The Seattle Files

The Seattle Files

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The Seattle Files episodes

  • Episode 7: John Nordstrom
    John Nordstrom was a young Swedish immigrant with five dollars in his pocket.  He went on an adventure looking for Klondike gold and became one of the most successful businessmen in Seattle history.
    Today’s Guest:
    Douglas Willott is a Seattle based professional performer, director, and arts educator. He’s performed with Jet City Improv regularly since 1996, and worked with many of Seattle’s beloved theaters over the years. Learn more about Doug and see him in action at douglaswillot.net.
     
    Audio
    37 min
  • Episode 6: Goodspaceguy
    Goodspaceguy (born Michael Nelson) has run for office in Washington State 16 times.  Who is this strange candidate and what does he stand for?
     
    Today’s Guest:
    Mike Murphy has been improvising since 1998 and is a current ensemble member at Jet City Improv. You can currently see him in Uncle Mike Ruins Christmas at Jet City as the titular character. “The real pleasure of this show… is in seeing exactly how Murphy will wreak havoc on this delicate nostalgia; he’s quick on his feet, with a wicked glint in his eye and a mischievous smile that draws you in…” – Richard Morin, The Seattle Weekly. This January 8th and 9th he will be a writer for 14/48 at the ACT Theater.
     
    Audio File:
    36 min
  • Episode 5: Roy Olmstead
    Roy Olmstead was a police lieutenant turned bootlegger.  He detested violence yet was able to run one of the most successful bootlegging operations in all of American prohibition.
    Today’s Guest:
    Alex Grindeland has been a comedian, improviser, actor, teacher, and almost-daily shower-taker for 10 years. He is also the owner and manager of CSz Seattle, the producers of ComedySportz.
     
    Audio File:
    43 min
  • Episode 4: Shelly’s Leg
    On July 14, Bastille Day, 1970, a wet wad of confetti was shot out of a cannon and struck Shelly Bauman directly in the torso. She lost her leg, but gained ownership of a Gay Disco club.
    Today’s Guest:
    Kate Jaeger is very active in the Seattle theatre community as an actor, director, improviser, emcee and educator. Locally she has performed with Village Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Balagan Theatre, ArtsWest, Book-It’s Touring Company, Macha Monkey and Teatro Zinzanni. Kate is a proud member of Jet City Improv.
     
    Audio File:
    34 min
  • Episode 3: Frederick Trump
    Donald Trump’s grandfather was a German immigrant who moved to Seattle in 1891.  The seed money for his family’s later real estate ventures came largely from his ownership of several houses of prostitution right here in the Northwest.
     
    Today’s Guest:
    Elicia Wickstead started improvising in Seattle in 1992. She is a co-founder of the improv horror group Blood Squad and an Unexpected Productions ensemble member. She is also a frequent performer at Jet City Improv. She practices kindness to animals but sometimes eats them.
     
    Audio File:
    37 min
  • Episode 2: The Pig War
    The United States and Great Britain almost went to war in 1859 after a small skirmish between civilians on a remote piece of disputed territory in the San Juan Islands.  When all was said and done, the only victim of the lengthy standoff was a pig.

     
    Today’s Guest:
    Jon is an ensemble member, director, and instructor at Jet City Improv where he’ll be appearing in Uncle Mike Ruins Christmas this holiday season. He’s also a member of Seattle’s improvised horror troupe Blood Squad, a fan of all of Seattle’s sports teams, and @jonaxell online.
    Audio File:
    52 min
  • Episode 1: The Great Fire
    On June 6, 1889 a fire broke out in a cabinet maker’s shop downtown.  The fire spread quickly and by the following morning the entire business district had burned to the ground.

    Today’s Guest:
    Ian Schempp is a local improviser, teacher, and director.  He is an ensemble member in Jet City Improv where he performs as well as creates/directs new shows.
     
     

    Audio File:
    39 min

About The Seattle Files

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A Podcast where Seattle Comedians learn Local History