Stevie Ray - Executive Director
stevie@stevierays.org

Stevie is a successful businessman, an accomplished entertainer, talented writer, lucky husband, and worn-out stepdad.

In addition to his role as Executive Director for Stevie Ray's Improv Company, he is a corporate trainer for Fortune 500 companies and start-ups alike, and has been a keynote speaker for conferences and events nationwide.

An accomplished entertainer, Stevie performed his first show at the age of nine and has been making people laugh ever since, touring the country as an improvisational and stand-up comedian. He is the co-creator and star of High School Clix, a two-man comedy show about the cliques we were all part of in high school. He has opened for such stars as Paula Poundstone, Marsha Warfield of Night Court, Rich Hall of Saturday Night Live, and "Weird Al" Yankovic. He has also served as Master of Ceremonies for several notable events:

• Miss Minnesota Pageant (2005-2011)
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Breath of Life Gala (2004-2007)
• Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Hope Has No Boundaries (2004-2006)
• Twin Cities Public Television The Minnesota Channel (2003-2004)
• St. Paul Winter Carnival Coronation (1998-2001)

His unique combination of business savvy and entertainment skills have enabled him to write several successful books:

• What We Laugh At...and Why explains the nature of humor and the psychology of laughter; it’s even used as a textbook in several universities
• Working the Room: Networking for Professionals is a step-by-step guide to developing professional networking skills
• Speaking in Public without Sweating in Private helps develop presentation and public speaking skills
• Keep Your Mind on Your Work: Thinking Fast in Any Situation is a book of exercises to speed up the brain and help you communicate with anyone

Other tidbits about Stevie you may find interesting:

• An award-winning blues harmonica player
• The only person in the country to design his own college degree in Theory and Performance of Comedy at Moorhead State University in Minnesota
• Martial artist since 1977 and holder of four black belts
• Former bodyguard for Pee Wee Herman (yes, really)
• Owner of Steve's Bees Minnesota Honey, producing natural honey from his own beehives
• Volunteer for the Minnesota State Services for the Blind, recording books on tape
• Volunteer for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, bringing hope, strength, and joy to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Stevie’s affiliations and publications:

• Nationally syndicated columnist for the Business Journal Newspapers and longest running local columnist of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
• Professional member of the National Speakers Association

Really nice things that others have said about Stevie:

“In this, the most difficult comic art form, Stevie Ray makes improv performance skills seem like second nature. He slips in and out of personas, international accents, and situations the same way Harry Houdini slipped in and out of padlocked chains and steel cages - effortlessly, almost magically." Pam Mellskog - Twin Cities Revue

"the improv showman."
TV Guide

“a ready-for-prime-time player."
St. Paul Pioneer Press

“an impressario of improvisational comedy."
Skyway News