Meet Our Team

Lindsay Goldapp is the Co-Founder and Executive/Artistic Director of Stomping Ground Comedy. Lindsay holds a B.S. in Acting/Directing from East Texas A&M University where she is distinguished as a Theatre Alumni Ambassador. Lindsay is a 2009 graduate of Chicago’s Second City Improv Conservatory and has over 25 years of experience performing and teaching theatre, improv, sketch writing, applied improv, and musical improv all over the U.S. and in the U.K. Lindsay is a former grades 6-12 Theatre teacher and Psychosocial Specialist for youth. Lindsay has taught and directed theatre and musical theatre for young performers at numerous institutions including Young Actor’s House, Greenhill School, Dallas Academy of Music & Performing Arts, and North Texas Performing Arts. She also presented programs for Engaging Youth in the Performing Arts for the World Affairs Council of DFW International Visitor Leadership Program in 2022 and 2023. Lindsay has presented the mental health benefits of improv all around the country, including speaking engagements at the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association. As a creative, she has worked on marketing campaigns for brands like Pizza Hut, Toyota, and Southwest Airlines and appeared in commercials for Tostitos, Crown Royal, KIA, and many more. Lindsay currently teaches Sketch Comedy Writing, Improv, Youth Improv, Improv for Work, and Improv for Life classes at Stomping Ground and teaches improv at Booker T Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Lindsay can be seen onstage at Stomping Ground in Broadway(ish) and Spaghetti Confetti or seen sitting in the back of the theater laughing.

Brooks serves as the Technical Manager for Stomping Ground and has worked professionally in theatre for over 10 years predominantly as a Lighting Designer. Brooks received his BA in technical theatre from Oklahoma State University in 2007. He has worked with a number of local theatre companies as well as with universities and community colleges. Brooks is a board member of the Illuminating Engineering Societies Dallas Chapter, as well as a Certified Lighting Specialist for the American Lighting Association. He has consulted lighting for retail stores, clubs and residential venues. He has guest lectured about lighting and the technical aspects of theatre at multiple universities.  Additionally he works in the Design District in Dallas at an architectural lighting firm where he assists in designing and reviewing lighting control systems for architectural, commercial and theatrical applications. Brooks enjoys manifesting his creativity through lighting and technical theatre to support the artistic endeavors of every team that comes into the space.

Matt is the Director of Marketing & Communications, responsible for managing the day-to-day promotion and marketing of Stomping Ground and its various services and departments, as well as overall strategic marketing goals. A grizzled marketing veteran and a newborn improv baby, Matt currently works as a marketing and technology consultant with over 13 years of experience in digital marketing and took his very first improv class in August 2023. Despite graduating with a degree in literature from the University of Oklahoma, he’s managed global marketing campaigns for well-known name brands and started a few companies of his own. When he’s not at his computer doing marketing, you can find him at his computer playing video games, watching movies, or mindlessly scrolling social media. He also enjoys reading books from his local library, playing/listening to other people play Dungeons & Dragons, and taking short to medium-length walks with his wife.

Sara Jackson is the Social Media & Content Coordinator, tasked with promoting all things Stomping Ground online for our community and prospective audiences. They have created content and managed the social media accounts for several brands and artists over the last 10 years, including their own which is active enough for another 10 years worth of content through Instagram stories alone. They hold a BA in Comedy Writing and Performance from Columbia College Chicago and studied at The Second City. They are currently a performer at Stomping Ground with Caught Up in the Hoo Ha. They’re thrilled to get to work on stage and off to help get the word out about our shows, programs and mission.

Shenelle Peart holds a Bachelor of Arts in Radio Television and Film from the University of North Texas. While she has sporadically been involved in theater since college, she stumbled into improv in June of 2021 and has not looked back. Since graduating Stomping Grounds improv program she could be seen performing almost every weekend in either regular or musical improv shows with groups such as Please Sing Already!, The New News News Crew, Spaghetti Confetti, My F*cked Up Thanksgiving and many more. She currently teaches the level 1 improv class at Stomping Ground and really enjoys getting people to fall in love with this art form that has brought so much joy to her life. Shenelle can currently be seen performing with Take One Improv, The Funny Femme Fatales and Broadway(ish).

Kelsey is a Texas transplant who has performed in improv and musical improv teams in both Denver and Dallas. She has always loved performing but discovered improv in 2017 after moving to Denver, where she trained at RISE Comedy. Since then, Kelsey has graduated from the musical improv programs at RISE, the Bovine Metropolis Theatre, and Stomping Ground Comedy, and coached the Stomping Ground musical house team, Please Sing Already. You can see her perform at Stomping Ground in KEVIN! and Spaghetti Confetti: A Famili Friendli Improvised Musical. By day, Kelsey works in science communications and holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Florida State University. When she’s not on stage, she enjoys writing, reading sci-fi/fantasy, crafting, and making cringe-worthy puns.

Priti Ahuja is a facilitator, teacher educator, and leadership coach working to create transformational learning experiences and psychologically safe spaces where people can engage in inner and outer work as a pathway to resilience. Priti started her education career as a teacher and professional development consultant for Dallas Independent School District. Earlier in her career, she worked in marketing and advertising for private and not-for-profit sector clients. As an advocate for healthy relationship management, well-being,  and mindfulness, she draws upon her education in organizational behavior, child development, brain-based learning, and positive psychology, as well as years of corporate experience to help shift mindsets, patterns, and habits. She champions the work of Social & Emotional Learning and Emotional Intelligence in her community through partnerships with local universities, schools and organizations. She believes strongly in the power of human connection to heal, fulfill, and propel humanity to increase our collective consciousness. Priti comes to Stomping Ground with a love for laughter and comedy! Ask her about laughter yoga or the latest comedy show she attended and she’ll have you cracking up!

