photo by Vanna McAllister
Ben Beckham, a Tulsa native, has been performing ever since he could walk on stage. Beckham has starred in several local stage productions, including Beyond Therapy, Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends (A Final Evening with the Illuminati), and the Heller Theater One-Act Play Festival. His Improv career dates back to 1990 when he co-founded Tulsa's first original improv comedy troupe, The Obnoxious Party Guests. Since then, he has written and performed in over 40 original shows in and around the Tulsa Area. It is that extensive experience Beckham brings to The Comedy Clinic, serving as Director, Producer, Head Writer, and Performer.
Jeff Turner, also a native Tulsan, started acting as early as age 2 when he fell off stage in a Noah's Arc production and split his head open. Since then, his time as a performer has been less painful (unless of course you ask his audiences!). As with most, Turner was involved in theater throughout his childhood after meeting Beckham in 1987, he turned to not only performing, but writing. The pair was a fixture at state drama tournaments placing in Dramatic Duet with Edward Albee's The Zoo Story. However, the two found their niche in comedic performance after placing second at the Governor's Cup classic and moving on to the state finals. Turner continued speaking in front of audiences on radio and as a public address While attending Oklahoma State University and after returning to Tulsa in 1995 he has since been requested as Master of Ceremonies for dozens of non profit and arts community functions. He also continues to do some radio work. Turner wears many hats for The Comedy Clinic, Performer, Writer, Producer, and Sales/Media Relations Manager.
In February 2002, Turner and Beckham began collaborating again, this time with The Obnoxious Party Guests. The following September, the two formed Jakenpal Productions, Inc., and, with the help of Obnoxious Party Guest alum Maria Swindell-Gus, they founded The Comedy Clinic - Tulsa's Comedy Troupe!
Maria Swindell-Gus grew up in Bartlesville, OK and started performing in community theatre productions such as The Wizard of Oz and Fiddler on the Roof. A singer and actor, Swindell-Gus has performed steadily ever since. After earning a degree in Theatre from Avila College in Kansas City, MO, Swindell-Gus returned to Oklahoma and has taught acting to young people all over Green Country. Some of her favorite comic performances include Helga Ten Dorp in Deathrap, Miss Furnival in Black Comedy, and bringing the house to uncontrollable laughter with her portrayal of the maid in Anton Chekov's side splitter The Cherry Orchard. Swindell-Gus has been doing improvisation for years and began her Tulsa improv career with the Obnoxious Party Guests in April of 2002. Currently, she is the coordinator of an arts program for at-risk youth at Family and Children's Services. Swindell-Gus is proud to be writer, performer, and resident funny broad for The Comedy Clinic.