Coaches
Matthew Moore
Matthew Moore has studied and performed improv since 1995 in Los Angeles.
He performs regularly at the major comedy clubs in LA and has also appeared at Caroline’s on Broadway and Gotham Comedy Club in NY. In addition to acting, teaching, and performing, he also leads corporate improv training workshops for businesses ranging from small to major including Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Kaiser Permanente, Google, SnapChat, Yahoo, USC, more. He writes, directs, and produces comedy short films, all of which have been official selections for screenings across the US at major film festivals. Matthew also teaches improv and stand up comedy at SAG/AFTRA and is a keynote speaker for Fortune 500 companies. As Artistic Director of IFTP, he enjoys teaching in LA and, on occasion, at our IFTP studio in Boston (Quincy).
Matthew is a graduate of Purdue University and in 2008 he created Improv for the People.
Ava Abdoulah
Ava Abdoulah is from Las Vegas, graduated from the University of Southern California, and loves all things comedy. Ava is the daughter of two improvisers, so this craft has been in her life since day one. After a few years in New York, Ava has returned to Los Angeles and couldn’t be more thrilled to be teaching and performing again with Improv for the People’s main company and her indie troupe, Dr. Professor. She believes the skills learned in improv are foundational for healthy communication and meaningful connection. She can’t wait to meet you.
Benjamin Roth
Benjamin Roth hails from Allentown, Pennsylvania and has been studying and performing with IFTP since the fall of 2016.
After working in advertising for a few years, Benjamin decided to leave the corporate world and move from behind the camera to in front to perform comedy full-time.
Benjamin’s time with IFTP has profoundly benefitted his life, including a boost in self-confidence and with how he shows up in relationships. Benjamin is fascinated by the real-world applications and benefits improv provides and wants to help people feel comfortable expressing themselves through imagination and play.
Jaymie Parkkinen
Jaymie Parkkinen is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach and UCLA where he was a staff writer for Satyr, UCLA’s comedy magazine.
Jaymie’s improv duo, Folly, performs regularly in LA. He has a background in improv, clown, mime, and dramatic theater. Jaymie performs regularly in the Improv Revival Show at IFTP and is thrilled to be on the IFTP faculty.
Liam Clancy
Liam is from the San Francisco bay area and has been studying improv since he was 16. He graduated from the University of Southern California with degrees in Neuroscience and Economics. While at USC, he was a member of the USC improv group “Spoiler Alert.”Liam regularly performs improv across LA with numerous teams including his long form narrative team “Syndicated Broadcast” and in his monthly murder mystery show “Pinot Noir.”
Liam is excited to be part of the IFTP faculty and looks forward to seeing you around the studio!
Candida Rodriguez
Candida brings over two decades of experience from her time with Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre, where she blended arts, education, and public health into powerful programming that informed, inspired, and entertained. Her unique ability to merge performance with purpose led her naturally to the world of improvisation.
An advocate for the arts as a tool for growth, Candida is honored to be part of IFTP’s distinguished faculty, bringing her signature blend of humor, insight, and heart to every IFTP keynote, improv camp, workshop, class, and show.
Holly Brown
Holly Brown is a Los Angeles–based improviser, educator, and lifelong ensemble nerd. With over 25 years of stage experience and 15 years of teaching, she has performed across Los Angeles, including with ensembles at Westside Comedy Theater and ComedySportzLA.
Holly believes improv is more than comedy — it’s a practice of courage, deep listening, and joyful risk. Known for her grounded presence and quick emotional turns, she loves scenes that begin simply and unfold somewhere unexpected.
Offstage, Holly creates playful, inclusive spaces where beginners feel brave and experienced performers feel challenged. She’s passionate about helping people trust their instincts, build connection, and follow the fun. She’s thrilled to be joining IFTP and can’t wait to play with you.