About Us

Our aim is first to teach the fundamental skills necessary to improvise: listening, trusting, support, remaining present & spontaneity, in an environment where these principles can take firm root in you. We foster creativity and help free you of inhibitions. We believe in the power of the ensemble over the individual. That we are stronger together than we are apart and we will teach you how to thrive within a group.

While these abilities are vital on stage, they are no less beneficial at work, home and in all areas of your life. With time, as these roots grow stronger, you may choose to carry them with you everywhere. We would like to assist you in not just becoming the best improviser that you can be, but more importantly, to allow you to become a better you. We will also have a lot of fun along the way!

“I've had some terrific teachers along the way--college, writing courses, etc--but none as perfect for the job as you. You created the safest and most fun environment imaginable...Thank you for making your class one of the best experiences of my life.”

-Theresa Hansen; MI’s Westside Comedy Theater Level 1

Annie has been performing improv since 1997. In 2001 she helped found the children’s improv touring group, Smarty Pants Theater Company before making her way west to Los Angeles where she studied at the iO West Theater. Over the years a steady strong philosophy of team over individual and performing in the now has emerged. With this idea in place Annie began coaching which eventually turning into teaching. She currently teaches at MI's Westside Comedy Theater and iO West where she also runs the student performance program The Lottery. These days you can see her performing with Harold Champions, USS Rock n Roll as well as in NOW? with Annie & Levin. Annie is also a working commercial actor and has appeared in several national and local spots. She gets totally jazzed off about improv and yes that’s how she talks about it!

Levin began his improv career in Chicago in 2002, studying at both the iO

(Formerly ImprovOlympic) and The Second City training centers. Five years ago he packed up his bags and moved out to Los Angeles. Levin has been fortunate enough to learn from some of the great minds in this craft and works hard to pass that along. Improv is more than just fun performance outlet for Levin, it is a life philosophy. This Del Close Award winning “Coach of the Year” performs weekly at iO West with USS Rock n Roll and The iO Repertory Company. He is also a member of the faculty at MI’s Westside Comedy Theater where he and Annie perform their show “Now?”

Annie and Levin first met in the fall of 2005 as members of the iO

West house team The Jungle and quickly recognized in each other a deep passion for art of improv. They spend the next five years performing together in a variety of shows, teaching classes and workshops and challenging each other to grow as performers, teachers, coaches and people.

These days they are touring the nation together with their show “Now?” and teaching workshops at theaters, festivals and schools from coast to coast.