Mike Marbach Named Acting Artistic Director at PHIT Comedy

PHIT Comedy, the home of alternative comedy theater in the metro Philadelphia area, has a new acting Artistic Director. Mike Marbach took on the role as of May 19th. His experiences in comedy range from Chicago to New York and span over twelve years. Since 2011, Marbach has had the role of Education Director at the theater. He will continue in this role.

Mike Marbach? began studying improvisation in Chicago in 2005. He graduated from both the iO Chicago and Annoyance Theater training programs where he also performed in various shows. He is currently working his way through the Upright Citizens Brigade theater curriculum in NY. After moving back to Philly in 2009, Mike started teaching at PHIT and in 2011 he was named Education Director.

Mike directed PHIT House Team Asteroid! from 2010 through 2013, which was the recipient of multiple WitOut Awards for Philadelphia Comedy. He directed popular PHIT house team The Future from 2013 through 2016. ?He has directed Philly Fringe shows Punchline! and Study Hall. ?He currently directs a monthly run of Study Hall, which combines improv comedy with lectures from area college professors. He can be seen every Tuesday at 10pm in his show "The Seltzer Hour: Cool, Refreshing, Improv Comedy Featuring Mike Marbach and Friends".

Marbach hosts various podcasts including the award winning Game of Thrones focused podcast, "Stark Raven Mad." In a statement to company members, Marbach wrote "I want us to shorten the time frame from good idea to great execution, to create new shows and grow and cultivate the great shows we have, to facilitate more ways in which company members, at all experience levels, can meet and mix and perform together, and much more." Greg Maughan, founder and executive director of PHIT Comedy, said "I'm thrilled that Mike has agreed to take on this role and cannot wait to see how he will help to reshape the work we do on stage here at PHIT.

With his years of experience in Chicago's comedy scene, plus his deep bench of connections that span the country I am sure he will not only maintain but expand PHIT's role as the hub of Philadelphia's great comedy scene--both in town and across the country!"

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1. CATS (Shawnee Playhouse)

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2. INTO THE WOODS (The Milford Theater)

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3. NEWSIES (Viviana Theatre)

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