Mark Beltzman has been a multifaceted creative force in the entertainment industry since 1981, with a career spanning over four decades.
As a founding member of Improv Olympic in Chicago and the legendary group, Barons Barracudas, Mark has had the opportunity to work and direct at the renowned Second City in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Throughout his career, Mark has directed numerous improvisational and theatrical productions at Second City, including the Second City Alumni Jam, and has also been an instructor/director at The Second City Training Center, Improv Olympic West, and the Upfront Comedy Showcase, as well as teaching workshops across the United States, United Kingdom, and France.
Mark's generosity of spirit and love for the art have inspired many young performers, who continue to value him as a source of creativity and inspiration through personal contact and theater workshops. He remains a highly sought-after advisor, director, and acting coach to some of the most talented young performers in the industry.
As a highly creative person and seasoned ensemble performer, Mark is passionate about continuing to create a body of work that reflects his level of integrity and commitment to quality. He emphasizes the importance of "working together as a group" and "making each other look good" in any ensemble work, encouraging cast and crew to remove obstacles and elevate the text to be the most important aspect of the creative process.
Mark has also gained valuable knowledge about the creative process of producing, writing, and directing through his work on notable productions such as Mo Money, Billy Madison, The Wedding Singer, Speed 2, Star Maps, Lovely and Amazing, Employee of the Month, Factory, Seinfeld, Rosanne, Norm, Curb Your Enthusiasm, According to Jim, Cold Case, House, True Jackson VP, The Young and the Restless, and Pretty Little Liars.
Mark's ability to create "something from nothing" is exemplified in the outreach program he created in 2006, called "New Choice." This program, which is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, brings established industry professionals into inner-city communities to teach improvisational and filmmaking skills to youth.
