Bill Skaggs
Managing Director/Creative Director

Joined INDYPROV: Founding Member-October, 2003

Birthplace/Birthday: Louisville, KY - May 7

Favorite Scene: FourPlay, Oscar Winning Moment and Stage Directions

Dream Job: Jet Setter or Saturday Night Live.

 

 

About Bill

Bill grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. After getting a bachelors from Western Kentucky University and a Masters from Ball State University, he moved to Indianapolis where

he worked for NUVO, but now works for Butler University. Bill has hosted his own show on Indy's Music Channel called ROVE. Bill has also studied under ComedySportz.

Bill has performed as Donald in “Men from the Boys” and “Boys in the Band” (TOTS, Indianapolis) and as T.J./Stripper in “Southern Baptist Sissies” (TOTS). SBS was so popular, that it was brought back a second time in 2007 to more sold out audiences. In addition, he also appeared in Matt Rolands’s production of “Bill & Erin: One night Standards”. Bill has also directed several shows including “Christmas Belles” and “Don We Now Our Gay Apparel”.

Bill's comedy mentors are Chevy Chase, Del Shores, Steve Martin, Amy Pohler, Lucille Ball and Tina Fey.

Do you have general questions about INDYPROV?

Email Bill!

Niki (Hurrle) Warner

Alumni - Founding Member

Birthplace/Birthday:  Indianapolis, IN-March 7

Favorite Scene: What'd you say

Dream Job: Singer/Songwriter/Actress/World Traveler/Artist

About Niki

Niki has been performing in school plays, musicals, and recitals since she can remember.  Being the youngest of five children, she was always trying to make her family laugh.  When her older sister thought it was funny when she gagged by accident while brushing her teeth; she gagged herself repeatedly, only to result in regurgitating in the sink.  Oh the things we do for laughter.  Now Niki finds enjoyment in making an ass of her self.

Recently, aside from INDYPROV, Niki had the opportunity to perform one of her favorite roles at TOTS a second time, as Pippi in the revival of The Great American Trailer Park Musical!  Niki performs regularly at TOTS and you can also see her in other local stage productions and films.  Niki has a minor in music composition and is almost finished with her bachelor's in creative writing.  She hopes to combine all of her passions by writing and performing music, sketch, theatre, and film.  Oh she'll do it, just watch! 

Niki also loves animals, especially her two American Pit Bull Terriers.  If that name scares you, then let's educate you a little bit.  The media is full of crap and there are some dumb-a**es for dog owners in this world.   

Jerry Johnson

Birthplace/Birthday: Indy, IN October 8

Favorite Scene: Emotional Scene

Dream Job: Playing third base for the Cincinnati Reds or a Writer

About Jerry

Jerry’s love of comedy began with his ardent worship of Popeye as a toddler and evolved over several years with exposure to such comedic gems as the Little Rascals, Three Stooges, and favorites like the Tonight Show w/Johnny Carson, SCTV, Fridays (anybody out there remember that late night sketch show?) and Saturday Night Live.  Later, shows like the Simpson's and Kids In The Hall would spur Jerry’s interest further.  He is also the proud owner of several classic comedy albums (yes, ALBUMS – big black discs that…oh never mind).  Among his influences and inspirations Jerry counts greats like Carson, David Letterman, Bill Murray, Robin Williams, Rodney Dangerfield, Bob Newhart, Homer Simpson, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Steven Wright, George Carlin, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Monty Python and David Brunoehler.  Jerry performed amateur stand-up off and on for several years before being led to INDYPROV by one of its founding members and he’s been happy as a clam ever since.  He also is a huge baseball freak and enjoys collecting comic books (‘scuse me, “graphic novels”) and writing.  Now shut up and leave Jerry the hell alone.  He is tired of referring to himself in the third person.

Juli Inskeep

Vocals/New Business

Favorite scene: Exchange

Dream Job: Nun, or Dental Hygienist

Comedy influences: Bill Skaggs and my grandmother on my mom’s side

Why INDYPROV?: I like the logo.

