David Brian Stuart

Founder and Guy in Charge.   A proud performer’s union member of AFTRA (American Federation of Television Radio Actors) and SAG (Screen Actors Guild).  Other association memberships include NATAS (National Association of Television Arts and Sciences) and IFP (Independent Feature Project).  Voiceover and on-camera credits include Sears, American Homes, Oscar Meyer, and R. C. Johnson (A Family Company).  Directing degree from SIU-Carbondale School of Communications.  Mentored in improvisation by Players Workshop of the Second City founder Josephine Forsberg, who nurtured the talents of Dan Castellaneta (Homer Simpson), Bill Murray, George Wendt and Shelly Long, to name a few. Co-taught adult improv workshops with David Murphy (O’Connor Casting and The Green Room) during Players Workshop years.   Second City Conservatory graduate and additional training from the legendary, late Martin DeMaat, Mike Gellman and Norm Holly.  Movement studies with Plasticene’s Dexter Bullard.  Musical Improv with Nancy Howland Walker.   Regular improviser with IP Touring teams.. David Stuart has personally coached and led leadership and team building workshops for hundreds of the least famous people in the Midwest and a number of important, influential head honchos.  Gets a charge out of creating corporate entertainment events, not only through I.P., but his Music Now DJ Group, the custom, interactive DJ company under the I.P. umbrella.  Favorite performance roles (invariably behind a microphone) include the voice of David Hassid in the NY Times Bestselling radio drama series, Left Behind Literature. Regular ensemble member of Unshackled, longest running radio drama in airwave history, directed by the now retired Bob O’Donnel and produced by the Pacific Garden Mission-Chicago allows David to pull off a Robin Williamesque pallete of voices.   Recently played George Bailey in IP's "It's a Wonderful Life".  Sam Spade in "Maltese Falcon".   Directed Joesphine Forsberg's "The Gathering".  Coaches IP House Teams "Tjherapeutic Funtillectuals" and "Lost Not Stolen".
Little Known Facts: He is affectionately called The Grand Poobah and the Founder of Music Now DJ Group, an interactive, custom event DJ company.

Jon-Michael Armstrong

Jon-Michael is a proud grad of Bowling Green U's Theatre program and one of IP's funniest players.  He brings an eclectic expertise of contemporary trivia to his improv table where he regularly and consistently delivers some of the wittiest and wiliest comedy chops aorund.  along with his merry band of IP "House Team" players, J.M. has become a veteran of the I.P. staff leading touring teams and the original improv comedy team "Lost Not Stolen".  Among his credits include roles in "Blithe Spirit" (Charles), "It's a Wonderful Life" (Young George), "A Christmas Carol" (Young Cratchet).  Jon-Michael is on staff full time with I.P. as chief Point Person and comedy Administrator!

Little Known Fact:   J.M. is an adept illustrator who has created an original line of comics called "Ground Floor".  While humble about it...Jon-Michael is a champion Curler and engaged in the Illinois State Junior Curling championships during the last century.

Adam Belcouore

Adam Belcuore is an original founding member of Serendipity Theatre Company and currently serves as Director of Artistic Development. In 2003 he was honored by receiving the first SDCF Mike Ockrent Fellowship, through which he assisted Harold Prince on Steven Sondheim and John Weidman's new musical Bounce. He had previously assisted Mr. Prince on Carol Burnett and Carrie Hamilton's Hollywood Arms. He also served as assistant director to Kate Whoriskey on the Goodman's production of Regina Taylor's Drowning Crow and to Ross Shirley on Serendipity's production of The Day Maggie Blew Off Her Head. He is the executive producer of Serendipity's 2nd Story, a series devoted to the art of wine, music and storytelling. Other directing credits include: Delores Dogan, by Courtney Shaughnessy; Go!, by Jonathan Jacobs and the world premiere of Alcatraz, by Al Letizia. As a casting director, Adam has worked with Lookingglass, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Northlight Theater, and The Goodman Theatre, where he currently casts full time. Actors Theatre of Louisville, Northlight Theater, and The Goodman Theatre, where he currently casts full time.  Adam has been gracious in his time with Improv Playhouse giving feedback and followup to students engaging in Courtney Shaughnessy's Actor's Arsenal classes.

