Performers
Kristine Antonsen
(she/her) Kristine does improv to play characters who make interesting choices and say things she'd never dream of saying in real life. Kristine has studied with Jet City Improv, Bandit Theater, and Second City Hollywood, has been in more indie teams than she can remember, and is over the moon to play in the Awkward Show with Bandit. Outside of improv, Kristine does digital marketing for a biotech company, regularly sips Americanos, and enjoys her two orange, mischievous cats, Fred and Georgie.
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(she/her) Kristine does improv to play characters who make interesting choices and say things she'd never dream of saying in real life. Kristine has studied with Jet City Improv, Bandit Theater, and Second City Hollywood, has been in more indie teams than she can remember, and is over the moon to play in the Awkward Show with Bandit. Outside of improv, Kristine does digital marketing for a biotech company, regularly sips Americanos, and enjoys her two orange, mischievous cats, Fred and Georgie.
Zahnae Aquino
(she/her) Zahnae Aquino is a fresh stand-up comedian turned improviser, and the kind of person you look forward to seeing at the dinner party. She produces and performs in comedy shows all over the Seattle area. As a performer, she brings a natural stage presence that any crowd can relate to. Despite being new to the scene, she has performed all over Washington bringing crowds to tears with her witty banter on her experiences as a young, fertile child of immigrants.
Tamara Aranguiz
(she/her/ella) Tamara is a Chilean improviser who found improv in 2013 when she was young, wild, and free. As part of the main cast of Lospleimovil, the oldest Improv Theater in Chile, she performed and taught improv for 6 years and traveled with their team around South America. She had to quit her improv nightlife to learn English and pursue a nerdy Ph.D. life in the US. She moved to Seattle in 2020, and after a year and a half of English immersion, she found Bandit Theater and finally took the risk to improvise in this terrible language.
Mack Suits Baer
(he/him) Mack has been doing improv for 10 years, but didn't take any formal improv classes until he enrolled in Bandit's training program in 2019. Mack currently performs in the cast of Swipe Right, and has performed in Seattle with indie teams Lowbrow, Mean Streak, Recovering Catholics, and KEITH.
Annie Barry
(she/her) Founder & Artistic Director
Annie Barry is the Founder and Artistic Director at Bandit. She has been performing improv and comedy for over a decade. She is delighted to be performing on "Swipe Right" and "Gram Worthy". She loves playing make believe in a world that discourages it in adults. She currently directs, "The Reader" and teaches improv at Seattle Children's Theater in a partnership with Bandit. She is a vegan, please don't hate her.
Coonoor Behal
(she/her) Coonoor has been performing and teaching improv comedy for 10 years, first starting at the Washington Improv Theater (WIT) in Washington DC, where she was a member of a Harold team, house ensemble, and was also a long-time teacher. She also completed the curriculum at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (NYC) and was accepted to their Advanced Study Improv Program. She was a founding member of Bombay Vindaloo, which created and performed an improvised Bollywood movie format. . She has performed in numerous improv comedy festivals around the country. She currently plays with the Seattle teams Captain, Bitches, IMNDC, and Bandit's The Awkward Show.
Janelle Bentley
(she/her) Janelle Bentley is a born and raised Brookylnite, who is a recent transplant to the area. Prior to moving to Seattle, Janelle started her improv training five years ago at the Magnet Theater and UCB. This then led to her performing weekly on the Magnet Theater stage with her team, Sweetheart, and performing with her indie team, Fight Club Sandwich, at different improv festivals around the country. Once she moved to Seattle, she made connections in the improv community which allowed her to perform with Unexpected Productions. She performed in their two seasonal shows: Campfire and An Improvised Christmas Carol. Janelle is super excited to now have the ability to perform and mentor new improvisers at Bandit Theater.
John Carroll
(he/him) John is an improv performer and coach. Trained in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, John moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2017, where he produces the fish-out-of-water comedy show Miscast. John also performs with the indie troupe IMNDC, and co-produces their monthly show Have A Slice. He is also one of the four buttholes on the improv troupe Buttholes.
Chris Carter
(he/him) Chris Carter lives in Sammamish with his wife, daughter, son, and dog. He came to comedy late in life, but has been writing since his parents divorced when he was 7. He studied creative writing at Middlebury College, got a screenwriting MFA from UCLA, and then eventually, finally, studied Improv, Sketch, and Character at UCB in L.A. Chris has written for the animated series “Hello Ninja,” “LEGO City Adventures,” and "Shezow." And he feels insanely lucky that he gets to spend a couple hours each week laughing with the Awkward Show cast.
