representation.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others…

Bernie Mac & Cheese (BMC) is a long-form improv performance group and sketch team consisting of 10 comedians and actors. BMC Improv is unique in the improv world as a co-ed team with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ identifying members. Thee inclusive nature and topics that are covered during BMC shows sets us apart. BMC’s goals are to uplift the voices of the unheard.

How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy?

Surprisingly, the chemistry came with ease. It’s seldom you work with people you enjoy. BMC went from a group of complete strangers to a performance team by our commitment. Each member despite the absence of an incentive, shows up to weekly 9am Saturday practices and warm-ups an hour before each show. This dedication led to the team forming strong relationships that audiences can feel each time we perform. Another large part of our success has come from our internet content. We record our shows and clip out parts for Instagram and TikTok that make sense even if you didn’t catch our live show. This has led to our current fans being reminded to come to more shows, and it allows us to gain new fans from all over the world. No amount of success in the entertainment industry comes with total ease, but with such a great group of people, it has been extremely enjoyable to get to where we are today.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

The primary lessons are respect and teamwork. Having a team of 10 performers comes with challenges including different styles of play, levels of training, and life experiences to draw from. Always remembering to honor the “gifts” the other player gives you on stage by justifying them in the creation process is key to a great improv show. This creates a judgment-free zone which allows for the silliness and creativity to flow. We’ve also learned how important it is to have fun. While it’s a respected art form, at the end of the day, improv is just adults playing, so we make sure to remember that each time we get on stage.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

Beyond improvisors, this team possesses dramatic and voice over actors, stand-up comedians, musicians, rap artists, and dancers. Bernie Mac & Cheese strives to be the Marvel Avengers of the entertainment realm, focusing its talents on comedy, however, nurturing the ability for all fields of interest.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since we’re an improv team, we’re going to pretend that this is about another improv team visiting LA. We would tell them that they definitely have to come to Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica, CA on Mondays because we have a biweekly residency there AND there’s an improv jam that anyone is welcome to play in after all the shows on Mondays. After that, our team regularly likes to hangout at Cabo Cantina on 3rd Street Promenade to fellowship and laugh about everything we saw that night. If this visiting team was looking for a once in a lifetime experience, we’d say they should go to The Clubhouse. It’s another popular place for improv where we often perform as well. It has two black box theaters, and some of the wildest improv we’ve ever seen has been there. House of Pie and Fred 62 are two diners within walking distance that we’d recommend for post show hangs. Moral of the story is: if you come to LA and are looking for a good time, make sure you come see a Bernie Mac & Cheese show!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We’d like to dedicate our Shoutout Series to our leader: Sean Grant. Sean is a decorated comedian on his own, but he decided to form this improv group and is the backbone to the team. He calls individuals after shows to make sure everyone is having a good time or if there’s anything he can do to help someone’s play improve. As the most credited and experienced stand-up comedian in the group, he regularly helps out other members with their jokes and gives them opportunities to perform with him. Every member of this team knows that they can call or text Sean at any hour, and he will be there with words of encouragement. Without Sean Grant, there would be no Bernie Mac & Cheese.

Additionally, Bernie Mac! His life was a clear example that if you stay yourself for long enough, the industry will catch up to you. To our families, for being supportive in the pursuit of this performance art. Lastly to each one of the members of BMC Improv; Simone Finley, Michael Scott, Tatyana Komaguchi, Bileko Wissa, Teru Mitsuhara, Jeremiah White, Alexis Bradby, Chris Lewis, & Hillina Jarso for your individual efforts that make the machine run!

Website: BMCimprov.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmcimprov/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BmcImprov

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7clFm1WxK5-FcfaHmtl9g

Other: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@bmcimprov @bmcimprov on All Social Media Platforms

Image Credits
David Hume Kennerly Photography Bernie Mac & Cheese at the Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica Jenn the Jack Photograpy Bernie Mac & Cheese at the Fourth Wall Comedy Cafe

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