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Monkey Business Institute - Improvisor Bios

If you're looking for comedy in Madison - The Monkey Business Institute features a small group of highly talented improv comedy professionals.  When you hire us for an "on-the-road" performance - or come to see a scheduled show, you'll see some or all of these improvisers!   (Bios of the rest of our troupe coming soon)



Brad Knight

Brad Knight

Hometown prior to Madison: Wausau, WI

Skills/Assets: Brad has been performing on (and off) stages for over 20 years. A co-founder of The Monkey Business Institute, Brad draws on 15+ years of performance and training improvised comedy.

Since arriving in Madison to attend the UW, Brad is featured in the "Chad Vader" on-line series and has enjoyed time with Broom Street Theater and WISKINO independant film group.

Brad also has some kind of Psychology degree. He's always messin' with our heads.

Brad's Links: See Brad in many Blame Society films, Brad's Myspace page

 
Jason Stephens

Jason Stephens

Hometown prior to Madison: Dodgeville, WI

Year started improvising: 2001

Skills/Assets: In addition to co-founding The Monkey Business Institute, Jason co-hosts the Q106 Morning Show with Nicole Andrews.

 
Matt Sloan

Matt Sloan

Hometown prior to Madison: Milwaukee, WI

Year Began Improvisation: 1992

Skills/Assets: Karate.  Aikido.  Judo.  Tae Kwon Do.  Tae Bo.  7 Fingered Monkey Claw.  Drunken Donkey Style.  Tarantula Fist.  Happy Family Triple Delight.  Biking.

Matt's Links: Blame Society Productions (Matt and Aaron's production company)

 
Aaron Yonda

Aaron Yonda

Hometown prior to Madison: Menomonie, WI

Year Began Improvisation: 1997

Skills/Assets: I make humorous videos, mainly on the internet as part of Blame Society Productions. I'm one of two of the guys who make Chad Vader, the smash internet series about Darth's younger, wimpier brother.

Aaron's Links: Blame Society Productions (Aaron and Matt's production company)

 
Craig Johnson

Craig Johnson

Hometown prior to Madison: Janesville, WI

Year Began Improvisation: Formally, 2007

Skills/Assets: 20 years theater experience, Strength: 12, Constitution: 9, Charisma: 283, Typing: 65wpm. An expert sniper, once killed a man from 900 yards on a windy day. Believe me, he had it coming.

Craig's Links: Craig's Myspace

 
Linda Hedenblad

Linda Hedenblad

Hometown prior to Madison: Seattle WA, born in Superior WI.  How did I end up here?

Year Began Improvisation:  2006

Skills/Assets: Professional teacher, trainer and public speaker. I've been called an "entertrainer" so I know how to make difficult topics interesting.  I believe people learn best when engaged and, dare I say, laughing!  Besides bringing workshop and professional training sills, I am strange and unpredictable.  

Links: coming soon

 
Sheila Robertson

Sheila Robertson

Hometown: Peaceful Reeseville, WI (then New Jersey, Colorado, Madison for 10 years now Blanchardville)

Year Began Improvisation: 1992 - played for 9 years then stopped being funny entirely - now, happy to be back into the swing of things with MBI.

Skills/Assets: I can plan/host one hell of a party, I am a pretty good friend, I can bake a perfect apple pie and I can dance with a beer bottle on my head.

Sheila's Links: No, I'm living a life that is borderline Amish - so, no.

 
Jennifer Salas

Jennifer Salas

Hometown prior to Madison: Chicago, IL

Year Began Improvisation: 1998

Skills/Assets: I used to go door to door as a kid ordering my friends to come over to watch talent shows in my backyard which I directed, produced, and acted in. Studied Drama in college, did sketch and improv in Chicago, and then started improvising in Madison in 2002. I also do the bookings for MBI.

Links: yes, please! With a steamed bun....mmm....

 
Benson Gardner

Benson Gardner

Hometown prior to Madison: Chicago, IL.  Grew up in Menomonie, WI

Year Began Improvisation: 1996

Skills/Assets: coming soon

Links: coming soon

 
Doug Reed

Hometown prior to Madison: Richmond, VA

Year Began Improvisation: MCMXCI

Skills/Assets: If given a harmonica, and a copy of "How To Play The Star-Spangled Banner" on the harmonica, can play The Star-Spangled Banner on a harmonica.

Links: Doug wrote a play. You should go see it.

 


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MBI Improv Show at Glass Nickel
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MBI Improv Show at Glass Nickel
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MBI Improv Show at Glass Nickel
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MBI Improv Show at Glass Nickel
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