What is Search Engine Improv?
SEI is Cal Keefe-Perry, Law Tarello, and John Forrest Thompson. They are an improv comedy trio working out of Rochester, NY to create innovative improv shows, put on top-notch performances, connect creative people together, and share the benefits of spontaneous improvisation with others.
Founded in 2009 by Law Tarello (an NYC ex-patriot Broadway actor and SUNY Brockport Improv Professor) and Callid Keefe-Perry (a storyteller and poet from Boston). Soon after it's inception SEI added Chicago native and member of famed "windy city" theatre company – iO Chicago (Improv Olympic), John Forrest Thompson. All of whom performed individually in other Rochester improv groups before finding each other.
Three man comedy team Search Engine Improv (SEI) combines the best of Chicago and New York City styles of Long-Form improvised performance. Constantly working to develop not only their skills of improvisation, but also innovative approaches to performance, SEI creates uniquely styled shows, each an exciting exploration of ways that long-form improvisation can be used to create compelling (and hilarious) theatre. Having toured extensively SEI has made a name for itself and helped put Rochester on the map of the national improv scene. They have been performing locally with multiple monthly shows since 2010, including special appearances co-headlineing City Newspaper's 1st Annual Cultural Crawl, guest-starring with The Second City in Geva Theatre Center's Summer Spectacular, and creating and producing the FALL BACK COMEDY FEST which was held at their current home base The Space, a performance venue/studio in the Hungerford Building which SEI built and maintains.
In addition, SEI offers the opportunity for adults to act like little kids again by learning the skills needed for successful improvised performance through their own brand of fun, positive and fast-paced instructional Classes, Intensives, and Workshops. Whether you're a seasoned performance veteran or you never stepped foot on a stage SEI has something for you.
Locally SEI can be seen performing and teaching at The Space, 1115 East Main St. Door 2-Floor 2. For further information on upcoming shows, workshops and classes or to book SEI for your own private event email contact@searchengineimprov.com or call and leave a message with your contact information at 585-2090-SEI (585-209-0734)
Who is Search Engine Improv?
Law Tarello made his Broadway debut fall 2005 as William Barfeé in the hit musical The 25thAnnual Putnam County Spelling Bee. An original cast member of the cult show MORTIFIED as well as contributing writer in the book based on the show. Law’s improv training includes: The Upright Citizens Brigade and Second City, NY.
Armed with a lifetime of dedication and a degree in Theatre Arts from the SUNY Fredonia, he has worked consistently on a professional level in many facets of the entertainment industry. He can be seen in over 30 national television promos and commercials. Currently an Adjunct Professor of Improvisational Theater at State University of New York, College at Brockport, Law finds great fulfillment in translating his professional performance experience into academic expression.
For more information and media visit LawTarello.com
Callid Keefe-Perry is an Educator, Artist, and Community Builder. He serves as the National Coordinator of the Transformative Language Arts Network; offers educational consulting in the areas of interdisciplinary and Arts integration; and has been an executive board member on the League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling. By training and certification he has been a public school teacher, focusing on English Language Arts and Social Studies. By inclination he is a creator, always making something new. He has been involved in public performance since 11, when he first indulged his passion for storytelling, adding to it later with improvisation, which he has been performing since 2000.
Callid also moonlights as a theologian (yes, really) where his research is about the intersection of creativity, imagination, and faith. He believes that the Arts are a huge part of a life well lived, and loves finding ways to expose others to the energy and life that can be found in theatre, especially improvisation.
For more information and media visit CallidKeefePerry.com.
John Forrest Thompson relocated to Rochester from Chicago where he studied improvisation at the Annoyance, Second City, and the iO Chicago Theaters under instructors that included iO co-founder Charna Halpern, Jeff Griggs (author of Guru: My Days With Del Close), Jason Chin, Liz Allen, Jimmy Carrane, Jon Lutz (SNL, 30 Rock), Peter Gwinn (The Colbert Report), and Joe Bill (co-founder of the Annoyance Theater).
While in Chicago, Thompson performed with and co-founded several ensembles including Laslow, The Mellencamp Kids, Rumpus, Beelzebuddies, The Frankie and Johnny Hour, and the iO Chicago Theater house team Airbourne. He was also a member of the nationally touring hit show Dirty Water which the Chicago Tribune called “Best of the Fringe” in 2005. Locally, he teaches improv workshops and classes independently as well as at the Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Service Office. In addition, John directs and mentors local improv troupes like “The Broken Couch” and “Tom’s Basement.”