@ Raue Center For The Arts
2025 DATES
Friday, January 18 @ 7p
Friday, February 15 @ 7p
Saturday, March 14 @ 8p
Saturday, May 24 @ 7p
Saturday, August 30 @ 7p
For over 20 years, GreenRoom Improv has performed nationally for a wide range of audiences and events. GreenRoom specializes in a unique blend of clean, high-energy, multi-faceted improv comedy.
GreenRoom members include Dave Hunter, Matthew Aldis, Kerry Cox, Sam Barbaro, Christian Zierke, Miriam Naponelli, Jess Smith, Paul Gunsul (piano), & Erik Scheele (piano).
For more information, visit greenroomimprov.com
Recommended Audience: All Ages
ABOUT GREENROOM IMPROV
GreenRoom Improv is an ensemble-based theatre company that specializes in improvisation. GreenRoom was founded by a group of Judson University (Elgin, IL) students in 1999 as a result of the cancellation of the school’s Theatre program. Since then GreenRoom has performed nationally for a wide range of audiences and events. They currently have residencies in two theaters: The Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin, IL, and The Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake, IL where they perform monthly. In addition to these residencies, GreenRoom plays multiple bookings throughout the year with their unique blend of clean, high-energy, multi-faceted improv comedy.
Sam Barbaro is a Chicago native and first-generation American, raised and tormented by Sicilian immigrants in the Northwest Suburbs. Received a B.S. in Media Studies and Film from “the prestigious” Northern Illinois University. Trained and completed the Second City Conservatory, IO, and The Annoyance Theater programs. Sam was fortunate enough to study improvisation under Steve Carell and the late great Del Close. He has been performing with Greenroom Improv for over 13 years, flexing his improv muscles (which are much more defined than his actual physical muscles). Sam has experienced great joy teaching and coaching Improv…as well as performing with his friends at Greenroom.
Jess Smith, the “newest” member, has performed with Greenroom since 2018. As the resident teeny-tiny baby and young person Horcrux, she keeps the group cool by educating cool youths at South Elgin High School where she teaches Theatre and English and directs productions. Jess has been performing since she was 6 years old, and in addition to performing with Greenroom, she loves teaching others how to make muppets and how to puppeteer them. When she’s not demanding attention, Jess can be found trying to abscond with her parents’ and sister’s, and brother-in-law’s Goldendoodles, Sully and Oakley.
Kerry Cox has been performing with Greenroom since 2001. She started singing on stage at 3 years old, in her family’s church. She played in the high school musicals of her small town, earning lead roles continually. She learned improvisational comedy from her college peers (Matt & Dave) in their student-directed group at Judson. Kerry also played in several of Greenroom’s former summer musicals. She directed for CYT for 10 years. She teaches piano and musical theater classes for kids currently. She also sings on her church’s worship team in Barrington. Kerry loves being a mom of 5 kids and lives locally, with her husband Ryan.
Dave Hunter is the co-founder and co-director of Green Room Improv. After making his living in theater for 10+ years, Dave Hunter transitioned his full-time job into video production armed with a wealth of visual storytelling experience. For years he has traveled the world producing videos for businesses and non-profits for marketing, training, and documentary purposes. Dave performs improv comedy monthly with GreenRoom Improv, which currently has two resident theater locations. He and his wife Martine live in Huntley, IL, and have 3 beautiful daughters.
Miriam Naponelli is a graduate of The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University with a BFA in Acting. Since graduating, Miriam has made a career in theater administration working as the Director of Marketing at Spotlight Youth Theater then at Raue Center for the Arts. Her recent theater credits include; WSRep: SYLVIA (Sylvia), WSRep: PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE (Suzanne/Countess/Admirer). Miriam has been an ensemble member of GreenRoom Improv for the past 13 years. She is proudly represented by Lily’s Talent.
RAUE CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tim Paul, board president
John Jacobsen, vice president
Jerry Trachsler, treasurer
Luanne Flavin, secretary
John Green
Mike H. Johnson
Richard Kuranda
Jack Minsley
Rich Naponelli
Michelle Nowland
Sandra Pierce
Regan Shepley
Steven Szalaj
Stacey McInerney
Volunteer Liaison
RAUE CENTER STAFF
Richard Kuranda
Raue Center CEO & Founding Artistic Director of Williams Street Repertory
Justin Wellington
Managing Director
Jenna Klaproth
Operations Manager
Meredith Schaefer-Flowers
Director of Marketing &
Institutional Advancement
Michele V. Knight
Marketing Manager
James Knight
Economic Development Manager
Rob Scharlow
Raue Center School for the Arts
Director of Education
Maribeth Ling
Front of House Manager
Chris Tumblin
Raue Center Director of Production
Lisa Giebler
Technical Director
Ryan Meadow
Raue Center Production Manager
James Mablin
Resident Music Director
Box Office Associates
Naomi Unverzagt
Max Powers
About Raue Center For The Arts
Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination.
For additional information follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or visit rauecenter.org.
