Stevie Ray

Executive Director

Business
Executive Director, Stevie Ray's Improv Company
Corporate Trainer and consultant with Fortune 500 companies and medium-to-large corporations
Keynote speaker for conferences and events
Private Executive Coach in leadership and communication
Real estate owner and investor

Entertainer
Performed his first show at the age of nine and has been making people laugh ever since. Has opened for Paula Poundstone, Marsha Warfield of Night Court, Rich Hall of Saturday Night Live, and "Weird Al" Yankovic
The only person to perform a one-man comedy show, "The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron," at the renowned Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Host of:
  • Miss Minnesota Pageant (2005-07)
  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Breath of Life Gala annual fundraiser (2004-07)
  • Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Hope Has No Boundaries annual fundraiser (2004-06)

  • Twin Cities Public Television The Minnesota Channel (2003-04)
  • St. Paul Winter Carnival Coronation (1998-2001)
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

Affiliations and Publications
Nationally syndicated columnist for the Business Journal Newspapers
Professional member of the National Speakers Association
Author of:
  • "What we laugh at, and Why," a book that explains the nature of humor and the psychology of laughter; used as a text in several universities
  • "Spontaneity Takes Practice," a three-volume series of exercises and editorial, helping people think quickly and communicate more effectively in the workplace

  • "Speaking in Public without Sweating in Private," a book about presentation and public speaking

Extras
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," retailing natural honey from his own beehives

Stevie Ray is:
     "the improv showman."
               TV Guide
      "a ready-for-prime-time player."
               St. Paul Pioneer Press
      "an impressario of improvisational comedy."
               Skyway News

"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

Pamela M. Mayne
Artistic Director

Pamela began her association with Stevie in 1988 when they co-managed a comedy variety club in Minneapolis. They eventually took over the club to create Stevie Ray's Improv Company. As Artistic Director, Pamela directs all productions and teaches the Masters Class for the School of Improv. She alone holds the distinction of being able to tell Stevie he's not as funny as he thinks he is. When not helping to run the company, Pamela tries to keep her young sons from jumping off the roof with a parachute made out of a bedsheet .

Jason Bindas
Director, School of Improv

Jason joined Stevie Ray's Improv Company in 1998. He has trained in many styles of improvisation and teaches and coaches performance companies throughout the Twin Cities. He has been a member of Stevie Ray's Comedy Troupe since 1999 and directs our showcase troupe, The Outtakes.

Samantha Pereira
Administrator, School of Improv

Samantha began her association with Stevie Ray's in 1997. She performs with The Stevie Ray's Comedy Troupe and administrates the School of Improv. She is a member of the Association for Women in Communications. She is funny, and her students love her. That's all that matters.