Batterymouth receives one suggestion from the audience and then performs an original 30-minute show using their own long-form structure—utilizing slam poetry-esque riffs, three-person scenes and character monologues to create an entertaining, humorous and rhythmic piece that focuses on character and theme. One of the few three-person improv groups in Chicago, Batterymouth explores what’s hilarious about the relationships in our everyday lives.
Batterymouth is Dave Urlakis, Mark Walkley and Zack Whittington and is coached by E.J. Scott. The trio met in February 2005 in iO Theater’s (formerly ImprovOlympic) long-form improv classes, which led to them performing together on iO’s Harold Team Skeleton Attack from March 2006 through August 2007. After Skeleton Attack, they explored character-based improvisation together, which eventually grew into the formation of Batterymouth. They have previously performed at Donny’s Skybox and The Playground. You can contact Batterymouth at batterymouthATbatterymouthDOTcom.
“There are two reasons Batterymouth stands out among the glut of Chicago improv: The performers are top-notch (Dave Urlakis, Mark Walkley, Zack Whittington) and their gimmick/hook is original…each flawlessly changes from one well-rounded character to another…this show is well worth it”
-Centerstage Chicago
“What distinguishes Batterymouth from the vast and varied Chicago comedy scene is the reliability of their three-man comedy dynamic…Mark Walkley, Dave Urlakis and Zach Whittington are remarkably adept at riffing off one another in their trademark long-form improv style…the bottom line is that Batterymouth is undeniably funny”
-Loyola Phoenix
“Best Bet”
-Red Eye
“Crain’s Pick”
-Crain’s Chicago Business
“Recommended…well worth the modest admission”
-Chicagocritic.com
Dave Urlakis is originally from the Chicago suburbs and studied Theatre (and Economics) at Knox College. He can also currently be seen improvising with Battle-Prov at ComedySportz Chicago, in Tarantino: The Improvised Show at The Playground and in select performances at The Comedy Shrine in Naperville, IL. Other performances include The Diviners with Speaking Ring Theatre Company, Eat the Runt at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, King Lear at Vitalist Theatre and Twelfth Night at Chase Park Theatre. Dave has also improvised with Swoon and Skeleton Attack at the iO Theater (formerly ImprovOlympic) as well as performances with Theatre Momentum and Noble Fool. Dave is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory and the iO Training Center. You can contact Dave at daveATbatterymouthDOTcom.
Mark Walkley grew up in the not-so-big city of Jonesboro, AR. There he developed a passion for performance, which led him to pursue a BFA in Theater from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). Although he has always loved making people laugh, it wasn’t until he started performing in college with the improvised comedy troupe Hooligans (alongside fellow Batterymouth member Zack Whittington) that he realized his love for improv comedy. Upon graduating college he decided to make the big move to Chicago where he has studied at iO, and The Annoyance schools of improv, and performed on the iO Harold team Skeleton Attack. He recently helped to write and stage a show for the Chicago sketch group Long Pork, and has also developed a healthy addiction to karaoke bars. You can contact Mark at markATbatterymouthDOTcom.
Born in Decatur, Alabama, Zack Whittington cut his teeth on the local theatre of his hometown, before studying acting at Calhoun Community College, where he performed in numerous plays. From there, he jumped on over to the University of Mississippi (Hotty Toddy!) to continue his studies, and perform in even more plays. Here he got his first taste of improvised comedy with his college troupe, Hooligans. After school, he spent a year at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival, before heading up to his current home of Chicago to study improv with his Batterymouth buddy, Mark. Zack studied at iO and The Annoyance schools of improv and has performed at both theatres as well as others around the city. Zack is also currently on the sketch comedy group Long Pork, which recently performed in the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. You can contact Zack at zackATbatterymouthDOTcom.
E.J. Scott has been improvising and training for over a decade. He started out learning short form at HB Studios in NYC and performed in random places around the city. Eventually, E.J. made the move to LA where he discovered long form at iO West and studied and performed there for 5 years with the Harold teams Maddox Furley and Saucebox. In LA, he also studied at The Groundlings, ComedySportz, Second City LA and UCBLA and developed the improv shows Shootin’ the Shit, My First Date with E.J and Random. He also performed in Armando, Cog, DHT and Dr. God and started coaching groups such as the iO west Harold team Foster Kids. After moving to Chicago in June 2008, E.J. began performing with the iO Harold team The Cougars coached by Noah Gregaropolous and studying at The Annoyance and Second City. He greatly enjoys coaching Batterymouth and feels lucky that these great performers give a damn about what he has to say.