Marc Evan Jackson

Joshua Funk

Funk trained and performed at The Second City Detroit before becoming a resident director at The Second City Chicago, where he directed multiple award-winning revues; he is also a co-founder of Planet Ant Theater in Hamtramck, Michigan.

Keegan-Michael Key

Keegan-Michael Key is an American actor and comedian whose roots in improvisational theatre run deep. After earning a BFA from the University of Detroit Mercy (1993) and an MFA from Penn State (1996), he co-founded Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck, Michigan, an ensemble emphasizing unscripted formats. He became a mainstage cast member at The Second City Detroit from 2001 to 2003, then performed on The Second City e.t.c. stage in Chicago. His six-season run on MADtv (2004-2009) showcased the character work and physical comedy honed through years of improv training. Key and Jordan Peele co-created Key & Peele (2012-2015), an Emmy-winning sketch series that drew heavily on their shared improv background. He starred in Mike Birbiglia's Don't Think Twice (2016), a film centered on a fictional improv troupe. Key has spoken extensively about improv philosophy, describing improvisation as "walking backward" — trusting the process without seeing the destination.

Marz Timms

Paul Z Jackson

Paul Z Jackson is a UK-based practitioner who co-founded the Applied Improvisation Network in 2002 alongside Alain Rostain and Michael Rosenberg. He had worked extensively applying improv principles to organizational and leadership contexts before the founding, and he contributed to the AIN's early programming and community development. He is also a broadcaster and the co-author of several books on applied improv and solution-focused practice.