Meet the Team
Jessica Gutteridge
Managing Director
Jessica (she/her) has been leading performing arts organizations in Vancouver, including several Granville Island institutions, since she arrived here from New York in 2014. With experience in financial management, venue operations, artistic curation and producing, and non-profit oversight, Jessica combines her deep experience with her love of live performance and commitment to collaborative leadership.
Prior to her work in Vancouver’s arts community, Jessica practiced law in New York for nearly two decades, after attending Columbia Law School. She has served on the board of numerous non-profit organizations in the arts, education, and legal sectors. Her theatre work has focused on dramaturgy and dramatic criticism, in which she obtained an MFA from the Yale School of Drama, and she has served as production dramaturg for works ranging from new plays for babies to innovative interpretations of playwrights from Shakespeare to Genet. She is a frequent performer in Vancouver’s cabaret scene.
In her free time, Jessica is a voracious reader of mysteries, a constant knitter, dedicated foodie, and student of Yiddish.
Jalen Saip
Artistic Director
Jalen (she/her) is an actor, producer, award winning photographer. She is an impassioned advocate for spreading joy and laughter, both on-stage and off. She has been performing for audiences since the age of three in everything from Shakespeare to Schönberg. She joined the wonderful world of improv in 2016, rising to the ranks of main-stage performer at The Improv Centre within two years.
Since that time, Jalen has enjoyed performing with, and learning from, a great number of talented improvisors and actors, based in Vancouver and around the world. She now revels in sharing the joy of improv with students of her own, ranging in age.
Jalen has worked in Education, Non-Profit, Administration and Human Resources. She has also had numerous volunteer roles with community outreach projects and children’s programs focused on music and performance.
Will Martin
Finance Director
Will Martin (he/him) is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) over 35 years’ worth of experience in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. With expertise in financial operations, policy development, compliance, and strategic planning, he applies a clear, concise, and collaborative approach to ensure efficiency and integrity in his work. His strong interpersonal skills and commitment to continuous improvement make him a trusted leader in finance and administration.
Beyond accounting, Will is an adaptable IT professional, seamlessly integrating technology with financial processes. His expertise in data management, IT implementation, and process automation helps organizations streamline operations and enhance decision-making through smarter systems and precise analytics.
Outside of work, Will is a lifelong learner and creative spirit. Whether singing, writing, or exploring the Lower Mainland with a camera in hand, he finds joy in capturing moments and collecting new stories to tell.
Brendan Kelly
Technical Director & Bookings Coordinator
Brendan (he/him) is a sound technician, DJ, emcee and improviser from St Catharines, Ontario. Trained in audio production and radio arts at Niagara College in Ontario he has spent many years as a wedding, events and club DJ, sound technician for conferences and events, and lent his voice as an emcee and host.
He joined The Improv Centre as a sound improviser in 2016 after he decided he didn’t like being on stage, the lights are too bright. Since that time he has worked countless shows, created many sound designs, taught workshops and worked with distinguished alumni Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles. He became the theatre Technical Director in November of 2023.
In his free time he’s known for running the occasional marathon, collecting obscure vinyl records, quoting existential literature or referencing Star Trek, The Simpsons and a plethora of forgotten sitcoms from the 90’s.
Michele Roger
Front of House / Theatre Operations Manager
Michele (she/her) joined The Improv Centre team in September 2021. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role from 20+ years in the fashion retail industry as a General Manager, Facilitator, Leader, Teacher, and Coach. Before joining TIC, Michele worked as a Production Coordinator for CircusWest Performing Arts Society where she was responsible for marketing and promotions, front of house operations and overseeing the hair, make-up, costume, and volunteer departments. She studied at the University of Victoria where she graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Performance and Psychology (major) and Sociology (minor). Michele is thrilled to be part of the team at TIC. It’s the perfect place for her to continue in her goal to immerse herself in the arts community, to impact it in a positive way, and to thrive doing a job she loves! Outside of TIC, Michele is an accomplished Costume Designer and Seamstress specializing in circus costumes and has her own RTW collection “Belleame Designs”. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, photography, dancing, sewing and singing – you may even see her on a stage near you performing with local choirs.
Kayla Gunn
Office Manager
Kayla (she/her) is ecstatic to be part of this wonderful team here at The Improv Centre! She has spent the last decade away training and working as an actor, receiving a BA in Theatre Acting from Dalhousie University (Halifax, NS) as well as an Acting for Media Diploma from George Brown College (Toronto, ON). On her off-time, Kayla can be found looking for cool rocks, making art, or seeing some great local theatre!
