Columbus improv guide

Fake Bacon

Who are they: Fake Bacon is a 7-member troupe that takes pride in its ability to wrangle a rowdy crowd, said founding member Jason Sudy, 39, of Italian Village. "We do a lot of ‘barprov' (improv performed in a bar) where you have to take on whatever loudness may come through the door," he said. The group focuses on high-engery, crowd pleasing improv games and short-form improv, much like the style of "Whose Line is It Anyway?"

Where they came from: The group is one of the many troupes molded by the locally famous Cinublue school of improv. "We met during the classes, and a few of us decided to stick together after graduating," Sudy said. The name Fake Bacon arose from a scene where soy bacon was called ‘fake bacon' and somehow stuck, he said.

Why you should see them: "Our shtick is intense physical comedy," Sudy said. "And what's unique about us is we use improv to build our own shows." They successfully staged the full play, "Aftershock! An event in Senszurround!," based off of some of their improv material, at MadLab last year.

Where they perform: Their next gig is 8 p.m. Feb. 9 at The Thirsty Ear, but you can see them there every second Tuesday of the month. Fake Bacon also has a standing third Thursday night gig at Gresso's Pub. They'll also be performing at MadLab March 19-20 as a part of the theater's "Kill ‘em with Kindness Comedy Festival."

Interesting tidbit: The theater company On the Verge Productions, run by many of FB's members, will be staging the world premiere of "High School Drama" March 25-April 10 at the Performing Arts Center. Also in the works is a sequel to "Aftershock!" called "Leave Our Land Alone," coming later this year.

Pictured: (clockwise from left) Scott Tobin, Jerry Dyer, Jon Calig, John Kuhn, Jason Sudy, Mike Miller (Damian Synadinos not pictured).