Lisa Austin was first introduced to improv at Georgetown University where she found it to be impressive, intimidating and way out of her league. Happily, she discovered the classes program Washington Improv Theater in 2007. Here, she learned that it is every bit as impressive as she thought it was, but much less intimidating and certainly within her league - and yours! She was a founding member of Croissant Pony, has performed at the DC Improv as a member of longform group Bitter Sweet, and battled it out against some of WIT's finest as a member of FIST team The Revengers. She would like to help you show the world what you can do with some teamwork and imagination.

"She is very supportive and her positive attitude makes jumping into exercises easy."

Allegra Baider fell in love with improv studying at Upright Citizen's Brigade theater and the People’s Improv Theater in New York City, where she performed in an all-female group that put men to shame. Upon moving to DC, she missed improv terribly until she discovered WIT and found that the nation’s capitol was indeed funny. She is now a member of the improv troupe Vic Speedboat, which grew out of a WIT performance prep class. In addition to everything improv, she enjoys doing impromptu interpretive dance in her living room. We use the term "dance" loosely.

Topher Bellavia (Level 1A, 2, 3,) happily stumbled upon the love, truth and beauty that is improv with Wesleyan University's Gag Reflex and has now been performing, directing and teaching improv for over a decade. He founded WIT's Improv Training Program, leading it from 2 to 5 to 10 to 20 to 40 classes a year. He graduated with honors in American Government and Directing for the Theater with a thesis on AIDS and Politics. His college graduation speech as president of the senior class was excerpted in the New York Times and on NBC Nightly News (where his clip made Mr. Brokaw laugh). Improv has saved his life-no joke. It can save yours too, just ask how.

"Topher is exceptionally personable and funny. He offered valuable criticism and took a genuine interest in the class."

"I find Topher totally endearing and learned there's a lot more to improv than meets the eye."

"I'm definitely coming back for more."

Pete Bergen has been performing for years. First as a stand up and actor, he was then drawn to the world of improv. He has been through the curriculum at both the DC improv and here at WIT. He is a founding member of the long form troupe Bright Young Things that has performed at theaters all over DC and has been accepted to the Del Close marathon held at Upright Citizens Brigade in NYC for the past three years. They have even headlined at the DC Improv. Peter feels like the Improv community serves those looking for professional gains in any field, or as a fun group for a social outlet. Sign up and get started!!!

"He was a lot of fun, has a great attitude and engages people at a good tempo that challenged me to push myself without being intimidating."

Mark Carroll didn't find improv so much as improv found him. Having earned his BA in Theatre and Dance from James Madison University, he stumbled around doing an odd acting gig here to doing stand up comedy there. It wasn't until fate, and necessity, finally tripped him up that he stumbled into WIT. Since 2003, he has studied with WIT, starting with Foundations, level 1A, and working his way through the entire curriculum to Performance Prep, level 5. He is also a founding member of The Lodge, an improvised secret society.

“Mark was approachable and knowledgable. I found he was willing to speak from his experience, and offer perspectives on improv that I had not considered.”

“very supportive and very enthusiastic”

“always helpful and supportive”

Mark Chalfant (Level 1A, 3, 4) a lead instructor in WIT's training program since 1999, has taught every level in the company's regular curriculum. WIT's Artistic Director, Mark has directed Jackie and onesixtyone in past runs. Other past teaching includes summer classes for kids with Imagination Stage, the ComedySportz National Tournament (2003), and instruction at national improv festivals. He has studied improv nationwide (in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Portland) and has pursued theater training all over DC (Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, Shakespeare Theatre, Theatre Lab).

"Mark's ability to tailor coaching to a performance and a player is stunning; you know he's been there, he's made the same choices you did and is coaching from experience."

"I grew a lot as an improviser. Some nights, I would leave class and find that I'd been doing almost automatically something that had seemed impossible the week before."

"Out of every acting class I have ever taken I think I learned the most from Mark."

