adam

Adam joined River City in 2001 after repeated attempts to lead his own improv team through the mid to late nineties. The retired "Diversity Improv" combined radical social awareness seminars with live, three hour improv performances. DI also sought to raise awareness in West Michigan about productive community programs while exposing each program's potentially harmful outcomes. The final and most memorable show "Urban Garden: Square of Poison" was aptly reviewed by local media as "A dramatic presentation of ideas". DI may be re-uniting 2010 after nearly a decade of silence.

dave

You are Dave's favorite person for taking the time to read his bio. You are Dave's extra-favorite person if you recognize that this is Dave's first bio update since he joined River City in 2008. On a related note, you are Dave's superlatively favorite person if you qualify Jeff as "the new guy" even though he is actually "the returning guy" and join Dave in new guy hazing.

jeff

Jeff made his River City debut in 1997 but left us after two years to perform full time and nationally with CPR Improv Comedy (also out of GR) where he learned vacations aren’t vacations if you take them all the time and leave your wife and kids at home. Now he’s off-the-road and settled back into life in West Michigan, excited to perform and hang out with the RCI family again. Jeff and his wife Lisa are celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary this year. You can call her Saint Lisa. They have two daughters: Jessa (8) and Kassidy (5.5) – with whom they spend nearly all of their spare time doing lots of things and sometimes nothing at all.

marty

Marty has been working diligently for over 35 years to get on the front page of a newspaper. On the other hand his daughter Ellie wasn't even alive for 4 months and made it to the front page of the GR Press wearing an ArtPrize t-shirt. In response to this injustice, he is now considering an exclusive front page interview with the MartyTimes, a local small-distribution newsletter. In ten years he hopes to ask Ellie what she thinks of his newspaper interview at which point he expects to hear: "What's a news-paper?"

mel

Mel and her husband recently got a puppy and have realized that most important things in life are exemplified by puppies (but most specifically her puppy, Winston.) Here's a short list: Lesson #1: SHEER JOY. Become full of pure, unadulterated joy every time you see the people you live with. Let's not stop there though- do that for EVERY person you see. Lesson #2: (Forgive &) FORGET. Puppies don't hold grudges. They barely remember the last time you harped on them for not waiting until they were outdoors to do their thing. Lesson #3: BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR FOOD. Jump, kiss, and yelp for joy when food is presented to you, then eat heartily. Other lessons from Winston we choose to ignore: barking for attention, sniffing the end of the vacuum attachment, licking oneself, and biting electrical cords.

michele

Michele recently hit the big 4-0. Not that she minds. Even if her children are quick to tell her that she's "really old." They usually finish up w/ "but you look really young." She is certain it has nothing to do with the threatening glances she makes when they start those sort of comments either. So, in case she forgets what she's doing on stage, she starts complaining of a bunion or looks like she's in the middle of a mid-life crisis you'll know why.

mike

In 2005, Mike wrestled with the excruciating decision of having to choose between joining the esteemed River City Improv or the celebrated Cirque De Solei. Owing to interpretation error with the snooty french acrobats, Cirque's offer was vehemently rescinded and Mike happily joined RCI to the delight of 10's of Grand Rapidians and several of Mike's relatives. Over the next 4 years Mike thrilled, offended, and apologized his way through at least 100 performances, and looks forward to several more with RCI in the years to come. Mike is the proud owner of a double-jointed thumb, a dog the size of a Shetland pony, and a collection of used Star Wars novels.

rick

Rick wishes he could fly. As a child he had a recurring dream of flying down the stair case in his parents home. When he tried in the morning, it did prove to be just a dream and would spend time nursing bruises after that. Thankfully, the steps were carpeted and padded. Convinced he didn't have enough distance to actually get off the ground, Rick tried bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge to give himself some more air time. That too failed and he was left dangling over croc-infested waters until he was pulled back up to safety on the bridge. Rick is hoping not to fly into the crowd at tonight's performance.

russ

A voracious reader and coloring-book enthusiast, Russ would rather have his face in a book than be on facebook. Russ feels that "reality TV" is neither, and protests by watching only cartoons. Please send your book and cartoon recommendations to russ@rivercityimprov.com.

todd

Todd Herring is still growing. Soon he will join the NBA, the NFL, NBC, NASDAQ, PBA and any other group looking to add height to their roster. Todd has worked with River City Improv for a certain number of years that is greater than that of Mike, Dave and Mel, less than Rick, Marty, Wendy, Russ, Michelle, Jeff* and Tracey yet equal to that of Adam. Todd is currently looking for his keys, and would like to thank his wife Amy, who will most likely find them. *Jeff’s tenure is classified, statement is based on arbitrary estimates…. and Jeff is older.

