INSTRUCTOR BIOS

 

DEVIN MAHONEY

Devin grew up in Utica, NY, where he spent a good deal of his childhood watching the television shows and movies that inspired his love of comedy and passion for storytelling. After graduating Siena College with a degree in marketing and management, he earned his master’s in television and film from The Newhouse School at Syracuse University.

In 2004, Devin moved to Los Angeles to begin his career in entertainment. He worked in the writers’ room of dozens of comedies, on over two hundred episodes of television, including Scrubs, Better Off Ted, Outsourced, The Millers, Downward Dog, and I’m Sorry and most recently worked as a Consulting Producer on the Netflix original series The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell from The Jim Henson Company.

Devin has studied and performed at legendary comedy theaters iO West, The Upright Citizens Brigade, and The Second City Hollywood. He’s performed in both the Del Close Marathon and LA Improv Festival with his team Afternoon Delight and is a founding member of Uptown Improv Co.’s house ensemble Bus Stop Robot.

CORTLAND CLOOS

Cortland Cloos is a seasoned comedian and improviser with a background that spans the U.S. Army and the DSI Improv Comedy Theater in Chapel Hill, NC, where he was a member of the improv/sketch group Horrible Folks. With a decade of experience in improv and stand-up, he has performed at major festivals, including the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival and the Del Close Marathon at Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. Cortland performs every Friday with BUS STOP ROBOT.

CECELIA GUIDO

Cecilia, who is from Mohawk, NY, grew up loving comedy and writing, with parents who encouraged her to improvise impressions of popular movie characters in the living room.  She completed a degree at Siena College in math and computer science, but realized she couldn't go without writing and performing comedy. Cecelia has been taking classes at the Uptown since 2019. She coaches Uptown teen improv ensemble ICED GRANDPA and is a member of the house ensemble BUS STOP ROBOT. In her free time, Cecilia records sketch videos with her friends.

 

DEE ANN TUMBUAN

Dee Ann Tumbuan loves performing and watching her fellow artists grow and develop their craft. Dee Ann was born in Minnesota and grew up in California where she studied theater at UCSC, LBCC and went on to perform stage plays at the 24th Street Theatre and fell in love with improv at the Long Beach based improv company Held2gether. Her lifelong musical training and public speaking experience gives her the background to teach, play and inspire other artists. She follows the belief that we all have creative expression, and finding our own personal style of that expression is the ultimate freedom of a performer. See Dee Ann perform with her improv team ARNOLD PALMER BODY SPRAY at the Uptown every Friday!

GAVIN LAW

Gavin Law is a lifelong entertainer with a passion for making people laugh and bringing stories to life. He grew up watching movies and dreaming of being on screen. While his career began behind the camera—creating videos professionally for over 20 years—his love for performance never faded. Now, he's stepping into the spotlight, embracing acting and improv as his next great adventure.

With a degree in radio and television, Gavin has honed his craft through extensive training, including acting classes and countless hours of improv. He currently performs every Friday at the Uptown Theatre for Creative Arts with his team, ARNOLD PALMER BODY SPRAY, where he thrives on the spontaneity and connection that improv offers. His energy, humor, and love of attention make him a natural performer, always looking to create new friendships through comedy.

Beyond the stage, Gavin is a dedicated filmmaker, a creator of YouTube skits, and a passionate storyteller. When he's not performing or filming, you can find him indulging in his favorite hobbies—watching movies, woodworking, and camping with his wife and dog.

JAMIE SMITH

Jamie’s love of improv started when he’d watch Whose Line Is It, Anyway? on TV in middle school. A performer from an early age, Jamie has been studying at the Uptown Improv Co since 2018. He was the long-time host of Cage Match, the Uptown’s weekly improv competition, and has performed with several different ensembles. You can catch Jamie performing with his team ARNOLD PAOMER BODY SPRAY every Friday at the Uptown.

JASON ZONGRONE

Jason Zongrone is 25% Italian 75% herbs & cheese. Jason is also an improviser, stand-up comedian, animator and coach of the Uptown’s teen improv ensemble, ICED GRANDPA. Catch him performing with Uptown Improv Co.'s house ensemble BUS STOP ROBOT every Friday.