Skip to content

Find your funny.

Join Essex Improv for a fun and supportive environment to unleash your comedic talents!

Classes

Whether you're a total beginner or you have some improv experience under your belt, we have a class for you! Develop your creativity and quick thinking skills, make new friends, and have a whole bunch of laughs.

Events

Come see an improv show where performers will take suggestions from the audience and create hilarious scenes on the spot. If you want to improvise yourself we offer jams and workshops open to all levels.

Corporate trainings

Want to bring improv comedy to your workplace or school? Contact us about a private workshop for you and your colleagues!

group-jam

Community

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming space for anyone to express themselves and have fun in a safe and supportive environment. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay connected with our community!

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Who we are

Essex Improv is a vibrant and inclusive improv comedy community located on the North Shore of Massachusetts.

christina-headshot

Christina Cataldo

She/her
Founder, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, instructor

Essex Improv was founded by Beverly resident, Christina Cataldo. She has been performing her whole life and studied musical theater and lived in NYC for over a decade. She studied improv and musical improv at UCB and The Pit and has been actively performing Improv for 8 years.

Christina loves getting to share and teach this amazing art form to people. Currently she performs in Unraveling, Essex Improv's house team, and teaches Improv 101 and Improv 201.

jacqueline-headshot

Jacqueline Silva

they/them
marketing & OPERATIONS director, instructor

Jacqueline is an improviser and graphic designer who grew up in Peabody and now lives in Beverly. They took classes at Improv Boston starting in 2019 and they have been a part of Essex Improv since the very first class!

Jacqueline loves bringing joy and laughter through improv and seeing students grow in their confidence. They perform in Unraveling, Essex Improv's house team, and teach the Art of the Scene class.

rita-headshot

Rita Thompson

she/her
instructor

Rita has been an improviser for over ten years, training at the Upright Citizens Brigade in NYC, Improv Asylum, and now performing in Essex Improv's house team, Unraveling. She blends curiosity, creativity, and presence from improv into both her workshops and her coaching practice. She teaches the Improv for Coping with Stress and Anxiety workshop.

Rita is a National Board and Mayo Clinic–certified Integrative Wellness Coach who helps clients build personalized, sustainable lifestyle habits that support emotional and physical well-being. Her compassionate, evidence-based approach is grounded in Positive Psychology and Motivational Interviewing. 
 
Through her private practice in Wenham, she works with individual clients, leads group workshops, and collaborates with integrative healthcare providers for supplemental patient care.