About Me
Kim Florian is an actor, comedian, dancer, singer, circus artist, and literal beauty queen (only three other girls competed, but it still counts!) who was born and raised on the sunny streets of Jefferson Park, Chicago.
Kim began her training in theater, graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago with her BFA in Acting. While in school, she took improv classes at iO, The Annoyance, Second City, Comedysportz, and anywhere else that would take her. She fell in love with improv and started bringing a comedic touch to all her performances. During her college years, Yasen Peyankov, a Steppenwolf Ensemble Member and UIC Theater Department Head, referred to Kim as "a clown to her bones."
When the pandemic hit, Kim did what any normal person under extreme duress would do: she joined the circus! Kim is a proud graduate of the The Actor’s Gymnasium Professional Training Program, where she majored in clowning. The full-time program consisted of scene work, clowning, and both ground and aerial acrobatics. Kim has a newfound passion for circus, and still trains regularly as an aerial artist.
Kim is a proud Second City Mainstage Alum, having appeared as understudy in both the 112th and 113th Mainstage Revues. Currently, she is performing sketch comedy with her team, DNA Comedy, as well as her own page, @kimbleshankz. Oh, she also wrote an original musical called "Roller Town" set to premiere at iO this November--get your knee pads and helmets ready!
Kim has performed all over the world: she took her two-person sketch show Elmwood and Jork to Amsterdam to feature in the inaugural Boom Chicago Comedy Festival. During the summers, Kim likes to take the long, treacherous journey up North to the land of the free (healthcare) and perform with acclaimed Canadian improv team, Club Soda, in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. Kim is also a proud ensemble member of the Mission Improvable National Tour Co. where she performs short-form comedy shows on college campuses across America. Her goal for 2026 is to perform in all 50 states, and she is very close (here's lookin' at you, New Mexico)!
Upcoming Shows
CANADA! Get READY! Kim will be performing in 3 shows at the Winnipeg Fringe! "Love is Blank" the "Big Big Improv Show" AND "Improvised X Files" Tickets on sale now at: https://www.winnipegfringe.com/
Kim performs in Close Quarters regularly at The Annoyance Theater under the Direction of Lilly Frances.
Kim is a founding member of The Gift's improv house team, Unnatural Gas, carrying on the theater's mission to integrate traditional straight plays with improv comedy. Unnatural Gas performs at Filament theater, The Playground, and Logan Square Improv!
Reels
THEATRICAL REEL
A sample of Kim's film work.
SKETCH COMEDY
Kim searches for a new dad to replace her old, dead one in this musical sketch at Second City.
CLOWNING
A short film that highlights Kim's clowning skills.
STORYTELLING
A comedic story about peaking in high school.
Interested in booking Kim?
Drop her a line!
