It's my bio!
If you've come this far you must be somewhat intrigued about QUICKTHINKING! Improv (or me!).
While I was pursuing a BFA in illustration at The School of Visual Arts, I thought it would be fun to take an acting class. It was there that I was introduced into the fun, creatively-fulfilling, and exciting world of improvisation. Although I had always been a ham, I was a nervous child and throughout my school years I stuttered. You can imagine the problem there. I remember having to bow out of a class play once due to my inability to get my words out. So although I wanted to act/be onstage/do comedy, my stuttering presented a MAJOR obstacle for me. Improvisation was perfect for me because there were no scripts (so I didn't have to worry about certain words that I might have difficulty with), it was creatively challenging to the artist in me, and it was just so much FUN!!!
A year after I graduated SVA I began taking classes with "The First Ammendment" - at the time Manhattan's finest showcase for improv comedy and talent. Among my instructors there (to name just two) were Nancy Lombardo and Tom Carrozza.
About a year later, on the advice from a fellow improviser, I began studying with Katha Feffer- who was the director and a performer in "For Play Improvised Theater". It was there that I was introduced to long form improvisation - "The Harold". The classes were radical and the shows at The Producers Club were challenging, rewarding, mad, and hysterical! I can't tell you how happy and proud I was when FPIT won the MAC (Manhattan Arts & Cabaret) Award for Best Comedy Group.
From there, I went on to perform with two other improv groups here in Manhattan - "Some Assembly Required" (a year long run at The Duplex) and "Klaatu". I also performed stand-up comedy from 1990 - 1994 & have also been featured in commercials for NY Lotto, MCI, and NASDAQ.
QUICKTHINKING! Improv began as a performing group in the summer of 2000. About a year later, after substituting for my improv instructor one night, I was encouraged by my fellow students to try my hand at teaching. Although the thought of it scared me, one of the beautiful things about improv is that it gets you used to taking risks. And that's what I did. I thought long and hard about what I loved about some improv classes (the sense of being able to make mistakes without reprimand, establishing a supportive, and positive environment, keeping it fast paced and FUN), and disliked about others (apathetic instructors, competitive and/or negative classmates), I strived to create an atmosphere that was unlike most improv classes. According to my testimonials I'm extremely flattered that many of my students believe that I've been successful in achieving my goal.
In the Summer of 2006 I was hired to teach improvisation at NYU/Tisch School of the Arts for their Pre-College Program. I've now taught there for the past 4 summers and I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful and talented faculty!
Finding (and learning) improvisation has enriched my life in so many ways. It's helped me become more confident, positive, and willing to take chances both big and small. It's also helped me to be a better scene partner, co-worker, friend, and human being. I hope you'll consider studying with QUICKTHINKING! Improv so you can experience the joy and rewards that improvisation can have on YOUR life!
And if you STILL haven't had enough of reading about me, check out my
blog for QUICKTHINKING! Improv
Check out my Jet Blue commercial where I talk about improv!:
