instructors
Check out the full workshop details and secure your spot:
We bring different comedic perspectives to the stage, but we’re united by a love for purposeful play, thoughtful collaboration, and real connection.
Josh Cohen
& Tamra Malaga
Pioneers of puppet improv for over 27 years, Josh Cohen and Tamra Malaga bring high-energy, world-class expertise to Puppet Improvisation 101. The pair launched The Josh and Tamra Show at New York City’s Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in 1999, touring headlining improv festivals and international venues ever since with their unique blend of puppetry and long-form comedy.
Josh is a SAG actor, UCB-trained improviser, and Jim Henson-trained Muppeteer. Tamra is a SAG character actress and improviser trained at both UCB and the prestigious William Esper Studio. Together, they offer students a rare opportunity to learn puppet manipulation, character building, and seamless long-form storytelling from two of the most seasoned innovators in the field.
Heather Marie Vitale
Heather Marie Vitale brings over a decade of performance expertise to the stage, with 12 years of improv, 7 years of sketch, and extensive training as a stage and camera actor. A graduate of the Second City Conservatory (Chicago), she has also trained at the Annoyance, Magnet (NY), Washington Improv Theater, and Acting Studio Chicago.
As an instructor, Heather specializes in grounded, relationship-driven longform that heightens in unexpected ways. She focuses on rich narrative and dramatic play alongside classic formats like the Harold, WeirDass, and LaRonde—helping students build specific character choices and dynamic scenes.