"NYC's Mission: Improv-able is high flying-death defying comedy without a net!"
About Us
Making Scenes and Creating Original Comedy Since 1989!
NYC’s Mission Improv-able, under the umbrella of The Studio Upstairs (a 501c 3 Nonprofit Organization), is an improv troupe located in the Hudson Valley; dedicated to the instruction, creation, development and the performance of original comedy.
NYC's Mission Improv-able has been featured in and around the Tri-State area as well as some of the most popular comedy clubs in NYC including, The Comic Strip, Gotham, and Rose’s Turn. M.I. was featured for years at Albany’s First Night. M.I.'s shows features original scenes, songs, poetry, and puppetry all based on audience suggestion and participation. If you like "Whose Line is it Anyway" you'll LOVE this troupe.
~ Our Mission ~
Mission Control
David H. Cohen
President & Founding Member
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Alan Angevine
Vice President & Veteran Improviser
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Robert L. Kerstner
Artistic Director & Veteran Improviser
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Chris Tighe
Veteran Improviser & Founding Member
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Alec Vanacore
Veteran Improviser
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Our History
From the beginning, our mission has been clear: to profoundly impact lives through the art of comedy. Each year, hundreds of community members join us at our shows, while individuals of all ages and abilities immerse themselves in our workshops, classes, jams, and camps. Through improvisation, participants build confidence, trust, communication skills, and lasting friendships. We are a charming, diverse company of rascals who aspire to play on our main‑stage playground—an artistic home where people are accepted, challenged, and transformed.
Since 1989, NYC’s Mission Improv‑able has served as a flagship for improv comedy in the NYC area and the Hudson Valley. Our alumni, members, and students include acclaimed actors, voice‑over and musical artists, puppeteers, writers, directors, and producers working across television, film, and live performance. Beyond entertainment, Mission Improv‑able enriches the communities we are invited into through improvisation’s unique ability to foster collaboration, inspiration, gratitude, and fun—values that positively impact individuals, families, friends, and organizations alike.
Leadership & Artistic Vision
A driving force behind Mission Improv‑able’s enduring impact is David H. Cohen, President of NYC’s Mission Improv‑able and one of the company’s founding members. David is a Professor at SUNY Orange, where he brings improvisation and theatrical training directly into an academic setting, helping students discover their voices, build confidence, and develop creative and collaborative skills.
David is a certified teacher with the Michael Chekhov Association, a Master Improv Teacher, and a passionate advocate for theater as an essential educational practice. His leadership reflects Mission Improv‑able’s belief that improvisation is not only performance, but a powerful tool for learning, personal growth, and human connection. Under his guidance, the company continues to blend professional artistry with inclusive teaching, mentorship, and community engagement.
Theatre, Education & Our Home at SUNY Orange
At the heart of Mission Improv‑able is a deep belief in the importance of theater as a cornerstone of education. Improvisational theater teaches far more than stage skills—it fosters active listening, empathy, teamwork, adaptability, creative problem‑solving, and leadership. These skills empower students well beyond performance, supporting success in academics, careers, and everyday life.
This commitment to education is why NYC’s Mission Improv‑able is proudly based at SUNY Orange. Embedded within a learning‑centered institution, Mission Improv‑able helps train the next generation of artists, actors, and creative thinkers through hands‑on experience, ensemble‑based learning, and real‑world performance opportunities. Together, SUNY Orange and Mission Improv‑able create a living creative laboratory where professional theater and higher education intersect.
TheatreSports & Our Signature Style
Back in the day, Mission Improv‑able cut its teeth performing TheatreSports, a show format we still proudly use today. Created by Keith Johnstone, TheatreSports is a competitive, team‑based improvisational theater style designed to turn improv into a true spectator sport. Featuring storytelling, comedy, judges, scorekeeping, and enthusiastic audience participation—often inspired by the flair of professional wrestling—TheatreSports delivers high stakes, fast laughs, and unforgettable surprises.
Our audiences are always part of the action, and audience volunteers sometimes even find themselves on stage. Because everything is improvised, no two shows are ever the same. Performances are clean, family‑friendly, and welcoming to all ages. Every Mission Improv‑able match is a unique, interactive event—laughs guaranteed.
Today & Beyond
Today, NYC’s Mission Improv‑able continues to entertain fans with one of the fastest and funniest forms of improv comedy in the NYC and Tri‑State Area. Our shows feature original scenes, songs, poetry, and puppetry—all inspired by audience suggestions and participation. If you love Whose Line Is It Anyway?, you’ll LOVE Mission Improv‑able.
In addition to performances, we offer creative solutions including education, public speaking, events, and customized business training, all grounded in applied improvisational techniques. Whether you’re looking to laugh, learn, grow, or connect, Mission Improv‑able has you covered.
