This month we interview Brandon Taylor and Becky Feldman, both past recipients of the Matt Carey Scholarship. Let's find out about their background in comedy and what influenced them to apply; also how they're enjoying ImprovBoston's wonderful workshop program and their plans for the future!

Brandon: Tom Gleadow found the application for the Matt Carey Scholarship online. He was the camp director at the summer camp where I worked and more importantly a great friend and fellow cast member of Unexpected Company, an improv troupe in Rhode Island that we are both still a part of. He approached me when I was feeling down for not having enough money for an Upright Citizen Brigade class. He said I would be perfect for the IB scholarship. So I applied and luckily got it.

My background in comedy begins at Unexpected Company where I performed for 2 years and still perform as an alumni. I have also studied improv and sketch at Upright Citizen's Brigade and the People's Improv Theater in NYC under Ali Farahnakian. I am also co-founder of I PULLED MY QUAD, University of Rhode Island's first improv troupe.

Becky: I go to Emerson College and there is a huge community of students interested in comedy. I became involved with troupe on campus called The Girlie Project. I also started performing stand-up comedy. Last year, I had an internship working with Elyse and I was invited to sit in on Mainstage rehearsals. I enjoyed being involved with IB, so I decided to apply for the scholarship.

Brandon: I am in level 2 right now at ImprovBoston's workshop program. I am having a great time improvising in Boston because there is a lot of inspiration and ideas that can come from such a big city, characters all over the place. What is helping me out the most with this scholarship is the ability to rehearse with IB's Mainstage! I feel myself getting better and better every week I'm there with them. I would describe the intensity and efficiency of rehearsals to be amazing! These mainstage performers are an incredible group of minds constantly working as one.

I've wanted to pursue a career in comedy ever since I was in high school, but sports got in the way of being able to focus on it. Now comedy is my primary focus. I plan on having fun with this for the rest of my life, and where ever it takes me I will have fun with it there too.

Becky: I am having so much fun in the workshop program. It's so nice to take a few hours out of my week just to play games and get to know people. The workshops are definitely inspiring me to start a career in comedy, or at least it can help me come up with better excuses for sleeping on my parents' couch when I graduate.

Brandon: I am from Atlantic City, New Jersey. What brought me out to Boston and allowed me to get to know the city a year and a half before I recieved this scholarship was my girlfriend Julia, she goes to Northeastern. I currently live in Rhode Island until I graduate in May, then I will move right to Boston, yes I will be moving boxes with my cap and gown on.

Becky: I originally come from New Jersey and am staying in Boston because it's nice not to live and work on top of a landfill.

Brandon: I am an 6'3" 270 pound theater geek. When I'm not performing I like to see improv shows or any dramatic plays on my campus or in Boston.

Becky: I like reading, going to the movies, making crafts, eating, and having philosophical conversations with my dog, Brandi.

Brandon: If you want some good advice on travel, ride the Fung Wah Bus back if you want to get to NYC. Not only is it cheap but it is also a very clean bus that is time efficient, beating any train I've taken in the past. I do it almost every weekend. (The Fung Wah Bus Company has paid Brandon Taylor $300 dollars for this plug.)

Becky: I really like stir frying ramen noodles. It's cheap and fancy!

Brandon: Do something with Saturday Night Live, or, write a buddy cop flick and make millions.

Becky: Even though I am about fifteen years too old, I always wanted to be Annie in Annie. I'll find a way somehow...