Teachers

Improv

Next Classes in August

Denny Siegel is a professional improviser and teacher whose TV credits include Whose Line Is It Anyway?, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

She has appeared at venues throughout the country including Chicago City Limits in NYC, The Improv in LA and the Montreal Comedy Festival, where she won MVP.

An empathetic improv teacher, Denny provides in-depth coaching in a safe space, with an emphasis on emotional authenticity. Students have called her “caring,” “generous,” and a “fabulous teacher” who “zeroes in on specific areas of improvement while being supportive,” adding that “if you have a fear of improv, Denny will fix it for you.” Her focus on creating a supportive environment enables students to take chances, grow creatively and have fun.

Her writing credits include corporate event scripts, TV game and sketch shows, ghost joke-writing for celebrity appearances and copywriting. Currently, she is writing an animated kids' series and rhyming storybooks. As a script consultant, she provides razor-sharp insights and expert joke punch-ups. She also has an extensive background as a corporate show performer and host.

Stand-Up Comedy Lab

Next Class: Beginning August 29th

Sergio Santana is a comedian, filmmaker, producer, actor, and educator whose career spans over two decades from coast to coast. He began performing in Philadelphia in the mid-1990s at age 15, earning early recognition through hosting, local television appearances, and live comedy.

In 2016, he was named one of the “New Funny” performers at the Latino Laughter Comedy Festival at Broadway Comedy Club in New York. He was also a quarterfinalist in Philly’s Phunniest at Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia that same year.

Serg holds an MFA in Film Production from Full Sail University. His produced live shows include Sabor & Soul: Afro-Latino Laughs, Serg & Friends, Liberty Laughter Live, and The Serg Podcast Live.

He currently trains at The Groundlings Theatre & School and has studied sketch and character at Upright Citizens Brigade, and sketch and improv at The Pack Theater.

In addition to performing, Serg mentors young creators through the Youth Cinema Project for the Latino Film Institute. 

Serg is represented by The Option Agency. 

For commercial booking, please contact: Taylor@TheOptionAgency.com

Monster Monologues & Scene Study

Next Class: TBD

BUKOLA OGUNMOLA is a Nigerian-American actor, producer and educator born, raised, and educated in South Jamaica, Queens, New York. Some credits include Celia in As You Like it and Viola in Twelfth Night (Independent Shakespeare Company), Isabel/Dionna in Measure Still for Measure (Boston Court Pasadena), Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (Better Than Dreams Productions), as well as Yinka in Bob Hearts Abishola (CBS). MFA, USC.

Writing for Late Night / Variety - Level 1 (ONLINE)

TBD

Joel Boyd is an Emmy-nominated writer, actor, producer, and director, praised by audiences for his visceral wit and authentic storytelling. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Joel first gained prominence as a Just For Laughs New Face of Comedy in Montreal in 2018, and has since established himself as a versatile talent both on screen and behind the scenes.

As a writer, producer, and script consultant, Joel has contributed to notable shows including DROP THE MIC (TBS), HISTORY OF SWEAR WORDS (Netflix), EARTH TO NED (Disney+), NAILED IT! THE BIG NAILED IT BAKING CHALLENGE (Netflix), and ARSENIO! LIVE FROM NETFLIX IS A JOKE FEST (Netflix). His recent role as a producer on LeBron James' documentary special, RECIPE FOR CHANGE: CELEBRATING BLACK MEN (The SpringHill Co.), earned him a 2024 Daytime Emmy nomination. Joel has also penned comedic material for stars like Halle Berry, Marlon Wayans, Nicolas Cage, and Nicole Byer.

Joel is notably recognized as the co-creator, star, and co-director of the award-winning dark comedy web series SAD-ASS BLACK FOLK, and for his role in THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK, the Sopranos prequel film.

Short Form Improv

Next Class: Beginning August 23rd

MICHAEL J. SIELAFF has trained and performed improv at Second City, Groundlings, iO West, Monkey Butler, and Comedy Sportz. His 20+ years of comedic and dramatic improv experience include performing long form with Soda Jerk & Excelsior; duo with WASP, Slim Shady, Date Night, Future Ancestors; and short form with Comedy Sportz Los Angeles main stage.

He is the Founder of Rogue (a free and affordable improv, storytelling, and artivism community since 2013) and has hosted/produced multiple shows over the past 10 years including Laughtivism LA, The Witch Hunt, TwoTopia, Rogue Variety Hour, and Rogue's Storytelling Open Mic.

Michael has taught all ages (5-85) at Rogue, Comedy Sportz, ImprovCity, CCC Acting Studio, and with multiple non-profits and for numerous events. "I believe improv makes you a more adaptable, bold, and selfless artist, but more importantly (if you let it...) it teaches you how to be a more adaptable, bold, and selfless person."

Mastering The Self Tape 1-Day Workshop

Next Workshop TBD

Brick Jackson is a comedic actor and writer who has appeared in dozens of TV shows and commercials including the award-winning series GREY'S ANATOMY (ABC), FROM SCRATCH (NETFLIX), HOME ECONOMICS (ABC), BARRY (HBO), and NCIS (CBS) as well as films GOOSEBUMPS 2: SLAPPY'S REVENGE and WE HAVE A GHOST (NETFLIX). In addition, Brick regularly performs live comedy as a host, sketch performer/writer, stand-up comedian, and improviser throughout Los Angeles. He is the producer and creator of THE COOKOUT and AFFIRMATIVE REACTION COMEDY, 2 monthly shows showcased through The H.I.T. comedy, an inclusive theater company in which he also serves as co-founder and Artistic Director.