4 Then Interview: Cissy Fenwick

In this installment of the 4 Then Interview series, DCC4N hopes to shed light on a question that many improvisers in DC ask themselves..."Should I move to anywhere other than Chicago?"

Washington Improv Theater alum Cissy Fenwick, who one year ago made the big plunge to the other coast, compares the comedy scenes between her native DC and her new sun-drenched home of LA; talks about some of her favorite past improv shows in DC; and reveals what excites her now about being in a brand new city, with all new comedic possibilities.

Why did you choose to move to LA?

I chose LA because my best girlfriend in comedy chose LA. Sounds semi-pathetic right, but honestly, I just consider it lucky. LA gets a bad rep on TV and in the movies. It comes across as this den of sin, this town full of flighty entertainment people who are fake, lie, only care about being tan, and just sit in traffic all day. It is completely false. LA is an amazing city. Every day feels like Saturday out here, and pretty much everyone I meet is nice, friendly, and open to networking and sharing advice. So maybe some people might be fake, but you will find that everywhere; and personally, I'd rather people be fake and nice then fake and rude. Since most of LA is centered around the entertainment industry, there is an incredible community of actors, actresses, and comedians. Sometimes you run across the occasional douchebag, but they are easily avoidable.

[Hit the jump, dudes.]

Where did you get your start doing improv?

The first class I took was at the DC improv with Shawn Westfall. It was short form, and a lot of fun. From there I ventured over to Washington Improv Theater to audition for One Sixty One. Luckily, Natasha Rothwell took a chance on an unknown kid and cast me in Caveat instead.

How long were you performing in DC, and what were your favorite shows/troupes/venues?

I performed in DC for about 2 years. My favorite show to watch is Dr. Fantastic. I just laugh straight through the whole show―such an amazing ensemble cast. As far as good improv, you can't go wrong with pretty much any show in WIT. Even now, living in LA, and seeing some of the best improvisers in the country―the professionals if you will―I still haven't seen a show that is better then a WIT show. Biscuitville might be the best improv I have seen in my life, and any show with Mikael Johnson or Dave Johnson is sure to be incredible. I think the most fun I had doing improv though was in a summer show I did with WIT called WIT Hot American Summer with Topher, Jason, Patrick, Julia, Alice, Zack, and the incomparable Mike Bass. I realize now that most of these shows don't perform regularly, and that makes them like awesome holidays―a reunion of sorts. The all-female troupe, The Shower, which I was lucky enough to be a part of and play with at festivals, was such a fun experience, I had gotten so used to just playing with boys that it was liberating to play with all women. Of course Caveat will always have my heart, those guys are just the best group of guys a girl could ever ask to play with.

When did you decide it was time to move?

I decided to move in the Spring of 2007. I grew up in DC/MD, and went to school in MD. I knew I wanted to experience more of the country. I seriously considered Chicago for a while, and still think it's an amazing city. Julia Bensfield, my writing partner and one of my best friends who I met doing comedy at the DC Improv, decided she was moving to LA over the summer, and asked if I wanted to come with her. I was at a great point where I had nothing to lose and everything to gain―not having a super serious job nor a family to support―I said yes almost immediately. I think when it's time to move you know even before you admit it to yourself, and once you do you realize, you have been subconsciously preparing for it for a while, and it's this incredibly exciting feeling. It can be stressful and sad because the whole idea of starting over can be frightening, and for me personally, I was devastated to leave my family and friends in DC. Once you know you can do that though, you know you can handle anything.

What types of comedy have you gotten involved with since you arrived in LA? Did you feel it was hard to get started again?

Since moving out here in September, I have been taking improv and sketch writing classes. I started by taking classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. It was not hard to get involved in, actually it was the easiest thing I did. In any city you live in, if you are looking to meet cool, fun, smart people, I highly recommend taking an improv class. It's how I met a lot of my friends in DC, and how I have met the majority of my friends in LA. LA has a great and fast-growing improv scene. It used to just be the Groundlings in the old days, but in the last 10 years, Second City and IO have opened theaters out here. Then in 2005, UCB opened.

There is also an abundance of stand up venues such as the Improv, the Laugh Factory, and the Comedy Store, as well as a ton of small open mics. It's not super hard to get time out here because everyone is looking to be discovered or discover someone, so there are plenty of opportunities.

I find that there is a much bigger sketch writing scene, and I have enjoyed learning the ropes and discovering that. I am now starting to venture into writing digital shorts. Since most people are interested in making movies, pretty much everyone you meet has a skill you need to make a movie. I don't know the first thing about editing or cinematography; however, I have met people and have friends who do so it is a collaboration. Even if you do it yourself, it's a fun process and you can put up videos on Funny or Die or ucbcomedy.com. The improv classes I have taken at UCB have been incredible. It's a different philosophy than WIT; they are much more "game"- oriented at UCB, so while it was a challenge to learn a new style, it has certainly been an incredible learning experience. The teachers are all seasoned improvisers, and working actors and actresses. UCB is very encouraging of its students, and pretty much the whole theater revolves around having fun and creating an environment where you can showcase and hone your talent, and, as a result, get hired for jobs.

How did your time in DC prepare you for being in a bigger market?


My time in DC prepared me for a bigger market mainly because I got to work with such incredible people in DC. I learned from the best, and had a solid foundation to stand on out here in the big city. I was able to use what I learned at WIT, especially from Natasha Rothwell, my director while I was in Caveat. DC was a great place to start because I think the best place to learn is onstage. In DC I had the opportunity to perform every week in a variety of shows. In DC, I realized not only was an all-female show a fun idea, but a prosperous one as well. I am now rehearsing a three women show out here, and while it's not "The Shower" yet, it is getting there.

What are you now able to do that you couldn't do in DC?

I think with a bigger city comes more opportunities. There are more theaters, more auditions, and more people all interested and passionate about the same things you are. Passion is an addictive and inspiring trait, and for people in LA, you know whatever they are doing in terms of acting or comedy, you knows it's not just a hobby. They are going to put as much into it as you are, if not more. There are also a lot more classes available out here. Since moving here, I have taken sketch writing classes with Matt Besser and Paul Rust. I am also currently taking an Improv for TV and Film class with Shira Piven. The opportunity to learn from these people has been a major highlight of moving out here. Plus I am able to tan outside on a regular basis. That's huge for me.

Aside from the obvious, what are some of the other differences between LA and DC in terms of opprotunity and comedic growth?

LA is the entertainment capital of this country. If you are involved in comedy or acting, and end up working on a regular basis, at some point, you will end up out here, at least for a little while. That means that there are going to be more opportunities for a variety of classes and venues out here then there are in DC. More opportunities to audition for commercials, shows, and movies. Its also a lot easier to find ways to support yourself financially while doing what you love. Obviously most people want to be the biggest and the best, but what people don't often realize until they get out here is that there is a "biggest and best" of a lot of things. There are so many opportunities behind the scenes; working on a TV show or a film is a great way to make connections, meet people, and climb the ladder to the top. Being a writer's assistant is a great way to break into the writing world, or being a production assistant is the quickest way to learn the ropes on a film or TV set.

What do you miss most about DC?

Family, friends, Five Guys, performing a lot, knowing short cuts while driving, being close to NY, going to improv festivals, and different seasons. Although the last one is debatable. I'm now super tan year round.