Holly Mandel

Artisic Director, Founder

IMPROVOLUTION! was founded by Los Angeles GROUNDLINGS alumna HOLLY MANDEL in January 2002 when she moved to New York after deciding to leave LA and, well, move to New York. As a GROUNDLING she performed, wrote, directed and taught as a Main Company member for over six years, studying and performing with some of the best in improv and sketch comedy.  She created the longest-running long-form show in LA before leaving, “The Crazy Uncle Joe Show” which you can see any Wednesday night at The Groundlings. She also studied with the wonderful SECOND CITY director Jeff Michalski and the fantastic Stan Wells of THE EMPTY STAGE in Los Angeles.

Holly teaches at and directs IMPROVOLUTION’s shows, as well as performs with GROUNDLING alums and various troupes. She also teaches improv at HB Studio and coaches both individuals and groups.

Here is a photo of Holly in a blonde wig from a sketch from the Groundlings.

No, she does not still own it.  Yes, she wishes she did. ”It was one of the best wigs I ever had the honor of wearing.”

Radhika Vaz

RADHIKA VAZ has been teaching improv for over 4 years with IMPROVOLUTION.  She has also taught at various other schools including HB Studio.  She has also worked with several media companies in India. She is the QUEEN OF LEVEL 1.

Radhika has been performing with IMPROVOLUTION for over 6 years and produced her own sketch show with Katarina Kojic in 2007, The KAT AND RAD SHOW.

Radhika thinks birthdays are indulgent.

Anthony Minto

School Administrator

This is not what Anthony looks like now. Some people didn’t get that this was Anthony as a confident youth.

Anthony has been teaching for almost 6 years and has been a performing member of IMPROVOLUTION for almost 7 years. He has also performed in several improv groups including 4 PLAY, 7 CHAIRS, and THE AGENCY.

He has taught at various schools including HB Studio.

Anthony has been known to celebrate not only his own birthday but his vast array of friends’ birthdays as well.

Kat Kojic

KAT KOJIC has been teaching improv for over 4 years and performing with IMPROVOLUTION for over 6 years.  She has also produced her own sketch and improv show incorporating her photography work in 2007.  Along with Radhika, she performed in their original sketch show, THE KAT AND RAD SHOW in 2007.

She’s also an amazing, intuitive and creative photographer…most of the photos on this site are hers (all the good ones basically). She is able to capture the essence of a person and uses her improv talents to stay present and spontaneous. Check out her work: http://MiseEnScenePhotoshoots.com

Kat thinks birthdays are fantastic.

Mike Iaia

It’s hard not to adore Mike Iaia.  Many have tried but all have failed. He has been teaching at Improvolution almost since he started performing. A member of IMPROVOLUTION since 2002, Mike has performed, directed, and emceed many a show…a gift which he never flaunts.  But should. We haven’t asked Mike what he thinks about birthdays but are anxious to hear his unqiue self-depricating take on the matter.

Rebecca Stuard

Helping steer the ship, using her skills of positivity, organization, lots of care, and eerie ability to attract people and things.

David Frenkiel

IT, website, love, support and unique perspective on everything.

Mike Drummey

Boy wonder. Marketing, idea man, with constantly shifting facial hair combinations.

Anthony “the Mint” Minto

Lives Improvolution. Helps with the school and keeping the love going strong with us all.

Nadia Manzoor

Assisting Improvolution in many ways – from her business and non-profit structuring background, to her appreciation for the power improv has to develop individulas and groups.  A true team player.