Johnny Hamilton
Marketing Manager
Johnny (he/him) brings over a decade of marketing experience to his role at The Improv Centre. Comedy is a joy near and dear to his heart, though he’s definitely better one-on-one than in a group setting. He’s happy to have found a home at TIC, creating a space for creativity and humour to thrive in the city.
Coming from leadership roles within the world of sales, marketing, and operations, his core values are built from a sturdy framework of captivating storytelling and exceptional customer experience.
Originally studying English Literature and Communications at SFU, he’s no stranger to Granville Island, as he has staged many productions there during his work in theatre. He is grateful to be part of the Island’s thriving creative community.
William Vaughan
Bar & Venue Manager
Will (he/him) is an actor, improvisor, teacher, and bartender from Cole Harbour, NS. He arrived in BC in 2006 to attend Vancouver Film School, where he graduated with Honours. He’s appeared in several films and TV shows over the years, and has been improvising since 2015.
He’s also undertaken a rite of passage for any actor: he got a restaurant job! Working in many of the finest establishments in Vancouver – including the late Storm Crow Alehouse – he joined the bar team at TIC in 2018. When he’s got a spare hour off, Will enjoys sports (watching), video games, and his cats Grace & Frankie.
Meghan Danyluk
Digital Marketing Coordinator
A fourth-year English student at Simon Fraser University and former high school theatre kid, Meghan (she/her) is over the moon to be working with The Improv Centre. She brings her experience in writing, video editing, photography, and customer service to the Digital Marketing Coordinator role. You can find her making bad puns and too many Taylor Swift references on TIC’s Instagram and newsletter. Her most prized possession is Janet, her 2004 Volkswagen Golf.
Frank Paige
Box Office & Volunteer Coordinator
Frank (they/he) is a performing artist and transplant from Ontario where they studied Film & Television Acting at Humber College (Toronto, ON). After a 2-month trip across Canada that involved some of the most beautiful sights, mountain goats, lots of canned beans and cold showers Frank landed in Vancouver! Originally joining the Improv Centre in 2022 as a box office attendant their new role is supported by their love of the arts, knack for puzzles and problem solving. Outside of TIC you can also find Frank working at Sonder Acting Studio and hear their voice in the Dreamers podcast series. Thriving in a constant state of change and learning Frank is thrilled to be a part of the TIC team and contribute to the amazing work they do.
Talya Nakkas
Communications Coordinator
Talya (she/her) moved to beautiful Vancouver from the Mediterranean coast of Turkey four years ago. After obtaining her bachelor’s in Linguistics and Philosophy at McGill, she worked as an ESL teacher and then as an arts administrator. Her enduring passion and curiosity for the arts encouraged her to go back to school for graphic design. And she’s proud to have completed her studies at BCIT while working full time. In her free time, she loves to jam skate at the beach, take hip hop classes, and watch arthouse films. Talya is overjoyed to a be a part of this fun and friendly team that’s dedicated to bringing laughter and joy into people’s lives!
Emily Schoen
Education & DEI Coordinator
Emily (she/her) is an Asian, mixed raced actor, improviser, and writer from Calgary. She has a degree in Dramatic Arts in which she graduated with Great Distinction. As a performer, Emily is a member our Mainstage Ensemble, as well as Very Good Improv and Fistful of Kicks (Vancouver’s all Asian Improv Troupe). She has been teaching theatre and improv to all ages for over ten years. Seeing representation and diversity on our stage is something that Emily is incredibly passionate about and she is so excited to help The Improv Centre create and maintain a safe, inclusive environment for everyone involved. Fun Fact: Emily has a flip phone.
Alan Pavlakovic
Artistic Administrator
Alan Pavlakovic is a Vancouver improviser who has been performing for over 20 years across a plethora of stages, here and abroad. Starting in the Canadian Improv Games as a player he has also spent time coaching teams and moving to troupes like The Fictionals, QueerProv, and The Improv Centre on Granville Island to spread joy and laughs to countless onlookers in countless audiences. Alan resides in East Vancouver currently and holds a mainstage ensemble position at The Improv Centre while supporting the theatre and teaching classes, house teams, and workshops there.
Front of House
The Improv Centre wouldn’t be the place it is without the people who keep it going.
Our venue’s dedicated staff make visits to our theatre so special.
They are:
Alexander Lecoy (he/him)
Alexandra Chambers (she/her)
Caroline Levien (she/her)
Claudia Rodrigues (she/her)
Elke Dick (she/her)
Julian Nelson (he/him)
Kas A. Bueno (they/them)
Kat Morrow (she/her)
Kosta Lemermeyer (he/him)
Ludo Wiens (he/him)
Mike Gorlick (he/him)
Paisley Saggu (she/her)
River Huckleberry Kero (he/him)
Sarah Moon (she/her)