Stephen Carter
(he/him)
Raven Daley
(he/him) A well below average open mic comedian who has shifted to improv because of “difficulties”. I live in my moms basement and enjoy a nice ice cold Mountain Dew on the rocks. I am a true gamer and have/ will always be a proud mommas boy until the day I die.
Nathan Fan
(he/him) A proud owner of a first-generation Microsoft Zune, Nathan has been performing improv anywhere he is allowed since 2017, shamelessly placing supernatural characters in mundane everyday situations. He was once in a show at Westlake Park, where he competed with a fountain for the audience's attention (it went okay). Nathan is now performing in Bandit Theater's The Awkward Show, a show he's been preparing for since birth.
Mallory Gillin
(she/her) Mallory had an extensive childhood theatre career, but she ditched the scripts when she discovered her love of improv in college. Through UW's improv team, she attended workshops at UCB and Second City, competed in tournaments across the PNW, and learned how to provide unwavering support to her fellow improvisers. She has performed at festivals in Seattle, Los Angeles and Vancouver, B.C., hosted a variety show at The Second City Hollywood, and opened for Tig Notaro. Mallory believes wholeheartedly that improv is beneficial for everyone. Ask her about her improv pyramid scheme!
Adam Gottfried
Mia Iseman
(she/her) Mia started improvising in 2012 in the vibrant Austin, TX comedy scene. In Seattle, she performs with Buttholes and IMNDC. She's a fan of audience members who clap between scenes and bare-bones performer bios
Purnam Jantrania
(he/him) Purnam is fond of slow-building, contemplative improv scenes that delight audience members who are still awake. He performs in the cast of Bandit Theater’s The Ex-Files and with improv team Yeah Okay, and is thrilled to be part of two supportive, energetic, and talented teams.
John Michael Jennings
(he/him) 30 years ago, John Michael was born in the humid swampland of Florida. Along the way, he was fired from Disney World, worked at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and eventually made his way out to Seattle. John Michael got his start with improv through Bandit Theater in 2019 and now performs in The Reader. He is also a part of Bandit’s student team. He strives to be open and collaborative in his improv and loves playing both deadpan and exaggerated characters. John Michael is a therapist and hopes to develop ways to use improv as a tool for exploring emotions and staying in the present moment.
Amanda Jensen
(she/her) Bio: Amanda was an actor, director, and teacher in the theatre community in Portland, Oregon for years and has a BS in Theatre Arts from Portland State University. Since becoming a pediatric nurse and moving to Seattle in 2011, she gets her theatre fix through improv. She is a member of the improv troupe, Captain, where she enjoys sharing the stage with other hilarious women. She is a Bandit long-form improv student and member of Swipe Right. She has never online dated because she is very old.
Matthew Joseph
(he/him) Originally from Connecticut Matthew has been doing improv comedy for 10 years. While getting his BFA in Acting at Central Connecticut State University he had his first improv experience on a whim by joining the schools improv team on a trip to New York City for a workshop with the Upright Citizen’s Brigade. After discovering he never had to learn another line again, Matthew was immediately hooked. He did most of his training at the Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center in NYC where he learned long form game based improv. After being involved with multiple indie teams in CT he moved to Seattle in 2016. He took a brief break from improv until 2018 where he got involved with Bandit Theater. Matthew is currently on the cast of Swipe Right and is involved in all video, photo, and technical aspects of Bandit. He also plays around town with his indie team The Bad Boys of Ballard. He is the singer/guitarist with the rock band Bad Honey and works full time in Film Production.
Tricia Karsky
(she/her) A born and raised Montanan, Tricia started her theatre career in a Missoula Children’s Theatre production where her single line delivered with her back to the audience led to glowing reviews. After graduating from the University of Montana’s School of Theatre and Dance with her BFA in Acting she promptly decided to take a hiatus from theatre. Thankfully, after moving to Seattle a friend convinced her to take improv classes at Jet City where she then had the privilege of performing in several of the long form shows. Tricia has long admired Annie and the Bandit community so it is an honor to join the Mad Science team. In her off-stage life she works as a brewer at Resonate Brewery in order to fund her dog’s lifestyle.
Mike Kroner
(he/him) Mike Kroner started performing improv comedy by accident in 2004 at Oberlin College, when he auditioned for an improv group as an acting class assignment. He loved it and hasn’t acted since. Mike performed in improv groups around Ohio, including at the Nest Theater in Columbus and Something Dada in Cleveland, before moving to Seattle and joining the Bandit Theater. One time, he couldn’t make it to a rehearsal for his Columbus indie group because of a family thing—when he got back they told him no scenes got edited and they didn't realize he was the only one doing that.
