Cherubs

JONATHAN EVAN GOLDBERG (CO-FOUNDER, DIRECTOR, 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, an actor and writer with Storahtelling, and a volunteer with New York Cares.

JOY COPELAND (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.

STEVE VAN OOTEGHEM (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 has recently completed a full-time premed program and will be attending medical school in the Fall of 2008.

Additional Cherub Improvisers include RICK Berggreen, SHERI BUTTS, LEV DEMIDOV, GINA DIMAGGIO, JENNIFER GLASS, ANNE JACOBS, SHARI JOHNSON, NAAVA KATZ, CASSIDY MARTIN, GABRIELLA MAZZA, BETH OLARSCH, ELIZABETH PARISH, ROB PAUL, ANNA SILVERSTEIN, LEE SOLOMON, NICOLE TAYLOR, and JODY YOUNG.

Christina Pitrelli (IMPROVISER) is a comedienne, actress, and writer. Fluent in Spanish, Christina has done performing arts-related volunteer work with senior citizens and children in Mexico, Honduras, Chile, and the U.S. Her training includes acting under Wynn Handman at Carnegie Hall, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), NY Goofs Clown College, and the People’s Improv Theatre. Prior to moving to Manhattan, Christina performed in theatre, film, and television in the Washington DC area where she co-founded and ran a private coaching service for performing artists. Previous jobs include full-time lawyer, journalist, and chocolate fountain caterer. Christina loves improv for its excitement and imaginative interplay between the players and the audience.

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.

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.

ANNIE LEVY (IMPROVISER) is many things -- theatre director, performer and educator among them. Her most recent directing credits include Caryl Churchill’s VINEGAR TOM, David Rabe’s A QUESTION OF MERCY, Brecht’s THE JEWISH WIFE and the world premiere of THE HERO OF KABUL by Marc Goldsmith. Other directing credits include Deborah Levy’s PUSHING THE PRINCE INTO DENMARK, the world premier of LOOKING UP at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Off Broadway premiere of NURSE!. Recent performing credits include playing Kukubenko, an old Cossack Man, in a comedic retelling of of Gogol's Taras Bulba and Olive, an old Irish Woman, in the very non-comedic WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE. Other performing credits include Olivia in TWELFTH NIGHT, Dorine in TARTUFFE and Shelia in Caryl Churchill's FEN.
Annie is an adjunct professor at Westchester Community College and a teaching artist with The Manhattan New Music Project. She is a member of Storahtelling as well as the traveling community impact theatre group, HWY Rachel.

SITIJ AGRAWAL (IMPROVISER) has studied improvisational acting, and performed in a number of shows, with Quickthinking! Improv since early 2006. When not performing, Sitij works as a wireless communications engineer for Sandbridge Technologies, a cell phone chip design start-up company.
Sitij is excited to be a part of the Cherub Imrov roster and hopes to be able to “give the gift” to his audiences as well as to his fellow improvisors.

ARTHUR HELLER (IMPROVISER) has lived in New York most of his life, but for a college stint in Washington, DC. He has a background in teaching, currently works in publishing, and appreciates humor.
Art studied improvisational comedy at Quickthinking! Improv and regularly volunteers with New York Cares.

MONIQUE TUCKER (IMPROVISER), a San Diego native, has spent the last four years explaining to people why she lives in NYC instead of sunny California! She currently feeds her fashion obsession by working in showroom sales for a women’s clothing line.
Monique was first introduced to improv through Quickthinking! Improv. She also volunteers with New York Cares and Street Project New York.

JASON EVANS (IMPROVISER) met several of the other Cherubs at Quickthinking! Improv several years ago, where he performed and took classes. Jason recently left his career working in technology to go back to school full time in pursuit of a Ph.D. in Psychology. He lives on the lower east side with his lovely fiancee, Kimberly, and their two dogs, Oliver and Montgomery.

DAVE PEARL (IMPROVISER) is a teacher in the New York City school system. He has studied and performed improv comedy with Quickthinking! Improv and the Upright Citizens Brigade.
Dave is very excited to be part of the volunteer troupe Cherub Improv.

