People
These are some of the faces behind the magic. And we're always interested in meeting new improvisers! Our performers are not required to pay dues or take our classes in order to play with us; all that you need is a genuine love of performing and skill in improv. Head over to our contact page and drop us line if you're curious about playing with us.
Matt Benincasa
Matt Benincasa (he/him) has been a regular guest performer to Blind Tiger, and in January 2025 he made his debut as a full-time player. Matt has trained with Terry Knickerbocker Studios as well as William Esper Studios and Fordham University's acting program. Matt is a member of house team Seasoned Athletes.
Jim Brownold
Around 1979 Jim Brownold discovered the First Amendment Comedy/Improv Group in Manhattan. Since then Jim has worked with The Remedy, Whoprov, Last Minute Improv and others. You may have seen him in national commercials or doing standup at the Improv, Stand Up NY, or Dangerfield’s. Currently he hosts a weekly online improv jam. He is also an award-winning commercial writer and actor; having worked at WALL Middletown, WRIF in Detroit, and WPLJ in Manhattan.
Brian Bagot
Brian Bagot (he/him) discovered improv with the local art and theater group Embark Peekskill. In addition to performing with Blind Tiger, he also acts in community theater productions in and around Westchester County, and is a member of Westchester Collaborative Theater in Ossining. When he isn’t doing improv or involved in a theater project, Brian can be found playing guitar with his bluegrass friends at jams in Riverdale, Upper Manhattan, and Riverside Park.
Priscilla Candelaria
Priscilla Candelaria (they/them) is an accomplished and experienced writer. They've performed at stand-up open mics around the Hudson Valley and have trained with Blind Tiger Improv. Priscilla is a member of house team Seasoned Athletes.
Kelsea Dineen
With a life-long love of theatre and all its components, Kelsea (she/her) has a varied experience in the theater world, onstage and off. Her improv journey began at Siena College, where she earned her Theatre degree, and continued at Rhino comedy, where she performed with The Mutts. She is thrilled to be part of the Blind Tiger family!
Brett Eidman
Brett Eidman (he/him) is an award winning comedian/writer/actor who is best known for his song parody Shaft, Barack Theme and his comedy album What’s So F#@k’n Funny? A graduate of The Second City and UCB, Brett has been seen on Saturday Night Live, Netflix’s Daredevil, Law & Order, CollegeHumor, and more.
Brian Godleski
Brian Godleski (he/him) is a writer/actor/improviser originally from Atlanta, Georgia. He’s performed improv extensively since 2005 with NYC-based groups such as Playing in Traffic, Empty Casket, and Pez Junket. In addition to improv, he co-created the critically acclaimed web series “Avengers Assemble!” featuring the late, great Stan Lee. He resides in Croton with his wife Katie and son Brady.
Michelle Evans
Michele Evans (she/her) is an actress by day and an improvista by night. She has performed with Blind Tiger both online and in person, and has trained in improv since 2019 under Blind Tiger, Westchester Improvisers, and Ralph MacLeod. Recently she featured in the interactive dinner theater event Who Killed Mama Souprano.
Stephanie Hare
Stage Manager Stephanie L. Hare (she/her) has a degree in Dance & Theater from Manhattanville College where she studied all aspects of Theater from stage management and lighting design to acting and directing. Steph worked at the Schoolhouse Theater in Croton Falls, NY in any backstage opportunity available for several years before moving on to working in the world of nonprofit administration.
Brenda Hettmansberger
Brenda Hettmansberger (she/her) is an actress, model, and dancer. In addition to on-camera and stage work, Brenda employs her acting skills as a Standardized Patient, simulating scenarios with patients and family members for medical students. She is a member of team Mind the Gap.
Gina Goodenow
Gina Goodenow (she/her) found her love of improv through training at Blind Tiger. Her previous stage experience included high school productions and college level courses in theater. In her career, Gina works in the finance department at a private foundation where she helps nonprofits fund their missions. Gina resides in Cortlandt Manor with her family and enjoys skiing, travel and experiencing nature.
