Michael Erickson

Host & Music Director-Stevie Ray's Comedy Troupe

Michael has been writing/directing and playing for theatrical productions for way too long. After growing up in the Twin Cities, he got confused and headed to California to work for Disney and Nickelodeon, and also served as Artistic Director of the San Diego Junior Theatre. In his other life, he worked for Fox Sports in Los Angeles and ended up working for two seasons as a baseball play-by-play announcer in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He hosted a daily radio talk show and a morning comedy show in Wisconsin, before moving to New York as a Director for the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music in 2001. He now lives in Edina where he mostly plays whiffle ball with his son, Quincy.

Brett Williams

Performer-Stevie Ray's Comedy Troupe

The cast member most closely resembling Benicio Del Toro, Brett started training at Stevie Ray’s in October of 2000 and rose to troupe membership very quickly. His stage energy has been used to power small townships and the Xcel company is considering a franchise option. Brett is also the creator and star of the hit trivia game show, MatchWits with Brett Williams.

Matt Kraft

Technical Director-Stevie Ray's Comedy Troupe

Matthew Kraft has been working with the Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret since September of 2010.  He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota having majored in Theatre Arts, English, and Computer Science.  Whether he is creating the magic of the stage from behind the footlights (as a carpenter for the Penumbra Theatre Company) or in front of the footlights (in Bye Bye Liver with the Actors Theater of Minnesota), Matthew has been entertaining audiences for over a decade.

Carl Olson

Performer-Stevie Ray's Comedy Troupe

Carl simply can't stay away from Stevie Ray's.  He first ventured into a Stevie Ray's classroom in 1993 while home from college for the summer.  He left, then returned, then left again, then returned again, then left yet again and has now returned.  In the meantime he has travelled around Europe, graduated from law school, taught high school math, suffered various mental health crises, gotten married, gotten divorced and become a mean disc golf player.  He displays the typical characteristics of the hardcore improv addict and is overjoyed to be off the wagon once again.  He's been doing improv longer than his middle school math students have been alive.  His improv career could legally purchase cigarettes.  Nothing makes him happier than to have you laugh at him.

Lisa Shafer

Performer-Stevie Ray's Comedy Troupe

A member of Stevie Ray’s since 2012, Lisa has loved performing since the age of two; whether in a musical, a dance show, film, or for her bathroom mirror. A graduate of Concordia College Moorhead, this Cobber frequently gets her geek on with Star Wars marathons, weekly gatherings to watch The Walking Dead, playing Zoombie themed games with her friends, and solving Rubik’s Cubes (sometimes with one hand). She resides in Eagan with her husband, Jake, and Basset Hound, Penny, named for the character on Big Bang Theory.