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.
Phil
Lusardi
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.
Assoc.
of American
Editorial Cartoonists
Steve Benson, President
"Where
do you get your ideas? Coming from those of us in the cartoon profession,
that is meant as a compliment for your performance before the Association
of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) in Minneapolis... The quick-witted,
quick-wicked spontaneity of your performance was shocking - shocking, I say
- and served as a nice, irreverent cap to our week in your fair city... Thanks
for putting on such an innovative show."
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.
Jeff
Hopkins
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.
Shanan
WexlerAmong
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.
