#Memprov
Bluff City Liars was formed in late 2017 as a project between four friends hoping to explore long form improv comedy – at the time a very rare commodity in Memphis. Quickly, the group felt the spark of inspiration catch fire, and Bluff City Liars was formed.
Over time, the troupe has has grown both in size and in fan base. We run multiple monthly shows and offer workshops. We’ve also been signed as an associate company at TheatreWorks, and we’ve even produced a show featuring Kevin McDonald of Kids In The Hall.
We provide high octane, interactive, and innovative laugh-out-loud comedy with a flair for both spontaneity and spectacle. But we also aim to build the improv community of Memphis with our free workshops and open-to-all jams. See a show, or try the art for yourself – either way you’re helping us grow the comedy scene of the Bluff City.
meet the liars
Zephyr McAninch
Director, Producer, Player since 2017
Zephyr started doing improv in college and sadly became addicted. After graduating they moved to Memphis and joined MISC (Memphis Improv & Sketch Collective) and later formed Bluff City Liars, where they’ve been desperately trying to make you laugh ever since. Some of Zephyr’s favorite BCL shows include the annual Liar’s Ball and the monthly Small Room Improv. Come to both!
Mike Degnan
Producer since 2019, Player since 2018
Mike has been doing comedy for Memphis Audiences for almost 15 years and thinking he’s funny for almost twice as long. Starting in standup, Mike joined The Wiseguys Improv Troupe in 2009 and then would go on to co-create and star in WKNO-TV’s “Professor Ghoul’s Horror School”, becoming Memphis’s first “horror host” since Sivad. While he is thankful for the laughs of audiences and the work he’s been a part of, what he is most thankful to have gotten from doing improv is his relationship with his wife Ashley, who first saw him on stage in 2009 and started dating him in 2014. He wishes this bio had jokes in it too.
Michelle Mathewes
Producer, Player since 2019
When Michelle was little, she wanted to be a soccer champ, reality TV star, and Big Bird. It is now only through improv that she can hope to achieve these dreams. Michelle joined the group (and the improv stage) in June 2019.
Former players
Ben Frederick, Laurel George, Tali Rosenfeld, Erick Loya, Taylor Doherty, Britt Roberts, Robert Hasenmueller, Robert Rowan, Obaydah Alsalameh, Mitchell Bentley