Cherubs

JONATHAN EVAN GOLDBERG (PRESIDENT, TREASURER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, CO-FOUNDER, IMPROVISER) was born and raised. A full-time lawyer (Juris Doctor, not Jewish Doctor) and resident of Manhattan, Jonathan has performed in numerous improvisational comedy shows with Quickthinking! Improv.
Jonathan’s other credits include SNOOPY!!! THE MUSICAL (Snoopy), THE CURIOUS SAVAGE (Samuel Savage), and THE MIRACLE WORKER (Capt. Arthur Keller). His debits include a mortgage and a huge cable bill. Jonathan’s last appearance was on the Very, Very Early Morning Show, hosted by his pets, and he has appeared in federal and state courts throughout the country (not as a defendant).
Jonathan also serves as a board member of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation and Friends House and an actor and writer with Storahtelling.
Contact Jonathan: jonathan@cherubimprov.org or 212-CHERUB-I (212-243-7824).

JOY COPELAND (VICE PRESIDENT, CO-FOUNDER, IMPROVISER) began performing improvisational comedy in New York with Quickthinking! Improv. Being on stage and making people laugh has always been a passion of Joy’s, and she quickly got hooked on improv’s spontaneity and excitement. Joy decided to further her education by taking classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade, through which she partnered with other classmates to form the improv group “stab.” When not improvising, Joy works as a television commercial producer. Joy is honored to be a member of Cherub Improv and hopes to spread her JOY for combining the amazing art form of improv with volunteering.
Contact Joy: joy@cherubimprov.org.

STEVE VAN OOTEGHEM (VICE PRESIDENT, CO-FOUNDER, IMPROVISER) is best known for his work with Quickthinking! Improv where he studied and performed for several years. In addition to appearing in shows at locations throughout the city, Steve assisted with corporate events such as the QT MTV workshop. When Steve is not performing volunteer improv comedy with Cherub Improv, he works as a social worker and volunteers through New York Cares.
Steve is a second year medical student at Mount Sinai medical school.
Contact Steve: steve@cherubimprov.org.

Additional Cherub Improvisers include MAYA BATASH, MARC CHASE, ANN DOHERTY-HARDBATTLE, AVRA FRIEDMAN, JOHN FUDALA, CAROLINE GULDE, ANNE JACOBS, YVETTE KOJIC, KENT KOREN, ROBERT LENDVAI, EMILY MILLER, CAITLIN NORTON, ELIZABETH PARISH, ALEX SCHAEFER, Paula Schulzki, ROBYN SOMERS, JULIE STAINER, and MIKE VEASEY.

PIOTR MIROWSKI (IMPROVISER) was born in Poland and grew up in France, where he became addicted to unpasteurized cheese and “l'improvisation.” He continued the latter in New York with Quickthinking! Improv. His other credits include THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at the Inwood Shakespeare Festival, THE HOTEL (Cambridge Classworks) and a Barbershop Quartet in a VAUDEVILLE. When not performing or backpacking, he happens to work as a computer science PhD student and adjunct faculty at NYU, and collaborates with its medical center on research about prediction (and hopefully prevention) of epilepsy. Piotr has volunteered for Idealist.org and the SEED science foundation and is thrilled to share the magic of improv.

BEN WELLINGTON (VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, ASSISTANT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, INSTRUCTOR, IMPROVISER) (started doing short-form improv as a 13 year old at French Woods camp, where he went back as a counselor to direct (and be a lifeguard!). Upon growing up and going to college, Ben founded and directed We Brake For Nobody, which is still Bucknell's longest running improv group. After leaving Bucknell, he was a PhD student at NYU and quickly realized that he missed improv. So he founded and directed Dangerbox, which is now NYU’s premiere (long-form) improv group. Ben studied long-form at the UCB theater, and has performed in and directed groups at festivals like The Dirty South Improv Festival, The Chicago Improv Festival, the Miami Improv Festival, The Del Close Marathon and the National College Comedy Festival. Ben is thrilled and honored to work with the Cherubs.
Contact Ben: ben@cherubimprov.org.