Little Known Fact:  David Stuart and Adam shared the stage as members of "The Flying Chairs" during their Second City Conservatory years.

Kate Bergeron

Received her BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from the Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University. Her roles include Sandy in Grease and the title role in Peter Pan. A consummate performer, Kate is an avid Cabaret vocalist who has been featured at Davenports in Chicago.  Kate has Assistant Directed Music Man and costumed Once On This Island for Improv Playhouse at Highland Park’s Edgewood Middle School, has directed Aladdin, 101 Dalmatians, Guys and Dolls, R&H's Cinderella, Wizard of Oz for the IP Summer Theater Camps and Young Actors Workshop productions of Alice in Wonderland, Time Machine, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Oliver Twist .   Was seen in “Museum” by Tina Howe with Appetite Theatre at the Chicago Cultural Center, Loop Players' Kurt Weil: From Berlin to Broadway. Kate rock n roll vocals with a for Chameleon World (with the singing Cab Driver) and can be seen in Luna Carpet and Dave and Busters through Encore Talent! She will be joining the faculty of Diane Christiansen's Los AngelesTraining Center in October of 2009.
Little Known Fact: Kate a Black Belt in Taekwondo. Ouch!

Annie Calhoun

Annie is originally from Gurnee IL, and received her undergraduate degree from Taylor University (IN) in Theatre Education, with an English Minor. She is a recent graduate of DePaul Theatre School’s MFA Acting program. At The Theatre School Annie appeared in The Man From Nebraska (dir. Dado), The Bald Soprano (dir. Rachel Walshe), Fefu and Her Friends (dir. Brandy Austin), The Giver (dir. Ernie Nolan), Hardball (dir. Trudie Kessler), and Flow My Tears the Policeman Said (dir. Anthony Mosely). She has also performed with the Chautauqua Theatre Company in The Art of Coarse Acting (dir. Dylan Baker) and Measure for Measure (dir. Vivienne Benesch). Annie has written and performed two solo pieces, Nun Memoirs (Chautauqua Theatre Company), and Oregon Trail: A Musical Review (iO Chicago), and also directed and co-wrote with sketch group, I. OBJECT. She is currently working a new full length play called Elevator Day, under the tutelage of Carlos Murillo with a first read by Nothing Without A Company. Annie very much enjoys teaching, and directed at Northlight Theatre Academy in ’08 and ’09. She is a lover of improvisation and is in the final performance stage of iO’s training program, and also performs regularly with her team Karayte Van at The Playground.  
Little Known Fact:  Annie is also an avid sailor who instructs and races.  Watch for her on the seven seas (including Lake Mich this summer!)

Diane Christiansen

Diane Christiansen began coaching actors in 1992. This year, CHILDREN IN FILM lists her as the “#1 Top Rated Acting Coach in Hollywood” for kids and teens. She was also named “One of the Top 3 Acting Coaches in Hollywood” by the YOUNG PRESIDENTS ORGANIZATION in NYC. The last three years, Diane was voted “One of the Top 10 most effective Coaches in Hollywood” by Actors Access . Recently selected to appear as Acting Coach on Hit Reality TV shows, “FAKING IT” and Danny Bonaduce’s “MY KID’S A STAR” ON VH1. A graduate of the Strasberg Institute, she was mentored by Academy Award Nominee, Sally Kirkland and the late Joseph Bernard. She has appeared with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall in NYC; danced with Siegfried & Roy in Las Vegas and on NBC TV specials, she has been featured on the Merv Griffin Show and hit series "Vegas". As a TV & Film actress she has worked with Angelina Jolie, Corey Feldman, Adam West, Orson Welles, Stacy Keach, Pia Zadora, Ann Margaret, Jon Voight, Dom DeLouise, Joan Rivers, Robert Urich, Billy Zane & Fred Durst. Actively coaching "working " actors of all ages, 90% of her student roster book repeatedly and consistently. Among them are series regulars on shows such as LOST, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, 24, ZOEY 101, NED'S DECLASSIFIED, UNFABULOUS, COMPLETE SAVAGES, CHARMED, HOUSE, ALIAS, AMER. FAMILY, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE ,PHIL OF THE FUTURE, SIX FEET UNDER , LAW & ORDER , COLD CASE ,NYPD BLUE, E.R., CSI , JUDGING AMY, SCRUBS, GEN. HOSPITAL, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, YOUNG & THE RESTLESS & Disney's LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, CAT IN THE HAT, BRUCE ALMIGHTY, 13 GOING ON 30, STARSKY & HUTCH, YOU GOT SERVED, & ANTWONE FISHER.  diane is just completing her thrid trip to I.P. from L..A. whree she and our program have creting a unique and lasting synergy.

