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.