Stacks Image 7
JENNIFER SHEPARD In 2004, Jen and Larrance decided to open ImprovAcadia. This is the seventh year! After graduating from the University of Iowa, she moved to Chicago to study improvisation. During her nine years in Chicago, she was fortunate enough to perform at iO (ImprovOlympic) and The Playground Theater. She also worked with The Chicago Comedy Co, touring to colleges and writing corporate comedy. While in Chicago, Jennifer wrote sketch comedy shows with The Galileo Players (Science nerds doing comedy), Gay Co! (Some gays, lesbians and a couple of straights doing comedy) and Brick (Masonry mixed with the cement of comedy). Since moving to Maine she's enjoyed teaching improv at The College of the Atlantic, the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center, on Isle Au Haut, and at ImprovAcadia. During the winter months she joins Chicago's The Second City performing for Norwegian Cruise Line in the Caribbean, Europe, and Hawaii. If you really love her, send her yarn. K2Tog now!.
Stacks Image 10
LARRANCE FINGERHUT (Music Director) has been improvising on the piano since he was two years old. After spending 13 years performing and composing in the Bar Harbor area he went to Chicago where he was music director for iO, Baby Wants Candy, and Second City Touring Company, and a teacher and music director at Columbia College. He composes string quartets and music for theater. During the winter months he joins Chicago's The Second City cast performing for Norwegian Cruise Line in the Caribbean, Europe, and Hawaii.

Stacks Image 13
JOHN HARTMAN is very excited to be back for his third season at ImprovAcadia. John performs around Chicago at the iO Theater, at the Apollo Theater with the musical improv powerhouse Baby Wants Candy, and at The Annoyance Theatre, where he mounted his solo show, Your Friends and Enemies (Time Out Chicago Critic's Pick). He also just finished a tour of Hawaii aboard the NCL Pride of America, performing with The Second City. He would like to thank Jen and Larrance and that lobster he is going to eat.
Stacks Image 20
KATY COLLOTON is thrilled to be returning to ImprovAcadia! Katy moved to Chicago following her graduation from Vanderbilt University in 2005. She has studied improvisation at both The Second City and iO. Katy is lucky enough to perform improvisation with groups such as Twisty (The Second City Training Center House Ensemble), Infinite Sundaes (The Second City Training Center Music Improv House Ensemble), Lumberjack Tsunami (Playground Theater), Alright, Janice!, Posers, Chubsticks and The Katydids. ÊHer film credits include: Dust, Carnivorous, The European Kid, Silent Shame and Realization. Katy would like to thank her Mom and Dad for all their love and support.
Stacks Image 23
BOB KULHAN is excited to be back with ImprovAcadia! Bob is a founding company member of Baby Wants Candy (www.babywantscandy.com) and has performed in Chicago for The Second City & TUTA Theatre Company. In addition, he has created several wildly popular one-man shows including: 'Bing Faithful's Very Merry Nondenominational Holiday Special,' 'Shecky Kulhan: Theater of the Mind" & "Shecky Kulhan: Amuse-Bouche".' Thanks to my family. I hope you enjoy the show!!!
Stacks Image 26
STUART RANSON moved to Chicago to study improvisation after graduating from The College of William and Mary in Virginia. After completing the training centers of the Improv Olympic, Annoyance Theater, and Second City, he began a tour of duty with the Second City National Touring Company. At Second City, he also performed with the ETC cast in the Jeff Award Winning 'Holy War, Batman!' Stuart is an original member of musical improv group Baby Wants Candy, with whom he attended the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Spoleto Arts Festival. Baby Wants Candy was named 2005 Ensemble of the Year by the Chicago Improv Festival and performs regularly at Chicago's Apollo Theater and in various New York venues. His other credits include the smash hit musicals 'Jedi: A Musical Tour de Force' and 'Moulin Scrooge.' He lives in New York City.
Stacks Image 37
SHELBY BURTON is very excited to be returning to Acadia this year. A native of North Carolina, Shelby currently lives in Chicago. Her past improv teams include Cowlick ( The Playground Theater) and Airbourne ( IO Theater). Past shows include The Fowler Family Radio Hour, The Crying Diamonds, and Cowlick- The Sketch show. She is currently the director of the long running improvised children's show Hogwash (www.hogwashkids.com) and is performing as an ensemble member at Laugh Out Loud Theater. She is also working with her wonderful husband Joe to open Bughouse Theater (www.bughousetheater.com) in Chicago to provide a performance and gallery space for artist of all disciplines.
