Checking In With Allison Bills
Today the Bastion introduces a new feature, in the center of our Special Features column, "The Bastion's Video Pic." Our first pick features (yes) TJ Miller, and a new favorite performer, the very busy and incalculably gifted Allison Bills, who keeps her talent sharp in performances all over the comedy landscape here in Chicago.
Friends have tipped us off to her amazing performances with partner Katie Nahnsen (who also works on Sports Action Team) in Getting Serious (currently in hiatus). The two are are eager to find another chance to stage that show (or a new incarnation thereof), which has been described as brilliant, and has earned some second glances from big festival producers. A "Part Two" version of Getting Serious may find a home onstage sometime this spring.
In the meantime, Narna is running upstairs at i.O. Thursday nights at 10:00 with Hans Holsen and Jena Friedman, plus one guest improviser each each week. It's in the early stages of development but is said to be a great laugh.
We're hoping to sit Miss Bills down for a proper interview sometime soon, but in the meantime, she shares this with us:
"Saturday nights at 8:00, I do the i.O. musical, which is also a new project for me. I did my first show this week and it was really fun. I am newer to improvising songs, but it is a fun muscle to be working. Super Fun Time just ended this past Sunday night, which I was doing every week for months, and I've just decided to teach a writing class Monday nights. Next week, I'm appearing in the Reckoning's staging of "What About Bob?" at 10:30 on Tuesday night. I also have a road-show gig I'm doing soon for i.O. and travelling with High Five to St. Louis to perform and do workshops for the university. I'm writing a couple of screenplays and a musical with Jena Friedman, and wanting very much to fill every minute with working and creating. I also coach an i.O. team, teach at i.O. and Second City, and do bizco for Second City."