About Juli

Juli is an Indianapolis native…Shout out to the South Side!  Growing up as Ronald McDonald’s daughter was rough but she overcame adversity and her fear of clowns to lead a pretty normal life.  Now she saves the children by day and small animals and gay men by night...  wow that doesn’t sound right.  She loves Diet Coke, Firemen, Karaoke, Scotland and tall good looking guys in kilts. 

Juli has been involved in Community Theater here in Indianapolis for over 20 years.  As an actor/singer/musician (notice it doesn’t say dancer) Juli has had the chance to work in many theaters in Indianapolis.  Favorite theater credits include Sister Robert Anne in ”Nunsense”, June Sanders in ”Smoke on the Mountain” & ”Sanders Family Christmas”, Julie Johnson in ”Julie Johnson”, Claire (the Mom) in “Bare the Musical”, Jeannie Garsteki in ”Great American Trailer Park Musical”, Odette Annette Barnette in “Southern Baptist Sissies.” She made her directorial debut at Theatre on the Square with “Proof”.  Juli has also done her fair share of stage managing, musical directing, vocal directing, tech work, costuming and set building in the last 20 years…I know what you are thinking, she must have started at age 5, she looks so young and vivacious.  She thanks you for that. 

Want to book the troupe for a show?
Have a venue idea? Email Juli!

Chris Meek

Troupe Manager

Favorite scene: All of them

Dream Job: Video Game Nerd

Comedy influences: Coming Soon

Why INDYPROV?: Coming Soon

About Meek

Coming Soon!

Want to advertise with us? Have a promotional idea? Want to sponsor the group? Email Meek!

Luke McConnell

Birthplace/Birthday: St. Louis, MO - September 13

Favorite Scene: Survivor

Dream Job: I'm doing it!

About Luke

Luke spent entirely too many of his formative years watching Comedy Central, beginning back when it was called "The Comedy Channel" and wasn't funny. As a stage performer, Luke has continued to observe comedy in all its forms, and even got to be funny in public once (in fairness, it was probably an oversight). The most frequent victims of Luke's comedy stylings (apart from long-suffering wife and fellow INDYPROV-er Rebecca McConnell) are the students in Luke's middle-school classroom, who never fail to under appreciate his sense of humor. Luke's hobbies include golf, gardening, NASCAR, jogging, and lying about his hobbies.

Rebecca McConnell

Educational Director

Birthplace/Birthday:   Riverside, CA  July 11, 1978.  (on my birthday, you can get a free slurpee from 7/11)

Favorite Scene:  Sitcom

Dream Job:   Audio Book Reader

Comedy influences:  The cast of Forbidden Broadway and all their albums

Why INDYPROV?:  Umm... there wasn't a membership fee?

About Rebecca

Rebecca's first performance was as a first grader at Mark Twain Elementary school in Westerville, OH.  She played Aunt Polly in a school wide Tom Sawyer pageant.  When her parents asked her teacher why Rebecca was picked for the part, they were told "Rebecca has the loudest voice in the entire first grade."  And some things never change.

Rebecca obtained her B.A. in musical theatre from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and then went on to do a plethora of "acting" gigs.  She toured for a year with a "GIANT PUPPET THEATRE" operating the life size puppet of a witch in a parody of Hansel and Gretel.  She also interned for several regional theatre companies.

Rebecca's theatre experiences include: Judy/Ginger in “Ruthless!“ (Epilogue, Indianapolis), Cheryl in “EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL” (TOTS, Indianapolis)  Sally in “Straight Jacket” (TOTS), Pickles in “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” (TOTS), Janet in “The Rocky Horror Show” (The Artists' Studio, Fishers), Marian in “The Music Man” (The Artists' Studio), Philia in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (Footlite Musicals, Indianapolis), Mother in “Ragtime” (Footlite Musicals),  Amnesia in “Nunsense” (Circuit Playhouse, Memphis), and “Nunsense 2” (The Artists' Studio), June in “Sanders Family Christmas” (Playhouse on the Square, Memphis), Smee in “Peter Pan” (Playhouse on the Square),  Jeanie in “Hair” (Playhouse on the Square), and Ida in “Honk!” (Circuit Playhouse).

