Improvised Jane Austen utilizes a rotating cast of performers.
With independent heroines, misunderstood suitors, meddling mothers, and charming cads, Improvised Jane Austen creates a Regency love story on the spot throughout Chicago, IL. The company takes an audience suggestion and crafts a story the most prominent female author of the 19th century may have written and carry it through misadventures and misunderstandings to its proper British conclusion.
Janice returns to Improvised Jane Austen after a six year hiatus, whilst she worked in Oakland, CA. We are terribly delighted to have her returned to our fold.
Nina hails from New Jersey, but is firmly establishing herself in Chicago as an actress to keep your eye on. Newly joined, Improvised Jane Austen is thrilled to have her as a cast member.
Though a new edition to Improvised Jane Austen, Xu is a seasoned improviser. She has studied and performed at all of Chicago's prominent comedy houses, and has performed with the famed Chicago comedy group, Stir Friday Night.
Originally from South Florida, Lotus now calls Chicago their home and keeps busy with their many talents, and extraordinary hobbies.
KJ went to college for theater and came to Chicago for comedy. They trained at all the prominent comedy houses here in Chicago, and we are thrilled that KJ will now be performing with Improvised Jane Austen, as a new cast member.
Emily is a veteran of store front theater in Chicago, as well trained as improviser. Her love of history has made her the perfect person to costume the cast of Improvised Jane Austen in a stylized version of 1800s Regency England.
Kristen started her acting and improv training in Portland, OR and followed her comedy dreams to NYC, and then finally to Chicago. Now her home, Kristen can be found performing and teaching at independent theaters throughout Chicago.
Born and raised in the midwest, Kate has been performing in the Chicagoland area since she was a teen, and found the perfect blend her love of English literature and being on stage in performing with Improvised Jane Austen. She is a founding member of Improvised Jane Austen, formed in 2008, and extremely proud to be the Managing Director of the troupe.
Shannon is no stranger to the stage, having performed since she was a three. She easily owns the stage as a seasoned burlesque dancer, improviser and actor. Her love of Austen makes her an easy fit to the cast of Improvised Jane Austen.
Allison is an extremely busy actress, and voice-over artist in Chicago, and chooses to spend her free-time tap dancing. The consummate artist.
Kelsey is not only a talented improvisor who performs with Improvised Jane Austen & The Second City's HouseCo, but she uses her talents as a graphic designer to create the art for Improvised Jane Austen.
Ana is an awarding winning improvisor in Chicago, having studied, performed, and also teaches at the famed Second City Theatre.
Gabriella has been acting as Improvised Jane Austen's Musical Director since the team began performing at the iO Theater in October of 2018. They have all since become fast friends, and Gabriella has easily become an honorary cast member of IJA.
Sarah came to Chicago by way of North Carolina, and easily transitioned from a musical theater maven to an improvising Empress. She is a founding member of Improvised Jane Austen, and is oft referred to as the "Heart of the Team" by her fellow cast mates.
Lauren Glass, a founding member of Improvised Jane Austen, recently returned to this lovely group of obstinate, headstrong players after an eight-year hiatus.
A graduate of comedy & writing Columbia College in Chicago, Squeek was in the right place to continue on her studies as an improviser. Squeek can currently be found performing often at iO, around Chicago, and as a fan favorite with Improvised Jane Austen.
Mishell is a very accomplished performer and talent, and has used her immense powers to created and helm the award winning ensemble, Generation LatinX.
Kaelea is an extremely busy performer in Chicago. Having a keen ability to succeed in Genre Improv, they can be seen throughout Chicago performing not only with IJA, but Improvised D&D and The Unrehearsed Shakespeare Company, to name a few!
A lover of history and a trained actress, Josephine was natural fit for Improvised Jane Austen, and has been happily filling the cast in on 1800s historic happenings since 2016.
Holly is a busy producer for Improvised Jane Austen, helping them make introductions to other great theaters who also boast a love of Jane Austen. For two years in a row, IJA has enjoyed performing on Northlight Theater's stage thanks to Ms. Holly.
Jessye has been improvising since she was a teen, having begun studies at the famed Piven Workshop. Since then becoming an accomplished and busy actor, improvisor, and teacher of the art form.