An avid writer, musician, and artist, Archie Cubarrubia performs with The Lodge and is a founding member of the longform troupe, Donna Martin Graduates. Archie is a proud product and now faculty member of the WIT training curriculum and is excited to help you discover your inner funny. He began taking classes at WIT as a new year's resolution and hasn't left since. A former college administrator, he has trained student leaders on college campuses across the country on topics such as public speaking and group facilitation, effective leadership, and diversity awareness.

"Archie did a great job of with the class. He made the goals of each class very clear and also took the time to talk about our individual goals, offer feedback, and challenge us."

"Archie is really great. He takes a really fun and really intellectual approach to improv that I really appreciate. He can tell you more than that a scene was funny, but why it worked, or how it can work better. His feedback really sharpened my skills and made me want to try harder."

"Archie is a rock star. All around great guy who, as mentioned, can find positive ways to reinforce what you’re doing right."

Annie Drinkard is an improv maven who started with the all-female college troupe the Unusual Suspects. They performed around Western Massachusetts and Boston. With diploma in hand she made her way down south to DC, landing in the giant improv nest known as WIT. After taking every class possible, Annie became a teaching assistant for many levels of the WIT curriculum and now teaches Foundations of Scenework. She has performed in WIT's film projects and represents the awesome power of female improvisers with her team INSIDER. She has also strayed into the backstage arena of lighting and stage managing shows for WIT and other area troupes.

"Annie is really observant and strong at identifying areas of weakness and guiding you to improvement."

"She knows her craft well and is very knowledgeable."

Karin Louise Hammerberg was first introduced to improv when studied with Second City in Chicago, in college she was a four year member of receSs, GW's premier comedy group. She is a performer with WIT's ensemble Caveat, and the newly formed Vic Speedboat. She has been a student, a TA and a teacher in WIT’s program and can't wait to teach you what she's learned. Plus she's super fun, and can usually make spontaneous jokes that are hilarious.

“Just perfect. She was observant, able to give meaningful suggestions and made the class more fun and instructional.”

“I really liked Karin. She was very approachable and gave us good tips on how to get ourselves into character. She is a strong player.”

Ken Hays (Level 1A, 2) has been teaching, performing, and directing improv with WIT for over three years. Instrumental in the recent curriculum revision, he has either taught or TA'd all of WIT's class levels. His teaching style is one of confidence, support, and real-world perspective. Being the son of a teacher, some say that teaching is unavoidable for Ken. However, it's the joy of sharing the wonderful world of improv that makes him do it here.

"Very funny, positive, and charismatic"

"Had the class well-organized and clearly outlined"

"A playful instructor that conveys sincerity and fun"

Jordan Hirsch (Level 1B) is not only a player in WIT ensemble JINX and WIT's critically acclaimed iMusical, he's also a product of the WIT training program. Jordan has TA'd and co-taught several WIT classes, and he loves teaching improv almost as much as performing improv. Jordan believes that the skills you learn in an improv class are applicable on- and off-stage, and he credits his improv training with his ability to speak in front of a crowd, roll with the punches, and handle those days where nothing goes according to the script.

Jenny Huftalen is a member of WIT’s ensemble Caveat and part of the three person group “The Insider” with faculty member Annie Drinkard. Her obsession with the Washington Improv Theater began the moment she walked into her first L1A class. Ever since that fateful day she has been dependant on the improvised arts to function on a daily basis. Now a graduate of the program, she seeks to promote the same kind of wonderful addiction to all who are willing to play along.

"Jenny was great at offering specific feedback to improve my performance. I really valued her emails and I often looked back at them right before class to see what I should focus on. WIT is very lucky to have her as a teacher."

"Jenny was a really wonderful teacher.”

Katie Jett became a member of the underground improv troupe “Cult of the Stagemonkey” after she was sucked into improv by her boyfriend some two years ago. Katie has taken WIT's run of classes, performed in showcases, hits an open mike night here and there, and is a member of the improv troupe “The Achievers.” She's super excited about teaching because being a part of WIT has changed her life, and nothing has been more fun than learning to make imagination into scenes.