Angelumni (former Cherubs) include SITIJ AGRAWAL, JEFF ALFONSI, RICK BERGGREEN, SHERI BUTTS, LINDSAY CALLERAN, APRIL CASTOLDI, LEV DEMIDOV, SUSANNAH DUNN, JASON EVANS, MARCI FINE, LULU FRENCH, EMILY FRIEDMAN, TOBY GIPS, JENNIFER GLASS, MATT HEIDRICH, SHARI JOHNSON, SWARNA KURUGANTI, ANNIE LEVY, NAAVA KATZ, DORRON LEMESH, CASSIDY MARTIN, GABRIELLA MAZZA, MEEGAN MIDKIFF, LORI MILCHMAN, MICHELLE NIVERT, BETH OLARSCH, ROB PAUL, DAVE PEARL, CHRISTINA PITRELLI, BRITTANY PIXTON, JOHN “BONES” RODRIGUEZ, BARRY ROZEN, MEGAN SCANLON, ADAM SHECHTER, ANNA SILVERSTEIN, LEE SOLOMON, AMANDA TARKOW, NICOLE TAYLOR, MONIQUE TUCKER, LEAH WASSERSTRUM, BEN WEBER, ELAINE WILLIAMS, DAWN WING, GILLIAN WOO, EYAL UNGAR and JODY YOUNG.

ADARA ALMONTE (IMPROVISER) (August 7, 1969 - December 15, 2007) joined Cherub Improv in late October 2007 (Steve invited her to learn about the group and brought her to a rehearsal on October 20th). Adara's first event with us was during a Project ORE workshop on October 29th. In just 5 weeks, she attended 7 Cherub Improv events, an incredible number given how new she was to the group. Adara consistently demonstrated her amazing enthusiasm, spirit, and heart, her great passion for volunteering and giving back to the community, her sharp mind, and her natural comedic and musical talent. We have numerous memories of audience members connecting with and complementing Adara, and of Adara smiling, laughing, and singing. We were proud of and excited by Adara’s involvement with Cherub Improv and our growing friendship and miss her already. Our thoughts and prayers are with Adara and her family. May she rest in peace.

MARC ADAM SMITH (PROJECT ORE WORKSHOP LEADER, INSTRUCTOR, IMPROVISER) is a native new Yorker and currently is the Executive Director for Gotham City Improv, One of New York City’s longest running improv schools and theater. Marc has been involved with Gotham in one way or another since 1992, before taking over the reigns in August 2008. Marc is thrilled be able to play with the Cherubs.

Contact Marc: marc@cherubimprov.org.

MELISSA CENTER (IMPROVISER) is currently pursuing an acting career in NYC. Some of her favorite credits include playing Miriam Knight in the stage adaptation of THE GIRL MOST LIKELY TO (role originated by Stockard Channing), Zoey in David Ives’ DON JUAN IN CHICAGO with Personal Space Theatrics (“PST”), Catherine in A CHRISTMAS CAROL (also with PST), and Maggie in A CHORUS LINE: Hawaii tour and Nemacolin Resort (a private birthday celebration that also included performances by Robin Williams, Bette Middler and Christina Aguilera). Prior to moving to NYC, Melissa attended Northwestern University and worked in Chicago at various theaters. She studied improv comedy at Second City Chicago, and is very excited and proud to be a Cherub.

CASEY KAUFFMAN (VICE PRESIDENT) is an aspiring musical theatre actress in NYC. She also does children’s theatre and has worked with the Children’s Aide Society in Manhattan. Casey has been in a variety of professional shows in the metropolitan area as well as the touring show of Sleeping Beauty. She has also directed a few Off-Off-Broadway productions and recently served as a team leader for “At Home On Stage,” a non-profit project that aims to explore the experiences of homeless individuals living in New York City, using the power of theater to help them not only find and express their voices, but share them with the New York community.
Contact Casey: casey@cherubimprov.org.