Ben Masur
Ben Masur is happy to have discovered a love for performing improv with Blind Tiger. Formerly an actor in New York, Ben went back to school for speech pathology in 2012, and currently works at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx. He lives in Ossining with his family of four humans and two guinea pigs. Ben joins the Mainstage with team Mind the Gap.
Jennifer Nordmark-DeMello
Jennifer Nordmark (she/her) has been studying and performing with Blind Tiger since 2019. In her wild youth, she founded and ran the Nevergreen sketch comedy troupe at Loyola University in Maryland. Jen daylights in animated film production with credits on Epic, The Peanuts Movie, Ferdinand, Spies in Disguise, and the Ice Age and Rio franchises. She spends her free time talking to her cat and playing the recorder when no one asked.
Lindsay Ostrander
Lindsay Ostrander (She/Her/They/Them) is a board-certified psychiatric nurse and improviser. She completed her minor in theatre at Mount Saint Mary College, performed in Main Stage productions and was co-director of the improv club for two years. She was a member of house team Here Hold This and is now a featured player on Mind the Gap.
Michele Piccolo-HIll
Michelle Piccolo-Hill (she/her) is a photographer based out of Cortlandt in Northern Westchester. She currently performs with house team Burnt Toast.
Jeff Ramsey
Technical Director Jeffrey Ramsey (he/him) passionately enjoys improv, comedy, and artistic awkwardness. Jeff’s experience in providing technical support for jazz and theater shows has set the stage for providing a powerful punch to the Blind Tiger Cast and audience members. He finds improv is the perfect outlet for him to explore his artistic side.
Michael Short
Artistic Director Michael Short (he/they) has been improvising since 2000 and has trained with the Second City, the Magnet, the Annoyance, and the Upright Citizen’s Brigade. He's been a part of house ensembles at the Magnet and Annoyance and has played on improv stages across the country. In 2014 Michael performed aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines with the Second City.
Kate Shroer-Sheppord
Kate Shroer-Sheppord (she/her) is a certified life coach and dog trainer. She’s trained in improv with Blind Tiger and is now a member of house team Mind the Gap.
Erin Sullivan
You may have seen Erin Sullivan (she/her) this year in An Evening of One Acts at Ridgefield Theater Barn or guesting in many improv shows across the Hudson Valley. Before moving to Connecticut, Erin trained in improv with the Magnet Theater in NYC. She joins Blind Tiger as a full-time player with house team Mind the Gap.
Stacey Venzel
Stacey Venzel (she/her) has performed on the stage in Ohio, Florida, Washington, and New York, including improv training in Chicago at Annoyance and Improv Olympic. Improv is both a hobby and side career alongside a decade of work in wildlife conservation, veterinary medicine and now education. She finds improv frequently comes in handy for the latter.
Edison Villa
Edison Villa (he/him) has trained with the UCB and Magnet Theaters. In addition to his live shows, Edison founded and performed improv online with New Improv Order. He is a featured player on house team Mind the Gap.
Alumni
Nicole Arcieri
Nicole Arcieri (she/her) is an actor living and working in the Greater New York area. She has been performing for a little over a decade. Her stage credits include Peter Simple in The Merry Wives of Windsor at American Theatre of Actors, Stacey in Ode to Clouds at Westchester Collaborative Theater, and several roles in The Laramie Project with YCP TheaterWorks. Nicole has also worked on several short films and on an indie TV series as a day player.
JoAnne Fairchild
JoAnne Fairchild (she/her) discovered her passion for Improv with Blind Tiger and became instantly hooked. She has loved every minute of her training with Blind Tiger and is thrilled to be performing as a member of Here Hold This. In her professional career, JoAnne has led corporate partnership programs for nonprofit organizations.
Don Romaniello
Teacher Don Romaniello (he/him) has been improvising off and on for twenty five years, studying at The Magnet, The Annoyance, Reckless, and UCB Theaters. He’s been on numerous house teams at the Magnet, and his notable past projects include the Baroque musical improv Rococo Puffs and commedia dell'arte-inspired The Mask Show.