Biography

   I was born and raised near a real big lake in Milwaukee, WI. Much to President Truman's dismay, as WWII ended, he dropped the bomb and my Mom dropped me on the world. Unless I tested out of or just plain moved on, I arrived daily and graduated from MOST of the schools I was forced to attend. Other than that, I've just been gol-dang lucky!
   To wit:
   21 years ago, certain Sweet Lips Luminaries found me dweebing around a downtown Appleton bar. They descended to take me under their artistic wing, even though I can't read scripts worth a dam and have a hard time staying on task. Given my many tics, lack of direction and appendages, I consider myself blessed that they still call me friend. I have enjoyed helping them lead our loyal audiences astray for the last 25 years.

I'd write more but must hurry to my weaning.

Who am I? Why am I here?? Where am I going??? Wouldn't I like to know!! I have been with Sweet Lips from the beginning and the
other members have helped me through my existential moments. In return, the characters I've created (from a male appendage to Captain Mariah and everything in between) have helped me to age with dignity. AND I JUST LOVE IT!

Stop bye and see my multiple personalities

    I was born in Wisconsin but grew up in what was laughingly referred to as a "suburb" of Anchorage, Alaska. I blame my parents-- Dad was one of those dour Norwegians' Mom was a Pentecostal Minister-- for twisting me into the craven attention addict I am today.
    But seriously, folks, Mom pushed me kicking and screaming into performing: piano, voice, drama. As a matter of fact, my first dramatic role was in a grade school production of "The Bad Seed". I was Rhoda, the Bad Seed: obviously typecasting.
    Anyway, many years down the line, here I am, working with these five (5) strange men and enjoying EVERY!.... well, MANY!... okay, SOME of the minutes of it.

Jim "Question" Marks was born at a very young age and has never quite been able to ketchup. While groin up, he tried desperately to stay quiet and listen carefully in order to stay ahead of the "heard". He soon discovered that the "heard" didn't care if you were listening, as long as they got paid. To this day he believes looking like it but not listening to be one of his most admirable traipse. Just try catching him at it
And, oh yeah! He's sort of getting paid all-slow

A native of Northeastern Wisconsin, I’ve taught high school English and History for 30 years; five years at Wabeno, Wisconsin, and the last 25 at Almond-Bancroft Schools in Almond, Wisconsin. My partner in crime for 24 of those teaching years at ABHS was none other than Dennis Sutliff, who got me involved in theater in 1980 when he asked me if I’d like to help with a play. The rest, of course, is theatrical history. I’ve been involved with Sweet Lips Theater ever since, with the exception of a few years when I moved out of the area. I currently live with my wife of 18 years near Westfield, Wisconsin. I have four grown step-children scattered about the state (two in Milwaukee, one each in Green Bay and Madison), and one truly extraordinary grandson. Looking back of my years with Sweet Lips, I can truly say that it has given me a creative outlet and a reason to be out of the house for several weeks of the year.

Dennis has retired from 24 years of teaching English and Drama at Almond Bancroft High School. Previously, in what seems like another life, Sutliff graduated from UW-GB as a Theater Major and did his graduate work in the teacher training program at Mills College in Oakland, California. He worked as an actor touring from San Francisco to New York with "The New Shakespeare Company". He also performed at the Cricket Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Dennis is the founder of Sweet Lips where he currently writes and acts. These days he is best known for his portrayals of Bubba Poe (demented descendant of Edgar Allen Poe), Virgil Walkendunk (Jimmy Catfish's sidekick) in the Fishing Show and Toot Lubinski, County Highway Crew Chief.