Sketch Marks formed from talk among a few volunteers at the 8th Milwaukee Comedy Festival, in 2013. The volunteers were comedians – improvisers mostly – who enjoyed participating in the semiannual Sketch 22 show and were fans of the longstanding broadminded comedy sketch group. They agreed that Milwaukee could use more sketch comedy. They decided to do something about it.
“Improv and sketch are sooo different,” says Lindsey Walcott. “Improv is great because it captures a moment. Much like a rusty trampoline, it’s playful, wild but requires a lot of trust. The process of making sketch comedy is similar to making a trampoline: It requires a plan, a regimented schedule, a lot of work to make a product you hope will make people laugh – not cry. Where improv allows me fleeting access into my childhood, sketch comedy helps me be a better adult.”
Kristin Althoff says she loves sketch comedy.
“Working with other people through all steps of the process from writing to re-writing to casting and finally acting allows me to stretch all of my creative muscles,” Kristin says. “I have come to really trust my group members and because of that, I have grown exponentially in my comedic abilities. With sketch, I feel we act like a team. We know each other’s strengths and weakness and push each other accordingly. (Not literally. We are not bullies.)”
Within a few months of getting together, Sketch Marks performed as part of a variety show in Milwaukee’s Underground Collaborative. A few months after that, they had their first two full-length shows, just eight weeks apart, covering a combined 25 original sketches (including two choreographed song parodies) before sold-out audiences. Then, they performed to a full house at the 9th Milwaukee Comedy Festival, in 2014.
“Performing at the Fest last year was one of the greatest performance highs I have ever experienced,” says Becca Segal. “The Fest is our chance to present our best work. And there is something about a festival atmosphere that creates a charged energy in the air that both the performers and festival-goers are breathing. You can definitely feel the audience being more involved and active in their listening and a lot more contagious in their laughter. It’s energizing.”
Sketch Marks – 6 p.m. show, Saturday, Aug. 8
Besides Becca, Kristin and Lindsey, Sketch Marks includes Lee Rowley, Vince Figueroa and Joel Dresang. Amanda Sinko is on loan to the Milwaukee Comedy Festival.
Audiences recognize Sketch Marks members from their involvement in other Milwaukee comedy groups. For instance, Lee performs with Tall Boys, the Milwaukee improv group that’s also making its second Comedy Fest appearance. And Vince, Lee and Lindsey are in the cast of the Patrick Schmitz parody “The Comedy of Hamlet…kinda sorta” – Aug. 20-22 – with Vince in the title role.