Rebecca received the Indianapolis Encore Association award of Best Actress in a Musical of 2008 for her performance in Ruthless: The Musical.  She also takes on students for acting/audition lessons-- where she turns them into superstars. She is married to fellow Indyprover Luke McConnell, and they welcomed the newest addition to the group, James, in May of 2009.

Steve Pluckebaum

Community Relations

Birthdate: July 25th (LEO)

Favorite Scene:  Deaf Replay

Dream Job: Demolition Derby Driver

About Steve

Steve has only been acting for a few years.  A few of the shows that he has appeared in our “Are You Being Served” at Buck Creek Theater, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” at The Belfry and “Miracle on The 34th Street”  at The Scottish Rite Cathedral.  Steve wants to thank his wife and children for their support.  Steve’s other interests include coaching youth basketball, listening to music, playing disc golf and cooking.

Chris Matthews

Musical Director & Business Manager

Birthday/Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawai'i

Favorite Scene: Soundtracks

Dream Job: Film Critic

Comedy influences: W.C. Fields, Don Rickles

Why INDYPROV?:  Being a part of INDYPROV allows me to take a more spontaneous haphazard approach to creating music offering an enjoyable contrast to the usual structured process of music composition.

About Chris

Christopher Matthews holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Theory and Composition from Eastern Washington University, and a Master of Music degree in Composition from Butler University. He has studied choral composition with James Q. Mulholland, instrumental composition with Michael Schelle, and electronic music with Frank Felice. His choral works have been performed in Europe, Australia, and throughout the United States. The 9 choral works published through Colla Voce Music, Inc. have been presented at numerous state, regional, and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association as well as state Music Educators Association conventions. His setting of William Blake’s poem "The Lamb" was premiered at the Southern ACDA Convention in 2004 by the Bak Middle School Chorale and has since been included in the Korean Holy Hymnal No. 6 to be distributed throughout the United States and South Korea. In 2006, his arrangement of the traditional Japanese folk song "Sakura, Sakura" was added to the Texas University Inter-scholastic contest list. For two years in a row, the Shenandoah Conservatory Performing Arts Camp Choir under the direction of Belmont University’s Deen E. Entsminger has premiered his newest choral works. In 2006 the group premiered his setting of the popular spiritual "This Little Light of Mine," and in 2007 they premiered his arrangement of the John Dowland song "Come Again, Sweet Love Doth Now Invite." In April 2008, the Metropolis Youth Symphony (Arlington Heights, IL) under the direction of Maestro Javier José Mendoza, premiered his orchestral work entitled "Adagio et Moderato."

Have musical questions for Chris? Have a business issue?

Email Chris!

Tom Robertson

Public Relations Manager

Birthday/Birthplace:  August 11, Cincinnati

Favorite game:  Mexican soap opera

Dream Job:  Food and travel writer

Comedy Influences: Tom’s comic favorites are Monty Python, SCTV, Eddie Izzard, Lucille Ball, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Steve Martin, Tina Fey, and Carol Burnett (Tom always secretly hoped to become famous enough to be a guest  star on Carol’s show).

Why INDYPROV?: In the words of Tina Fey: "Life is improvisation.  The fun is always on the other side of a yes."  Or in his own words: where else can I be outrageous, loud, obnoxious, silly, sing, and not have to learn lines.  And if a scene tanks it ends quickly.

About Tom

Tom has appeared on stage at Footlite Musicals, Spotlight Players, Stageworthy Productions, Buck Creek Players, The Alley Theatre, and Rough Magic Productions.  Favorite shows include “12 Angry Men” (as Juror #6), “Ordinary People” (Cal Jarrett), “Six Degrees of Separation” (Flan Kittridge), “Into the Woods” (Cinderella’s Father), “Dinner with Friends” (Gabe), “Our Country’s Good” (Gov. Philip), and “Titanic: The Musical” (The Major).  Away from the theatre Tom enjoys cooking, weight training, and travel.  He is the Development Director at the Phoenix Theatre and the recipient of a 2007 Creative Renewal Fellowship from the Arts Council of Indianapolis.

