25 Sand Bkg
Sand
2025 Sarasota Improv Festival
Sand
2025 Sarasota Improv FestivalSand is a Chicago-based improv comedy group that has been performing together since 2009. Named “Chicago’s Best Improv Team” by NewCity, ‘Sand’ is Mike Brunlieb (HBO’s South Side, Comedy Central’s Joe Pera Talks With You, and Netflix’s Trial of the Chicago 7) and Thomas Kelly (Showtime’s Work in Progress, NBC’s Shrink, Chicago Med, and the feature film, Monuments) with the extremely talented musicians, Jeff Rukes and Dan Wilcop! Their unique style of improvisation has led to a devoted following and extensive touring in the United States and internationally.
A Sand show is often laugh out loud funny and heartfelt in equal measure. Brunlieb and Kelly let their long-form exploration of characters evolve in surprising ways as the show unfolds. “They’re able to tap into a darkness that would lead lesser performers to alienate an audience quickly, And yet they pull it off with a strange sense of empathy that allows for full-on laughter at the most unexpected of topics,” said NewCity Magazine.
Sand often puts a realistic, empathetic character in a surreal world where magic and fantasy heighten the situation, creating a dynamic night of improv that bends into performance art. Their style of performance is inspired by documentary film, the darkest of fairy tales, and professional wrestling.
Running Time
Comedy is at the core of David Lynch’s most disconcerting work and Sand reminds us that creepy and funny aren’t mutually exclusive
Sand Cast
Thomas Kelly
Michael Brunlieb
Dan Wilcop
Jeff Rukes
Thomas Kelly received a degree in theater from Rhodes College and attended a two year Jacques Lecoq inspired physical theater and devising course at the London International School for the Performing Arts. In his eighteen years in Chicago, he’s studied and performed with iO, the Annoyance, Second City, and the Neofuturists. He can be seen performing live in the Holy F*ck Comedy Hour in Chicago and around the world with the award winning improv ensemble, Sand. He can be seen on TV on shows like Showtime’s Work In Progress, NBC’s Chicago Med, NBC’s Shrink, Monuments, and in the stop motion short, Sleepy Steve. He is represented by Paonessa Talent LLC.
Michael Brunlieb is a performer and teaching artist in Chicago. He improvises with the ensembles 'Sand', 'Real Angels', and '3 Actors Living in a Cave', most often performing at the wonderful Logan Square Improv theater. Mike has received multiple awards during his eighteen years of performing and teaching improvisation, including being recognized three years in a row as one of Chicago's top improvisers by the iO theater. He studied at the Paul Sills Theater Game Center (and beyond) with Aretha Sills and Carol Sills, and at iO Chicago with TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi. He has performed and taught improvisation internationally in Europe, Asia, and Canada. Mike has also performed in a handful of TV and film projects, including "Southside" (HBO), "Joe Pera Talks with You" (Adult Swim), and "Trial of the Chicago Seven" (Netflix). The core of Mike's teaching and performance is rooted in the work of Viola Spolin.
Dan Wilcop is a Chicago-based musician, technical director, designer and visual artist whose work blurs the lines between art, design and fashion. From an early age, he was inspired by a mixture of bright cartoons, 90's fashion and culture, and the vast outdoors of the Rocky Mountains.
Jeff Rukes is a highly accomplished performer with nearly a decade of experience in improvisational comedy and music. A multi-instrumentalist of exceptional skill, he commands the stage with both wit and musical virtuosity. You’re going to like what you hear him do!
More Festival Performances
Festival Workshops
Our offerings allow you to learn from the experts with intimate trainings led by Festival artists from across the country and around the world. Featuring workshops in a wide range of improvisational styles and techniques, there is something for improvisers of all experience levels at the 2025 Sarasota Improv Festival. All workshops take place Saturday, July 19.