• Training and workshops
• Keynote/general sessions
• Customized sketch comedy
• Improvisation
• Full scale event productions
  

After many years as a sales and marketing director in the hospitality industry and as general manager of an upscale athletic club, Molly was told ever - so - nicely that she should express her humor in more productive ways. She enrolled in a 32 - week improv class, (where she met her current business partners) and has been teaching and performing improv ever since.

Molly has spoken and performed nationally at over 400 events, is a member of the National Speakers Association, and has served on the board of directors of the Minnesota Speakers Association. She has developed and delivered corporate training to companies such as AT&T, Rainforest Cafe and 3M, and even to a poultry slaughterhouse (for which she's still undergoing therapy).

Molly has produced four audio cassette programs and has written numerous articles on sales, service, public speaking and humor.

While raising two perfect children (almost), and training her golden retriever and adopted cat how to retrieve e - mail, she is writing a book about improvisation in the corporate world.

Six years as a resident company member of Dudley Riggs' Brave New Workshop (1984 - 1989), where I helped write eleven original political and social satires including, The Viceman Cometh , Scared Shiftless and Freedom and Weep - It's Aparthied And I'll Cry If I Want Too !

Ten years as a resident company memer of the Comedy Warehouse at Walt Disney World's Pleasure Island (1989 - 1998), where I performed over 5,000 shows... all improvised.

Co - authored Who's Afraid of Christmas at Virginia Woolf's? , a professionally produced and critically acclaimed stage play.

Served as Artistic Director of The Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis, Minnesota (1998 - 1999), where I directed such shows as Viagra: The Second Coming and Saving Clinton's Privates .

Performed in three films, fourteen television shows and eleven stage plays.

Taught over 1,000 classes and workshops on comedic improvisation, creativity and teambuilding.

Pridefully cried as I watched my daughter Katie play Maria in West Side Story .

Currently I am racking up more frequent flyer miles than John Glenn as I criss - cross the 48 contiguious states doing corporate training, creating animated characters for companies such as Andersen Consulting, Honeywell and Price - Waterhouse, and working on our upcoming book focused on improvisation and the corporate world.

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 crazed 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 entertainment and training consultant.

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

In 1985, after five years as a performer at The Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis, he became the artistic director and head writer, developing over twenty original comedy revues. Mark also developed "Acting Through Improvisation," personally teaching over 300 students in the art of Improvisation. At this time Mark also wrote and directed over 100 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 - directing shows throughout Walt Disney World, such as 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 Theatre. Now a full - time consultant, he has become a producer of corporate events, and a long term consultant to such companies as the Paris Las Vegas Resort as a theme and guest service trainer.

Supporting Cast Members ...

Jim Robinson

Jim has worked as an improviser, actor, and writer in the Twin Cities since 1995. He has performed at the Brave New Workshop on their main stage and in corporate and tour shows, co - lead improvisation workshops with Kubla Kandy Productions and the Catchgate Group in Minnesota and Florida, and appeared in television and radio commercials in the upper Midwest. He recently completed a five - month stint with Disney Cruise Lines as an improviser and cast lead on the Disney Magic.Jim has a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern California. When he's not on stage he teaches Psychology at the College of Saint Catherine and the University of Minnesota.

Michelle Cassioppi

Michelle Cassioppi has been acting professionally in the Twin Cities area since 1985. She has worked locally at the Illusion, Jungle and Great American History Theaters as well as the Mystery Cafe and Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop. Michelle is also involved with the BookPals Elementary Literacy Program through the Screen Actors Guild.

At home Michelle plays mom to her three children, Maggie, Ed, and Natlie. She is married to musician Peter Guertin.

Q: Our company has a professional image and reputation to maintain. So you understand if I suffer from a little aversion?

A: Risk aversion is good. It keeps people out of emergency rooms, cemeteries, courtrooms and unemployment lines. We understand. You'll be reassured to know that thousands of companies have already used improv and sketch comedy with great success. And the numbers grow each day. Why? Because it works. Improv, like surgery and electrical repair, is risky only if entrusted to idiots or amateurs. In the hands of a pro, improv is safe, effective, and extremely pleasant. We're pros.

The real risk is stagnation.

The creative experts at Out of the Blue are grounded in solid business principles - competent, talented, and very professional. We've been out there. We know your concerns and needs. We know about bottom lines and tiers and paradigms. We know which fork to use. We look normal. Some of us even buy our clothes at Lands' End. So relax. We think out of the box - not out of bounds.

Q: OK, I'm with you. But not everyone at my company is as open minded and progressive as I am. We're kind of traditional. Isn't it a little crazy to use improv and sketch comedy in our business setting?

A: No, in fact you'd be crazy not to. Thousands of companies have discovered the unique advantage of using comedy to convey concepts, energize the troops, entertain, train and motivate. The use is growing every day as companies seek competitive advantage in the global business arena.

Besides, you already use improv every day in your business setting. You don't have a memorized script for each phone call, each client, each colleague interaction, do you? Well, then you're already improvising! And you're not crazy, are you?

We understand and respect the corporate culture. That's why our approach works so well. We don't try to insert humor into business like a square peg in a round hole. It already fits; the key is to know where, when, and how. We do.

"The preparation you put into customizing your program to our meeting made a significant impression on our staff."
- T. Chalupsky, R.V.P.
Pro Staff