Stacks Image 40
TYLER SMITH is intensely excited to be doing improv in the greatest harbor known to mankind. Hailing from Chicago, you can currently see Tyler at iO Chicago playing with "Black Wax," or at The Playground playing with Chicago Reader recommended "Claymore." With Claymore, he is currently working on a monthly sketch show that will be broadcast live on the internet called "Exquisite Corpse." You can find out more at (www.claymoreproductions.com)Tyler is an alumnus of the iO Training Center, and has taken workshops with Mick Napier, Susan Messing, and Mark Sutton. Tyler would like to thank Jen and Larrance for this intense opportunity, his intensely awesome family, and he'd like to thank Mo for being intensely pretty.
Stacks Image 43
VINCENT KRACHT, has to settle down! He improvises with Laugh Out Loud Theater and The Comedy Shrine, is an ensemble member of the sketch group GayCo, and this past season performed in 'Cinderella' and 'Rumplestiltskin' with Alphabet Soup Children's Theatre. A founding member of the completely improvised play, 'Cast on a Hot Tin Roof,' Vincent also toured the U.S. with The MadHatters, and worked over a decade for Chicago's longest-running production, 'LateNite Catechism.' Still, he is most thrilled to be back in Bar Harbor for a wonderful third season with ImprovAcadia!
Stacks Image 50
MEL EVANS is thrilled to be returning to Improv Acadia. Mel is a resident of Chicago, where she performs with the iO team Black Wax, with Battleprov and the Comedy Sportz show Smashed!, Improvised Jane Austen, the beautiful Basic Eight, and various sketch shows.
Stacks Image 53
CATE FREEDMAN, Chicago native, is hugely honored to return to perform with Improv Acadia in their seventh season! Cate began studying and performing improv and sketch comedy in 2002 at Second City. Since then, she has done a lot of different things at various theaters and festivals across the country. Currently Cate can be seen with The Diplomat Motel and The Katydids at iO Chicago (formerly Improv Olympic), Twisty at Second City, improvising with Katie Wadsworth and Claudia Martinez in "Dang Can't a Girl Get Some Alone Time: The Amelia Earhart Story" at The Apollo and in the two woman show "Omelet" with Fran McKearn as a part of the Del Close Marathon at The Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. Cate's film credits include "Ruby's Rules", "Positive Comment" and "The Double Date", among others. She would like to thank Jen and Larrance, everyone who has helped and is currently helping her along her way, the state of Maine, her beyond incredible friends, Jody, Mark Sutton, and most importantly the biggest blessings in her life; Mom, Dad, Mimi and especially, her grandfather Harry.
Stacks Image 56
BRYCE WISSEL is excited to be a part of ImprovAcadia this summer. He is a member of the national touring company of Mission Improvable, and has performed with them across the country. Bryce has also performed with the critically acclaimed improvised musical Baby Wants Candy, ComedySportz Chicago, the We Can Make You Laugh! National Comedy Tour, and more. He now resides in Los Angeles.
Stacks Image 63
AMY ROEDER is delighted to be back at Improv Acadia for her sixth season! Most recently, she has performed with Second City Theatricals aboard the Norwegian Star and with Second City in two revues at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Amy has had the great good fortune to have improv homes at Gotham City Improv in New York, the Improv Asylum in Boston, the Playground Theatre in Chicago, Improv Athens at the University of Georgia, JaCKPie Improv in Atlanta and at the incomparable Improv Acadia. Amy holds an MFA from the University of Georgia and her BFA from the University of Evansville. Many thanks to Jen and Larrance for the opportunity and to her husband Eric.
Stacks Image 66
ANGELA DAWE is tickled to be joining the cast of ImprovAcadia this season! Originally from Michigan, Angela now lives in Chicago, where she has done numerous shows at The Annoyance Theatre, including Bodyslam!, Scientology: The Unauthorized Musical, and most recently Swear Jar. She also performs with The Late 90's at the iO Theatre, and with Be Cool Yolanda wherever people will let them play. In addition to funny make-'em-ups, Angela has done a smattering of film and television work, and has narrated numerous audiobooks. She has never been to Maine before and is very excited to frolic through blueberry fields and dip her toes into the ocean.