Eva Lyford

IT Director

Birthday: April 1

Favorite Scene: Gibberish

Dream job: yours

About Eva

Eva started in improv in 1999 in the training center at Second City Chicago, and became part of a group from the classes performing onstage as the Pink Freud players. Some time at Improv Olympic rounded out her training, and introduced her to the Harold, which she loves more than fudge.

She draws comedy inspiration from Harpo Marx of the Marx Brothers and Dave Allen of BBC's Dave Allen at Large.

Is there a problem with the Web site or blog?

Email Eva!

Erin Cohenour

Vocal Training

Birthday/Birthplace: Sept 21st, Indianapolis

Favorite game: FourPlay

Dream Job: me and a piano player in a bar somewhere

Comedy influences: Amy Sedaris

Why INDYPROV?: To make me a better actor!

About Erin
Erin has been performing in Indy since high school

and is thrilled to be expanding into the arena of improv. She

is a regular at TOTS where she has been seen in shows such as “Die! Mommie! Die!”, “Evil Dead: The Musical” and “Say You Love Satan”.

Carrie Fedor

Birthday: December 11
Favorite Games: Switch Left
Dream Job: Hooter's waitress
Comedic Influences: If Sarah Silverman, Bob Saget and Lucille Ball had a baby...

 

About Carrie
Carrie wasn't held enough as a baby, so she acts for the attention factor. She has a completely irrational fear of strange, squishy furniture and an odd obsession with ice cubes and shows about sexy vampires. She has performed on several local stages and in film and on television. Her career is incredibly lucrative, but she chooses to live in a tent for the sake of being eccentric. All she wants out of life is to become a Hooter's waitress.

Emily Bohannon

Vlog girl

Joined INDYPROV: Summer of 2009

Birthday: April 18, 1990

Favorite scene: Oscar Winning Moment and Sounds like a Song

Dream job: Editor in chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine

Favorite comedian: Stephen Lynch

About Emily

Emily has been involved in community theatre since 2005. She became seriously involved in theatre after being cast as Tinkerbell in Young Actors Theatre's production of Peter Pan. After acting with YAT for 3 years, she returned to help as the assistant director for the Kidz group. In addition to YAT, Emily has had the opportunity to work at Footlite Musicals as Helene in Sweet Charity, and ensemble in Sugar and Grand Hotel. Professionally, Emily has been in Myer's Dinner Theater's production of The Mousetrap as Mollie Ralston, and Theatre on the Square's productions of Dog Sees God as CB's Sister, and None of the Above as Jamie. Her favorite role onstage so far was The Witch in Into The Woods (even though it was in high school, it totally counts!). She loves INDYPROV almost as much as she loves Diet Coke, puppies and trashy reality TV.

Have a vlog idea or challenge for Emily for the blog?

Email Emily!

David Bahr

Assistant Creative Director

Birthday/Birthplace: July 23, Riverside, California (grew up in Cleveland)

Favorite scene: Sountracks and Switch Left

Dream Job: Professional game show contestant and/or reality show personality

Comedy influences: Gilda Radner, Roseanne Barr, Margaret Cho, Chelsea Handler, Sarah Silverman and Paris Hilton.

Why INDYPROV? I chose INDYPROV because I went to an INDYPROV show once and they said, “Hey, we’re doing auditions next week. You should audition.” And I did.

About David

David’s limited theater experience includes a couple one act plays in high school .  He was also apart of the award winning production of Carousel at Mentor High School which along with his backstage work in the award winning production of Noises Off he earned his right to call himself a high school thesbian. While living in Cleveland, David once called into a local radio show and appeared on the local news. He moved to Indianapolis in October of 2005 to pursue a job as a flight attendent.

