Stevie Ray's - Classes

Alumni

Paul Magers - CBS News
Okay, he was already talented and famous before we came along, but Paul actually took an improv course as part of his KARE-11 television special, What's So Funny? He even performed improv with the troupe before a live audience. We couldn't convince him to give up his career in television to join us permanently, but we're still trying. Now that he's in California on national news, I don't think we'll hear from him.

A very grainy photo of Stevie, Pamela, and Paul, 1992

Maria Bamford
A troupe member in the early 90's, Maria now makes her living as a comedian and actor in LA. She was cast in the movie Lucky Numbers, starring John Travolta and Lisa Kudrow. Rumor has it the director liked her work so much he rewrote part of the script to increase her role in the movie. She has also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, had her own comedy special on Comedy Central, plus numerous other appearances. See more at www.mariabamford.com

Maria Bamford, 1992

Janelle Ranek
A student and troupe member almost from the start of Stevie Ray's, Janelle created fabulous one-woman shows including, "Letters to Santa," and "A Dingo 8 My Baby." She performs and teaches acting throughout the Twin Cities.

Mary Jo Pehl
We can't claim Mary Jo's success as our own, since she came to us already a successful comedienne and actress. She performed shows at Stevie Ray's Comedy Theatre & Cabaret in Uptown including the sketch & improv show, "Return of the Uptown Stooges," as well as her original shows, "Live Bait & Harrowing Tales," and "Mary Jo Pehl: Back by Popular Indifference." She was a writer and featured performer on the hit television comedy, "Mystery Science Theatre 3000" and now lives and works in Texas.

Stacia Rice
A student and troupe member in the early 90's, Ms. Rice has gone on to become one of the Twin Cities most acclaimed actors.

See more at www.staciarice.com

Stacia in improv class, 1991

Steve LeBeau
A student and troupe member in the late 80's, Steve was well-known in the community for his KFAI radio program, "Java Jive." He went on to become the speech writer for Governor Jesse Ventura, then Managing Editor of The Business Journal Newspaper. Who knows what could be next?

Steve, 1990

John Sweeney & Jenni Lilledahl
Jenni joined the School of Improv in 1991 with a background in marketing and promotion. John came from corporate real estate with a dream of someday joining Saturday Night Live. They trained in the School of Improv, and both became members of the performance troupe. Jenni was also trained as a teacher for the school. While in class together they began dating. Later they secured writing and acting positions with Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop. They eventually moved to Chicago to train with The Second City. When Dudley decided to sell his theatre in 1997, John and Jenni moved back to the Twin Cities, got married, and bought the BNW with Artistic Director Mark Bergren. They continue to operate the Brave New Workshop together.

See more at www.bravenewworkshop.com

Jenni, 1992

John, 1993

This is his old corporate photo. Snazzy!

Gust Alexander & Kim Thomassen--"The Stagebenders"
Both Gust and Kim were friends who were among our first student at the School of Improv. Both eventually became troupe members and teachers in the school. Later they formed an improvisational comedy duo called The Stagebenders. They are now based in Los Angeles and tour nationally, including appearances in Las Vegas, Comedy Central, HBO, and MTV.

See more at www.stagebenders.com

Gust, 1990

Kim, 1990

Greg Fideler
A comedian and writer who started at the School of Improv and first performed at Stevie Ray's comedy theatre and cabaret, Greg now lives in Los Angeles and has written for "The Tonight Show," "Late Night with David Letterman," "ESPN," and "A Prairie Home Companion." He also headlines comedy clubs nationwide.

Greg, 1993

Colleen Kruse
Colleen began performing on open stage night at Stevie Ray's comedy theatre & cabaret. She soon began producing one- and two-person shows. Colleen now hosts her own radio show on FM107 and is a columnist for The Rake magazine.

Colleen, 1990

Amy Anderson
Amy first started in improv classes in 1995, and later joined the troupe. She also trained in stand-up comedy, performing both at Stevie Ray's. She moved on to Los Angeles in 2000 and quickly gained fame, appearing at The Ice House and The Improv as well as touring the country. She was recently featured on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" stand-up show and tours the country as a favorite stand-up. As an actress she has been asked to read for pilots produced by Ron Howard.

See more at www.amyanderson.net

Amy, 1996