Israeli-Born Actress Makes Transition from Army Troops to Comedy Troupes

During basic training in the Israeli Army, actress Adi Blotman never dreamed she would make it in the competitive world of New York City comedy. Now, her time spent on stage with the National Comedy Theatre has taught her to expect the unexpected, and she loves it. Born in Ra'anana, Israel in 1981, Blotman now spends her weekends making audiences double over with laughter as part of the National Comedy Theatre, the critically-acclaimed improvisational comedy show that recently opened a brand new theater in midtown Manhattan. While it took years of training to sharpen her comedic skills, Blotman knew she was destined for the stage at a very early age. "I was always cramming myself into the shot of our family home videos," she explains. "It's very clear that, even as a child, I enjoyed the spotlight." During high school Blotman channeled her creative energies into art and literature classes. After graduation, she joined the Israeli Army and in December of 1999 gritted her way through three weeks of basic training. According to Blotman, basic training was her least favorite part of being in the army. "I didn't get to socialize with many of the other girls'" she jokes. "My only friend was the gun they made me carry everywhere I went for three straight weeks." During her service in the army, Blotman worked as a certified teacher helping underprivileged children in a poverty-stricken area. Despite the rigors of basic training, Blotman says she wouldn't trade her army experience for anything in the world. In fact, she still has every single painting her young students gave to her. While Blotman found army life extremely fulfilling her desire to be on stage continued to grow. Upon leaving the service she informed her parents of her desire to move to New York and become an actress. They suggested that she first take acting classes in Israel to make sure she was serious. It quickly became clear, however, that their daughter had talent and before long they were sending applications to acting schools in New York. In March 2002, Blotman visited the city for a round of acting school auditions. Two months later, she was a New York resident and a student at the New Actor's Workshop where she studied under such well known talents as Mike Nichols and George Morrison. According to Blotman, she first discovered the joy of improvisational comedy during the school's intensive two-year-actor-training program. "The teachers were amazing and I learned so much," she recalls. "And, making Mike Nichols laugh is still one of the coolest things I've ever done!" Soon, Blotman became a fixture on New York's improv circuit, frequently appearing with various comedy troupes. Her real break came when she auditioned for the National Comedy Theatre. Similar in style to Drew Carey's "Whose Line is it Anyway," the National Comedy Theatre is an improvisational comedy show based completely on audience suggestions. "Adi has a twisted, dark sense of humor," quotes Gary Kramer, Artistic Director," "She brings a completely different type of energy to the show. I think it's because we're all afraid that she could kill us." Despite her success, Blotman makes sure that she returns home to Israel at least twice a year. However, she does not see herself moving away from Manhattan any time soon. Besides, she has some unfinished business right here in New York. "I feel that comedy provides people with a service they need," she explains." It's a tough city to live in and it's a tough world. People need to laugh more and I'm glad I can help!" Adi can be seen each week at the National Comedy Theatre which is located at 347 West 36th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and 9:45PM.