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Since 1983, Unexpected Productions has been Seattle's premier improvisational theater company, producing a blend of cutting edge improv and scripted theater and training thousands of people in the art of improvisation. In 1985, we launched our applied improvisation services, targeting team building, silo busting, and spontaneous innovation for top corporations and non-profits in the Northwest.
UP has performed in Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and Australia, as well as all over the United States and Canada. You can catch our scripted and improvised shows, including Theatresports, at the historic Pike Place Market Theatre in the heart of Seattle's tourist district. 
Randy Dixon, Artistic Director
Randy Dixon is one of the most experienced improvisational artists in the Northwest. He has appeared in film, television and on local stages. In 1983, he was a founding member of Unexpected Productions and has served as the Artistic Director since 1988, conceiving, directing, and acting in hundreds of productions. Randy teaches, performs, and directs improvisational theater all over the world. His book, Being Present: Spontaneous Storytelling and the Art of Improvisation was published in German and is coming in Slovene. In addition, he works with and consults with many companies and corporations using applied improvisation. Randy has B.F.A. in Drama and a Master’s Degree in Mythological Studies. Michelle Hippe
Michelle Hippe has been an ensemble member with UP since 1999. As VP of Business Operations for a video game company, she uses her improv skills on a daily basis. Working in an environment with constantly changing priorities is engaging when "yes, and" and "what comes next" are tools that are honed outside the workplace. Knowing how to receive a scene partner's (or coworker's) offer and truly honoring it before moving the scene or dialogue forward is an invaluable skill both onstage and in the office.
Jeremy Richards
Jeremy Richards has been performing improv since 1994 and teaching since 1996. In national tours, he's performed at The Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Bay Area Theatresports, Bumbershoot, two National Poetry Slams, and was invited to New York to perform on HBO's Def Poetry. A full time producer and talk show host, his radio stories have aired internationally on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Voice of America, reaching over five million listeners. Richards studied communications and philosophy at Gonzaga University and holds an MA in cultural studies from The University of Washington, with an emphasis on creative collaboration.
Ron Hippe
Ron Hippe has been a performing member of Unexpected Productions for 21 years. Outside of his performing and directing, he leads team building/communications workshops for companies like Microsoft, Boeing, Charlotte Russe, Starbucks and countless more. Ron also taught corporate level workshops with SAK Comedy Lab in
Orlando, FL and LA Theatresports. He often travels around the country with Extreme Meetings, performing music and improv comedy for corporate events and running team building workshops for the management teams. He has taught improv and acting for 15 years on the high school, college and adult level. Ron uses his improv experience everyday in his career as a commercial and voice over actor and professional musician. Leona Partridge
Leona Partridge has performed in numerous improvised shows, plays, and Theatreports at Unexpected Productions as an ensemble member since 1997. She has represented UP internationally and performed around the USA, Canada, and Europe. She also works in video and on-camera productions in her free time.
Leona enjoys teaching improv principles to students and corporate professional groups. She is a member of the Applied Improvisation Network and hopes to bring more improv into the "real world." When not performing or teaching, Leona works as an RN at Harborview. She appreciates her supportive husband and children who have taught her the value of play! Tim Tracey
An IT professional and experienced improviser, Tim has performed at the Improviganza in Edmonton, the Toronto Improv Festival, and at the Upfront Theatre in Bellingham, WA. Prior to joining Unexpected Productions, Tim was a founding member of local improv group ImprovFaction.
Tim teaches the 300 class level at the UP Improv School, taught high school improv teams, and served as acting Director of the high school Hogan Cup Improvisation Tournament in 2007. Tim has a BA in History from the University of California , Santa Barbara. Fred Northup, Jr.
Fred is a busy emcee, comedian, actor, and auctioneer living in Seattle. When not performing in or creating events for the stage, he can be found writing and producing comedy videos and commercials for his company, Southdown Creative.
Paul Levy
Paul Levy joined Unexpected Productions in 1995. He performs regularly in U.P. shows and is the primary 100 level teacher, educating adults on basic improvisational skills and spontaneous storytelling. He has taught and performed improv around the globe, including Austria, Germany, France, Canada and the U.S. Paul also works with various clients to bring improvisation and creativity to the corporate world.
When not teaching and improvising, Paul works on the creative side of PR and Marketing. |
"Our group had a great time laughing and team-building at our Unexpected Productions event. Every team member had fun. I would highly recommend it as an event to other groups and companies! Thanks for making our morale event such a success. " -- Tara Hopwood Microsoft Office Software Development |