JOSH KAUFFMAN (VICE PRESIDENT) has been improvising all his life, but he just called it “living.” He has been active in the performance game for over twenty years, as an actor, writer, producer, and audience member. When he’s not doing various theatrical things, watching reruns on Netflix, or playing Guitar Hero, Josh works at a restaurant, writes a column and blog for a social, fashion and lifestyles magazine, and, occasionally, sleeps. His current goals are to write a series of one-act plays for a spring performance, and to plan his grandmother’s ninetieth birthday party.
Josh first met Cherub Improv at a synagogue on 23rd Street, while he was producing “At Home On Stage,” a theatrical outreach to the homeless and underserved. Cherub’s mission to present opportunity for self-expression strikes Josh as being extremely worthwhile and he is excited to be a member of the group.
Contact Josh: josh@cherubimprov.org.

FLOANNE ANKAH (IMPROVISER) is an actor, choreographer and filmmaker from France (www.floanne.com). She studies improvisation at UCB with Kevin Hines, Gavin Speiller and Curtis Gwinn, and at The PIT. She founded the webisode Life With Flow and is thrilled to perform with the Cherubs!

KAREN DABNEY (IMPROVISER), originally from Kansas, holds an MFA in Directing from the New School for Drama in New York and a BA in women's studies from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. She has been making a scene throughout New York City with both her directing projects and with her re-discovered passion for improv comedy. When she’s not entertaining audiences, Karen enjoys hip hop dancing, competition-based reality television, volunteering, and long walks in the park.

LEANNE LINSKY (CHELTON LOFT WORKSHOP LEADER, IMPROVISER) is the host and co-creator of Casual Sketch and performs in Magnet Theater's musical improv show, “Once Upon A Time.” Leanne began her studies at the Second City Training Center in Las Vegas, which led her to UCB NY & LA, IO Chicago and most recently Magnet Theater in New York. Some of her performance credits include: Busker, Rendezvous, We're Just Sleeping Together, Lawyer Money, Sandbox Association, Pajama Party, Unlikely Probability and Magnet’s former resident ensembles: Yum Yum Bangkok and Commando. Leanne likes wearing clothes, nice people, and the benefits of breathing.

Contact Leanne: leanne@cherubimprov.org.

GINA DIMAGGIO (IMPROVISER) became hooked on improv back in 2000 when she took her first improv class. Since then she has performed in many improvisational comedy shows at Gotham City Improv, including those with the ensemble, malarkey. Gina attended NYU and Thomas Edison State College, and is currently working on her master’s degree at The College of New Jersey. She teaches high school English and is excited that when performing improv she can speak before she thinks, which is a refreshing alternative to what she teaches her students at school. Gina also gets lots of practice improvising with her teenage son, who keeps her on her toes every day. She is thrilled to be a part of this group where she can mix her love of improv with her love of volunteering!

SIMON FEIL (IMPROVISER) is neither funny nor good. But he does like being around good, funny people, which is why he’s so excited to work with Cherub Improv. Some of his unfunny work includes Law & Order, The Dawn Chorus (Sundance 2007), and Wingman (Altered Stages). Even less funny still (but possibly good) is his humane meat co-op, Kosher Conscience.com. The fact that he teaches sushi lessons and poker could be funny depending on your attitude. And then there’s Julie & Julia (Columbia Pictures), an Optimum commercial where he plays a home owner confused when the Verizon guy shows up - with his mom, and his hosting of the Broadway opening night party of SPAMALOT! as the French Knight, taunting cast and guests on arrival. John Cleese told him he was good. So maybe he was funny there. But he’s very sorry, he didn’t mean it. When not performing he's a budding aerialist. Now that’s funny.