Dave Johnson (Level 1A, Naked Improv) has been performing with various improv groups since 1998, holds a BA in Drama from Washington College, an MFA in Acting from Ohio University and has performed as a company member of WIT's Mainstage troupe (now onesixtyone) since April 2003. He taught both Acting and Voice and Speech to undergraduate students at Ohio University in 2000, and with WIT has taught levels 1 & 2, workshops with WIT University, and assistant taught several classes. He has also been working as a professional actor since 1996 and has performed at local venues such as The Kennedy Center, The H Street Playhouse, The Source Theater, Theater J, and Center Stage in Baltimore.

“Dave has all the qualities that I look for in an excellent teacher. He is patient, kind, sets expectations, pushes students to challenge themselves, loves his work and craft, is well prepared, takes the class seriously (despites the comedic nature), and is very supportive to first time participants and non-actors (like me!). I learned a ton about teaching from dave.”

“Great at making everyone feel included and pushing each of us to do our best.”

“supportive in and out of class, he cares about his students; I’m glad he was my first improv teacher.”

Mikael Johnson (Level 4). Mikael's love for comedy threw him into studying writing, acting and most of all improvisation. As a member of the Maryland Ensemble Theater Company and also a proud new member of WIT's Jackie, Johnson believes that you can not be a good actor without core improvisational skills and you can not be a good improviser without solid acting skills. He has used them both in his work with the long form group "Season Six" and the WIT productions: "Best Friends", "Neighborhood Town" and "Full Count". Johnson, who takes great pride in his character work in the theater, has studied comedic acting extensively through Woolly Mammoth Theater Company, MET and at various improv festival workshops across the country.

"He's good at communicating the techniques---he just was able to explain things in a way that made several concepts finally become clear to me."

Karen Lange (Level 1A) started improvising after her friends staged an intervention and sent her to classes. She has been active in the DC improv scene for several years, performing with WIT's iMusical and DC ComedySportz. Karen is also an enthusiastic member of the DC acting community. Recent stage roles include Janie in Wonder of the World, Sorel in Hay Fever and Claire in Proof. She trained at WIT, ComedySportz, several national festivals, and Studio Theatre. She has taught people of all ages in a wide variety of topics including computer software, creative problem solving, and improv.

"Karen is wonderfully bubbly and enthusiastic."

"A great teacher; always well prepared, supportive, and fun."

John Lee has been teaching the basics of improv since 1994. As an advertising copywriter, Jon uses improv on a daily basis and believes it can be an incredible creative tool for everyone. Jon was also a founding member of the local troupe The Lodge and has recently begun performing a solo performance called Rehabberwocky. Jon has been teaching and assisting WIT classes since 2004 and also teaches improv classes at All Souls Unitarian church as part of their Adult Spiritual Development program.

“High energy, totally supportive.”

“Confident and enthusiastic.”

Tara Maher began her improv studies at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York under the tutelage of Matt Walsh, Paul Scheer, Billy Merrit and Kevin Mullaney. There she wrote and performed sketch comedy under the direction of Jake Fogelnest. Tara arrived at WIT in the Fall of 2007 with a pocketful of dreams and antacids. She is now a proud graduate of the WIT guerilla training program and a founding troupe member of DMG. She counts being voted funniest in high school and successful completion of a Master Cleanse among her greatest achievements.

Murphy McHugh showed up to his first improv audition in college as a wannabe standup comedian, somehow got cast, and then realized he didn’t have a clue what he was doing. Since then he has completed the core training programs of The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater and the People’s Improv Theater in New York, run practice groups, coached/directed improv troupes, performed in numerous shows, troupes, and festivals, and currently performs with Season Six. Murphy views life as improv, improv as art, and art as life, and loves all three with all his heart. “Yes, and” yourself and take a class.