tracey

At 5:30 weekday mornings Tracey's alarm clock rings to get her up for work. Even so, she is humbled and thankful for her job as a high school teacher. She is also most thankful for Jim, Brett, and Addison, who help keep her laughing when she's not with her RCI family...who are constantly making her laugh. Tracey dedicates her performance this evening to her lovely and wondrous friend Jeanne. "Love you lady!"

wendy

Wendy loves the sun. She plans to vacation there some day and will bring lots of sunscreen.

amanda

Amanda is our goto woman for taking tickets and other stuff, and happens to be an RCI spouse (Russ).

andy

Eric is our goto man for taking lights and sound, and happens to be an RCI spouse (Mel).

cate

Cate is the most approved ticket taker and happens to be a spouse of one of our tech guys (Tim).

chris

Chris is one of our tech guys handling lights or sound whenever he isn't working on a big show in another local theater company!

eric

Eric is our goto man for taking tickets and carrying heavy things, and happens to be an RCI spouse (Wendy).

james

James is our technical goto man in the booth, and happens to be a RCI spouse (Tracey).

jane

Jane is one of our fantastic house managers!

kris

Kris is our goto woman for house stuff, and happens to be an RCI alumnus spouse (Bob).

matt

Matt is probably the best ticket seller and ripper we've ever seen. His quest for excellence comes from his liberal arts education.

tim

Tim is a spectacular tech guy who likes to move to the groove.

bob

Bob performed with us from 1995-1999, and still performs improv with fellow RCI alumnus Mary Jane in the group Fishschtick. Bob's wife Kris is one of our dedicated crew members.

jeanne

Jeanne was one of our co-founders before she went on to greatness as a stage director.

joel

Joel joined our team in 1999 and was a regular performer until he moved out to LA with his wife Ellen. Currently is in the movie biz with the major motion picture company Alcon Entertainment.

leah

Leah brought her hilarious personality to the stage for us in 2000. She performed with us for a short while before moving on to bigger and better things!

marc

Marc Evan was an original member who moved onto Second City Detroit in 1996. Currently he's living in and working in LA where he has performed various roles and cameos in popular tv shows and movies.

mj

MJ was an original member that left us in 2000 and went on to great things with Second City in Detroit and then founded Fishladder and FISHSCHTICK right here in Grand Rapids.

what people say

You guys are really funny. I was actually lurking in the lobby when people came out and they had such huge smiles on their faces and so many said "that was fun" - not, by the way, what I usually hear after banquets. Everyone LOVED it. I hope we can have you back again someday. You need a place on your website for "what other people say about River City Improv." It would be a great marketing tool. You'd get massive encomiums. Thanks.

The next time you go to a banquet or luncheon, check out the faces of the audience during the program portion. Most of the time, they're as grim as faces on a bread line. Next time, do your guests a favor -- hire the River City Improv. They're hilarious!

Lois Servaas
The Potter's House School
Events & Volunteer Coordinator

what people say

I am delighted to offer my most enthusiastic recommendation for the outstanding comedy talents of River City Improv. After previewing the group at one of their local performances - and loving every minute of their show - we booked the group for a private party, our annual office holiday dinner, and they were a smash! The River City gang was creative, smart, up to the minute on local and national humor, but also prepared "in jokes" relevant to our team - and they were very, very funny! This likable and engaging group does not rely on crude, negative or degrading material, yet their timing, energy and wildly fresh and innovative set-ups are certainly entertaining for any grown-up, discriminating audience. We will undoubtedly have them back in the future, and I have no hesitation in giving the team and their wise and witty improvisations a hearty "thumbs up!"

James B. Fahner, MD
Division Chief
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
DeVos Children's Hospital

what people say

How do I put this? EVERYONE LOVED IT! Thank you! Your performance was amazing. It is difficult to find good, clean entertainment these days, but you all had us laughing until our stomachs turned to six packs and our make-up started running! In the Equestrian World, there are some very unique people, yet you still managed to put on a performance that our employees could relate with. Coming up with everyday scenarios here at Millbrook and then incorporating them into your performance that quickly was impressive. Thank you so much for a job well done and we all can't wait 'til next time!

Melissa A VanHorn
Millbrook Tack & Trailer