Matthew Moore
Matthew Moore has studied and performed improv since 1995 in Los Angeles.
He performs regularly at the major comedy clubs in LA and has also appeared at Caroline’s on Broadway and Gotham Comedy Club in NY. In addition to acting, teaching, and performing, he also leads corporate improv training workshops for businesses ranging from small to major including Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Kaiser Permanente, Google, SnapChat, Yahoo, USC, more. He writes, directs, and produces comedy short films, all of which have been official selections for screenings across the US at major film festivals. Matthew also teaches improv and stand up comedy at SAG/AFTRA.
When asked why he started IFTP, he answers, “Improv belongs to everyone…IFTP offers a home to all interested in this dynamic art form”.
Improv for the People was established in 2008.
Benjamin Roth
Benjamin Roth hails from Allentown, Pennsylvania and has been studying and performing with IFTP since the fall of 2016.
After working in advertising for a few years, Benjamin decided to leave the corporate world and move from behind the camera to in front to perform comedy full-time.
Benjamin’s time with IFTP has profoundly benefitted his life, including a boost in self-confidence and with how he shows up in relationships. Benjamin is fascinated by the real-world applications and benefits improv provides and wants to help people feel comfortable expressing themselves through imagination and play.
Shelley Pack
Shelley Pack is a comedic actress with a strong improv background. Shelley has performed with The Groundlings, Second City Alumni, Drew Carey and the cast of “Whose Line is it Anyway?,” Shelley’s first webseries “Keep it Green” was bought by Discovery Channel, and Shelley was on Discovery Channel Planet Green as a correspondent for the show “G Word .” Her feature film “Chasing Molly” is now streaming on Prime and Hulu.
Shelley also a Certified Reiki Master (CRM) and will lead evening meditations for the artist.
Jaymie Parkkinen
Jaymie Parkkinen is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach and UCLA where he was a staff writer for Satyr, UCLA’s comedy magazine.
Jaymie’s improv duo, Folly, performs regularly in LA. He has a background in improv, clown, mime, and dramatic theater. Jaymie performs regularly in the Improv Revival Show at IFTP and is thrilled to be on the IFTP faculty.
Ava Abdoulah
Ava Abdoulah is from Las Vegas, graduated from the University of Southern California, and loves all things comedy. Ava is the daughter of two improvisers, so this craft has been in her life since day one. After a few years in New York, Ava has returned to Los Angeles and couldn’t be more thrilled to be on faculty and performing again with Improv for the People’s main company. She believes the skills learned in improv are foundational for healthy communication and meaningful connection.
Michael Lee Evans
Michael Lee Evans grew up in Vista, CA and has always loved performing in the theater particularly improv and sketch. He graduated from the BFA Acting program at Azusa Pacific University in 2016 and when not at IFTP he spends his time teaching middle schoolers how to code and build robots.
Studying sketch and improv has been a huge part in Michael’s life. It has helped him become a better writer, public speaker, and teacher. Improv lessons are life lessons. If you can learn to collaborate and build with someone on stage, you can do that anywhere. Michael is IFTP’s sketch director, Podcast host (Improv for the Podcast), and on faculty.