Who
We Are
Under construction.
Board of Directors
Rebekah Chang
Founder
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In 2023, Rebekah embarked on the most remarkable journey into the California State Prison system. She was gifted an opportunity to work with incarcerated men, teaching them improvisation skills. And ever since that day, it has been life-aligning for her as she witnesses their transformation.
For over 32 years, Rebekah has partnered with Fortune 250 companies in the areas of leadership, training and facilitation, strategic planning, story crafting, and process improvement. Now, she is incorporating that experience with her 13+ years as a speaker, actor, improvisor, director, producer, and writer.
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Her life-long dedication to philanthropy includes 10+ years as a Domestic Violence Advocate for her local Police Department, a Peer Counselor for Seniors, a United States Peace Corps Volunteer (as a 49-year old!) in Togo, West Africa, and years as a foster for cats and kittens that resulted with her failing gloriously with her 3-legged & most entitled tabby, Joey.
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She has studied sketch comedy, acting, and various forms of improv with Groundlings, Second City, and most notably, Impro Theatre, home of improvised narrative theatre. She also served on Impro's Board of Directors and as a co-director of their Diversity Scholarship program. She also performs regularly on the stage in the South Bay.
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Rebekah proudly wears her University of Southern California spirit, as an undergrad and grad. Fight on!​​
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Leandro F Esquerra
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Leandro has worked extensively as a Teaching Artist with 2 prominent Southern California Theatre Outreach Non-Profits:
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Imagination Workshop (Founded by actor Margaret Ladd and playwright Lyle Kessler) is based at UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, and uses creative theatre games in their work with veterans, seniors, middle school students, and psychiatric patients.
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East LA Classic Theatre (Founded by actor Tony Plana) used Viola Spolin-based theatre games and writing exercises in their work with middle-school and junior high school students, especially in school districts with an at-risk youth populations.
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Additionally, Leandro has been with the MET Theatre since 2001, and served as the Artistic Director since 2005. He’s also directed for the Group Rep Theatre, Theatre 40, Sierra Madre Playhouse, and Russell Media.
He’s been nominated for several LA Weekly Theatre Awards and an NAACP Theatre Award.
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Currently, he’s a screening judge for the NatiVisions Film Festival taking place in Sept on the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
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Leandro (Chemehuevi) is a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes and serves on their Business Enterprise Board.
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He has an MFA from the American Film Institute.
Katy Stednitz
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Katy was born and raised in Sonoma County, California. She was the first in her family to earn a university degree, obtaining a BA in Economics with a minor in Political Science from UCLA, followed by an MBA from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. She is passionate about making education accessible to all.
In addition to her professional work with Improv Connection, Katy volunteers with Sturgeon’s Mill, a historical sawmill that operates as a working museum. She brings over 10 years of experience in international governance and the retail industry. Currently, Katy is a Senior Manager of Planning and Inventory Management at Levi Strauss & Co. Previously, she served as a Research Intelligence Officer for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. She is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, having spent two years in Togo, West Africa, where she helped local entrepreneurs and cooperatives expand their businesses.
Katy is a proud mother to her daughter Eliza and dog Ruka. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, exploring new places, creating wood-burning art, and building airplanes with her husband.
PARTNERS.
Under construction.
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Currently looking for someone to drive Rebekah to prison.