Second Nature was founded at the University of Southern California in the fall of 2002.  Since that time, we have had the privelege of training and playing with a handful of talented people.  Below are our alumni, and their bios.  For our current cast, click here.

Class of 2009 ↓

Dan Lippert

Dan Lippert (BA, Theater) lives in Los Angeles where he spends his time trying to be an actor and improviser. He’s studied at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre and he performs regularly with his improv group Here We Go… Dan can also be seen every once in a while doing sketch shows with current Second Nature member Devin Field. Last week, he used his training in voice, movement, and classical acting to pretend he was smelling a bowl of cajun gumbo while auditioning for a Joe’s Crab Shack commercial. He did not get the part.

Max Schneller

Max Schneller (BA, Theater) currently resides in Los Angeles, spending his time acting, improvising and writing.

Class of 2008 ↓

Annie Baria

Annie Baria (BA, Film) is currently pursuing a career as a writer in Los Angeles. She has trained extensively with The Groundlings. Annie also interns for George Clooney’s Smoke House production company.

Alex Garcia

Alex Garcia (BA, Film) is currently pursuing a career in producing and acting in Los Angeles. While at USC, he starred in the popular Trojan Vision sitcom “Birnkrant 616“, and has also appeared on General Hospital and As The World Turns. He also enjoys being behind the camera, where he produces, writes, and directs film and television. Most recently, Alex produced an independent 35mm short film titled “It’s a Wonderful Death” and an independent high definition feature film titled “S.E.R.E”.

Justin Michael

Justin Michael (BA, Film) is currently writing and acting in Los Angeles. His comedic shorts have been screened at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre in New York, the Anthology Film Archives, and Channel102.net. Recently, his short film, TestiPals! was picked up by the Fuse Network. Justin performs around Los Angeles with the sketch troupe Tremendosaur.

Jacob Reed

Jacob Reed (BA, Film; BA, Fine Arts) is a former director of Second Nature. He currently lives in Los Angeles, where he performs weekly at iO West with Roberto Alomar.  Jacob is one half of the sketch comedy duo, Tremendosaur, whose work has been screened at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre in New York, on the cable television channel Current, and all over the internet.  As an artist and designer, Jacob’s work has won numerous awards and been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.

Class of 2007 ↓

John Dardenne

John Dardenne (BA, Film) is a former director of Second Nature. He is currently training with the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles, where he has studied under Matt Walsh, Sean Conroy, Andy Daly, and Shira Piven. In addition to improv, John performs stand up comedy at The Comedy Store, and has been featured by CNN, The Guardian, and TIME. View John’s website.

Clay Elliott

Clay Elliott (BFA, Acting) is finishing up his final year at USC.

Jacqueline Gabardy

Jacqueline Gabardy (BS, Biology, BA, Italian) was the Fracas! event coordinator for 2007.  She is currently in graduate school studying to become an acupuncturist and taking improv classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater.  She can be seen performing around LA with Fiasco!, Sleuth, J-ing Off, and Okay, Awesome!  Check out her awesome food blog: sweet beet & green bean

Class of 2006 ↓

Dave Crabtree

Dave Crabtree (BA, Film) is a founding member of Second Nature Improv. He is currently a producer/editor for FOX Reality and a producer for Eyestorm Productions. He also films shorts with the sketch comedy troupe Tremendosaur.

Nick Dazé

Nick Dazé (BA, Theatre, English) is a founding member and former director of Second Nature Improv. He is currently helming a successful startup company and thinks he might run for Congress in a few years.

Clay Larsen

Clay Larsen (BA, Theatre, Fine Arts) is a founding member of Second Nature.  He currently performs at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre on the Harold Team Empty Threat.  At the UCB, Clay has trained with Matt Besser and Matt Walsh.

Tom McMillan

Tom McMillan (BA, Fine Arts) recently moved back to Los Angeles, and is currently working at Warner Brothers.

Eddie Quintana

Eddie Quintana (BA, Film) is a former director of Second Nature.  He recently directed the short film The Magnificent Charlie Greene, and currently performs with the ComedySportz Sunday Company.

Jaimey Wiener

Jaimey Wiener (BA, Communication) is a founding member of Second Nature.  She currently works with the HBO Comedy Festival.

Class of 2005 ↓

Evan Gaustad

Evan Gaustad (BA, Theatre) is a founding member of Second Nature.  He is currently pursuing acting in Los Angeles.  Recently, Evan was the lead in The Magnificent Charlie Greene a short film directed by fellow 2N Alumnus Eddie Quintana.  He can also be seen in several nation-wide commercials, and on television - recently on The Unit and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

Class of 2004 ↓

Nick Clark

Nick Clark (BA, Theatre) is a founding member of Second Nature.  He is currently pursuing acting in Los Angeles, and can be seen in a number of online shorts.

Brendan Joyce

Brendan Joyce (BFA, Screenwriting) is a founding member and former director of Second Nature.  He is currently in Istanbul.