 Mark
Bergren
Biography
 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 trainer.
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” workshops
and over the years has personally coached hundreds of 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
Biography
 As a veteran of 25 years of improvisation - student, performer, teacher and director - James relishes each opportunity to bring his breadth of knowledge and true passion for improvisation to the business world.
In the 1980's, James found his way to the hallowed Dudley Riggs' Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis, MN. There, James not only co-wrote and performed in 14 original comedy satires, but he served as the director of Dudley Riggs' International Touring Company. James later returned to the BNW as the theater's Artistic Director ('98 — '99) and directed the smash hit comedies Viagra: The Second Coming and Saving Clinton's Privates
In the 1990's, James uttered those famous words — "I'm going to Disney World!" — and well he did. As a resident cast member at The Comedy Warehouse on Disney's Pleasure Island, James 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.
Since 2000, James, now back in the Twin Cities, has hit the boards numerous times at Chanhassen Dinner Theater, appeared with Matt Dillon and Marisa Tomei in the film Factotum, co-authored the long running interactive comedy We Gotta Bingo for Actor's Theater of Minnesota, married the coolest woman in the world, and held the position of Creative Director at Jack Morton Worldwide. Currently, James is an Associate Creative Director for Periscope Advertising in Minneapolis, working with clients such as General Mills, Arctic Cat, Target, Honeywell and Roche Diagnostics.
ASSOCIATES
We'd like you to meet our talented associates who lend their expertise to many of our keynotes, workshops and events.
 Michelle Cassioppi has been working with improvisation groups for both entertainment and educational purposes since 1985. Michelle is an alumnus of The Brave New Workshop founded by Dudley Riggs. She was a company member as well as an instructor. She has also worked with a variety of other local theatre companies, including the Jungle Theatre, Children's Theatre Company, Old Log Theatre, Mystery Cafe, MN Shakespeare Project, Illusion Theatre and the History Theatre.
In addition to facilitating corporate presentations with Out of the Blue for companies and organizations like Cargill and USBank, Michelle teaches improv workshops for high school students at St.Thomas Academy/Visitation High School in Minneapolis. These workshops culminate in 2 full length performances each year.
Michelle also sings with a local Twin Cities band called the Diamond Lake Ramblers.
 Described by Twin Cities critics as a “clever an inventive voice in comedy theater,” Shanan Custer is a veteran of the Brave New Workshop in Uptown Minneapolis, where she wrote and performed in 14 sketch comedy revues, the more recent of which, “Das Bootylicious” was named a Top Critics Choice for Best New Play 2004 by the Star Tribune. Shanan also co-wrote and now performs in the Actors Theater of Minnesota’s interactive comedy hit “We Gotta Bingo” at the Lowry Theater in St. Paul, now in its third year. Shanan performed with Joshua Scrimshaw in their original comedy hit “From Here to Maternity” at the 2007 Minneapolis Fringe Festival, which was one of the Top Ten shows of the festival. With Hardcover Theater, Shanan co-wrote and performed in all five episodes of their hit Victorian serial “London After Midnight” and is currently writing and will perform and direct the Hardcover Main stage show at the Playwright’s Center this May.
Shanan earned an M.A. in Theater History, Theory and Criticism from the University of Maryland, College Park and graduated with honors in theater at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. Currently, Shanan is an adjunct faculty in the Theater Department at St. Kate’s as well as at the University of St. Thomas. She is also an Associate at Thomson University with Thomson West Publishing in Eagan where she teaches how to deliver effective presentations to professionals of all levels.
For Out of the Blue, Shanan has been a keynote presenter and performer for such groups as Target, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mercy Medical Health, and Cargill.
Lisa Fredrickson has been an ensemble member and teacher at many Improv companies including Seattle Theatresports, SAK Comedy Lab in Orlando, Disney’s Comedy Warehouse, Impro Theatre LA, and Inflatable Betty. She is currently the resident improvisation instructor at California Lutheran University. Lisa has been leading corporate leadership and teamwork seminars for over 15 years for companies like Pepsi, Microsoft and Washington Mutual Bank.
As a facilitator and teacher with Out of the Blue she has worked with a versatile list of clients that include Target, Kaiser Permanente and Oracle.
A working actress, based in Los Angeles, her recent TV credits include “Greek,” “Desperate Housewives,” and “The Tick.” She has been in numerous TV commercials, usually as some sort of uptight mother. She is currently in a masters program studying Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica.
 Mary Thompson Hunt has been a professional improviser for 28 years. She currently performs as an improviser at Downtown Disney's Comedy Warehouse at Pleasure Island. This is Mary's 18th year at this club and she has performed in over 14,000 shows at this venue.
In addition to improvising, Mary is also an actress, voice over artist, and most of all enjoys sharing what she has learned from the art & discipline of Improvising.
Having trained at over one hundred events and classes, Mary is proud to have worked with companies and institutions such as; Walt Disney Company, Blockbuster, Kaiser Permanente, Black Mayors of America and American International School of Yaounde in Cameroon, Africa. "I love seeing clients discover deeper meaning to teamwork, trust, and creative cooperation. It's a great feeling to be able provide tools and a means for immediate effective communication. Clients start to envision an ideal work environment with a place and purpose for everyone on their team. The misunderstandings and hard feelings that stifle creativity and productivity amongst associates quickly dissolve. There's nothing like witnessing participants experience themselves and each other differently. This new outlook leads to a more satisfying way of working together with measurably improved work performance".
 Hollywood writer/actor/improviser Steve Purnick, is also one of the most sought-after faces in the world of “Corporate Entertainment” and has been a consultant and teacher of improvisation with Out Of The Blue team for seven years.
Steve has been a writer for television, (Nickelodeon, VH1) and for film (screen writer -Lawn and Order).
Steve the actor was a series regular for three seasons on Nickelodeon’s The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. Other screen appearances include:
- Tom Hanks’ Emmy winning, From the Earth to the Moon on HBO
- The recent films, Nowhereland (w/Eddie Murphy), Under the Same Sky, Crash Landing
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on NBC
- Various Nickelodeon shows such as Keenan and Kel, and Figure It Out
- And Ask Rita, World Cup Comedy, and Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, syndicated.
Steve the improviser: For years Steve headlined doing improvisation at Walt Disney World’s Comedy Warehouse, where he starred in over ten thousand live performances - all of them “family appropriate.” He began his Improv career over twenty years ago, with the top Improv groups in New York, and now works regularly with the best in Hollywood.
Steve even toured this past spring with his pal Wayne Brady, from Whose Line Is It Anyway? The Wayne Brady and Friends show played to sold-out theaters across the country.
 Jim Robinson is thrilled to be working with Out of the Blue. He has been an actor/improviser/writer in the Twin Cities for the past 15 years, cutting his teeth at the Brave New Workshop and performing on the high seas with the Disney Cruise Line in the Off-Beat Comedy Club.
He co-wrote the hit sensation "We Gotta Bingo" for Actors Theater of Minnesota and has written, produced, and performed in numerous shows of his own.
Along with his stage work, Jim has written and performed corporate shows for Target, Cargill, Medtronic, and Honeywell, among others. He has also taught improvisation to everyone from CEOs to children and worked extensively in the areas of team-building and brainstorming.
When not on stage, Jim teaches psychology at the University of St. Thomas and at the College of St. Catherine. He has a BA in English from UCLA and a PhD in psychology from the University of Southern California.
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