Gretchen Grunzke (IMPROVISER) recently earned her BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College and is using it to be a starving artist. She is new-ish to improv, so she’s just making it up as she goes along. Originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Montgomery, Alabama, Gretchen now acts, sings, dances, plays piano, and writes in New York City, where it is much more normal to do so. She has enjoyed working with AFJT, Silly Boy Productions, TBG Arts Studios, Spike TV, and the Oxygen network, to name a few. Gretchen is honored and thrilled to be a part of Cherub Improv!

Lou Stone Borenstein (IMPROVISER) was born and raised in New York. After attending college in Pittsburgh, he realized why he was born and raised in New York. He performs stand-up at clubs throughout the city and loves to write comedy. Lou has trained at the Upright Citizens Brigade and the American Comedy Institute and is currently writing/directing/editing/scoring/producing/distributing/starring in the webisode series “Is This Thing On?” When he’s not writing comedy in advance, he's writing it on the spot as a proud member of Cherub Improv. Lou has a professional Bachelor of Architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University, and is obviously making great use of it.

GABRIELA MARCUS (IMPROVISER) is a recent graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts’ Drama Program, having studied in the Atlantic Acting School and Stonestreet Studios for Film and Television, where she appeared in numerous plays and film projects. Gabriela has performed and studied improv at The Peoples Improv Theater and will be appearing in an Off-Broadway production of a new play, “The Awakening” this coming July 2010. Gabriela is delighted and honored to be a part of Cherub Improv and hopes to continue to use her love of acting and comedy to brighten others’ lives.

KELLY KING (IMPROVISER) has been living, loving, & laughing in the city since 2007. Her polite demeanor, love for country music, & usage of “y’all”s often make others think she is from the south. And that would be true to a certain extent...she hails from SOUTHern California! Kelly’s B.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of California, Irvine has given her a great foundation to use for her music, acting, & improv. And even more importantly, her degree is signed by Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger. Kelly is currently waiting tables, teaching herself guitar, writing music, and assisting in an underground performance space, The Basement in Brooklyn (The BIB). She is very excited to take flight with Cherub!

Diana Paschal (IMPROVISER) is currently pursuing an acting career in NYC and has performed in various independent films, plays and commercials. She has worked for Spike TV, A&E, AT&T and Corcoran, and recently had a film selected to premiere at SXSW film festival.

Diana hails from Tennessee where she attended MTSU on a full Academic Scholarship and was a Varsity Cheerleader. (Her family still lives in Tennessee on a farm with 3 horses, 4 dogs and lots of Chickens). This smarty pants moved to NYC to pursue her dream of acting. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, where she studied Meisner technique, Action Theater and had her first taste of Improv. Growing up, Diana was a part of the group Young Life where she volunteered as a counselor and performed sketch comedy at summer camp.

Diana loves iced tea, playing any kind of ball-game, and dreams of being on the “real” Jeopardy. She also loves doing many forms of comedy and is so proud and thrilled to be a part of Cherub Improv.

Liza Binkley (IMPROVISER) graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in Acting and a degree in Business just to level the playing field. She studied and taught improv in Paisley, Scotland for many a summer, and has been working as an actress in New York City for the past three years. Liza is so very happy to call herself a Cherub!

Danielle Montezinos (IMPROVISER) is a member of AEA, SAG, and AFTRA. Her theater credits include Carapace Isle (LA Premiere), Tony And Tina’s Wedding (off-Broadway), We Love You, Johnny Hero (Fringe NYC), The Overdevelopment of Scott (Abingdon), Love’s Labour’s Lost (dir. Liesl Tommy), and Rocket Boys (ASCAP Workshop). Her television and film credits include Stand By (Slam Dance & Outfest winners), Nate The Great (voice of Gabbie Santos), and Whose Wedding is it Anyway? (impersonating Melissa Rivers). In addition, Danielle does voice Overs for radio, TV, Internet Commercials and animation, stand-up comedy, improv and sketch comedy around NYC. Danielle is super excited to work with such amazing people for such a wonderful cause.