MEET
OUR STAFF
Dedicated to sharing improvisation with the masses,
the engaging people below are among the best-known and most-respected
trainers, actors, instructors, and writers in the world of improvisation
today.
OWNERS,
TRAINERS, and SPEAKERS
Brave
New Workshop owners John Sweeney and Jenni Lilledahl are unique
in the world of improvisation-based training for two glaring
reasons: 1) they both have several years experience in the corporate
world (leaving behind successful careers in real estate and
public relations to pursue their love of improvisation) so they
understand the corporate culture and how training can positively
affect it and 2) as owners of one of the nation's largest and
leading schools for improvisation, and the nation's longest
running comedy theatre, John and Jenni have created a virtual
laboratory where they test and refine improvisation tools, tactics,
philosophies, and training on a continuous basis. True to the
very foundation of improv, John and Jenni embrace it's changing
nature by constantly exposing themselves to new improv through
shows, classes, training, outreach programs, and unlimited involvement
in improv communities worldwide.
John
Sweeney
As
co-owner, executive producer, keynote speaker, and trainer,
John has exposed thousands to BNW's improvisational philosophies
and has presented to hundreds of corporations, most recently
General Mills, Hewlett Packard, and 3M. Recently accepted into
the National Speakers Association, John has entertained over
500 corporate clients (including 50+ Fortune 100 companies).
...more
Jenni
Lilledahl
Prior
to becoming a full-time actress and co-owner of the Brave New
Workshop Theatre with husband John Sweeney (above), Jenni spent
eight years in the field of public relations, gaining valuable
communication, leadership and programming skills. Combined with
her experience in training and teaching improv, these skills
make Jenni invaluable to the BNW training team. Most recently,
she has worked with Sprint PCS, Texas Instruments, and Hewlett
Packard. ...more
TRAINING
STAFF
Jim
Robinson
As
a valuable part of BNW's corporate training and entertainment
team, Jim has worked with companies like Honeywell, the MN Department
of Health, Target, Entertainment Corporation, and the University
of Minnesota, among others.
In addition, he has written and performed in seven BNW mainstage
shows, in the smash hit Flanagan's Wake, and on
the Disney Magic cruise ship in the Off-Beat Comedy Club.
When he is not working with corporate clients or performing
on stage, Jim is a professor of psychology at the University
of St. Thomas and the College of St. Catherine in Mpls/St. Paul.
Jim has a Masters of Arts in English from Tulane University
and a Doctorate in psychology from the University of Southern
California.
Caleb
McEwen
Key
to the success of many training workshops and corporate shows,
Caleb has worked for clients that include Sprint PCS, Hewlett
Packard, General Mills/Pillsbury, and both the Republican and
Democractic parties (who despite political differences agree
that Caleb's quick wit, intelligence, and understanding of the
political process would make him an ideal candidate for political
office!).
Besides
his work with corporate clients, Caleb has written and performed
in ten BNW mainstage shows, was a member of the original Minneapolis
Flanagan's Wake cast, and spent six months in the comedy
troupe on the Disney Cruise Lines, teaching improv there as
well. He studied theatre and dance at Wright State University
and has choreographed many of BNW's mainstage and corporate
shows. Early in his career, he also taught improv for the Children's
Theatre Company of Minneapolis.
In
addition, Caleb has directed numerous BNW shows, including some
of the most successful in BNW history. He is currently directing
two shows simultaneously at the theatre.
Katy
McEwen
Katy
brings an engaging and quick wit to BNW's corporate training
and entertainment team. She has been an important ingredient
to the success of shows and training for clients like Pillsbury/General
Mills, Texas Instruments, Musicland Group, St. Paul Companies,
and Marquette Bank. In addition, when not working with corporate
services, she is a long-running audience favorite on the BNW
mainstage, performing in eight highly successful shows. Katy
also performed on the Disney Cruise Lines and taught improvisation
there as well as at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis.
She earned a BFA from Wright State University.
Shanan
Wexler
Among
Shanan's many talents is a gift for teaching. Her ability to
foster and support a safe, comfortable environment for exploring
and expressing creativity has most recently benefited Sprint
PCS, Best Buy, and St. Paul Companies. Shanan has led workshops
for a variety of participants, ranging from college-age students
to top female executives. In addition, she has been an instructor
at the Brave New Institute since 1999 and teaches theatre, writing,
and literature at the College of St. Catherine and the University
of St. Thomas in St. Paul.
Not
only does Shanan bring a great deal of experience and talent
to BNW's corporate training and entertainment, she continues
to impress audiences and media alike with excellent comedic
timing and universal likability. Shanan has performed ten shows
on the BNW mainstage and has been a cast member of Flanagan's
Wake and Shakespeare in the Park.
Shanan has a B.A. in Theatre from the College of St. Catherine
and a M.A. in Theatre History, Theory, and Criticism from the
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.
