KRISTEN BURKE returns to SAArts' Yo' Mama's Cookin' improv group for a 3rd season - and is loving every minute if it.  She was last seen in SAArts' 1st Stage Combat & Movement Showcase, LOVE HURTS, conceived and directed by Jenny Male. She would like to thank her amazing family and friends for their continuing love and support, and especially Bruce and Jenny for again giving her a "safe place in this crazy, crazy world." 

PATRICK DOAN is a student at Howard Community College, and is proud to be a member of YMC's 7th Season Cast after having enjoyed Improv I last semester with Bruce. He would like to thank Bruce and Jenny for allowing him to just let loose and be himself.

JAMIE DRISKILL is a theater performance major at Howard Community College. Some of his favorite roles, while involved with HCC's Student-Alumni Arts, include Bob Cratchit in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and Egg Noggin' in LETTERS TO S.A.N.T.A., SAArts' original production last fall.  Jamie is extremely excited and honored to be back for his second season with Yo' Mama's Cookin'.

LINDSAY HALL is thrilled to be a part of yet another exciting season of YMC! Taking a break from a so far grueling semester of nursing school, improv will prove to be a much needed stress reliever. Recent stage appearances include Dolly Holiday in SAArts' original production LETTERS TO S.A.N.T.A. this past fall, and SAArts' PLAY READING SERIES last spring.  Miss Hall was also a 2005 YMC Company Member. She has also appeared in SAArts' 2001 production of PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE as The Countess. She would like to thank her friends, family and "Bubba" for "all their love, Bruce and Jenny for another opportunity to 'be honest,' and the cast for making everything effortless."

JEFF KLIMA is thrilled to be involved with his second season as a member of YMC.  Jeff appeared as Vixen in Howard Community College's SAArts' 2005 original production of LETTERS TO S.A.N.T.A.  He spends his free time playing music, partying, working towards a future career in acting, and loving life as best as he possibly can.

CAROL McNEELY is a student at Howard Community College and thrilled to be a part of YMC's 2006 Cast!  Carol has been on stage in SAArts original production of LETTERS TO S.A.N.T.A. as Figgy Puddin' and backstage as Production Assistant for SAArts' 1st Stage Combat & Movement Showcase, LOVE HURTS.  She would like to thank the directors and cast of YMC for their invaluable support!

LINDSEY NIXON will receive her AA in Theatre Performance from Howard Community College this May.  This is Lindsey's 3rd season as a YMC Company Member, and she is THRILLED to be a part of it again.  She has also been involved in several past SAArts productions including, most recently, LETTERS TO S.A.N.T.A and LOVE HURTS, and has loved every minute of it.  Love to Bruce, Jenny, Sue, Michael, and the whole cast!!

MIKE SACHS "Yeah boy!" Mike is back for his second season of YMC and the excitement is bouncing through his system like giant radioactive rubber pants! Recently Mike performed the role of Dasher in SAArts' original production of LETTERS TO S.A.N.T.A. as well as was repeatedly kicked, punched and stabbed during SAArts' 1st Stage Combat & Movement Showcase, LOVE HURTS. Now, he is back in the improv game and he is here to have some fun. Thanks to Sue, Bruce, Jenny, all the wonderful actors he had the pleasure to work with, and everyone who ever said he was funny.

GAVIN SHOWN being a double major in Theatre Performance and Computer Support Technology, Gavin enjoys all SAArts' programs offered. Gavin could not be happier to be in his second season of YMC. Gavin has done various other SAArts productions and projects, including the recent LOVE HURTS and LETTERS TO S.A.N.T.A. Gavin wishes to thank all of his friends and family for being there and being supportive of him for so long.

CHRIS SISSON is a full-time student at Howard Community College. This is his first time performing with SAArts' YMC, and he is looking forward to it. Chris has performed as a radio DJ, pro wrestler, and front man of a ska/punk/hip-hop group. He would like to give a shout out to his mother, Chief Glenera P. Sisson, who is currently serving with the US Coast Guard in Kuwait. "Guarding our coast over there, so she doesn't have to guard it over here."

ASHANTI COOPER (lights, sound, front-of-house support) is a Theater Performance major at HCC and past YMC company Member. She joins YMC's Production Staff for the first time after recently fulfilling the role of SAArts' Sound Designer for its stage combat showcase, LOVE HURTS, and for its fall production, LETTERS TO S.A.N.T.A.  Ashanti also provided technical support (lights and sound) for SAArts' fall, 2005, Play Reading Series.   By day, Ashanti can be found working in HCC's Arts and Humanities Production Office.  By night, she's usually inside the Theatre Outback, working on design concepts or building characters.
 

JENNY MALE is thrilled to be working with YMC and Co-Director Bruce Nelson for the third time. Howard Community College's Student-Alumni Arts directing credits include LOVE HURTS, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and NOISES OFF, which she co-directed with Sue Kramer.  Jenny would like to thank all of the cast members for their fabulous creativity and teamwork.  "You guys rock!"
   
BRUCE NELSON returns to YMC for its' seventh season!  He is in awe of this current crop of YMC talent and thrilled to be working again with Jenny Male.  Bruce has been acting professionally for 20 years and has been teaching at HCC for eight years. He has been nominated for the Helen Hayes Award six times and won in 2004 for his role in THE DAZZLE at Rep Stage.  Much thanks and love to his family and friends and the acting program at Towson University. 

■   YO' MAMA'S COOKIN' is SAArts' extremely successful (and hilariously fun) 7 year-old performance group co-directed by Bruce Nelson and Jenny Male. 
     
■   YMC auditions new improv talent at the top of each spring semester; open to all current and past HCC students and staff. 
 
■   YMC's Seasons usually include 5 shows each Spring.  Performances take place various Friday Nights in HCC's Theatre Outback.
    
■   HCC offers YMC as a credit course for those who wish to partake, however, registering is not a requirement. 
 
■   HCC also offers IMPROV I (basic improv) during the fall and spring semesters.  No Audition necessary to register for IMPROV I.

More about YO' MAMA'S COOKIN':
YMC’s mission is to maintain an on-campus comedy/ improv group at HCC and is committed to high-quality on-campus performances for paying audiences.  To be an effective member of YMC one must maintain the following: Respect, Truth, Teamwork, Listening, Commitment and Trust and the directors will be looking for these elements in your audition.  During the audition and in class the following subject matters are off-limits:  Extreme sex references/ content, violence/ killing references, drug references, extreme bathroom humor, religion bashing, extreme political views, racially charged words, and extreme language.

YMC's 2005's CAST & CREW: CLICK HERE!
  
Need more YMC Info?  studentarts@howardcc.edu 

WILLIAM YARBROUGH: