About the Author

Ben Bowman is an improviser based in Chicago.  His directing credits include the sketch and improv groups Taco Tuesdays, Geek Show, Lady Parts and KC Redheart.  He has performed at improv festivals in New York, Hawaii, Chicago, Carbondale (Illinois) and Kalamazoo (Michigan).

When he’s not improvising, Ben writes, directs and edits short films with his fellow improvisers.  “Dropping the Question” won the 2011 Audience Favorite award in Chicago’s 48 Hour Film competition.  “Rimshots & Romance” was a finalist in the 2010 Chicago Short Comedy Video and Film Festival.  You can see his work here, and here, and here.

Ben Bowman officially began his journey into improvisation in January of 2000.  While living in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he started taking the beginning levels at the Second City Training Center in Chicago.  Making the 300-mile round trip for more than two years, he finished the theater’s entry levels and graduated from the Second City Conservatory.  His teachers included Dan Izzo, Abby Sher, Michael Gellman, Tim O’Malley and Anne Libera.

Bowman moved to Chicago in 2004, enrolling at the iO training center.  He studied with Jet Eveleth, Susan Messing, Seth Weitberg, Michael Patrick O’Brien and Noah Gregoropoulos.

In 2007, he joined the new iO Harold team, Whiskey Rebellion.  They would become a finalist for the 2008 Del Award for “Best New Team.”  Over the next three years, Whiskey Rebellion carved a niche as an aggressive, playful, physical and supportive group.  Mark Raterman, Bill Cochran, Matt Manley and Adal Rifai coached the Rebellion during its run.  The team disbanded in May, 2010.

In 2010, Bowman graduated from the Annoyance Theatre.  His teachers were Dan Jessup, Rich Sohn, Rebecca Sohn, Mark Sutton and Mick Napier.

From 2010 until 2013, Ben performed with the iO Harold team, ButchMAX.  That team also earned a nomination as the theater’s “Best New Team.”  Matt Young and Ryan Patrick Dolan coached the team during its run.

In 2012, The Boiling Point was nominated as “Best Blog Series” at ImprovisationNews.com.

Ben is available to teach workshops in your city.  He’ll also field your questions for this blog.  Contact him at boilingpointimprov[at]gmail.com.