HUDSON VALLEY IMPROV HOUSE TEAM

Colleen began improv in January 2020. Ever since, it’s been improv á go-go! in its joyful, exuberant, nourishing form of expression and connection to community. When not working on a series of op-eds ‘Why Improv? Why Now? Doing Good Choices.’, Colleen is engaged in other merry-making, creative-doing, teen-whispering, tasty-tuning, time-traveling, word-swooning things of all-good, now. And sometimes, she can be found in the wild foodshopping, weeding, paying bills, making kids lunches…you know, l

Since stumbling upon a kindred band of merrymakers at Hudson Valley Improv, Melinda DiMaio has embraced  "Yes, And"  as a spiritual teaching. A theatre major, turned music major, turned arts educator, Melinda enjoys spinning tunes as a performing songwriter, both solo and with various playmates. An admittedly overly enthusiastic kitchen dancer, Melinda is the mama to a fully grown person and a 15 pound bundle of canine joy who (benevolently) supervises her every move.

Jen began her improv journey as a proud mom inspired by watching her son on stage. After much cajoling, he convinced her to try it herself. She’s been learning ever since.  Her previous credits include performing stand up at the Secret Open Mic and read alouds as a classroom teacher. Her other favorite activities are walking the rail trail with her dog, playing board games with friends, and spending time with her handsome husband and two amazing kids.

Susan is delighted to be fulfilling a long-held dream of performing improv and is elated to be on the HVI House Team! She recently returned to the New York area after nearly 30 years in California’s Bay Area, where she performed sketch comedy and lots and lots of karaoke. She started taking improv classes at HVI as soon as she hit town and hasn’t looked back since. A collector of wind-up toys, Susan lives in Poughkeepsie with her husband Jonah and their two dogs.

Meet Devin, a creative soul who first embarked on her improv journey in 2023 at Hudson Valley Improv. Creativity has always been her driving force, whether it's drawing, scrapbooking, nail art, photography or video editing. She is a full time video producer and when not immersed in her artistic pursuits, she delights in playful moments with her two chiweenie puppies or cherishing life's simple joys alongside her boyfriend, Chris. 

Sam Irvine landed in New Paltz from Canada She is a self-confessed procrasta-baker and a proud Mom of 3 teenagers. Sam was inspired  to try Improv after watching her son perform with HVI.  Sam’s previous acting experience includes daily Imposter syndrome stints. Sam acts as if she can play hockey on a woman’s hockey team. Cycling, hiking, and yoga contribute to daily life. A board game with family, and baking in the warmth of her kitchen completes the perfect day.  

Philip performs and directs on the HVI House Team. He began his acting training at LaGuardia School of the Arts.  He has done community theater, television commercials, sung at Carnegie Hall and was recurring on PBS's Live From Off Center. He created  The Truth About Splatter which ran in the Hudson Valley and was a member of Uncle Cannibal.  A licensed social worker, Philip provides direct counseling and  systems work in health care settings. He relies on his husband and 2 daughters for sanity.

As a child, Lynda loved making sound effects and imitating people to amuse her friends. She has acted and sung in many area productions and directed children’s plays. Lynda has written several short plays that were produced locally. In her reinvented retirement life, she joined HVI and learned to play the ukulele. She loves being on the House Team. Lynda is happily married to her juggler husband, and has two talented adult children and one amazing granddaughter.  

James began his acting career at age 46 when he took Improv Empowerment at Hudson Valley Improv and he hasn't stopped since and is now a member of the HVI House Team. Theatre Credits include Hudson Valley STICKY and HVI's The Truth About Splatter. Film Credits include Flood, The Underpants Bandit, The Bowling Ball and No Hands. James lives in Saugerties, NY with his amazing wife Jen.

Michael is an actor and a founding member of Hudson Valley Improv. He has been hosting, performing and directing with HVI since 2014 in venues around the Hudson Valley. Theatre credits include Half Moon Theatre’s 10-Minute Play Festival, 20-Year Gala, and A Christmas Carol; Hudson Valley STICKY short play festival (2017 and 2018); The Voice Theatre’s All My Sons; and The Howl Writer’s Group. His film credits include Duality, Flood and The Underpants Bandit.

Laura took her first improv class in 2009 to try to be less of a control freak (jury's still out). She's a leadership coach some days, and other days, she's playing music, podcasting, or laughing too hard with improv friends. Laura is on a mission to make life as much like theater camp as possible. She lives in Modena with her amazing husband Cody, and their pets Rocket and Ringo. If you talk to her about Disney World, just be prepared. www.laurawestman.com or instagram.com/westygrammed

Raffaela lives in New Paltz, NY with husband Michael and daughter, Victoria.  She is a Speech Language Pathologist, Actor, writer and improviser. She was born with the gift of gab and gets to exercise it with the above activities. Raffaela has performed in multiple live improv shows and HVI short films such as The Underpants Bandit. She appeared as herself in an episode of The Doctors on CBS. Theatre credits include 90 Miles production of “The Blithe Spirit” and HVI’s  The Truth About Splatter.