Their business acumen and success in leadership, sales, service and theater set a solid foundation for their talent and presentation skills that distinguishes Out of the Blue from every other corporate training firm.

Mark Bergren
Mark Bergren first was stricken by the theater and improvisation bug while a political science major at Western Illinois University. An introduction to theater course taught by a fiery professor (and after-show theater parties) propelled Mark into what is now a twenty-five year career as a director, writer, and performer of comedy & improvisation, and a corporate keynote speaker and trainert.

Following college, Mark trained at Chicago's famed Second City in Chicago, improvising with the likes of SC TV's Catherine O'Hara and George Wendt of "Cheers" fame.

In 1985, after five years as a performer at the acclaimed The Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis, he became artistic director and head writer, and created over twenty original satirical comedy revues. Mark also developed "Acting Through Improvisation," and over the years has personally coached over 500 students in the art of Improvisation, many of who have gone on to national prominence in television and film. During this period Mark also wrote and directed over 100 custom corporate entertainment events.

A consultant to Disney Entertainment since 1990, Mark became "one with the Mouse" in 1994, and accepted a full time position as Show Director and Writer - creative directing shows throughout Walt Disney World, such as the Comedy Warehouse, and the Epcot Performance Company, comedy clubs on board the Disney Cruise Line, and special events such as Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary spot for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Mark returned to Minnesota in 1997 to become co-owner of the Brave New Workshop Theater. Now a consultant, speaker and writer, he also produces corporate events, and has been a long term consultant to such companies as the Paris Las Vegas Resort, Kaiser Permanente Health Plan & Hospitals of California, and Disney Entertainment.

Mark is co-author of the business and life skills book, "Improvise This! How to Think On Your Feet So You Don't Fall On Your Face" (Hyperion).

James Michael Detmar
As a veteran of almost 20 years of improvisation - student, performer, teacher and director - James Detmar relishes each opportunity to bring his breadth of knowledge and passion for improvisation to the business world. And he truly knows the world... Disney World, that is.

For the majority of the 1990's James was a resident cast member at The Comedy Warehouse on Disney's Pleasure Island. During that span he performed over 5,000 all improvised shows, each made up in the moment and delivered in true Disney fashion - funny, razor sharp and clean-cut. James also spearheaded improvisation workshops for the Disney Institute during his tenure.

Prior to his "pixie dust" fix James spent almost six years at the hallowed Dudley Riggs' Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis, MN. There, James not only co-wrote and performed in 14 original comedy satires ( ie. Scared Shiftless, Freedom and Weep - It's Apartheid and I'll Cry if I Want To, The Viceman Cometh ), but he served as the director of Dudley Riggs' International Touring Company. In addition, he taught improvisation classes to students at every level of experience.

Over the years James has also found time to tackle lead roles in such plays as West Side Story, Equus, Oklahoma, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Annie; appear on such television shows as America's Most Wanted, Clarissa Explains It All To You, Superboy and From The Earth to The Moon (where he was directed by Tom Hanks); co-author a professionally produced and critically acclaimed satirical stage play, "Who's Afraid of Christmas at Virginia Woolf's?" and become the Artistic Director of The Brave New Workshop (1998-99) where he directed Viagra: The Second Coming and Saving Clinton's Privates.

This past year has been a banner year for James - He ran his first marathon, got engaged over Cuban cigars, and defeated the New York Yankees, to win the World Series... no wait...sorry, that was the Florida Marlins.