Colin Murchie has been performing for the last 10 years, four with Cornell University’s Whistling Shrimp and six with WIT (as a student, and with onesixtyone, iMusical, Not Mad. Disappointed., and many a side project.) In his professional life, he’s found his improv skills to be an amazing personal and professional facilitator. Many can vouch for Colin’s deadly serious approach to fun - he’s eager to bring the insights of an experienced practical performer to the classroom.

Dan O’Neil (Level 1A & 2) Dan performs regularly as a member of The Lodge and has been known to perform with other rogue elements (the HAZMATs, Kibbles & Bitch, Mentalstopheles, etc.) He became infatuated with improvisation in 2006 while studying with Sandra Kamman at The Studio Theater. The following year, he ingratiated himself with WIT and has never left. Dan has completed WITs core curriculum, as well as Travis Ploeger's Musical Improv and Dave Johnsons Relax classes. He’s also attended workshops led by Asaf Ronen (author of Directing Improv: Show the Way By Getting Out of the Way), Bobbi Block (founder of ComedySportz Philadelphia) and Zach Walls (founder of Cult of the Stagemonkey). His passion for all things improv has prompted him to establish informal student-led workshops under the aegis of ImproValhalla and develop workshops that seek to incorporate elements of movement & dance into long-form improv. Dan is also actively involved in DCs contact improv community that explores improvisation within the context of movement & dance. He actually believes that the basic principles of improv have the power to heal the world.

Mark Pagán has been in the improv world since 2001. Coming from a background in film and education, Mark jumped into improv as a bit of experimentation, which he's since found a love for. Initially trained at Upright Citizens Brigade in New York, he began performing with various improv troupes before joining Street Meat. He performed with Street Meat for two years throughout the five boroughs, while taking workshops and classes at People's Improv Theater, Gotham City Improv, and other locales. After a two year hiatus from improv (and the country), Mark returned to it via the ensemble troupe, The Lodge, here in D.C. He's since studied at WIT, and now performs with Caveat and Season Six. Mark has been an educator all over the world and loves sharing the funny in the classroom. Take this class and be funny with him.

“He’s smart, funny, articulate, down to earth, well-prepared and laid back.”

“Mark was very good about giving feedback and guidance- he really pushed me, in a good way.”

“Mark rules!”

Travis Ploeger (Music 1, Music 2) most recently directed and performed in the popular and critically-acclaimed WIT production of iMusical: The Improvised Musical (coming back to WIT in March 2007!), and has also written and performed music for other WIT projects, including their 48-Hour Film Festival entry for 2006, and their most recent Seasonal Disorder show. A recent transplant from NYC, he was the music director and pianist for Chicago City Limits (both resident and national touring companies) from 1998 until 2006. He also still sometimes performs with I Eat Pandas, a group that improvises musicals using only two female actors and himself on the keys, which he helped create in 2004. He is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music, and is a season ticket holder of the Minnesota Vikings. For more information about Travis, please visit his website, www.travisploeger.com.

“His enthusiasm and energy are very contagious!”

“Travis gave supportive feedback to every student . . . he made everyone feel confident in their abilities regardless of experience or talent.”

“Travis made what’s rather hard and potentially embarrassing, (singing in public) easy and fun.”

Justin Purvis (Level 1A) got started doing improv at UMD-College Park with Erasable Inc back in 2001. Justin has trained under Mick Napier, Susan Messing, Joe Bill, as well as members of the Upright Citizens Brigade. Justin is a founding member of WIT's longform troupe, Caveat, as well as being in Season Six and WIT's onesixtyone. Justin also moonlights as WIT's class registrar, so you may have received an email from him once or twice. Justin laughs the hardest when he does improv, and he wants you to laugh, too. Go ahead, give him a try, you'll be glad you did.

"An encouraging teacher . . . he made the class a lot of fun for us.”

“Justin is an amazing performer . . . it’s nice that he’s able to take that skill and help others tap into it.”

“Created a fun and safe environment for us to play . . . he’s great at getting people to open up."

