Mark Beltzman

Mark Beltzman has been acting, writing, and directing for since 1981. He was a founding member of Improv Olympic in Chicago and of the legendary group, Barons Barracudas. Mark has worked and directed at the famed Second City in Chicago. He directed many improvisational and theatrical productions at Second City in Chicago and Los Angeles, including the Second City Alumni Jam. He was also instructor/director at The Second City Training Center, Improv Olympic West and the Upfront Comedy Showcase as well as All over the U.S., U.K., and France. His generosity of spirit and love for the art has influenced many young performers who continue to value him as a source of creativity and inspiration through personal contact and theater workshops. He continues to be a requested advisor, director and acting coach to some of the hottest young talent in the business. Mark's passion as a highly creative person and seasoned ensemble performer is to continue to create a body of work that reflects his level of integrity and commitment to quality. It is critical to him that the concepts of "working together as a group" and "making each other look good" are an integral part of any ensemble work. He encourages cast and crew to remove obstacles and to elevate the text to be the most important aspect of the creative process. Mark has also acquired a great deal of knowledge about the creative process of producing, writing and directing while performing in such notable productions as: Mo Money, Billy Madison, The Wedding Singer, Speed 2, Star Maps, Lovely and Amazing, and Employee of the Month, Factory, Seinfeld, Rosanne, Norm, Curb Your Enthusiasm, According to Jim, Cold Case, House, True Jackson VP, The Young and the Restless, and Pretty Little Liars. Mark's ability to create "something from nothing" is exemplified in the outreach program he created in 2006, called "New Choice." Mark and a crew of established industry professionals go into the inner city and teach improvisational and filmmaking skills to the youth. New Choice is now a 501 (c) 3 not for profit, and continues to expand.