Joe’s voice and visage (© 2021, Joe Lovitt Voice and Visage. All rights reserved.) have appeared in literally hundreds of radio and TV ads and videos, including a stint as an online chef for Johnsonville Sausages (keep the jokes to yourself). In addition, he was a field reporter for HGTV’s TIPical Mary Ellen for four seasons, and a film critic for all ABC News North American affiliates for four years (he’s normal now). Joe is a published playwright whose play Winter Rose was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, whose play Return of the Christmas Kid has been performed in churches across the US and Canada and who writes and directs an original play annually (and joyfully!) for the children of Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina.

Besides his corporate, classroom, and stage work with Stevie Ray’s, Joe’s improv skills have been used as director and instructor for Diamond Dave’s Cabaret Players at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School where he has also written and directed the State One-Act Play Competition entry for four years.

Joe is a 23-year veteran of the Twin Cities standup comedy scene, performing throughout the Midwest at clubs and corporate gatherings. His stage work includes Deer Camp: The Musical; How to Mow The Lawn, Holy Bells: A Deer Camp Christmas Musical; Flannagan’s Wake; Funny Business; Don’t Hug Me, We’re Married; and four seasons with A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol. Films include Unholy Reunion (2008) and the viral video series Undead Nation (2010), long before all this “walking dead” crap started.

Joe remains one of the industry’s top undiscovered talents.

Ellie joined Stevie Ray’s Improv Company in 2018 after graduating from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul with a degree in Musical Theatre. She is a licensed realtor. In her free time, Ellie is learning how to play ukulele, and to solve a Rubik’s Cube. One of the most powerful singers in the history of Stevie Ray’s, she has literally brought audiences to their feet with her musical improv skills.

Joe Harstad’s first improv class was at the ripe young age of one. Though he didn’t pick up much at that time, crawling around the classroom space was just the beginning of his improv career. Growing up in a household with Pamela Mayne, improv was a daily activity.

Joe took his first real improv class at the age of fifteen, and he has been in a class every week since then. He soon began teaching improv classes. In the fall of 2015, Joe moved from performing to directing. As Associate Director, Joe directs performances at Stevie Ray’s Comedy Cabaret, and directs the School of Improv; training new instructors and continuing to teach classes himself. You will often find Mr. Harstad in the sound & light booth during shows; lending his talents as a technician (it also allows him to keep an eye on the troupe).

joseph@stevierays.org

Joden has been performing with Stevie Ray’s Improv Company since 2012. Besides entertaining audiences, he occasionally teaches improv classes at Stevie Ray’s School of Improv. Joden is a resident of Chanhassen and works a daytime job in the exciting world of insurance. Fun fact… Joden graduated from Rockford High School (go Rockets!) where he was voted “Most Likely to Host a Game Show”.

Rex Isom Jr. has been an entertainment artist for over 25 years and has been involved in comedy improvisation for almost 20 years. Along with performing and teaching for Stevie Rays, Rex also teaches on-camera acting, and can be seen in a number of local TV commercials. He also performs as a history player for the Minnesota African American Museum. Rex feels the reason he’s been with Stevie’s for over three years is the family feel; or, as he puts it, “Diggin’ that vibe, homies!” Rex has performed in several theatres around the Twin Cities over his career, including Penumbra Theatre, the Brave New Workshop, and the American History Theatre. He also performed comedy improv and sketch theatre in Los Angeles for five years. He loves to bring the joy of laughter to the Stevie Ray’s audiences; and to everyone else he knows and loves!

Jonathan began performing comedy in his elementary school lunchroom and he is proud to say that he has not matured one bit since those early days. He joined Stevie Ray’s Improv Company in 2016. Jonathan also hosts stand-up comedy shows around the Twin Cities. When he is not performing, Jonathan practices yoga and law, but not at the same time.