Sara Kylie
Sara is a comedian and actor based in LA. Sara's characters have been featured at The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, Montreal Sketchfest (Top 10 Best of the Fest), She Makes Me Laugh NYC, and Bumbershoot. You can catch Sara performing with sketch team Public Breakup and on TikTok @saracrylie. www.SaraKylie.com
Jaime Lazich
(they/them) After resolving to move out of Kentucky by the time they turned 30, Jaime found themself in Seattle in 2016 - lonesome and quickly developing a podcast addiction. One day The Algorithm fed Jaime an episode of the long form improv podcast With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus and a year later (after one particular existential shower) they made the leap from improv podcast obsessive to person signing up for their very first improv class. Jaime took a multitude of classes through Jet City Improv and later started taking classes with Bandit Theater. They currently perform in The Reader as well as the high-energy duo Jamples & Fogo.
Jess Lechtenberg
(she/her) Jess has a terrible sense of direction but a fantastic sense of adventure. She loves to perform improv with quirky characters and is thrilled to be playing in Bandit Theater's Mad Science.
Richard Lee
(he/him) The “Rap” in Rapscallion. Richard works as Animator, Editor, and Writer- most recently having worked on the show “Joysauce.” He has won a few awards that were immediately misplaced. He’s always had a deep love of improv, but most of his training is from the streets... and a few classes from high school. Richard is excited to join the cast of Bandit Theater’s Mad Science and bring his “fun in small doses” energy to a larger audience. When not on stage, Richard is often writing, procrastinating, and finding convoluted excuses to bring up his rowing machine.
Tim Leung
(he/him) Overwhelmed by boredom from his corporate day job, Tim started taking improv classes, and has since then dove into the improv world, and is really excited to join Bandit Theater as a cast member of the Awkward Show! He can also be found performing as a member of Scriptless in Seattle. Tim is currently engaged in a one-sided rivalry with the edge of the stage, after having broken his foot falling off. He is still planning his revenge.
Erica McIntyre
(she/her) Erica’s improv comedy style is grounded in terrorizing all of her teammates on stage in the most supportive of ways. Her comedy roots began as an alumni of Seattle University’s D1 Improv team where she peaked. She is a current member of Captain, Yeah Okay, and any opportunity that will involve wearing a fun wig. Erica’s other passions include singing to Justin Beiber in spin classes, pumpkin spice lattes (specifically 16-oz iced, almond milk & 2 pumps), the TV show Hoarders, and a hearty wellness routine of a daily nap.
Conor McLean
(he/him) In an improv scene, the smallest of choices can have a profound impact. After taking an improv class on a whim in 2016, Conor discovered that life is not so different. Since that first class, he's immersed himself into the local improv community through various improv groups including performances with Unexpected Productions, Jet City Improv, and now Bandit Theater as a cast member of The Reader. By day he sits at a desk analyzing data for the "Big Mouse", but watch out for his dynamic physicality on stage.
Kevin McVey
(he/him) Education Lead
Kevin is an improviser and educator with over a decade of experience on stage and in the classroom. Prior to Bandit Theater, Kevin was a teacher at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science where his experiential curriculum design applied the practice of improv to STEM and won numerous departmental awards. Today, Kevin performs on the cast of The Reader with Bandit Theater and co-produces the comedy mashup Ten Percent Luck with his indie team Yeah Okay. Kevin believes that everyone has a unique voice in improv and delights in supporting new improvisers as they find theirs.
Casey Mills
(he/him) Casey Mills is an improvisor and comedian from the Seattle area.
Zak Nelson
(he/him) Zak has been kicking around the Seattle comedy scene since 2009, and often brings an earnest sense of absurdity to any scene he's in. Born and raised in Seattle, Zak performs sketch comedy with Drop the Root Beer and Run in addition to being a part of the Swipe Right cast. He also is an obsessive soccer fan, lover of pies, and dislikes sweet pickles. If pressed, he would make a really gross juice.
Jeffrey Nickels
(he/him) Jeffrey is a Seattle-based improv and sketch comedy performer, producer, and coach. Notable credits include performing in Ten Percent Luck with Yeah Okay, producing horror comedy with Sam and Jeffrey, and guiding several sketch groups through their first performance with the Pocket's Summit program.
"As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being" -Carl Jung
He hopes you've been well.
Cailey Nickerson
(she/her) Cailey Nickerson has been doing sketch and improv around the Seattle area since 2014. She makes up one half of the improv/sketch comedienne duo Bathwater, and is an ensemble member at Jet City Improv where she has been in productions such as The Bechdel Test and GLIMMER. Her Bandit shows include Bring Back the 90s, Channel Surfers and now, Gram Worthy. She is thrilled to be a part of this ensemble and grateful for the ability to do make em ups from home.
