Nate Fleming is a local entrepreneur perhaps best known as the founder of comedy group Swan City Improv. We sat down with Nate to find out how he got involved in comedy, what’s next for the team, and the surprising way he would improve Lakeland.

Q: What’s your history with comedy performing?

A: I started doing stand up at eight in my school’s Star Search, and I started doing improv around 12 in school. Then I joined ComedySportz and moved to Chicago. I did a whole bunch of training all over the world in different improv schools of thought under different teachers. I’ve been doing it for quite some time.

Q: What is Swan City Improv and what inspired you to start it?

A: Swan City Improv is a group of very talented improvisers that perform comedy shows on a monthly basis, at least, and sometimes more during the month. I started it kind of by accident. I wanted to do a show when I was visiting Lakeland in April 2017. I got some friends together and we did a show. It was standing room only, and we’ve been performing just about monthly ever since that.

Can you spot City Editor Connor in this performance? | Photo provided by Nate Fleming

Q: What do you have planned next for Swan City Improv?

A: For the past year and a half, we’ve been searching for a permanent home that is our own space, and we’re getting real close to that. So hopefully we’ll be able to announce sometime soon about our upcoming new home. For right now, we’re doing our best to enhance our partnership with Just Dance Academy.

Q: What is one thing you would do to improve Lakeland?

A: Here’s what I’d do: I’d put a ball pit in the middle of Munn Park.

Q: Tell us how you came to be a Lakelander.

A: I moved here for college in 2010. I’ve tried to leave several times, but Lakeland pulls you back in. It’s like a vortex that no one can escape from. You’ll leave and you’ll think you’ll be gone. And then three years later you’re like, “Why am I back in Lakeland?” It’s not a bad thing. It’s just science.

Q: Describe your perfect day in Lakeland.

A: I wake up. I go to eat lunch at Garden Bistro. I have myself a three-cheese grilled cheese with a side of bacon and tomato bisque. I then walk around the lake — regretting that I ate that much cheese and bread. And at night, I go see a movie either at Cinemark or Lakeside Village. Hopefully this is on a Tuesday because it’s $5 movies on Tuesday.

Q: Besides your shows, how does Swan City Improv get out in the community?

A: We partner with the City for Improv for Anxiety classes. We also have done murder mystery events for organizations like EMERGE Lakeland and mobile home communities.

Swan City Improv’s first show in 2017 at Lkld Live | Photo provided by Nate Fleming

Q: Tell us how someone can get involved with the team.

A: Classes. That way we can make sure that you’re ready to perform with us if that’s what you want to do. Right now, there are only three levels you have to get through so it’s quick and painless. I mean, aside from the fact that you have to donate two toes in each class. 

Q: You’ve been involved with many different businesses around Lakeland. Tell us where else someone might know you from and what inspired you to try those?

A: You’ve probably seen me in the lobby of Lakeland Electric on the TVs, because I’m in one of their ad campaigns that consistently plays in the lobby. You might have seen me at Lkld Live. And you might have seen me as the Lakeland Food Tours guy. I’ve done nothing illegal so far.

Q: What is one thing you would want every Lakelander to know about our city?

A: There’s so much more to do here than you think. Like, so much more.

Q: Tell us your best joke.

A: I heard they’re trying to make glass coffins. Remains to be seen.

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