Our Staff
Shelley Darcy, Executive Director
Shelley has fifteen years experience studying and performing improvisational theater both in Los Angeles and Portland. She performs in Portland with Brainwaves Improv Comedy . For the last seven years she has also been a trainer/facilitator for On Your Feet a consultancy that uses improv theater techniques in the corporate world to teach creativity, collaboration and communication. On Your Feet’s clients include Disney, Nike, Intel, GE and many more. In 2007 she began using improv theater to teach life skills to kids.
Nicholas Kessler, Education Director
Nicholas Kessler is the Eduation Director for Super Project Lab, the Education Coordinator for The Liberators, and a Teaching Associate with Portland Center Stage. Nicholas consults throughout Oregon with non-profits such as United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, Outside In, Future Business Leaders of America, Portland Bus Project, Politicorps, and Hillcrest Detention Center. Nicholas has acted, directed, and produced theatre in Manhattan, he carries a degree from Kalamazoo College, and currently performs with the most talented and popular casts throughout Portland.
OUR BOARD
Gwen Schnurman, Treasurer
Gwen is an independent consultant with a strong focus on political strategy, fundraising and outreach. She has worked in Portland since 1990. She has worked for Attorney General Hardy Myers, Multnomah County Chairwoman Bev Stein’s (during her run for Mayor), Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, the Children’s Levy (known as The Children’s Investment fund), The Library Levy and The Parks and Recreation Levy.
Lindsay Magnuson, President
Lindsay began her career as a domestic violence advocate, working with Spanish-speaking women in a local transitional housing program. After several years in the social service sector, she became a Project Manager/Account Executive at SBI/Razorfish. She has worked in the field of advertising and design for over eight years. She was a board member of the non-profit Solo Flamenco for two years, and helped develop the organization into a thriving center for Spanish dance. Lindsay also enjoys yoga and volunteering for Operation Nightwatch in downtown Portland.
Chris Thompson, Secretary
Chris has been performing improvisational theater for over fifteen years, both as a member of Super Project Lab, and as a main stage player with BATS Improv, San Francisco’s leading improv performance troupe and school. As a technical communicator in the software industry, Chris has extensive experience with digital media and marketing communications. He is also an accomplished filmmaker, photographer, and writer.
Ritah Parrish, Vice-President
Ritah has been actively involved in Portland’s improv and theater communities for 17 years. She is a current member of Brainwaves and has taught improvisational skills to kids through Northwest Children’s Theatre. She works with the Elder Voices writing program through Well Arts as well as writing, producing and performing her own original work on stage.