Jonny Riecke
(he/him) Jonny Riecke’s comedy is lovable and committed, making him a soulmate for Bandit Theater’s Swipe Right. Jonny previously trained and performed at Dallas Comedy House and played in bands around Denton, Texas before moving to Seattle and connecting with Bandit Theater’s improv training program. Jonny feels strongly that his greatest influence and source of joy is fellow improviser Kevin McVey who Jonny dared to write this bio for him.
Grant Michael Scott
(he/him) Grant believes that fun is where you make it and his improv is an example of how to pursue that. Grant's been performing and directing in the Pacific Northwest for the last 8 years and couldn't be happier that his journey has led him to Bandit Theater. Grant has spent the better part of his life telling stories. He started with avenues of Dungeons and Dragons and continued through his BFA in Directing and beyond. He is also always looking for new things to watch so feel free to give him a suggestion!
Chrysta Storm
(she/her) Chrysta loves making things worse and going in strange and unusual directions—even better if it leads to the audience to think about something differently. She cut her teeth in women-led sketch and improv groups in 2018 leading to many scenes exploring periods, poop, and everything in between. She graduated Bandit’s long-form improv program in 2019 and is currently performing in Bandit’s Swipe Right show. In addition to performing she has also worn several hats to help build up the theater, currently sitting as the Board President. If you’re interested in learning more about the Board- she would be happy to chat!
Mary Stratton
(she/her) Visual Brand Manager
Mary loves surprising and truthful reactions in improv. Though she is a fan of cleverness and details, she thinks the highest compliment you can give with laugh is “stupid”. Mary is part of the first graduating class of Bandit Theater’s core training program, and she now performs in Bandit’s tarot-based improv show, The Reader. She’s also a graphic designer and Bandit staff member. As Visual Brand Manager, Mary designs and determines what the brand looks like. She might be making that up as she goes along too —but the best performers AND brands are both strong and adaptable, right?).
John Wachter
(he/him) John is a returning to improv after taking break to get his shit together. Before this version, John did longform improv shows with jet city improv, and a weekly improv podcast. Before that he wandered in the wilderness of service jobs, and in the distant mists of history he studied acting in college and tried to work as an actor in Chicago and los Angeles. I know he doesn’t seem that old? now He spends time being a best uncle to a brilliant niece and nephew, trying to do a maximum number of push-ups, zipping around on scooter, and working on a psychology degree. He is very grateful to be a part of the bandit company and this show!
Lynn Trickey
(she/her) Lynn has performed improv and sketch comedy at many places on the West Coast and also on the High Seas with Second City Theatricals on Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Joe Viscia
(he/him) Technical Director
Joe is the Technical Director at Bandit Theater. He has been a technical improviser with Bandit since June 2019, running lights, sound and video for Bring Back the 90's. Joe learned his tech skills at Jet City Improv, where he fell in love with the artform and took over their technical department. Designing color lighting palettes, programming custom soundboards as well as designing and building sets at several theaters and venues around Seattle since 2015, Joe has no formal education in Theater Production but has been excited to learn on his feet and teach anyone interested in Tech what he's figured out so far.
Jesse Warren
(he/him) Producer
Jesse is a software engineer but quit in 2017 to pursue comedy. He can do 19 handstand pushups. Jesse is a cast member on Bandit's Swipe Right and Bat shows. He puts so much kale into his morning smoothies it's not even funny. Jesse has competed in the Seattle International Comedy Competition and was a Standup NBC semifinalist. He practices gratitude daily but only because it optimizes his performance. Jesse co-founded the nationally touring tech roast show Socially Inept. He owns a High Performance Planner but he doesn't use it - not high performance enough for him. Jesse, at the time of writing, has over 100,000 followers on social media. As you read this that number will have plummeted. By now he's almost certainly given up on comedy and returned, tail between his legs, to Microsoft.
Winnie Yeung
(she/her) Winnie is an improviser and comedian based in Seattle. Born 10lbs and 12 oz in a Hong Kong hospital, Winnie was described by a nurse as "too large." As a child, Winnie often got stuck in elevators and that...kind of became her thing. In her formative years, Winnie was involved in something called the Junior Model UN. Winnie has no idea why she'd be cast on the Awkward show.
Winnie has studied improv and sketch comedy at Bandit Theater, Jet City Improv, Second City and UCB. When she's not doing improv, Winnie spends time waving at people that she thought were waving at her.