Everyone’s Tiffany troupe from left are Ben Briedberg, Trevor Jaynes, Brad Monk, Jeff Price, Gerald Cox, Joseph Harmon and Rebecca Crim on the phone.

By Shari Benyousky
Guest Columnist

WARSAW — When life gives you Indiana, make comedy gold!

Right here in the heart of northern Indiana, a group of comedic virtuosos known as Everyone’s Tiffany turns everyday moments into side-splitting spectacles. Founded in 2017, this improv troupe has the singular mission of making you laugh until your sides ache. With their quick wit, boundless energy, and infectious humor, they’ve become a must-see in the local arts scene.

“Welcome everyone!” Trevor Jaynes called to the large crowd. “Nothing here has been pre-scripted. Nothing!”

Where the Magic Happens: “Mad Anthony’s Fills with Mad Laughter

Painting by Saul Harmon.

Everyone’s Tiffany calls Mad Anthony’s Lake City Tap House in Warsaw their comedic home. Picture the cozy back-room venue and an audience buzzing with energy. Generally, shows kick off at 8 p.m. with tickets so affordable you’ll laugh at the price: $7 for one or $10 for two, so bring a friend.

At the January show, Joe Harmon, executive director of the troupe, arrived with a painting in hand. “My son Saul painted this.” He proudly showed us the planets and the sun before settling it on the table where Elizabeth Cox was collecting ticket cash.

This should tell you that the troupe’s humor is all-inclusive and they welcome families, date-night couples, and groups of friends alike. It’s the kind of show where I saw Grandma laughing as hard as the teenagers.

Audience Participation: The Real MVPs? That’s You!

At an Everyone’s Tiffany show, the audience isn’t just watching — they’re part of the action.

Suggestions from the crowd shape every scene. Yell out banana farm or underwater bowling alley and watch as the performers spin your ideas into comedic gold. Who knows; if you shout out alien disco party, Everyone’s Tiffany might turn it into a full-blown musical number.

Elizabeth Cox collects the tiny entrance fee for the show from Kris Williams.

But inevitably, after every riff, every joke, the audience laughter begins to fade, and someone on stage will “do the rotate thing” as Trevor Jaynes called it. Although improv operates with as few rules as possible, one thing they abide by is no dead air.

Ben Friedberg grinned. “Knowing where to stop in improv is just as important as knowing how to go forward.”

Jeff Price added, “One rule we do follow is do something!” If the laughter is fading, do something.

Trevor agreed. “Yes, do something. We have a lot of trust between us that someone will make it work.”

This improv communication between the audience throwing out ideas and the troupe members catching them is why you would have heard and laughed at lines like, “Have you tried the technique with the soup cans on your hair at night?” or “I’m a male, so I like mail.” Or “My unusual hobby is eating cast-off cat nails.” Or “This is how we find out that Tupac is immortal?”

The Tiffany Effect: Laugh Hard, Learn Fast, Trust Each Other

Some members of the troupe have performed together for as long as eight years, some are new, and some have become alumni. Some of the newer members came to an Everyone’s Tiffany improv workshops where you can learn skills that go far beyond the stage.

Everyone’s Tiffany finds out if Tupac is immortal.

Whether you’re a shy teen or a business executive looking to spice up presentations, improv workshops help you think on your feet, communicate effectively, and embrace creativity.

Improv isn’t just for laughs, it’s a life skill. Whether you’re pitching an idea or defusing a tense moment, the principles apply everywhere. Indeed, the members of the troupe aren’t full-time comedians. They include a software architect, a computer marketer, a special education teacher, a music teacher, an accountant, and a full-time parent/part-time school board president.

Don’t think you’re made for improv? Don’t give up yet. Funny guy Ben Friedberg once tried out for his college improv troupe and was rejected. Artistic director of the group Trevor Jaynes grinned as Ben told the story of his failure. “Ben has this uncanny ability to get to the heart. To find what makes something funny.”

Speaking of funny, the troupe posed for a picture but lamented that one of their main members, Rebecca Crim, was absent. One idea was for everyone to channel Rebecca in a pose. After that laughter died down, they pulled up Rebecca’s picture on a phone and included her this way. Friedberg said it best, “We always want to make each other look good. We can’t riff successfully without each other.”

What’s Next?

As they look to expand their reach, Everyone’s Tiffany dreams of bigger stages, larger audiences, and perhaps even a Netflix special (hey, stranger things have happened). But no matter how far they go, their heart will always belong to northern Indiana.

So come see the magic that is Everyone’s Tiffany — they’re joy-makers, community-builders, and masters of turning the mundane into the extraordinary. “Those moments of pure absurdity are what keep us coming back,” said one loyal fan. “You never know what you’re going to get, and that’s the beauty.”

So, grab your friends, your family, or even your skeptical coworker, and come to the next show at Mad Anthony’s at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28. I’ll see you there.

Tiffany Merchandise

Want to support local comedy? Check out their online store for quirky merchandise here. New designs are forthcoming

Do you know of an interesting place, board, event, nonprofit, or person that you’d like to see featured behind the scenes someday? Send SB Communications LLC an email at [email protected].