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The cast in October 2005.
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Occam's
Razor is an independent improv comedy troupe founded in 1999 by two University of Chicago undergraduates, Craig
Fitzgerald and Ali Nikseresht, now based in downtown Chicago and supporting the Dean campaign.
We're named after and inspired by a principle of 14th-century English
mathematician Sir William Occam. Paraphrased: Among multiple
explanations for the same phenomena, the simplest is the best. In other
words, keep it simple, fresh, and funny.
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Cowperthwait donned his
corduroy pimpcoat to verbally assault 1,000 paying fans in Mandel Hall.
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During the school year, we
perform shows at the University
of Chicago outside of
the University's theater institutions. We are currently expanding our
horizons with experimental games, but have also put on shows including
long-form, the Harold, improvised musicals, stand-up comedy, dance
routines, and sketch. Although all our shows used to be free, property
damage at a show of winter 2003 put us deep into debt. Since then, the
cast's future travel plans have kept the carrot before the turtle.
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Our official 2001-2002 cast
photo, which we took in a Chinese grad student's study room when he left to
answer his cell-phone.
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We have
performed at engagements for various dormitories, fraternities and
sororities, at Prospective Students Advisory Committee events, the
International Food Festival, President Randel's inauguration, the Newberger
Hillel's Purim Celebration, Career and Placement Services, Mr. University,
Uncle Joe's coffee shop, Cage Match sets at the Improv Olympic, and Jelly
sets at the Second
City. Additionally,
Occam's Razor and Queers and Associates produced and co-sponsored a sold-out
Mandel Hall show featuring stand-up comedienne Kate Clinton, emceed by
Occam's Razor's J. Edward Cowperthwait, with an opening ballet by the cast.
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Kate, Luba, David, and
Thomas are all winners, what can they do about it?
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The cast in early 2003.
Hanging on metal pipes obviously intended for ballet and such gymnastics.
We've found ourselves at home in BARS.
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Our ensemble cast
currently consists of seven U of C undergraduate students:
Cora Ames
Daniel Flores
Bryan Hahn
Michael Hendrix
Matt Howard
Natasha Sansone
Zoe Thompson
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In the early Aughts, it was
acceptable policy that "When opening for lesbians...do as the lesbians
do."
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WHAT OTHERS ARE
SAYING
"The group
stands out because of its energy.... Occam's Razor's reliance on energy
seems revolutionary.... Occam's Razor's instantaneous success parallels
that of Second
City's."
-- Chicago Maroon, January 5, 2001
"For me, inner yearnings for a scene involving Brian Boitano were just
too much to keep inside. The point is, though, that despite the multitude
of ridiculous suggestions (since when was The Complete Works of Shakespeare
a good murder weapon?) throughout the evening, Occam's came out on
top."
-- Chicago Maroon, Februrary 3, 2005
” Go to an Occam’s show – you may see the
ImprovOlympic’s next rookie of the year, and you can’t beat the
price.”
-- Shore Magazine, July, 2006
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We regularly sleep with
attractive African track champions in luxurious hotel suites.
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"Springtime for
Occam's Razor," 2002.
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Daniel and Kat in cozier
times.
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IMPROV AND THE UNIVERSITY
OF CHICAGO
In the 1950s, the University of Chicago played an important role in
the development of improvisational theater and sketch comedy. In reviving
innovative comedy at the U of C, Occam's Razor represents the latest
chapter in this historical narrative, a responsibility that we do not take
seriously. At all.
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Diagram by J. Edward
Cowperthwait, who grew up in Northern California,
explaining everything.
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