After an 8th grade drama class, Alex took a break from improv until responding to a Facebook post for a free FoHi Improv class in the fall of 2019. He has actually paid for some classes since and not regretted it. He enjoys the excitement, sense of camaraderie, and fun involved in doing scenes and telling stories. He even enjoys it when audiences laugh but can imagine laughter when there is none to keep him motivated. When not performing, Alex may be spending time with his daughter or working on his tennis game.

Christine came to improv after decades of looking for a safe space to share her funny and connect with other like-minded crazies. Some of her favorite characters have been those that totally get her out of her comfort zone!

I am a retired CPA and lifelong resident of Forest Hills and was always told that I had a weird sense of humor, and was guilty of telling awful puns.

Back in the 1980’s I was so impressed by an improv show I saw at the Chicago City Limits Comedy Club in Manhattan, that I signed up for their beginning improv classes. In 2021 during the Pandemic I knew I needed to get back into the fun of improvisational comedy and took the Absolute Beginners Improv class at FOHI Improv. Subsequently I took their Beginners Improv class and then their Intermediate and Advance classes.

Now I am a proud member of the FOHI Improv Unisphere team and have hopes of blasting into the stratosphere one day!

Imtiaz started his improv journey with FoHi Improv in 2019 after experiencing it firsthand at a conference. You can say he was bitten by the improv bug and has been addicted ever since. He enjoys making others laugh, and implementing his humor into the lives of those around him. He strives to put a smile on faces to which it continues to be a large motivation for him. You can find him constantly watching sports, and spending time with his family throughout the Forest Hills neighborhood.

While several decades ago Jason did participate in his elementary school production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, Jason ultimately had chosen a different path.  If you asked Jason in 2020 whether he would consider signing up for an improv class or a show he would have responded with a resounding “no”.  Fortunately Jason found FoHi in 2021 and has had an amazing journey learning and exploring with improv and challenging his “comfort zone”.  He tells his kids that all adults should get time to play and act out and have their own fun while pretending to be someone else. 

Jeff began his improv journey with Fohi improv very near the beginning, right before the pandemic, performing in several shows and making it to Unisphere. He has been around comedy for decades and hopes to continue performing as well as writing. He has been a financial services professional since College, building his own company and now guiding and advising others. He has been an avid sports participant, playing since childhood and coaching since his teenage years. He still plays and coaches Basketball.

Jessica Koblenz, PsyD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Cornerstone Psychological Services. She has utilized Improv in a partnership with Rick Andrews from the Magnet Theater with Psychiatry Residents in Harlem Hospital. She has implemented Improv for IRB approved studies with clients presenting with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness, in a partnership with Hallet’s Cove Theater. Her previous Improv acting experience has included; Astoria Women’s Improv, Upright Citizens Brigade, and Face Off Unlimited Theater.

Her written work has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Women’s Health, InStyle, and PsychologyToday, among others. She is passionate about utilizing Improv Comedy to help others connect with their own authenticity, and to bring groups together to form empowered communities.

Intrigued by the prospect of not needing to plan in advance or think ahead in the world of improv, Jessica decided to go with the flow and discovered the bliss of being free and creative in the moment.  She is excited to bring this spontaneous fun quality into her everyday life, and sharing lots of belly laughs with her family and friends.  In her free time, she maintains her childhood love of books, piano, and yoga for her adulthood serenity.

Joan Tarbutton is a part-time lawyer, a married, full-time mother to six kids, and a full-blown improviser who loves to move and sing.

Joan discovered improv almost three years ago and hasn't stopped playing since. She has been trained by the illustrious Kate DeFeo and fellow instructors of FoHi Improv in Queens, NYC. She's dipped her toes into the 'prov scene at The PIT, Magnet Theater, and North Coast Improv.

Items left on Joan's bucket list include: 1. Running and finishing her first marathon in 2023 (NYC); 2. Learning how to play guitar and how to speak Portuguese; and 3. Dressing up and performing with her whole family as the Von Trapps.

Fans will remember Julia from her early work as her metro-Atlanta high school improv club president. After a 20 year hiatus where she picked up a couple of degrees in astrophysics and engineering psychology, had a couple of kids, and trekked all the way up the east coast to NYC - she is back by popular demand! Whether it’s dropping a sarcastic one liner or self-deprecating humor, Julia is always eager to laugh and hopes you are ready to join her. 

Leland tried improv for the first time when joining FoHi in 2021, initially thinking, “This is terrifying. What the hell am I doing?” Yet, despite all the jitters, he’s been at it ever since! Leland also published a novel, The Blood Poetry, in 2012 (Raw Dog Screaming Press) as well as a collection of short stories, Savage Anesthesia, in 2017 (Carrion Blue 555).

Upon retiring after 42 years as a silent court reporter, Linda found her voice through improv, unleashing a side of her unbeknownst to all.  Hooked fo life, she avidly gobbles up all improv opportunities that come her way, never turning down a chance to blurt out long-suppressed truths, shielded by the who, where and what of her character.  She is grateful to FoHi Improv for unleashing her beast!

Lisette hails from Queens. She has been doing improv since 2019 when she was part of FOHI Improv’s first beginners class. Lisette enjoys that improv is the one place in her life where she isn’t in charge and doesn’t have to watch what she says.

In her limited free time Lisette runs a support group for pets named after food, manages the emotions of her two spirited kids and excessively uses ellipses…

Marcia is delighted to have discovered improv through FoHi improv. She grew up loving the comedy of shows like "I Love Lucy" and "Laverne & Shirley" and never had an outlet for it... until she found FoHi that is. It’s never too late to be funny!

Martin has been with FoHi Improv since just before the pandemic. Born in the UK, Martin lives with his wife Xiaoqing in Forest Hills. His two daughters both have tech jobs in San Francisco. He is a semi-retired journalist. In his career, he worked in many countries for international news agencies. One of his last jobs was as Asia News Editor for Reuters in Singapore. When not improvving, Martin is swimming, playing tennis and backgammon, hanging out in Antigua, drinking new coffee blends, and trying out some new recipes for baked goods.

Rommel had started taking improv classes with FoHi several years ago as a way to release his creative impulses, and to laugh while doing it. As a magazine art director since the nineties, he also plays in a billiards league and watches a lot of pro wrestling. Biggest accomplishments include quitting smoking in 2012, and marrying his college sweetheart after being apart for over 18 years.

Sam is a natural comedian and jokester, delighting his wife and daughter with laughter and fun every day.  He enjoys entertaining his family and friends with goofy antics and silly jokes, and finds improv to be a great way to generate even more fun in life.  He loves to be out and about discovering the joys of life with his family, usually carrying multiple cameras (like a paparazzi), trying to document all the adorable moments of his daughter’s precious childhood years.  

Scott played the lead role, a robot, in his 5th grade play, and then retired from acting for the next 35 years. After seeing about 100 improv shows, he finally decided to join in on the fun at FoHi Improv in 2021.

He enjoys telling bad Dad Jokes to his wife and two children, eating, traveling, creating spreadsheets, teaching children, and smiling. Smiling is his favorite.

SeQuoia always had a passion for the arts with her early upbringing rooted in jazz and poetry. Life happened, and she was looking for a new way to showcase her creative side and improv was the answer. She enjoys traveling, going to concerts, hanging out at the dog park, biking, and hiking.

Stefanie made her theater debut in the fifth grade as a munchkin in the St. Joan of Arc Parish School's production of the Wizard of Oz, and she can still remember every word to every song. Today, Stefanie is an improviser, writer, cat mom, and yogi. Dogs love her and small children think she's hilarious. She has studied at FoHi Improv since 2019 and lived in Queens since birth.