Team
Tom Kelley
Tom Kelley is an improvisor, actor, director, teacher, and Dad of 2 children. Starting out as a professional actor, Tom switched to improv in 2014, training in multiple programs including Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), Reckless Theatre in NYC, and also extensively with the Swedish improv teacher, Anders Fors. He has taught, coached and performed improv in NYC, Philadelphia, and internationally in Canada, France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden.
He enjoys working on and creating narrative styles of long-form improv that celebrate the full range of human experience, not just comedy (though comedy invariably happens) and organic improv in which each performance discovers its own unique style and is created through listening and connection.
Outside of improv, he is the Director of Operations for Rachel's English, a YouTube channel and online Academy that teaches American English pronunciation to non-native speakers of English. He loves playing games of all kinds, and is particularly obsessed with tennis. He is aware that, in his forties, he has passed any sort of 'prime,' yet still, in his dreams, he walks onto the grass at Wimbledon, waving to his adoring fans. (sigh)
When not doing improv you will inevitably find him underneath his children who are, no doubt, jumping up and down with glee.
Melissa Widhson
Melissa Widhson is an improviser, actor, dancer, nursing professor, grad student, and Mom of 3 children. Melissa has been seen on stage, television, and film. She has performed, taught, and toured with Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (UCB) and Philadelphia Improv Theatre (PHIT) for over a decade. Notable performances include Improvised Shakespeare (With Mirth and Laughter) and Philly Comedy award-winning improv team Bill Parks. She most recently joined Lancaster Improv Threatre (LIP) touring company and has fallen deeply in love with her castmates.
She enjoys exploring human connections and finding the unusual and funny ways in which we communicate. She is inspired by supporting her scene partners, actively listening, and building authentic characters we all know, love, and can relate to in “real” life.
Outside of improv, she has studied with Philadelphia Dance Conservatory, Pennsylvania Ballet, Koresh, and is a graduate of The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. Melissa lived in New York City’s East Village for 12 years and founded the nonprofit organization Honeybee House where she directed performances at the Apollo Theatre, Rosie O’Donnell’s Broadway Kids and Howl Festival.
When not doing improv you will inevitably find her falling asleep on the couch while watching a movie.