The Up Front Theatre

About

About the Theatre

Established by Ryan Stiles, The Upfront Theatre opened its doors August 13, 2004. The 85 seat cabaret style venue offers live improv comedy every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Performers from all over the northwest as well as local talent present many styles of improv comedy ranging from short form games to one act improvised plays, musicals, and competitive improv. Since opening over three years ago the Upfront has hosted events with world class improviser Keith Johnstone author of Impro, received the Mayors Arts Award, won Best Theatre in 2006, and continues to bring the excitement and fun of live improv to Bellingham.

The Upfront is predominantly run by volunteers whose help and support of the theatre keep it running.

Mission Statement

The Upfront Theatre is a professional community-based organization that provides innovative, high-quality performance and education rooted in the art of improvisation. Guided by the core values of improv, we commit to continually push the boundaries of our craft while exploring the comedy and truths of the human experience.

Interested in Volunteering? The theatre is run with the help of countless volunteers every weekend. Many of the volunteers are performers, students or just plain improv junkies. They work taking tickets, stamping hands, running lights and technical support and much more. If you are interested in volunteering please contact kanderson@theupfront.com

THE UPFRONT STAFF

Kimberly Anderson

Administrative Director - Kimberly has been involved with The Upfront Theatre since the first anniversary, by the theatre's third anniversary she had become the new Administrative Director. Kimberly is excited about her new position within the theatre because as she puts it, "The Upfront is young, fresh and exciting, it has endless potential and possibility".

Kimberly keeps busy raising her ten year old son, playing with her dog and two cats, gardening and socializing with friends. She can often be found relaxing with a glass of wine, artisan cheese and a fruit plate.

Billy Tierney

Artistic Director - Billy has been improvising (in the craft sense of the word) for just over 10 years. He was the Artistic Director of The Blue Door Theatre in Spokane, Washington for a couple years and has traveled throughout North America and Europe watching, learning, teaching, and performing improvisational theatre.

DK Reinemer

Education Director - DK Reinemer has been performing at The Upfront Theatre since it started in August of 2004. DK led the charge that opened the doors of the Upfront School of Improv in September 2005. He loves to teach improv and thinks everyone in the world should take at least one improv class in their life. DK is currently playing on a soccer team called the Tree Huggers and scored 2 goals last game.

THE UPFRONT INSTRUCTORS

OONA ZOYA SHERMAN

Oona Zoya Sherman has a master's degree in transformative learning and human development. Her research focus examines the ways that improvisation can be used to improve and transform the lives of adult learners, especially in the areas of creative collaboration, cooperation, and social change. In addition to teaching improv classes at the Upfront, she also brings improv to corporations and organizations, with her company, Spontaneity Works.

Teaching improv at the Upfront allows her to combine her love of working with adult learners with her passion for improvisation. A member of the Upfront Theater's mainstage players, she is also a member of the Upfront Players and A Few Good Women. When she is not teaching or performing, she can be found camping, watching movies, and guiltily reading tabloid magazines.

MORGAN GROBE

Morgan Grobe has been performing and instructing improvisational theatre since 2004. He is also an actor, writer and painter of houses and buildings. Morgan is a member of the Upfront Mainstage Ensemble and the dynamic duo "The DK and Morgan Show." He also loves his new ipod...

GALEN EMANUELE

Galen Emanuele has been with the theatre since it opened it's doors in 2004. He is a member of the Upfront Mainstage, he also belongs to the group "Rooster." He loves performing and teaching improv more than anything, even more than chocolate milk. A strong advocate against lactose intolerance, he also spends his free time competing in underground rap battles dressed as a penguin.