The Titanic Players at Northwestern University is the oldest chapter of the Titanic family. Established in 1994, the graduates from this school have had quite successful careers with Saturday Night Live, Community, the Office, Arrested Development and the Unit to name just a few. In 2007 and again in 2009, it was a group from this university that took home the first place trophy of the National College Improv Tournament. We have 4 improv groups on campus, arranged according to years of experience together. The first, second, third and fourth year teams all perform together once a month in addition to other private performances on and off campus. In addition to our monthly show, we have opened for MadTV, performed improvisation live on WNUR radio, and are prevalent on Northwestern's student television network. In addition to our improv groups, we have a 3 level improv training center to teach improv classes on campus.
Our 2 oldest teams on campus are coached by Mike Abdelsayed.
Mike was one of the founders of The Titanic Players in 1994 and the parent organization that supports us, One Group Mind. Mike was placed on Valhalla, one of the most tenured house team at ImprovOlympic, at the age of 20. In addition to performing, Mike was also an ImprovOlympic coach and teacher. Mike was an understudy for The Second City touring companies and the Second City ETC stage, performing in their highly successful review "Yellow Cab of Courage". He was also a member of the Second City's Outreach and Diversity Program. Mike is most known for his teaching, having defined the Improv Theory called the Expansion Tree through the experience he had coaching over 30 teams, each no less than 2 years. His students have continued successful careers at CBS, NBC, The Office, Saturday Night Live, Community, Reno 911!, Arrested Development, Big Lake, and the Unit, as well as national and international improv theatres, including The Annoyance Theater, Boom! Chicago, ComedySportz, ImprovBoston, ImprovOlympic, The Magnet Theater, The Second City, Theater Sports, and Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater.