WIT TROUPE | Jackie

Audiences know them as "the funny ones." Local bar owners know them as "the loud ones." Jackie has six members but, as its name suggests, is one person. A single unit--a true ensemble--committed to emotional, character based longform improvisation. They use the power of their brains to make you laugh.


"The fun happening on stage is contagious...
move quickly to catch the hilarity" [ more ]
-NBC4

Watch Jackie's promo!

Ken Hays. A homegrown product. Without any prior experience in improv or theater, he participated in WIT's training program and began performing as a founding member of Jackie in 2003. Since then, he's gone on to perform, teach classes, and direct shows within the WIT community. He's a living testament to the adage "it's never too late to start". Yes, he's a nice guy. And no, he does not finish last.

Mikael Johnson started his improv training with the Maryland Ensemble Theater, where he is a current company member, and continued to train with Comedy Sportz and other independent workshops throughout the area. He is an experienced sketch writer, director and and stage actor. He is into his second year working with Washington Improv Theater, and as the newest member of Jackie, he could not be happier.

Rich Nyman has been involved with WIT since he moved to DC in 2004. A graduating student of WIT's training program, he helped form WIT's JINX before joining Jackie. Rich cut his improv teeth as an undergraduate as part of the University of Michigan's sketch and improv troupes Comedy Company and Without a Net. He now is only able to eat soft foods.

Jason Saenz first found improv during his high school theater productions, where his reluctance to learn any of his lines developed his talent for adlibbing on the spot. At George Mason University, he was one of the founding members of the Campus Crusade for Comedy and sketch writer for the Sofa King Funny Show. After a few miserable years of not doing anything fun after college, Jason began participating in WIT's training program and performing with such troupes as Best Friends, iMusical and now Jackie, where he is quite un-miserable.

Joe Uchno left the comfort of Pennsylvania after graduating from Penn State to try his luck in New York City. While in NYC, most of what he tried, failed. On a short list of successes exists: Found UCB Theatre, studied improv! Since moving to DC in 2005, he has taken part in the WIT training program and now performs with WIT's JINX and Jackie. He has found better uses of his time than listing successes and failures, but it's nice to have a hobby.

Molly Woods is from Plano, Texas, and is a product of WIT's training program as well as a founding member of Jackie. She has performed in plays in exotic locales such as London and Waco. You may have also seen her in WIT's award-winning 48 Hour Film Project entries Occupational Hazard and Unfrightening. Her other roles include writer, critic, playwright, and one-time "Jeopardy!" loser. Molly Woods' 2006-07 season performances are sponsored by donor Melissa Williams.