ADAM SHECHTER (IMPROVISER) is a writer and spoken word artist who was born, raised and continues to reside in Brooklyn. He received his BA in literature from Hunter College and has studied extensively at the Mid-Manhattan Institute for Psychoanalysis. His spoken word incantations have frequented numerous performance spaces, literary journals, synagogues, living rooms, among other verbal vehicles that temporarily lend themselves to moments of word funkiness. He is also the editor of the online arts and culture journal, The Blue Jew Yorker. In order to make money he has committed unspeakable acts such as photocopying and sheet-rocking. For this reason he plans to return to school and pursue a Ph.D. as soon as possible. When not writing or working, he enjoys long walks, cooking and falling asleep to the Marx Brothers while in the company of his love.

JEFF ALFONSI (IMPROVISER) previously spent his days hunting caribou and living in igloos back in Canada. After starting up an ice trading business, he was discovered by a bank and moved to NYC to work as a bond trader.
Jeff studied improv at the PIT (People’s Improv Theatre (or “Theater” in American)). He has also been involved in producing some short films. Jeff and company are anxiously waiting for Paramount to fax over their new contract. It should be any day now.

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.
Following is the bio Adara had posted on this site:
Adara made her splash in the off-Broadway production of THE TEMPEST, four days after she made a life changing decision to choose Union Square over Harvard Square, and moved to New York one week before she was to begin law school. A classically trained actor, by way of UCONN and Esper Studios (MFA, trained with William Esper), she turned in her tap shoes for a Fender Passport and a mic. She made her start in comedy after attending the Manhattan School of Comedy and taking the advanced stand up course at Gotham (Jim Mendrinos) and was immediately booked in the top clubs in New York City, where she performs stand up regularly. She has appeared on Saturday Night Live numerous times, was Gina Kowinaki on Law & Order: SVU, wrote and produced IN SEARCH OF CELEBRITY OR NIRVANA (post-production) and has starred in several independent films. She is the creator/producer and host of The Laugh Force (weekly at the Laugh Factory and other locations, in post-production on pilot for network).
After performing in the New York Underground Comedy Festival with the VIXENS, she was discovered by the CHERUBS, and wrestled a halo onto her crown. She is honored to be a part of this project. She also volunteers for CHILDREN WITH AIDS PROJECT as a clown/face painter.

MARC ANTHONY CHASE (IMPROVISER), a former class clown turned respectable finance professional, joined Cherub Improv at its inception. He is a student of, and frequent performer with, Quickthinking! Improv in NYC. Marc has performed off-Broadway, off-off Broadway, and somewhere close to the Canadian boarder. He continues his improvisational study at Quickthinking! Improv and Upright Citizens Brigade.
Marc welcomes the opportunity to learn and play with his fellow Cherubs and enjoys the opportunity to bring a little levity into people’s everyday lives. He holds the following causes close to his heart: National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Team in Training, and The March of Dimes.

MICHELLE NIVERT (IMPROVISER) hails from the little town of Montgomery, Alabama. She moved to NYC in pursuit of musical theater dreams, but quickly moved her focus to the funnier side of the street. After performing with Upright Citizens Brigade and a small company named OTC, her most recent production was with the amazing Quickthinking! Improv group. While bartending on the side, she is super excited to fulfill her philanthropic duties with the cherubs making people smile. . . .

LINDSAY CALLERAN (IMPROVISER), a freshman at Westchester Community College, has been performing professionally and leisurely throughout Westchester and Manhattan since she was 10 years old. She currently interns for Z100’s “Elvis Duran and the Z Morning Zoo” and plans to get a degree in media arts. Lindsay got her first taste of improvising with Quickthinking! Improv in NYC where she currently still studies and performs along with some of the other Cherubs. Lindsay is honored to be a part of such an incredible organization, and to be in the company of some pretty darn talented folks.

CASEY SIMONS (IMPROVISER) 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.

JOSH KAUFFMAN (IMPROVISER) 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.

EMILY FRIEDMAN (IMPROVISER) is an up-and-coming journalist, currently handling the rigors of financial news at Bloomberg-TV. In the past two years she has been a college student, a public radio producer, an actress, a vagabond farm hand, a documentary intern, a hostess, a writer, and a professional Black and White cookie taster (the latter being the reason behind her recent move to NYC). But nothing -- nothing -- in Emily’s past could have prepared her for the joy of performing with Cherub Improv. So much of what she knows has come from the empowering world of acting, singing and improv; she’s happy to spread the love.

