CSz Business :: Facilitators
Bobbi Block :: Director of Applied Improv
BOBBI BLOCK co-founded ComedySportz Philadelphia in 1992, was the Education Director 1992-2006, and the Artistic Director 2004-2006. Bobbi has taught Improvisation at The Wilma Theatre, University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, University of the Arts, Villanova University (where she received her Masters in Theatre) and currently at Temple University. She studied improv in Chicago and NYC at ImprovOlympic, The Annoyance, and Upright Citizens Brigade. She received the 2008 Philadelphia City Paper Choice Award for “Actress who will lead Improv to the Promised Land.” She is also the Artistic Director of the reality-based improv company, Tongue & Groove, and performs with other local groups such as LunchLady Doris and Playback Philadelphia. For the 2007 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival Bobbi was invited to create LEAP: The Actors’ Improv Experiment in which she directed veteran scripted actors in an improvised show. Bobbi also oversees ComedySportz’ corporate workshop and team building program.
Kelly Jennings :: Applied Improv Facilitator
KELLY JENNINGS has been performing with ComedySportz-Philadelphia since 1992, serving as both Business Manager and Co-Artistic Director. She was co-creator of and “Cecily” in Cecily and Gwendolyn’s Fantastical… winner of the League of Cincinnati Theater’s Outstanding Improv Award, plus Audience Choice and Best of Fest recognition in Capital Fringe, St Louis Fringe, and Boulder Fringe as well as receiving critical acclaim from The Washington Post and Philadelphia Inquirer. Kelly was a founding member of the Philadelphia based long form company LunchLady Doris which performed to sold-out runs in 12 consecutive Philadelphia Fringe Festivals as well as having the distinction of appearing at the FIRST Del Close Memorial Festival in NYC. She has taught improv and interactive performance at C.W. Post Long Island University, Marywood University, University of The Arts, Studio 24 in Syracuse NY, Dog and Pony DC, and ComedySportz World Championships. Kelly has studied improv with Joe Bill, Mick Napier, Miles Stroth, Paul Grondy, Jeff Wirth, and Jill Bernard.
And that’s not all! – Kelly is a member of Actors Equity. She received a BFA cum laude in Acting from Syracuse University. Kelly has performed with many award winning Philadelphia based companies including Pig Iron Theatre, Swim Pony Performing Arts, Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, Brat Productions, Lantern Theater. www.kellyajennings.com
Mary Carpenter :: Applied Improv Facilitator
MARY CARPENTER has been with ComedySportz Philadelphia since 1992, where she has worked as a performer, teacher, Education Director and Artistic Director. She holds degrees in theatre from Northwestern University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Her improv training began at The Second City in Chicago and continued with Mick Napier, Keith Johnstone, Joe Bill, Todd Stashwick, Jill Bernard and Jeff Wirth. She has appeared in plays with Stephen Colbert and David Schwimmer, and developed and performed in an original two-woman show with SNL alum Ana Gasteyer. Mary co-founded Philadelphia’s first non-profit Improvisation Company, Freefall Productions where she produced Philly’s first women’s improv ensemble 13 Skirts, as well as the fully improvised musical Choosical. In addition to ComedySportz Philadelphia, Mary’s improvisation experience includes City of Nutterly Love with The Second City, Dangerous Fools with Thomas Fowler, ‘Til Death Do Us Part, Wisdom Teeth and Smoochy & Me. Mary also works as an actress, writer and director. Most recent projects include Intimate Exchanges at 1812 Productions, and Didn’t Your Father Have this Talk with You and Making Spirits Bright at Act II Playhouse.
Dave Jadico :: Applied Improv Facilitator
DAVE JADICO has been performing improv with ComedySportz since 1994, and has been the Artistic Director since 2008. In addition to being a commercial actor, voice over artist, and Barrymore Award winning stage actor, he has also performed in several improv groups. He performed with LunchLady Doris for thirteen years in the Philly Fringe, as well as an appearance at the first ever Del Close Marathon. He has performed in the duets Jadico Fowler and Jadico Dougherty, performed in numerous improv shows with 1812 Productions, The Blue Show, CSz Shakespeare and Friends of Alcatraz puppet improv. He has taught improv at The University of the Arts, Temple, Drexel, Arcadia, The Walnut Street Theatre, and People's Light and Theatre Company. Dave has studied with Mike Young, Joe Bill, Mick Napier, Miles Stroth, Myles Nye, Jeff Wirth, Jill Bernard and Matt Elwell. He received a BS in Music from Drexel University and, as a player and a Ref, has performed in over 1,300 ComedySportz matches.
Alli Soowal :: Applied Improv Facilitator
ALLI SOOWAL has been a CSz Philadelphia company member since 2007 and was the Managing Director from 2008 – 2012. She has taught improv since 2006, including instructing improvisers from around the country at the CSz Worldwide Championships. In addition to being a ComedySportz Player, Alli directs CityBeatz – Philly’s first hip/hop improv team – and Origin Story – an improvised superhero show. Alli performs regularly with Figment Theater in shows including Grey Gardens, Wisdom Teeth, AD Showcase, Alli & Darryl, Stage Fright and John Hughes High. She also has the joy of coaching the CSz Philadelphia Rec League. She has received improv instruction from some of the best teachers in the country including: Dick Chudnow, Keith Johnstone, Joe Bill, Mark Sutton, Jill Bernard, Tara DeFrancisco, Lauren Pritchard and many more. Alli’s day job – Site Manager for 2 outpatient physical therapy offices of Good Shepherd Penn Partners – requires her to use her teambuilding improv training daily to ensure high employee and patient satisfaction.
