Spotlight on Cindy Laudadio-Hill

Cindy Laudadio-Hill has been performing in and around the Denver/Boulder area since the turn of the century (this one). She has been a cast member at the Bovine Metropolis Theater in “Sketchers”, “On The Spot”, ACME Sketch shows and the “Sans Script Players”. She has also performed with various groups over the years, most memorably with the “Mood Swingers”, “Box Fans” and “The Dishwater Blondes” at the Chicago Improv Festival, Denver Improv Festival, Boulder Fringe Festival, Colorado Improv Festival, Twin Cities Improv Festival and Ladies are Funny Festival as well as locally. She was a co-founder and chairman of the GroupMind Foundation (2005-2010) and a co-producer of the Denver Improv Festival (2005-2008) and producer of “UNscripted” and “SCRIPROV”. When she’s not making stuff up on stage she is a partner in a communications training company and looks after her empty nest.

How were you first introduced to improvisation?

As a kid, I truly loved Lucy, Carol Burnett, Jonathan Winters, Red Skelton and Lily Tomlin. SNL came on the air the year I went to college and we would literally stop the party to watch it every week. Nobody could believe how different it was, it was a breath of fresh air. I fell in love with Gilda Radner and John Belushi - I was hooked. I became aware of The Second City and I thought I would someday go to Toronto or Chicago – or at least back to NYC, but life had other plans. Cut to 10 years ago - I saw an article about the Bovine Metropolis Theater in the Boulder paper, I called and signed up for the classes. They were exactly what I was craving. I felt like I found “my people”.

How do you get inspiration for your characters?

I don’t know, lots of things….I think people are interesting and funny. They (usually) make me smile.

What should audiences expect at a Dishwater Blondes Scriprov show?

I guess “SCRIPROV” came from my interest in writing and performing scripted work and infusing it with the energy and spontaneity of improv. I have met a wonderful community of “traditional” actors in Denver and thought it would be cool to blend our two worlds. Basically, the audience will see a fully scripted, rehearsed theatrical scene performed by “The Legits” while the Dishwater Blondes are off stage. Then the “Blondes” are called out and randomly cast into one of the roles in the scripted scene. The remaining “Legit” stays on script and the Dishwater Blonde improvises the scene, not knowing what has come before. We do that a few times and then we do a straight up long form set in ACT 2 with inspiration coming from cold script reads by “The Legits”. I have to say, it’s been a lot of fun for the audience and the players.

You recently appeared in a production of "You Can't Take it With You" at the Vintage Theatre. How did you enjoy the switch to a character that was scripted?

It was challenging and a little confining at first, but then I had a lot of fun with little things that I wouldn’t have had time to find with an improvised character. The costume, hair, makeup, jewelry, etc. of the character just filled out things that I sometimes don’t linger on enough in improvised characters. I’m an improviser at my core, but it’s all good.

You were the chairperson for the GroupMind Foundation from 2005 to 2010. What did you take away from that experience?

The GroupMind Foundation came about as a result of a group of dedicated folks getting together and wanting an Improv Festival in Denver. I guess the main thing I took away from the experience is that there is this wonderful larger community of improvisers all over the country that share our love and obsession with this crazy art form and are trying to elevate it, explore it, and share it. I’m thrilled that the Groupmind is still thriving and that there is a new focus on bringing another festival to Denver.

What type of comedy (movies, television, books, etc.) do you enjoy when you aren't improvising?

What do you mean when I’m not improvising? I’m always improvising. I love relationship scenarios, and observational comedy. My favorite TV comedy right now is “Modern Family” and I just reread David Sedaris’ book “Me Talk Pretty One Day” I think he’s a riot. I laughed out loud at “Date Night” it was just silly and fun. I think Tina Fey is a culmination of all the wonderfully talented and funny women that have preceded her. That makes me happy.