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.

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).

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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.

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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.

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 six BNW mainstage shows, including some of the most successful in BNW history, most recently the Spring 2002 show, "Bushwhacked II: One Nation, Under Stress."

Phil's experience, knowledge and passion for improvisation are easily recognized and quickly admired by the many corporate clients he's helped. As a creative director and improvisation instructor, Phil has worked with and created shows for American Express Financial Services, Honeywell, ADC Telecommunications, Coldwell Banker Burnett Realty, Xiotech, Medtronic, Patterson Dental, TCF Banks, US Bank, Minnesota Department of Health, the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists, and Hewlett Packard.

Phil is one of the creators of the smash hit Flanagan's Wake and has been with the Brave New Workshop since 1998. He relocated from Chicago to work on Disney Cruise Lines and was in the inaugural cast of the Off Beat comedy club aboard the Disney cruise ship "Magic." He also directed the inaugural cast of the Barrel of Laughs aboard the Disney "Wonder" and both of these experiences allowed him to travel to Venice, Italy, crossing the Atlantic on brand new ships!

Phil has been studying improvisation since 1985. He firmly believes that improvisation is not just an art form, it is a discipline and a way of life. The client testimonials below attest to that.

Coldwell Banker Burnet
Leonard D. MacKinnon, Sr. VP Marketing & Communications

"Last week Coldwell Banker Burnet had the opportunity to enjoy the hilarious comedy of several members of the Brave New Workshop Theatre at our 2nd annual retreat at Superior Shores Resort in Two Harbors, MN. Under the creative direction of Phil Lusardi, this talented group of performers brought us 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' and the second night their original improvisation was absolutely side-splitting...The Brave New Workshop will be a perennial consideration for future events. thanks for the good time!"

Minnesota Department of Health
Elisabeth Atherly, FAS Grants Coordinator

"Thanks once again to you, Phil (Lusardi), and the cast for a wonderful performance at the FAS Summer Institute. The participants gave it rave reviews and were pleasantly surprised that we opened the conference with such a lively session...Thanks again for your great work.

Jeff Hopkins has been training professionals and actors in the art of improvisation since 1993. In addition to teaching improvisation in classes across the country, he has directed improvisation workshops for a number of
companies, including American Express Financial Advisors and the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services. Adept at applying the principals of creative thinking toward the business world, he has created and written hundreds of scripts for companies like Coca Cola, Sears, Isuzu, and IBM. As an actor, his film appearances include "Joe Somebody" with Tim Allen, and "Sugar and Spice" with Mena Suvari. In the Twin Cities he has performed in five Brave New Workshop shows, and was an original cast member of the Minneapolis production of Flanagan's Wake. Jeff holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Kansas.

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.

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.