While not performing with INDYPROV or flying the friendly skies, David can probably be found singing karaoke somewhere in downtown Indy.  He was also a Metro Idol Grand Finalist in the Season 6 Metro Idol.

Shay Dickerhoff       

Head of Hugs

Birthday: March 24

Favorite Games: Scenes From A Hat; Film, TV, & Theatre Styles; Sit, Stand, Kneel.

Dream Job: Actor or professional laugh maker.

Comedic Influences: Many…….but not George Lopez.

 

About Shay

Shay hatched from an egg in 1986 and has never looked back. He grew up in the Butler, Indiana area, where he excelled in watching TV, coloring, and pretending to be Bob Barker. Shay dived into the theatre from an early age and has performed in such stage shows as Fiddler On the Roof, Polish Joke, and O’ Horrors Its Murder! While in high school he witnessed the program, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and his love of improv was born. Since then he has performed in many troupes all over the state including: The Knights of Funny, Reflex, and Just South of Sanity. However, it was while attending Ball State University where Shay became involved with the group ABSO that he polished his improv abilities. He still has nightmares to this day about the hell that was his improv training. Oh, the horrors he has seen. Such horrors. Oh, well. He also at this time started working with the group Something Else TV and learned to act in front of a camera. Look for his work on the short films: Mature Readers Only, Soul Mates, and Grape Nuts. This past year Shay has taken steps to becoming a professional actor and landed lead roles in the films Monster Cruise, Resurrection, and Camel Spiders. Shay hopes to keep this momentum going and wants to keep performing in film and on stage for the rest of his life, and maybe fall in love if he has time. But, what is love anyway...Anyway, Shay’s goals include being a movie star, becoming funny as all Three Stooges combined, and able to make the worlds greatest grilled cheese sandwich. INDYPROV asks themselves everyday, “What the hell were we thinking?” when asked about casting Shay.

Kent Livingston 

Director of Hosting

Birthplace: Lincoln, NE

Favorite Games: Oscar winning moment, Screenplay

Dream Job: I’ll get back to you on that...

Comedic Influences: The cast of “Boy Meets World”, Owen Wilson, the Pixar writing team

Why INDYPROV: I like these people, and if you get to know them you will too.

 

About Kent

Kent comes from a small town in west Nebraska called North Platte. He came to Indianapolis to earn his theatre degree from Butler University.  Kent has acted on stages all over Indy such as The Children's Theatre Institute, The Civic, IndyFringe, The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Q Artistry, and more. 

When he is not acting Kent substitute teaches in Zionsville Schools, rides his bike all over the greater Indianapolis area, and lives out his life's story with his beautiful wife, Sharon. Kent praises and acknowledges Christ for another opportunity to do what he loves.

Jay White

Birthday: August 13

Favorite Games: Oscar Winning Moment

Dream Job: Get-a-way car driver, recording artist, designer. writer

Comedy Influences: Christopher Guest

Why INDYPROV: I wanted to get started and get an education in improv here in my home, and INDYPROV’s presence brought me right to them!  As they say, “The rest is history.”

 

About Jay

Jay hails from Leipsic, OH (Go Vikes!) and grew up in Madison County, IN.  He studied Film and Computer Graphics at Purdue University.  Jay’s acting experience comes mostly from acting like he doesn’t care when his feelings get hurt, but he has acted in church plays and school projects.  He has acquired great performance experience playing music with his own groups, other Indianapolis artists, and churches.  His hobbies involve sports, family and friends, food and drink, and visual and performing arts.

Jay’s biggest comic influences are his family members, some of whom actually try to be funny.  His sisters’ mock radio show, “Earl and Esther,” captured on cassette tape, was an early influence and he was quickly trying to recreate their comic timing and genius in his own self-recorded radio bits.  His better known influences include The Three Stooges, Jack Black, Richard Pryor, Mel Brooks, Dave Chappelle, and great television series like Arrested Development, Trailer Park Boys, South Park, and The 1/2 Hour Comedy Hour.  Jay is absolutely thrilled to be a member of INDYPROV and work with Indy’s best!

