James Cerini started doing improv in high school then shortly after found Go! Comedy. He performed there for a few years with multiple groups. A few being; The Session, Missed Connections, and Slimline. He then moved to Chicago, IL and studied at the Annoyance Theater. After living in Chicago for some time James moved to New York City, focusing more on stand-up comedy at QED with a few improv sets at the Peoples Improv Theater. James then moved back to Detroit taking a bit of a break from performing. In the spring of 2022 he moved out to Los Angeles, CA to pursue acting. He currently resides in West Hollywood studying at The Groundlings Theater.

Q: What is a standout memory you have about your time in the Launch Group?

There are so many with everyone but here are a few that really stand out. We wrote/performed in a "Best of" Missed Connections show called "Missed Connections: The Movie Live On Stage" or maybe it was just "Missed Connections: The Movie" Anyway, one of the sketches was of Jason Valentini wearing a clown's skin as a halloween costume. Not a clown costume... a clown that was murdered then skinned. The costume itself was absolutely horrifying. I think we sprayed a unitard with some weird latex stuff and then dressed it and put fake blood on it. The noises it made when he put it on were so disturbing. An insane sketch and by far Gary's favorite.

Of course another is "The Road Trip Song" sketch. I can't think of that one and not have that song stuck in my head for the rest of the week. ROAD TRIP, ROAD TRIP, THE ROAD TRIP SONG, THE ROAD TRIP SONG on repeat. That was like 10 years ago. Oh and Nuverre slapping me over and over and over again.

IG, @jamescerini

Jess Loria Kay is a resident cast member at Go Comedy, where she is also a teacher and occasional performer. She's proud of a long history of shows, including NEWSish, Hot Takes, Wet Hot American Bummer, Theater Show, and other shows back when writing about politics was fun and not heartbreaking. Jess took some time off to raise small humans, which is her proudest accomplishment other than the book of porn she wrote about all the U.S. presidents (POTUS Interruptus). Please ask her to do your show she's lonely!

Q: What is a standout memory you have about your time in the Launch Group?

I have so many! Nuverre slapping all of us. Jimmy and I having a fight in every scene. That time everyone got into the tub. Tom breaking during the sketch show when Sean couldn't change in time and he had to cover, so he just kept saying "your mother fell outside." The preshow potlucks. Gary having us do a really problematic set in rehearsal to get it out of our system. This was such a fun, weird, warm group of people. I was really honored to work with them, and I'm delighted that some of us remain in touch to this day.

www.potusinterruptusthebook.com

www.tiktok.com/@jessloriakay