BJ Rudell (Level 1A, 1B) absolutely loves teaching. After hundreds of performances with Improvocation and with WIT's Mainstage ensemble (currently known as "onesixtyone"), he is now focused on teaching improv to anyone who wants to learn, or to learn more. A former student of WIT, since 2002 BJ has taught improv to hundreds of people of all skill levels. On the side, he also has taught hundreds of high school students through the Close Up Foundation and started two tutoring programs: one in New York City and another in Southeast Washington.

"BJ is one of the better teachers I've had, just in general. I've described his style to others as a cross between a Zen guru and a baseball coach."

"I've taken a lot in my years, and I've learned more in (BJ's) class than my past 6 years."

"BJ is fantastic. I wish all my teachers were like him."

Stuart Scotten is real happy he does improv. It's a fun thing to do, he has met a lot of great people, made some good friends and seen lots of new places- all from just playing around and satisfying his need for a creative outlet. He's taken all the WIT classes- they were ggrrreat!- is a proud member of the long form group "Season Six"...dot com :-) and thinks you should do improv too. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a class today!!!

“Stuart is dually relaxed and focused. He is funny, insightful and serious . . . he has command of the class and engenders strengths to shine.”

“Stuart is a very comfortable leader and teacher. His knowledge of improv and approach was very easy and conducive to having fun.”

“I appreciate all the energy Stuart puts into the class because it keeps everyone else jazzed up, too.”

Dereks Thomas first entered the world of improv in 2005 when he enrolled in WIT’s “Foundations of Improv” class. It was a much needed attempt to escape the looming shades of gray that result from an unfulfilling job with ungodly hours. Since discovering the joy of improv, he’s gone on to complete the entire WIT curriculum. Inspiration has led him to pursue additional theatre training locally at Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, and Theatre Lab. He is also a proud member of the improv troupes “The Lodge,” and “Vic Speedboat.” It’s Dereks’ belief that improv is more than a “pass-time,” it’s an opportunity for personal growth; And there exists within the improv principles, a multitude of life lessons that can be applied daily. Dereks asks that you join him in escaping the gray, and begin the exploration of the truth and beauty that is improv!

Greg Tindale began his Improv career as a student in the WIT training program. Learning from WIT's fantastic staff he transitioned from a student to a teacher and performer with the house troupe, JINX. Greg's professional background includes training and mentoring small business owners to help them grow their business. He believes lessons in Improv can benefit your life and lessons in life can benefit your Improv. Greg draws equally from Will Ferrell, Jerry Seinfeld, and Dave Chappelle as he does from Tony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki, and Stephen Covey. Greg is passionate about working with his students on an individual basis to help them realize their personal brand of funny.

Anna Trester (Level 1A) discovered the joy of improv when she moved to DC in 2002. What began as a creative outlet from graduate studies has now turned into the subject of her graduate studies, but hey, that’s what happens when you open yourself up to yes-and. She is a member of the all- female troupe “The Shower” and she loves to teach so much that she wants to be a professor when she grows up. She is especially excited to be a part of WIT’s training program to be able help you discover your own hidden creative genius, and remind you that there are no such things as “mistakes.” With this realization, the possibilities are endless.

“The thing I liked best about her class was how much she cares about improv, how supportive she was and how professionally she ran the class.”

“It was easy to trust her judgment and rely on her. She is impressive and fills you with confidence.”

“Wonderful openness and acceptance of students and all ideas. A great environment to play in.”

Joe Uchno happened upon improv by signing up for a class at the UCB Theatre in New York. While there, he was able to study with and be inspired by some really great teachers. Discovering WIT was the best part of his move to DC in 2005. Through taking classes at WIT, he was able to study with and be inspired by some really great teachers. Joe performs with the house team JINX, and the ensemble Jackie. He has found that when he is not doing something improv-related, he misses it tremendously. Teaching improv, Joe has discovered, is way more fun than he thought it might be.

“He is a committed teacher and gives solid criticisms to scenework and always provides helpful suggestions to demonstrate how the scene could have been better.”

“He never wastes words.”

“Joe is a great improviser.”