 

David Charles

Birthday/Birthplace: January 1/Indianapolis, IN

Favorite scene: Translation
Dream Job: SNL Cast Member
Comedy influences: Jerry Seinfeld, Ricky Gervais, Bill Nye
Why INDYPROV?: For the challenge. It's the only performance technique that requires you to be actor, writer and director at the same time. I can't imagine getting bored with it.

About David

Dave was born on the south side of Indy and grew up in Greenwood. He's been involved with acting since elementary school. David attended THE Indiana University where he was involved with numerous local productions. After graduation, Dave joined Americorps NCCC to help save the world. He's an unapologetic humanitarian. More recently, he played several roles in the locally produced, soon to be released, independent video essay film Science, Sex, and the Ladies. Dave is an employee of the Federal Government, which means he passed an extensive background check, and you pay him with your tax dollars. Take it for what it's worth. Dave is used to having people laugh at him, so taking it to the stage was the next logical step.

 

Mike Starr

Birthday/Birthplace: February 27/Columbus, OH

Favorite scene: Switch Left, Exchange and Ding

Dream Job: Lee Corso on College Gameday

Comedy influences: I'll laugh at almost anything - favorites include Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Ryan Reynolds, Dave Chappelle, and Adam Sandler

Why INDYPROV?: I found that I was making stuff up all the time, and I don't think my friends and co-workers appreciated it very much.  INDYPROV gives me a healthy outlet to "play".

About Mike
I'm originally from Ohio.  Did my undergrad at Ohio State, grad school at Texas A&M.  Currently I work at Ball State University as a Residence Hall Director.  In my free time I love watching and playing sports (college football is my favorite - Go Buckeyes!), watching TV and movies, playing guitar, and enjoying a beer with friends.

Shannon Samson

Public Relations

Birthday/Birthplace: August 20th/Gary, Indiana
Favorite scene: Any one I manage to pull off
Dream Job: To report for CBS Sunday Morning
Comedy influences: Chelsea Handler and Sarah Silverman
Why INDYPROV?: Because they would take me.

About Shannon
Shannon grew up in Merrillville, Indiana, got a degree in Journalism from IU Bloomington and then spent the next 13 years working as a TV reporter in Evansville.  She moved to Indy in 2008 and works at one of the stations here.  She did a few civic theater shows in Evansville and then had the audacity to try out for one in Indy and got a part.  From there, bovine Shannon followed her cool, new theater friends right into INDYPROV.  She may be pasty white, but considers herself an honorary Latina because she's trying so desperately hard to learn Spanish.  Shannon thinks she's funny because everyone in her family is...or at least tries to be.  She lives in Broad Ripple with a sister named Kasey, a bestie named Jody and a dog named Matt Damon. 

About Elisa
Elisa was born in Texas, but grew up in Iowa where until recently she called Iowa City her home (Go HAWKS!).  She recently relocated to Indianapolis with her husband Paul and their Tibetan Terrier, Chuey.  She has four grown daughters and 3 grandkids who continue to live in Iowa. 

Elisa’s interest in the spotlight began at a very young age when she was cast as Little Red Riding Hood in a play at her local library.  She also played a small role in The Life and Death of Sneaky Fitch in Middle School. She didn’t return to the stage until the late 90’s when, at the urging of friends she performed stand-up comedy at open mic night at Penguin’s Comedy Club in Cedar Rapids, Ia.   To her surprise she was asked to return the following month by the manager.  That began a monthly appearance at Amateur Night that went on for over a year.  She has been performing her stand up comedy ever since, most recently performing at Cracker’s Comedy Club here in Indianapolis.  As an adult Elisa was cast to play the archetype of a police woman in DreamWell Theatre’s interpretation of A Day In September by Artie Van Why which is based on the events of 9/11.  She also played Aunt Debra in Kimberly Akimbo by David Lindsay-Abaire also for DreamWell Theatre.

Elisa looks forward to jumping into improv comedy with both feet and considers it to be the most challenging art form she has ever tried her hand at.