A graduate of the WIT training program and proud member of Commonwealth (formerly JINX), Michael Bird has been inviting people into his imagination on stage since 2004. With a background in both short-form and long-form improv, he got his start at the University of Texas eventually becoming the director of the student troupe, GigglePants. While in college, Bird trained at all five long-form schools in Austin including Coldtowne Theater and has had improv stints in Chicago and New York to train at the Annoyance, Second City, UCB, and The Magnet. Bird has also studied at the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory in DC. When he’s not improvising, Bird likes to day-dream that he's a Bad-Ass, which he’s actually not.

Caroline Blair Pettit may not be the most sharp-witted Harold player, but she isn't afraid to make a hideously unattractive face for the sake of a good character. She's been involved in the DC improv scene since 2009 when her coworker convinced her to take an intro class at the DC Improv. Once hooked, she kept taking classes and joined up with Hot & Sweaty, Sadie Hawkins, Spirit Bear, Dr. Girlfriend and some fun FIST, DICSC, Improvapalooza and Seasonal Disorder groups. Most recently, she enjoyed being a part of the POTUS Among Us ensemble. When she isn't carrying on her legacy as "Class Clown," you'll find her reading books simultaneously filed in the Economics & Psychology sections of the library, reviving her Southern accent or chasing after a spunky toddler.

Jules Duffy began improvising while living in Chicago, where she studied at iO and the Second City Conservatory and improvised with Old West Family Photo and The Improvised Radio Program. When she returned to her native DC, she was delighted to find more of her kind at WIT. She joined former ensemble JINX in 2009, before the creation of Commonwealth in 2011. She loves the creativity, camaraderie, and discovery. Also, improv provides her with an interest to list beyond happy hour and The Television.

Justus Hammond is a current WIT ensemble member of Commonwealth and former troupe JINX. He was also a cast member of other collaborative WIT projects such as Seasonal Disorder, Die! Die! Die!, In Bed, POTUS, and other WIT promotions. He has also participated in 3 FIST tourneys and was a 2011 FIST commissioner. Justus has also served as an operative and operatives manager for WIT and is one of the longest running operatives of the theater. He was also a member of WIT Harold teams Private Elevator and Capybara. He has also directed former WIT Harold teams Telenovela and Scorched Earth. Justus is also a current member of the longest running DC Indy improv troupe The Lodge. Justus completed the WIT training program and has been active in the DC Improv community for over a decade.

Jamie Lantinen cut his teeth in improv at the Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis. It was there he learned phrases like “cut your teeth" and "sure is cold out there." Jamie continued teething with unparalleled instruction at WIT, performing with one of WIT’s inaugural Harold Teams, Private Elevator, as well as local groups The Quest and DMG. He joined former ensemble JINX in 2010, before the creation of Commonwealth in 2011. His other performance credits include some musical theater and British farce in Boston. In addition to balancing budgets by day and using big words like “unparalleled,” Jamie sings in the shower and is thinking about ordering the P90x challenge. Again.

Jack Novak studied improv and performed at the Annoyance Theatre and One Group Mind in Chicago. He studied Theatre at Northwestern University, where he was a member & director of the long-running improv/sketch comedy group Mee-Ow. Jack is also an actor, playwright, teacher, and mime, and is an ensemble member of the Chicago-based Mime Company and Filament Theatre Ensemble.

Jaci Pulice started improvising her freshmen year of college when she joined American University’s “Mission Improv-Able.” After graduating and spending a year as the troupe’s ‘Alumni Advisor’ she realized she’d have to move on and stop being the creepy post-grad who can’t let go. So she made the move to New York and started taking classes at Upright Citizen’s Brigade Training Center. Jaci spent three years learning and laughing a lot while while training at UCB. Since moving back to DC in 2012, Jaci has performed with WIT Harold Team Gone Baby Gone and is currently teaching. She is excited to join Commonwealth and loves being a part of the WIT community. In addition to improv, Jaci enjoys good company, great pizza and top notch dance parties.

Stewart Walsh is absolutely thrilled to be playing in Commonwealth. Stewart discovered improv while living in Chicago and wound up spending several years studying and performing there before moving to DC in 2006. In town, he went through WIT's Training Center, where he is now a teacher. He has performed with several independent troupes and most recently with WIT's Harold team the Chets and the independent group Evil Skivvers. Stewart has also acted in several improvised short films with his group The Quest. Did he mention he's thrilled to be here?

 

Josh Waytz is a Minneapolis native who enjoys improv, Minnesota sports, and writing bios in the third person. He started doing improv at Northwestern University and continued his training at WIT. He is excited to join the ranks of Commonwealth and get to perform with such talented folks. He is also currently a member of WIT ensemble iMusical: The Improvised Musical

Mark Pagán (Coach) began his improv training with UCB in New York followed by years of performing with NYC ensemble, Street Meat. For the last four years, Mark has been involved in WIT as both teacher and performer, with ensembles Season Six and Caveat. Mark is thrilled to be directing the talented group that is Commonwealth (formerly JINX). Aside from the improv life, Mark is a filmmaker and educational advocate for kids that don’t know no better than to have him as an educational advocate.