Little Known Fact:  When Diane turned 18 she bagan a world tour with the Rockets!

Jack Thurston Farrell

Jack Thurston Farrell graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a degree in film and psychology. He has written and or produced for ABC, Fox, and Jim Henson Productions. Jack started a short film video site called shortvision.com and a webseries entitled Dollop(Maybehip.com) He completed the Second City writing, music, and conservatory programs.  He has completed the I.O improv program.  In addition to Co-Directing the Improv Playhouse Junior and Teen Improv Ensembles, Jack has been a teaching assistant for four years at The Second City for the teen and youth program. He currently teaches with After School Matters and Play On. He has completed two screenplays and is working on two pilots concurrently. He performs with the Improv Playhouse Touring Teams, Jack and the Wolf (2man show), Strange Soldier independently, as well as Chemically Imbalanced Comedy.

Nolan Kennedy

Nolan is a gifted theatrical "everyman" who has engaged and excelled in many components of the stage.  He is an exceptional improv performer and instructor who is presently employed by the Irondale Theatre Ensemble in Brooklyn, NY. when he is not teaching or performing at I.P.  A graduate of Illinois Wesleyan university with a BFA in Acting, Nolan engaged in leads and supporting roles throughout college.  His senior year he collaboratively wrote the controversial "Into an Unlulled Sleep" with director Sven Miller to packed houses and regional acclaiim. In addition to his college studies Nolan has workshopped with Keth Johnstone (Theatresports), directed the improv troupe "Jam Seven" at IWU, directed IP house teams and performed in countless improv shows and touring events for I.P.
Little Known Fact: Nolan really is really Irish

Jonathon Lynch

Jonathon is an extremely talented triple threat actor, music director, composer and accompanist who received his degree in Music Composition and Theatre fron Northwestern University in 2006 (BS Communications).  Jonathon has been directing musicals and creating his own throughout the Chicago area since his graduation four years ago.  He is engaged as the Music Director for the Improv Playhouse North Shore Traveling Troupe out of Highland Park, Illinois and also teaches several classes within that genre.  Jonathon has collaborated with the Apple Tree Theatre, Metropolis Performing arts Center, Noble Fool Theatricals in such classics as The Mystery of Erwin Drood, Scrooge!, Grease, HS Musical, Damn Yankees and A Funny Thing...Forum. 
Little Known Fact: Jonathon is proficient in juggling-balls and clubs and stilt walking!.

Jake Lindquist

Jake is a director, actor, playwright, improviser, and> general arts enthusiast.  He graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a BFA in acting.  While there he founded UIC's first improv troupe, *Red Light School District;* wrote his first play; and acted as president of Chicago Circle Players, UIC's Student Theater organization. Post-graduation he studied in Varna, Bulgaria and performed in a bi-lingual production of *A Midsummer Night's Dream* for their International Theater Festival.  He has interned with Victory Gardens and is currently the Education/Outreach Manager for Quest Theater Ensemble.  He is also the former "worst playwright in Chicago" as the Grand Loser for Drekfest 2010, this year he was only the 3rd worst, so it's a sign he's improving. Directing credits include:  *Waiting for Lefty* (Old World Theater Co), *The Wedding *(Assistant Director, TUTA - Jeff Nominated Best Ensemble), *News All the Time* (Assistant Director, Stage Left - Leapfest 8), *Beaten* (Assistant Director, Stage Left - Leapfest 7), *An Alex Moment* (Blackdove Productions), *How I Learned to Drive *(UIC), *The Maiden's Prayer *(UIC), *The America Play - adaptation *(UIC).  He has taken additional classes at IO and The Second City and was also one of the writers for the popular sketch show The Best Church of God. Additionally he has held the title of worst playwright in Chicago after winning "DrekFest: Festival of Bad Plays" in 2010, but as of 2011 is now only the 3rd worst. He currently works as a theatre director and educator, recently directing the Young Actor's Workshop Production of Around the World in 80 Days and running the after school improv workshop at Tripp School for Improv Playhouse.
Little Known Fact: Jake still watches the kids show "Arthur."  It's more creative, intelligent, and humorous than most shows on television.  Plus he'll never forget how to spell aardvark.

