Tim Mikula has been improvising, touring, and teaching with Rapid Fire Theatre since 2007.
His proudest accomplishment is curating a Halloween Theatresports show consisting of three Shreks vs. 3 Shreks, hosted by Shrek. He is the matron of the gonzo sketch comedy cult Chuckle Ruckus, and is a freelance writer whose work has been published by The Edmonton Journal, Gig City, and The Newfoundland and Labrador Independent.
FAVOURITES
TV Shows: King of the Hill and Oz
Movies: Requiem for a Dream and Waterworld
Actors: That tiny guy that has a role in every Ernest movie
Video Games: Tetris
Authors: Phillip Larkin and the beautiful rotating cast of geniuses that’s behind Archie comics
Music: Ween
Websites: Facebook. Have you heard of it?
Food: Any kind of soup. A meal and a drink!
Places to eat in Edmonton: Anywhere with soup
I misheard a challenge once a few years ago, I thought they said “nude scene” and not “new scene”. I also thought the scene would finish before I met the challenge.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH RAPID FIRE?
I started in high school, and never really stopped. Inertia’s funny like that.
WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL IMPROV SCENE?
Care about what’s happening on stage. Spilled milk can be as life shattering as nuclear armageddon.
WHAT ARE SOME TIPS YOU CAN OFFER AUDIENCE MEMBERS ABOUT GIVING SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVISERS?
Draw from your own life. If we ask for an occupation, shout out your own. Then relax and bask in the fact that we would be thoroughly incompetent at the task you do on the daily and that your job is secure.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT SHORT FORM VS. LONG FORM AND VICE VERSA?
In short form you can do things that are unsustainable in the long term. A scene that’s nothing but puns about cheese is great fun, but won’t last. It’s like doing doughnuts in a church parking lot in your Humvee. In the moment, it may be awesome but in the long run the polar ice caps will melt and we’ll all drown in a waterworld. Long form is responsibly paced, and often deeper and more rewarding, like climbing a tree while chewing on a sprig of dill.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR IMPROV STYLE?
A second rate poet raised by verbose wolves.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT ON STAGE?
I misheard a challenge once a few years ago, I thought they said “nude scene” and not “new scene”. I also thought the scene would finish before I met the challenge.
WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF RFT?
I’m a painter. Want a portrait done? Come talk to me. I also write Edmonton’s only reliable news source, www.yegaffairs.wordpress.com
HOW DOES IMPROV COME IN HANDY IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?
I am thoroughly prepared to go with the flow, as it were.
DESCRIBE WORKING FOR RAPID FIRE IN A SINGLE SENTENCE:
A very fun cult.