By 
Keith is gone but Castellvi is strong and is doing another installment of Octavarius presents: Artist Spotlight. This week we will be honoring the mystery that is HUGS N’ PULLUPS
Besides being adorable, Hugs and Pullups is comprised of Joe Von Bokern(the cute one), Brian Vabulas(the wild card), Phillip Buuck(the romantic), Meg Kennedy(the muscle), John Steins(the brains), and Jared Swiecicki(the magician)
Hugs and Pullups met at IO theater in Chicago and developed a bond and an energy that shows on stage. HNP are unequivocally masters of group scenes. The group scene is often the hardest to balance in long form improv because of the tendency for the scene to be come “clusterfucked”. However, what is considered a challenge for other teams comes as natural to this ragtag group of misfits as they often will lead a show with such a scene, building of its ideas to jump start their show.
I had the Luxury of sitting down with Jared Swiecicki(the magician) in his west coast villa, on the internet
When did you start doing improv?
I took my first improv class in January of 2009 at iO Chicago. It was my first experience in formal improv. I started doing shows in May of 2009.
What Ninja Turtle would you be and why?
Raphael – I have a quick temper and need to be alone a lot.
That’s mine too! He’s underrated if you ask me. How do you handle hecklers/would you handle hecklers?
I usually just ignore them completely. The more focus you get them the less you have on you.
What is your sexiest body part?
Sadly enough my calves…God I suck.
Me too! Wanna have a calf off?
(stares blankly)
Fair enough. Whats the most annoying/worst part of the chicago improv scene?
It can be very intimidating. You need to either be extremely funny or have a great working knowledge of comic books.
6. I’ll give you some spider man don’t worry. Anyway, What would be the worst way to die? for you.
On stage, seriously someone edit me out of this incest scene before I am forced to have sex with this man.
7. What can audiences expect when seeing a Hugs N’ Pullups show?
Good friends that are going to have a lot of fun up there. Our energy is contagious so as soon as we start, you will be having fun.
8. What super power would you have?
Manipulate time
9. Fucking awesome. Where did the name Group name come from?
9. Boredom and a cleverly line in an email.
10. Besides the desperate need for attention, What do you like about doing improv?
The freedom to say whatever comes to mind. In everyday life we have to censor our thought so as not to hurt our friends, sound stupid, or lost our jobs, but when you are doing improv you get to say whatever you want to say. Whatever you feel when you are on a scene is right and you get to follow that feeling or instinct. It also allows you to create wonderful pieces that will only be remembered by the people that decided to show up that night.
You can check out Hugs and Pullups on 8/24 and 9/21 at the Playground Theater and also at Comedy Sportz with us Octavarius in October(date to determined). Also visit their website www.hugsandpullups.com for show information, recorded shows(check out the popcorn show, its great), and funny articles that will tickle your funny boner.