Stacks Image 69
BRETT LYONS is thrilled to be returning to Improv Acadia for his 4th season. When not in Acadia you can find him performing at Chicago's I.O. Theater in The Armando Diaz and with Deep Schwa. Brett is also a member of The Second City National Touring Company. Performing all over the world aboard NCL Cruise ships. Also, he can be seen around the country performing with Aphasia and heard on their weekly podcast. (www.aphasiapresentssomething.com)

Stacks Image 76
GILLIAN BELLINGER couldn't be happier to be back at Improv Acadia. She is an experienced SAG actor and improviser and currently performs with Laugh Out Loud Theater, Twisty: The Second TC House Ensemble, The Comedy Shrine, at Zanies and various stand-up showcases. She is a principal actor in commercials for Harris Bank, Time Warner, NorthShore Healthcare, and Unitrin Auto Insurance. So if you're watching TV late at night and think, "Was that...?" Probably. She would like to thank Jen and Larrance for letting her rock the IA casbah again. Cadillac, I got your number this year. Check out www.gillianbellinger.com
Stacks Image 79
JOE BURTON lives in Chicago where he paints, makes films and teaches science and improv. He also performs with Hot Pocket, Otis, The Improvised Shakespeare Company, and The Fowler Family Radio Hour, and is a co-founder of Bughouse Theater in Chicago. He likes fun things and would like to thank his family and his wife to be, Shelby for their love and support.
Stacks Image 82
JOHN SABINE is just thrilled to be a part of ImprovAcadia! He received his BA in Theatre and Dance from Santa Clara University. Since moving to Chicago in 2008, John has studied improv at iO and The Second City Conservatory. He can currently be seen performing at iO with The Late 90s and Storytown. He also performs around Chicago with Hogwash, Fall Creek Falls, and Be Cool Yolanda. John grew up in Texas, so he is looking forward to having his first Lobster. He is excited and thankful for the chance to perform at ImprovAcadia!
Stacks Image 89
JONATHAN KARPINOS is thrilled to return to ImprovAcadia. He currently lives in New York, where he has performed in NEW PLAY, an improvised two-act play (Magnet Theater), and written and performed sketch comedy with The Allegiance (People's Improv Theater). He also improvised with Athens and PLAY at iO Chicago and was one of the original agents of Improv Everywhere. Recently, his musical THE AVERAGEACHIEVERS CLUB was workshopped at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. A lover of Maine, he also teaches playwriting at Acting Manitou, a theater camp in Oakland.
Stacks Image 92
KATE COHEN is absolutely delighted to be a part of ImprovAcadia's seventh season! Kate is a Maryland native and has her B.A. in Theatre from the University of Arizona. She has been improvising in Chicago since 2004 and performs regularly with ComedySportz Chicago, Laugh Out Loud Theater, Infinite Sundaes, and as half of the award-winning musical improv duo Kate & Mike: The Musical. Most recently, Kate spent her summer performing sketch comedy and improvisation with The Second City aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines. Kate sends many thanks and much love to all 4 of her parents, Alexis & Wes, Grams, Schladies, and MG. Maine!!!
Stacks Image 95
KAYCE ALLTOP is so excited to be doing what she loves in this super cute town! Back in Chicago Kayce can be seen doing improv with Whiskey Rebellion at the i.O. Theater and with her beloved pH Productions. This summer Kayce will also be traveling around the country`s Fringe Festivals with Salem! the Musical. She would like to thank Jen and Larrance for this opportunity and her boyfriend- wait, that`s fiance now- Kevin and the Face for their support.
Stacks Image 102
LEAH GOTCSIK loves wild Maine blueberries. Also, Leah has performed improv and sketch comedy with The Second City at Sea, Second City Theatricals, and Boston's Improv Asylum. She has improvised with Revolver at iO Chicago, and Baby Wants Candy, and you can see her every Friday she's not in Maine in the Made Up Musical at the Magnet theater in NYC. She's traveled all over the country with her two-person group, Somebody's in the Doghouse, and their critically-acclaimed video shorts can be seen at www.somebodysinthedoghouse. Her recent indie pilot, Today's Special, screened at the New York Television Festival. Leah is excited to return to beautiful Maine to perform with the lovely folks at ImprovAcadia!
