About Me
(me being Holly)
August of 2002 I moved to New York from Los Angeles, where I lived for 13 years, started teaching and coaching, and very soon I had met a bunch of great, talented, enthused, and very cool people. So I decided to start a school. I wanted to create a place that reflected everything I had learned and thought was so paramount to good improv – total support, lack of competition, an emphasis on characters, honest feedback, playing together as a group of individuals who are giving everything but not for themselves but for the sake of the scene, and where the true and authentic direction is always encouraged. I liked the name IMPROVOLUTION because it implies evolution and I think improv is all about change and development. I’ve never seen so many people change and develop as I have in my improv classes…it’s fantastic! And I also think improv itself as a form of entertainment can evolve beyond where it has, in my opinion, gotten a little stuck. The wacky, superficial, and not terriby collaborative at the end of the day.
I studied at THE GROUNDLINGS THEATER SCHOOL in Los Angeles under some of the best teachers there: Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers), Patrick Bristow (The Ellen Show), Jennifer Joyce (MAD TV writer), Mike McDonald (MAD TV) and Lisa Kudrow. After five years in the school, I joined the Main Company where I wrote and performed as a company member for six years. I also taught for six years in all levels at the GROUNDLINGS SCHOOL and directed several improv and sketch shows.
Other GROUNDLING alum that I have had the priviledge to watch and learn from include SNL’s Will Ferrell, Cheri Oteri, Chris Kattan, Ana Gasteyer, Chris Parnell, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Jon Lovitz, Phil Hartman, Julia Sweeny and Loraine Newman. Also Lisa Kudrow, Pee Wee Herman, Elvira, Kathy Griffin, “Curb Your Enthusiam”‘s Cheryl Hines, “Gilmore Girls”‘s Melissa McCarthy, “Austin Powers”‘s Mindy Sterling, “Best in Show”‘s Mike Hitchcock and Jennifer Coolidge, and MAD TV’s Michael McDonald and Phil LaMarr.
I have also studied with:
- the fabulous Jeff Michalski of SECOND CITY CHICAGO, who was the resident director for many years before moving to LA.
- Stan Wells, who created the critically acclaimed TRANSFORMERS and started his own school, THE EMPTY STAGE.
What has improv done for me…is that what you’re asking? Well besides turning my life upside down in the best possible way and allowing me to meet some of my dearest friends, it has also helped my acting and writing immensely. I could barely audition before, now I tend to book commercials quite a bit – and I ususally improvise the majority of it. My recent ones have been EMBASSY SUITES, EARTHLINK, MORGAN STANLEY, SATURN, BROOKS PHARMACY, DUNKIN DONUTS, PANDA EXPRESS, SACRAMENTO KINGS, PAC BELL and HOTJOBS.COM.
I have also done some “funny bits” in film and TV such as SHOWTIME with Eddie Murphy and ‘Bobby’ DeNiro, SPIN CITY and a few pilots that never got picked up; was a recurring cast member in THE GROUNDLINGS’ improv show for FOX several years ago, “Instant Comedy with The Groundlings”, and a shining moment was performing in an improv show with Mike Meyers and being totally frozen and utterly useless for the entire performance. I was also the official “sub” for the second season of Drew Carey’s “WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?”
I have performed improv at THE CHICAGO IMPROV FESTIVAL, EDIMBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL and THE SAN FRAN COMEDY FESTIVAL.
I also teach at HB Studio and have been hired by many individuals and groups looking to use improv in their acting, their auditoning, their work and their lives. In a nutshell, improv RULES! It is as much a way of living as it is a fun hobby to do once a week and meet cool people.
Come by and check us out…see a show, check out a class…you won’t be sorry. I’ve you’ve read this far, you obviously want to improvise. So do it!!! 
4 Responses to About Me
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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
Will Forte
SNL cast member
Holly Mandel is a master improvisational instructor — she can take an ordinary oyster, mix it together with rigorous comedy training and a little bit of sand, and bring forth a beautiful pearl. Take her class!
Chris Parnell
Former SNL cast member
New York City is lucky to have Holly & her crew. You can learn a lot from them…and have a blast doing it. Holly used to throw excellent pool parties by the way…
Cheryl Hines
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Holly has strong improv roots — I worked with her at The Groundlings. She knows what she’s talking about and you can learn a lot from going here.
Hello Holly,
5:40 pm on 5/18/11How are you? This is an easy question but what happen if i say , do you remember me?.
I know this one is kind of imposible. But I am going to try to refresh your memory. In September 2007 i did an improv curso with you for level 1. It was such a great experience i still smile everytime i have an e-mail from your school. And well here is the favor a need from you. Actually I am trying to get the VISA from Australia. One School from there is going to sponsor me to work us a spanish teacher. And I will get lot of points if I have a certificate that can prove that i made a course with you. I know may be i am asking for to much, but if there is any posibility to help me i will really appreciate it. Thank you so much even if you can not hepl me. And good luck with your future, the school has grow a lot since 2007, And I am so glad for you.
Muchos besos desde España, Madrid.
P.
Hello Pati – I tried to reply to you but it didn’t work I guess. Email me at holly [at] improvolution [dot] org.
Nice to hear from you!
4:40 pm on 5/27/11Thanks for your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will eventually come back down the road. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great writing, have a nice afternoon!
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6:05 am on 2/2/12