Hello! I’m Holly, a trained actor and improviser living in NYC.
As an undergrad at Juniata College, I spent my time training under two fabulous, wonderful professors Kate Clarke and Neal Utterback. Kate taught me to be grounded, present, and energetic. Neal taught me to be fierce, gritty, and unstoppable. Kate and Neal used techniques that they were professionals in to give us the skills necessary to cultivating our own style. Kate introduced me to Linklater and Fitzmaurice work as a tool to tap into my full vocal range. Neal introduced me to Viewpoints and Suzuki that would forever help me tap into my inner warrior (Suzuki) and find ways to be present with my scene partner/s (Viewpoints).
After graduating, I moved to Chicago to study comedy. I learned so much about myself and the artist I am at Juniata and came to the amazing conclusion that I have no idea what I want to be! I knew I found the most joy in laughing. Making others laugh! So. Like every other twenty-something, small, blue eye-d brunette in Chicago, I enrolled in the Second City’s Improv for Actors program and quickly fell in love. Since then, I’ve graduated the Music Program and Improv Conservatory Second City as well as the Music Improv Program at iO (R.I.P.). I have also taken classes at the Chicago Dramatist’s under the incredible teaching of Arlene Malinowski.
When I’m not improvising songs/scenes, I am also pursuing a career in acting in straight plays (and some not so straight plays, wink wink, nudge nudge). I was a member of About Face’s Youth Ensemble and helped create their 2018 piece “Scary Stories to Save Your Life”. I have been a part of many awesome independent sketch shows, two I helped write sketches, blackouts, and an original song. I also had the pleasure of being in Unheard Of Company’s first production of “ILY” as well as “A Hungover Confessional”, an original solo show. “A Hungover Confessional” was performed at the Pride Playhouse in 2018 as well as virtually over Facebook in 2020.
‘Cause I’m my own soulmate (yeah, yeah), I know how to love me (love me), I know that I’m always gunna hold me down
- lizzo
At the end of 2021, I have decided to take a pause from improv and comedy. Laughter will forever be a part of my life however I don’t think it needs to be the main focus right now. The goal will always be to make others laugh. If you’ve spent two minutes with me you know that. I miss performing in shows. I miss doing scenes. I miss being part of an ensemble. So. Now that I’m in NYC, I’ll be pursuing just that.
My current plans are to continue to pursue my journey with solo theatre as well as straight plays. Now that I’m in NYC, I plan to stick to theatre. I might find myself on stage doing improv or stand up but for now, I’m focusing on plays.
Thanks for tagging along on my journey to wherever I end up in my artistic life!