MEEGAN MIDKIFF (IMPROVISER) originally hails from Alabama and earned her BFA in Theatre/Musical Theatre at Wright State University. A New Yorker of six years, NYC credits include: M.CLAUDEL with Eartha Kitt and ANNE OF GREEN GABLES with Nancy Opel. Tours: THE MUSIC MAN and KISS ME, KATE. Favorite roles include Eva Peron (EVITA), Rusty (FOOTLOOSE), Fiona (BRIGADOON), Jen (JOHN & JEN), Raina (ARMS AND THE MAN), Cathy (LAST FIVE YEARS), Ado Annie (OKLAHOMA), and Betty Haynes (WHITE CHRISTMAS). In 2005, Meegan was given the first annual AEA Roger Sturtevant Award, and in 2007, Meegan was grateful to be a part of the regional premiere of Les Miserables.

TOBY GIPS (IMPROVISER) is a native New Yorker residing in Manhattan. She has been studying and performing various forms of improv with The Yes Show for over 10 years. When she’s not strutting her stuff on stage, Toby can be found entrenched in the world of global compensation for a flavors and fragrances company. She has an MBA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Favorite credits include: Patti Lupone as Evita in EVITA, Stockard Channing as Ouisa Kittredge in SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, and Lea Salonga as Kim in MISS SAIGON. Toby has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, New York Cares, and the American Cancer Society. She is tickled pink to be a Cherub.

MEGAN SCANLON (IMPROVISER) loves to perform improv! She studied improv and sketch comedy writing at Gotham City Improv and The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, and performs with her improv and sketch groups regularly. Meg is originally from Washington DC and is a certified English as a second language (ESL) teacher for children and adults. Her first year out of school, Meg was an Americorp volunteer teaching first grade in Washington DC, following which she studied film and screenwriting. Megan is very excited to be a part of Cherub Improv!

LULU FRENCH (IMPROVISER) started improv taking classes at Gotham City Improv (“GCI”) and has appeared in numerous improv shows at GCI over the past ten years. Lulu has been on GCI’s teaching staff for seven years, teaching all levels of improv, and has directed several of Gotham’s performance ensembles. Lulu also teaches improv workshops to youths for Broadway Classrooms. In addition to her study at GCI she has also studied improv with the Upright Citizens Brigade and various other Second City alumni.
TV credits include YEARBOOK:1983 on the Discovery Times Channel and various roles on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Corporate industrial credits include performing for companies such as Pfizer and Merck. Lulu was a Music and Musical Theater Major at The University of Tennessee and eventually graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. She has numerous stock and regional theater credits performing in musicals such as INTO THE WOODS, TOMFOOLERY, NUNSENSE, and KARAOKE THE MUSICAL, and the national tours of MY FAIR LADY and SHE LOVES ME.
Lulu met her husband in improv class and lives with him in Brooklyn where she is enjoying her most fun and satisfying job to date, raising their 3 year old son, Scott.

BRITTANY PIXTON (IMPROVISER) feels like the role that most prepared her for her work with Cherub Improv is that of Beta Carotene. Yep, the vitamin. She studiously played this challenging costume role in the 2002 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade bringing health and cheer to all the crowd. Sadly, Beta only lasted for a season so Britt filled the rest of her artsitic time with Equity theatre, an acapella group, cruise ships, and songwriting.
Britt is also a professional photographer.

BEN WELLINGTON (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.

DORRON LEMESH (IMPROVISER) is an English-born, Spanish-raised Jewish son of a Romanian-born, Israeli-raised father and an Austrian-born, English-raised mother of Polish/Russian descent. This has left him utterly confused in the identity-department, an issue that has not been helped by his constant globe-trotting. Dedicated by day to the fine art of software development, he is at heart a bonvivant with many passions such as photography, writing, current affairs and science, and being the fully-fledged member of the roving tribe that he is, many-a-night will find him out partying and dancing (the latter being much to the amusement and occasional chagrin of his friends).
As the co-founder/director of JudíosLatinos he has helped organise for a few years running a week-long Latino Jewish Artists’ Fair, is an occasional volunteer at Project Yachad where he plays bingo with the elderly, and has in the past recorded books-on-tape for the Jewish Braille Institute and been the social editor of the NY Blueprint newspaper.
He is very proud to be a part of Cherub Improv, which also happens to be his first foray into the heady and intoxicating world of comedy improv.