Meet our instructors! All instructors of the Home Theater are veteran performers and teachers that have a vast experience in the art of improvisation and in our approach to teaching improv.
IMPROV TEACHERS
LIZ ALLEN
Liz Allen has performed, coached, and directed improv for the past 32 years and is a Curriculum Advisor of The HOME Theater. Liz performed with iO Chicago Theater’s house team “Frank Booth”, taking the first-ever long-form to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival… READ FULL BIO
TJ JAGODOWSKI
TJ has been performing, teaching or directing improvisation in Chicago for 30 years. He is best known as one half of the improvisational duo TJ and Dave. Although no one knows which half.
LINDSEY SMITH
Lindsey Smith is a veteran improviser, director and teacher who has 14 years of experience in the Chicago comedy scene. Lindsey brings her intuitive character work and broader scope understanding of the piece at large to both her onstage performances and her teaching style. READ FULL BIO…
MIKE JOHNSON
Mike Johnson has been active in the Chicago Improv scene for 25 years. He has trained, performed, coached, and/or taught at such venerable improv institutions as CIC Theater, iO Theater, Logan Square Improv, Second City, and the Annoyance Theater. READ FULL BIO…
PETER GWINN
Peter Gwinn is a founding member of The Home Theater. He has performed and taught at iO and the Second City in Chicago and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York and LA, and is the founder of the musical improv group Baby Wants Candy. He has won two Emmy Awards as a writer for… READ FULL BIO
CESAR JAIME
Cesar Jaime is a founding member of The HOME Theater. He is an actor/comedian with a strong focus and dedication to the art of Long-Form Improvisation. He has performed and taught all around Chicago for over 25 years, most notably with The Second City and the iO Theater. READ FULL BIO…
TRAYCIE McBEE
Miss McBee is an alumni of DePaul University where she studied creative writing, film/tv/radio, and improv on the side. She has performed in Chicago over the years with house ensemble teams iO and CiC, and… READ FULL BIO
NORM HOLLY
Norm Holly is a founding member of Home Theater. His artistic experience includes 25 years as Artistic Director and Conservatory Head at The Second City in Chicago, where he was also a Resident Company and Touring Company Director and Harold Ramis Film School faculty member. READ FULL BIO…
SUSAN MESSING
Susan Messing is a New Jersey native and a graduate of Northwestern University. She has taught and performed for over 30 years all around the world, most notably at the famed Chicago theaters, The Second City, The Annoyance, and The iO Theater… READ FULL BIO
HANNAH McDONALD
Hannah McDonald has been performing improv, sketch, and poetry in Chicago since 2015. She has a BFA in Creative Writing, and has written and performed in 10+ sketch shows in Chicago. READ FULL BIO…
CONNECT & VISIT!
FOLLOW US FOR NEWS AND UPDATES!LOCATION: 2843 N. HALSTED ST.
(312) 488-9528
The Home Comedy Theater is within a short walking distance from the Halsted bus stop (Bus #8), the Diversey Brown & Purple line, the Wellington Brown & Purple line, and the Belmont Red, Brown, & Purple line train stops.
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