04/28/2026
In 2008, Alex traveled to Chicago to study at The Second City Training Center. It was a summer intensive. It was his first real time learning improv in a serious way. That experience helped lead to Fishbowl Improv Improv, TBD: The Improvised Musical, and later WitWorks.
Last Friday felt special.
Bluebird Improv performed at Hashtag Comedy Company. Two full shows. A strong cast, including Matt Walsh, Edi Patterson, and Marc Evan Jackson.
That alone meant a lot to a community that both Alex and Katie have supported over the last 15 years.
But what stuck with Alex most was seeing Joe Canale.
Back in 2008, Alex watched him perform on the mainstage in Chicago. His first professional sketch and improv show. He was new to improv and trying to learn what great looked like.
On friday Alex recognized that same greatness he saw as a blue eyed baby improviser in the performers on stage.
It also felt like a check.
The work on stage that night was great but it also made sense and didn’t seem unattainable. It is the same kind of work Alex, Katie and the rest of TBD aim for on stage.
Watching these pros go at it again, years later, showed him they aren’t just on the right path, they can walk side by side with the greats.
Alex got to talk with Joe after the show and share that he was one of the first improvisers he ever saw live and the journey both him and Katie have been on over the last few years.
That moment meant a lot and was a great full circle improv moment.
