DON MITRI 

Don is thrilled to bring Torque to the public.  Don performed with Cabaret Dada from 1996 to 2000 under the direction of Acting Coach Mitchell Fields and Artistic Director  and co-founder Jeff Blanchard.  Don was part of the widely successful television pilot, “The Something Dada Show”.  In 2000 he was cast in what was to become Cleveland’s longest running show, “Tony-n-Tina’s Wedding” at the Hanna Theater.  In 2001 Don was cast in the lead as Tony Nunzio Jr.  In 2003 Don teamed up with Jeff Blanchard and created/performed, “Don and Jeff’s One Man Revival…Whose Mess Is This” at the Kennedy’s of Playhouse Square.  In 2004 the duo teamed up to form the Cleveland Improv Institute.  In 2006 Don co-founded and co-created Cleveland Jams with fellow improvisers: Charles Moore, Kimberly Pride and Mike Wypasek.  Don's latest project is being a founding member of Cleveland's newest 4 person longform group, Vanity Improv Project!

Steve Briggs is very excited about performing with Torque.  Steve lived in Cleveland for the past five years by way of Virginia, Florida and Buffalo which he now calls home!  His career choices have all been very masculine.  They are: Weatherman, Bank Teller and CEO of Hilaricorp.  You may have seen Steve perform in one or more of the following groups; Ground Floor Theater, Public Squares, Olvier Twisted, NOISe, Attractive Nuisance and Tuesday's @ 9.  Steve would like to thank his family for their diligent support but he won't because they all live in different states.  Raspberries.

MIKE WYPASEK 

Comedy in all its forms attracted Mike like a moth to a flame early on!  Mikes improv training has brought him to the Second City Training Center in Cleveland and the Cleveland Improv Institute.  He has trained under notable instructors: Cody Dove, Nate Cockerill, Dave Buckman, Mitchell Fields and Marc Moritz.  Mike has had the pleasure of working with: Attractive Nuisance, Tuesdays @ 9, Cleveland Jams and The Public Squares!  Mike is also an accomplished stand-up comedian who has performed in Cleveland to Pittsburgh to Chicago and all points in between.

DEENA NYER MENDLOWITZ

Deena is excited to be performing as part of Torque.  Deena is a graduate of Bradley University and was trained at The Second City.  Previously she has performed with The Groundfloor, Tuesdays @ 9 and N.O.I.S., under the direction of Mitchell Fields.  Currently, Deena can be seen every Tuesday at Cleveland Jams.  When not on stage, Deena spends her time as a freelance humor writer, and doing what she enjoys most, hanging out with her husband, Leon; her son, Rafi; and their many pets.

CHRIS WATERMAN

Chris has been in Ohio for 4 years now and loving every minute.  He has taken numerous improv classes and suggests that if you have even thought about doing improvisation that you should.  Cause its great and awesome!  Chris also performs with, The Public Squares sketch group in Cleveland and can be seen every Tuesday at Cleveland Jams.  Chris would like to thank his family and friends for supporting his eating habits, and his lovely wife Victoria a.k.a. (Vickie).  Without her his life would be a mess.  Chris can’t wait to see you all and enjoy the show!! 42

AUSTIN NAVA - (NOT PICTURED)

Austin began taking improv classes in 2000. Since then, he has taught and performed in many capacities. He founded the Utah troupe OFF THE WALL, which still runs regular shows. He then completed the Dirty South Improv curriculum in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; going on to teach classes both independently and through Dirty South Improv.  

Performance credits include: COMMUNITY BIKE, THE SAINT, KEVLAR, CCCP, 24 LIVE CORE, and SUMO; as well as FOUR STRING SAMURAI, which performed in the headlining show at the First Annual Philadelphia Improv Festival with the UCB TOUR CO. He also performed as one of four members of a team from DSI that won the 2006 Super CageMatch at the 9th annual Chicago Improv Festival.

BRAD WYNER - MUSICIAN

Brad Wyner was Cabaret Dada’s musical director for the 2002-2003 season. Other musical direction credits include The Rocky Horror Show at Cleveland Public Theater, Little Shop of Horrors at Cassidy, Lobo-A-GoGo at Tri-C West, and a full season at Kalliope Stage (Christmas Carol Rag, A Little Night Music, Baby, Cabaret, Opal). In the past few years, he has collaborated on new cabarets at Cain Park, The Cleveland Play House Club, and Kalliope. Brad often works as a musical director for educational productions, and has also taught musical theater at Cleveland School of the Arts, Beck Center, and the Play House. As a singer/rock pianist, Brad spent a year in New York performing with Piano Loco: The Rock’n’Roll Dueling Piano Show, played in the band for Playhouse Square’s Tony & Tina’s Wedding (three whole performances!), and currently plays keyboards for Diamond Dogs: The Sound and Vision of David Bowie.