Erin Neal

Erin Neal is a Chicago-based actor and teacher.  Locally she has performed with Victory Gardens, Chicago Dramatists, About Face, The House, Remy Bumppo, The Griffin, and Defiant Theatres.  Her regional credits include work with Milwaukee Rep, The Dallas Theatre Center, Kitchen Dog Theatre, Creede Repertory Theatre, and Fusion Theatre.  She also spent two seasons acting and teaching with The Stratford Shakespeare Theatre.  Erin cherishes her work as a teacher and feels like it adds immensely to her growth as an artist.  In addition to working with Improv Playhouse and its Acting Conservatory for Teens, Erin has taught for The Old Town School of Folk Music, American Theatre Company, Redmoon Theatre, The Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and Remy Bumppo Theatre.  She holds a BFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University and has had additional training with The Stratford Festival and The British Academy of Dramatic Arts in Oxford.
Little Known Facts: Erin can wiggle her ears, was a Girl Scout for 13 years and a leader for 3, I grew up in Nacogdoches, the oldest town in TX (good luck pronouncing that)  and once made an entrance from underneath a car wearing a full mermaid's tail and carrying a fish in her mouth!

Steve Persch

Steve Persch began his love affair with improv in the Comedy Sportz Milwaukee High School League. Before leaving Milwaukee to attend Northwestern University Steve became part of the staff at Comedy Sportz Milwaukee and is still revered as one of the all-time greatest “Ballet” Parkers. At Northwestern Steve has used his theatre major to involve himself as an actor, writer, director, sound designer, lighting designer and stage manager. He also started studying Long-Form with the Titanic Players. Steve was heavily involved at WNUR, Northwestern’s radio station where he won two national awards for a radio drama he wrote and directed for N.U.R.D. Despite his busy schedule at NU, Steve found time to take advanced Short-Form classes at Comedy Sportz Chicago where he first met Emily Dugan who quickly introduced him to the Improv Playhouse.  Steve now freelances for LookingGlass Theatre, Victory Gardens and Improv Playhouse where he is a featured improv performer.
Little Known Fact: After his freshman year of college Steve rode his bicycle from Northwestern to his home in Milwaukee because he was bored due to finishing his finals before finals week .

Sari Sanchez

Sari has a BFA in acting from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Some of her performances include Six Degrees of Separation, Marisol, and the Jeff-recommended Raising Voices at About Face Theatre. Sari is a local Chicagoan, having graduated from New Trier High School.  She performs with the new American Theater Company and IP when she returns from Los Angeles, her current residence.
Little Known Fact:  Sari has a profound passion for Three Musketeers Bars.

Kristen Smiley

Kristen's pedagogical emphasis is on performance instruction in dance with over 15 years of experience in various theatrical venues. Kristen comes to I.P. with a terrific sense of nurturing young people and additional skills as a terrific choreographer for our North Shore Traveling Troupe. Kristen received her BFA from Niagara University in Theatre studies and has worked with the Theatre Arts Center (Queens, NY), Lexington Children's Theatre, Lake Forest Children's Theatre and the former Eileen Boevers Performing Arts Workshop. 

Little Known Fact:  Kristen is certified in quarterstaff, rapier-dagger and unarmed by the SAFD.

