Alumni

Brady Hicks

Brady likes to play. While studying acting in college, he discovered the art of improvisation. After studying at the GEM Theatre in Garden Grove, Brady appeared in Los Angeles with the L.A. Connection before moving up to the San Francisco East Bay Area. Here he studied with BATS Improv before performing briefly with Rumor Improv at Under the Sun Studios.
Brady is thrilled to be the newest member of Trapped in a Rumor, and happy to be performing in Danville's Village Theatre. When not improvising on stage, Brady can be found making noises with computers and playing his Moog Etherwave Theremin. Brady likes to play.

Retired: June 2012

Marie Applegate

Marie Applegate has always been in awe of - dun, dun, dun - The Stage!
She and her little brother James used to write, produce and put on their own variety shows when they were teeny tiny kids (her parents have evidence!). Marie was also part of school productions all throughout elementary, middle and high school. As an adult she was an extra in several indie films and commercials. And now, the crowning glory of her road to fame, she joined the fabulousness that is the improv troupe Trapped In a Rumor.
Marie has always admired the lovable dorks of the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway and was insanely ecstatic when she found a similar styled improv troupe right here in the East Bay, Trapped In a Rumor! Overall, Marie is inspired by life...and by YOU! So volunteer and get your patootiekins up on stage tonight. 🙂 She wants you to know that she is probably the biggest dork around that you will ever meet. Hurrah for dorks!
Marie is also a full time mother, no easy task, but her little Daisy makes everyday more enjoyable than the last.

Stacey Winn

Stacey Winn has been acting and improvising for as long as she can remember. She loves both scripted and unscripted theatre, and is thrilled to be performing with Trapped in a Rumor. She received her BA in Theatre Studies and English from UC Berkeley, and some of her favorite roles include Lucy in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Roxie in Chicago, Abigail in The Crucible and Alice in You Can't Take it With You. She has also previously performed with Rumor Has It Improv at Under the Sun Studios and jericho! (sic) Improv at UC Berkeley.
Her favorite improv quote is Del Close's directive to "Play to the height of your intelligence." She attempts to live up to this principle in art and in life, and sometimes she succeeds. She is also an accomplished teaching artist, providing individual and group lessons in theatrical improvisation, audition preparation, language arts and public speaking. In her other life, she is a marketing specialist and independent beauty consultant with Mary Kay. For more information about her teaching and consulting work, please call (510) 779-2386.

Alice Kwong-Van Dusen

Alice Kwong-Van Dusen has a love affair with all things improv. Her first experience was at the local junior college where she discovered the fun and playfulness of improvisational theatre. She loved it so much, she continued to learn, play and practice with a wide variety of people, places and troupes.
After starting her family, Alice took a break from improvisation. Luckily, the improv bug never left her. In 2009, she began going to improv jams where she was able to play with people who were very kind, supportive and knowledgeable. As a result, she later auditioned and was accepted as a member of Trapped in a Rumor Improv Troupe.
Alice is also a professional actress – you may have seen her in a River Rock Casino commercial, on the Wells Fargo V-Safe internet site, or perhaps just a flash of her derriere as an extra in the TV show “Trauma”. Be sure to look for the blur of her body as a pedestrian in the upcoming TV show “Alcatraz”.
Alice is very grateful and thankful to her family, friends and improv family for all the fun, love and support on this amazing journey.

Ben Yates

Ben Yates began improvising in 1995. He has performed with various groups in the Bay Area, including The Clean Comedy Company, Pan Theater, Magic Jester Theater and BATS Sunday Players. When he gets a chance, he enjoys adding a touch of Zen to everything he does. About improv, Ben likes to quote Jim Carrey: "It's either this, or I'm up on the roof with an Uzi!"
Ben feels that improv is the most fun you can have with your clothes on!

Bill Younger

Bill Younger first entered the world of improvisation in an effort to become a better auctioneer. His children‘s elementary school was in need of one for their annual auction. Having been a performing musician most of his life, Bill thought being an auctioneer seemed easy. As his first auction approached, he began to worry about his wit. Being the center of attention, a la public-speaking, was different than being witty with friends. A radio comedian Bill listened to, Adam Carolla, spoke about his extensive education in Improv and how it developed his wit. Bill endeavored to find Improv training, and found a studio 15 minutes from home. It was there that he met our leader - Joe.
Trapped In A Rumor is Bill’s first formal experience with any acting company. His experience with this talented group has made him an effective auctioneer. “If the truth were known, if people understood that Improv serves to enhance our life experience as critically as physical and mental exercise, then there would be as many Improv-shops as there are gyms.”
Improv is not for performers only. It's for you too. Try it!

Jon Cordova

Jon Cordova is new to improv and Trapped in A Rumor is his inaugural Troupe experience. Actually, he wanted to take guitar lessons but that class was filled, so here he is. Jon is looking to move into stand-up comedy and improv is his first experience.
Jon’s prior stage experience had been either getting diplomas for graduation, or early on, receiving merit badges at the Boy Scout’s Court of Honor. Furthering his theatrical prowess, Jon has performed on stage with Innuendo Improv. Jon frequently watches TV and has seen several movies, but has yet to appear on either. Jon once saw Cats on Broadway and has gone to many of his kids’ plays.
When not consumed with Improv, Jon is a serial entrepreneur, that’s a fancy way of saying he works for underfunded technology startups. He uses these skills with the troupe and supports the business affairs, including marketing and community affairs. Jon lives in Danville, has a supportive wife, Janet and three grown (debatable) kids in college. Not quite empty nesters, but close!!!