Stacks Image 105
LISA BURTON is absolutely tickled to be joining the cast at Improv Acadia! A transplant to Chicago from Minnesota, Lisa loves Black Hole Theory, Chemistry, Museums, and Theatre. She is a writer, performer, and educator between Minnesota and Illinois and has performed at the Guthrie Black Box, Brave New Workshop Theatre, Playground Theatre, iO, and various other theaters in both Illinois and Minnesota. Currently, she performs with and writes for sketch groups Buffalo Buffalo and Creepy Hug and various improv groups around Chicago.

Stacks Image 108
MICHAEL GIRTS is thrilled to join the talented roster of improvisers at ImprovAcadia. Chicago credits include The Second City (Rush Limbaugh! The Musical), the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, Best* Church of God and ComedySportz 4 Kidz. He improvises regularly with Infinite Sundaes (The Second City Training Center's Musical Improv House Ensemble) and Laugh Out Loud Theater in Schaumburg, IL. His award-winning two-person improvised musical Kate & Mike: The Musical has appeared at Donny's Skybox, iO and ComedySportz Chicago. Michael teaches improvisation at Laugh Out Loud Theater and runs improv workshops for various universities and professional organizations. He earned his BFA in Acting from Syracuse University and his MBA from the University of Notre Dame. When he's not on stage, Michael enjoys watching Pittsburgh sports and taking naps on his Big Red Couch.

Stacks Image 115
MIKE KOSINSKI has spent the last 3 years traveling the high seas performing sketch and improv comedy with The Second City aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines. Prior to that he trained and performed at several different theaters in Chicago, including i.O., The Playground, The Annoyance, and ComedySportz Chicago. Mike is thrilled to perform with such a talented cast. He has always wanted to say that he, "summers in New England," and thanks to ImprovAcadia, he finally can. Enjoy the show!

Stacks Image 118
NEAL DANDADE is thrilled to be performing in Bar Harbor! Neal moved to Chicago in 2006 from outside Philadelphia, where he pretended to study theater and pre-med while performing with Vertigo-go, the improv group at Swarthmore College. Upon moving to Chicago, Neal trained at Second City, iO, and The Annoyance. He can also be seen performing with iO's Front Row, DSI's The Beatbox, and Stir Friday Night, Chicago's premier Asian-American sketch comedy group. He is also an understudy for the Second City National Touring Company. Neal thanks his family and friends for all their love and support.
Stacks Image 121
SAM SUPER couldn't be happier to be back at ImprovAcadia! Well, he could, but it would be gross. Sam honed his improv skills in Oregon, London and Chicago, and is currently the Assistant Artistic Director at ComedySportz of Chicago. You can also catch him performing with Baby Wants Candy at the Apollo Theatre, and with the Del Award-winning Revolver at iO. Most recently he spent the Winter performing with The Second City on board the sturdy Nowegian Dawn. Sam would be nowhere without his Camelbak Hydration Backpack.
Stacks Image 130
SETH DODSON currently performs at iO with the Harold team Mrs. Dad and with Big Yellow Bus at the Playground Theatre. He is also one third of the fabolous trio 1, 2, 3, Fag! that headlines every Friday at iO in Chicago. You can see him co-host The Show 'N Tell Show Talk Show in 'mom drag' at Lincoln Hall. Seth also gets his kicks by performing with the national touring company of Mission Improvable.
Stacks Image 135
TED TREMPER is incredibly excited to be a part of ImprovAcadia this season! Originally born in Seattle, Ted moved to Chicago to study improv and pursue an MFA in Writing at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has studied improv at The Annoyance, Second City Conservatory, and iO. You can find him on stages all around Chicago with his team Almost ATLANTA, at The Playground with The General Slocum, at iO with Hammer Time, and at Second City with Hustle and Flow. He is incredibly grateful to Jen and Larrance for this amazing opportunity, and to all of his friends and previous teachers for their tutelage, love, and care.