Courtney Schaughnessy 

Courtney is a member of AEA and AFTRA, having trained at Miami University in Ohio, where she received a BFA in Theatre Performance.  Delores Dogan, her coming of age one act play, is being produced on the Los Angeles Second City stage.  Former Second City-Chicago main stage and M.A.D.-TV player, Frank Caeti, directs.   In addition to her Improv Playhouse coaching and performance schedule, Courtney is the resident playwright and one of the four founding members of Serendipity Theatre Collective in Chicago and has worked as a mentor with Steppenwolf’s Cross Town Teen Workshop   She was one of the writers on board for their inaugural production of A.D.D., and was a co-writer for  “Chordless” which had its world premiere at the New York Fringe Festival the summer of 2001.   She is the author of “Being 11” which was voted one of the best plays to see in Chicago in 2002 by the Chicago Sun Times.   “Being 11” made its debut at the Tony Award winning, Victory Gardens Theatre in 2002 and was remounted at the Athenaeum Theatre in 2004.  She was the creator and writer for Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s annual “Stories of Care Giving”.  Courtney has performed overseas in England at the Theatre Royal and in Edinburgh as part of the Fringe Festival in “Weekend In Rio”, which she received a Best Actress Nomination for her performance as Tina.  Her most recent Chicago acting credits include, Tekla in Maria Arndt with the SteppenwolfTheatre.  Susie in “Wit” with the Goodman Theatre and Patty in the world premiere of Wendy Macloed’s Schoolgirl Figure with the Goodman Theatre. 

Little Known Fact: Courtney is a devoted mom and happily married spouse.

 Jeremy Schaefer

Jeremy Schaefer is a tall, curly haired explosive device and when he steps up to a mic it is like lighting a match. His cutting observations and sarcastic witticisms fly like shrapnel. Sounds dangerous? Maybe. Exciting and hilarious? Absolutely.  If you haven't guessed, Jeremy is one talented dude, having graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a BFA in Theatre. In addition to his undergraduate training, he has trained at Improv Olympic and The Annoyance with Susan Messing and is a founder of the Blind Mice Trio, an improv comedy group.   He presently tours with Storybox, an improv comedy educational ensemble through Urban Gateways.   He improvises regularly with Storybox Theater, pH Productions, The Improv Playhouse and The Blind Mice Trio. He’s also worked with First Folio Shakespeare Festival in Comedy of Errors, Janus Theatre’s Laramie Project, and multiple projects with The Big Picture Group. Jeremy has also performed his stand up comedy act in venues around Illinois and London.
Little Known Fact:  In addition to his Theatre degree, Jeremy has a B.A in Religion....and he still is an hysterically funny guy!

Tim Stoltenberg

Tim has been seen on the Alliance Stage in Go, Dog. Go! as Blue Dog, and Malcolm in Indulgences and Jack in The Jammer at Dad’s Garage Theatre-Atlanta. He has also performed in shows for the Center for Puppetry Arts, Synchronicity, Agatha’s Dinner Theatre, Academy Theatre and Jewish Theatre of the South. Improv-wise, Tim was Improv Director at Dad’s Garage Theatre, where he taught and performed regularly in such shows as Scandal!, an improvised soap opera, Samurai Davis Jr., Dimsum’s Mega Super Happy Fun Time Improv Show, an improvised Japanese game show, and Rockola. Tim was also is a member of Laughing Matter Improvisation Company. Tim is presently a member of the Second City National Touring Team, Improv Playhouse Touring Teams and was most recently seen in Second City's Dysfunctional Holiday Review at Metropolis Theatre-Arlington Heights.  Ever the expert at the hilarious art of slow comedy, Tim has been coaching Improv Playhouse advanced players and teams for their I.P. main stage shows. 
Little Known Fact: Tim is a graduate of St. Norbert College in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he is originally from (which means her must be a Packer fan IN BEAR COUNTRY! Although Tim may well be a typical artist who has nothing to do with the violence and commercial underpinnings of professional sports.

Michael Wollner

Michael A. Wollner... has been making a living in the theatrical feild for more than 15ys now.  Whether on stage (Goodman Theatre) in film (Crash Landing, Resurrection Mary, Chain Reaction) telivision (Early Edition, Cupid, What about Joan)  or appearing in commercials for (Kellogg's, HBO, IN Lottery) you've probubly heard him on the radio or even on TV (Chicago cubs, St. Farm, Fun Jet, Pepsi...) If you have kids you may hear him more often in cartoons (Veggie Tales, Ebos, Threads, PBS Kids)  Watch and listen close you will find him.  Michael teaches our Beginning through Advanced Voice Acting classes at iP. 

Little Known Fact : Michael is an author!  His book, "Whoever stole our X-mas decoration may you rot in ..."  a hilarious holiday book that can be purcahsed on-line at BarnesandNoble.com.