Meet
Brooke
After receiving a degree in Theatre Performance from the University of Oregon, Brooke moved to Los Angeles where she trained at acclaimed sketch and improv company, The Groundlings. Eventually, Brooke became a member of The Groundlings Sunday Company —writing and performing sketch comedy for a live audience on a weekly basis. During it’s 5th season, Brooke joined the television series MadTV, as a featured cast member. Other selected TV and stage credits include: The King of Queens (CBS), Less Than Perfect (ABC), Documentary Now! (IFC), Judging Amy (CBS), Life After First Failure (The CW), Portlandia (IFC), Detroit (Portland Playhouse), Sisters of Mercy (Portland Center Stage), Bath Night (Shaking the Tree Theater), Laughing Wild (21ten Theatre), Matt & Ben (21ten Theatre) and The Benefits of Gusbandry on Amazon.
Brooke teaches all of her acting classes at the Brooke Totman Acting Studio located in the 21ten Theatre. Brooke is a proud member of SAG/AFTRA and the Portland Area Theater Alliance (PATA).
Meet
Brooke
After receiving a degree in Theatre Performance from the University of Oregon, Brooke moved to Los Angeles where she was accepted into the training program of acclaimed sketch and improv company, the Groundlings. Eventually, Totman became a member of the Groundlings Sunday Company—writing and performing sketch comedy for a live audience on a weekly basis. During her time in L.A., Brooke joined the television show MadTV as a featured cast member. Other selected TV and stage credits include: The King of Queens (CBS), Less Than Perfect (ABC), Documentary Now! (IFC), Judging Amy (CBS), Life After First Failure (The CW), Portlandia (IFC), Detroit (Portland Playhouse), Laughing Wild (21ten Theatre) Sisters of Mercy (Portland Center Stage), Bath Night (Shaking the Tree Theater), and Matt & Ben (21ten Theatre).
Brooke teaches all of her acting classes at the Brooke Totman Acting Studio located in the 21ten Theatre. She is a proud member of SAG/AFTRA and the Portland Area Theater Alliance (PATA).
What They’re Saying:
“Totman is amazing at keeping us guessing as to what her persona will reveal about her next. The four main characters are so good you can’t imagine them being anybody else offstage. And that is probably the best compliment you can offer an actor. I highly recommend Portland Playhouse’s Detroit, especially for the acting.”
DENNIS SPARKS, PORTLAND THEATER CRITIC
“Sometimes, I worry that I’m biased toward the spectacle of theatre—I love, love a big flashy show with all the bells and whistles. And then I see a show like 21ten Theatre’s LAUGHING WILD, and I remember that really great theatre doesn’t need any bells and whistles at all. A person in a chair delivering a 30-minute monologue can be just as riveting as a flying carpet, especially if that person is Brooke Totman. Her monologue is a master class in inhabiting a character”.
“The Benefits of Gusbandry works the straight-gay friendship thing, deliciously thanks to sharp writing and spirited performances by Brooke Totman and Kurt Conroyd.”
“The real magic of The Benefits of Gusbandry is the unreal chemistry in the casting. Totman and Conroyd don’t just own their roles as Jackie and River, they embody them. If you’re looking for a comedy that’s down-to-earth, which still has a real heart AND real laughs, forget about cheesy sitcoms with stereotypical characters and a laugh-track. This is your ticket right here, and it’s the perfect comedy to watch with your partner in crime, no matter who they are.”
“Brooke Totman is straight-up comically delicious. She’s Kristen Wiig with a sprinkle of Leslie Mann when they’re both a little drunk, tired and horny.”
Jackie (Brooke Totman) is a 40-year old straight woman who’s recently been dumped. River (Kurt Conroyd) is her dream man – except he’s gay. The story of their friendship is just as awkward as it is endearing, like a more honest Will & Grace.
Shows
At her debaucherous 40th birthday party, serial relationship-killer Jackie meets handsome and charming thirty-something River – the perfect guy, who happens to be gay. Their ensuing adventures in self-medication, late-blooming, and questionable judgment lead them to discover a raucous new kind of significant otherness.
Starring: Brooke Totman, Kurt Conroyd
In Season 2’s politically charged first 3 episodes, besties Jackie and River explore sexual agency in the era of “outrage fatigue”. Actress Brooke Totman (Jackie) delivers a raw no-holds-barred performance and co-star Kurt Conroyd posits enough charming comic relief as her Gusband River to keep the laughs coming in this fresh Portland, OR indie series.
Starring:
Brooke Totman, Kurt Conroyd, Andrew Harris
Watch The Benefits of Gusbandry trailer VIDEOS.
LAUGHING WILD
CURRENTLY PLAYING AT THE 21TEN THEATRE! October 7th-29th, 2022.
Set in New York during the 1980’s, Laughing Wild is a provocative and absurd study of the perils of modern life told by two characters struggling to find happiness and meaning in urban America. Both simultaneously hilarious and saddening, Laughing Wild touches hauntingly and hilariously on the agonies of modern day loneliness, supermarkets, mental illness, the ozone layer and God’s alleged interest in the Tony Awards.
Starring Brooke Totman & Darius Pierce
Directed by Ted Rooney