Melanie Robinson has worked in education for 10 years in a variety of roles from classroom educator to fundraiser to adult education. She has a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Special Education, and her focus is working with youth with behavioral and emotional diagnoses. She celebrates the unique strengths and personalities of each of her students. A passionate learner herself, Melanie loves improv and watching the ways in which people’s personalities and confidence blossom. Melanie can be found at Stomping Ground almost any time either watching a show, performing, or hanging out with this amazing community.

Nan Kirkpatrick (they/them) graduated from the University of North Texas with a BA in English, where they focused their studies on writing. A lifelong vocal and instrumental performer, they’ve performed over the past 15 years with local rock bands Frauen, Little Beards, and most recently Morgue Drawer. Nan loves television, and during the pandemic they met with a friend from Chicago over Zoom to write TV pilots as a way to keep creative and not lose their mind. That’s what led them to Stomping Ground in September 2022 — they figured improv might be a fun new tool for their writing toolbox. Turns out that’s true, but they also discovered a love of improv performance. They perform in Welcome to Your Town, Vocal Fried, Whose Mind is it Anyway, Crazy Hot People, and New News News Crew, and they’ve written for It’s Giving Thanks, a Thanksgiving sketch comedy revue.

Tim boasts over two decades of experience as a comedy writer, performer, and producer. His comedic journey predominantly thrived within ComedySportz, complemented by stints in a Midwest touring ensemble and a national traveling group. Entertaining multitudes as large as eight, up to crowds exceeding 3000, Tim has been a consistent source of entertainment. He has shared his expertise teaching improv to ages young and old, extending his enthusiasm for teaching improv globally during his professional travels. Beyond improv, Tim thrives in crafting media solutions for various companies and organizations. Amidst his comedic pursuits, he treasures quality time with his daughter.

Tyler is an avid volunteer and supporter of Stomping Ground. He does a little bit of everything around the theater and training center. In addition to serving as the Scholarship Coordinator, he is a Producer for the monthly THUNDERDOME show. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Tyler graduated from UNT with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and began work at a defense contractor (where he remains today). Having never been a social butterfly, Tyler found it difficult to make new friends when the world opened back up and began to struggle with loneliness. However, in 2022, Tyler discovered Stomping Ground, and with it came new friends, newfound confidence, a greater sense of purpose, and of course, a love for improv. In 2024, he was the deserving winner of the theater’s Madame Butterfly award, which is given to the performer who’s undergone the greatest transformation. Tyler wants nothing more than to see Stomping Ground thrive so that others may experience the growth that he has, and he intents to help at every step of the way.

Ade is a storyteller, writer, and stand-up comedian who is a graduate of Texas A&M University in College Station. She is a native who spent over a decade in Seattle, WA. Ade is happy to be back in the Lone Star State and have her accent return. She has performed at The Moth, A Necessary Sadness, and The Iridescent Robot Storytelling Club where she was the resident storyteller. She is an aunt to six nephews and an Ava. She has a love for creative productions that uplift diverse voices in the community and bring people together.

Milo (they/them) is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and has been exploring performance their whole life, ranging from murder mystery acting, Disney princess impersonation, theater performing, and playing guitar in a family band. Milo graduated from the Stomping Ground Improv Training Center in 2022 and since then has loved the magic of improv, especially of the musical variety. They find improv to be a great way to inspire and expand natural creativity and hope to teach it to as many folks as possible! You can see Milo performing in Please Sing Already, duo Midnight Diner, and Broadway(ish).

Master’s Candidate for Clinical Mental Health Counseling with specialization in Drama Therapy

Sydney has over a decade’s worth of experience teaching theatre with a therapeutic approach to children, teens, and young adults on the autism spectrum and/or with diagnosed learning differences. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree from Lesley University to become a licensed counselor and registered drama therapist. Her experience working with unique populations gives her a different perspective on how theatre can offer therapeutic benefits to people of all abilities. Her goals align perfectly with Stomping Ground Comedy Theater’s mission statement: to connect the community through comedy that cares. Sydney serves as an Improv for Life instructor with a special focus on youth; she teaches improv camps for neurodiverse learners and in the afterschool improv program at Winston School.

Audrey (she/her) received a B.F.A in Acting from Northern Kentucky University and attended the National Theatre Institute where she studied Movement Techniques for the actor and Directing. She has studied and performed short form, long form, and dramatic improv with NKU, Improv Cincinnati, OTRimprov, and Cin City Comedy. She has acted, improvised, and directed on stages and screens throughout Greater Cincinnati, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Connecticut, London, and now Dallas. Audrey has been teaching and coaching improv for five years and loves teaching wholeheartedly.  She is also an experienced Theatre Director, Movement Choreographer, Fight Choreographer, and intimacy coach. Currently she teaches Level Four Long Form with Stomping Ground. Additionally, she produces the all-female identifying indie team Surrender Dorothy, coaches Black Tie Causal, and performs with Take One, Surrender Dorothy, Tall Texas Tales, Dork Horse, and frequently features with Hot Dish!  She sounds busy, but she’s always available to nerd out about improv and theatre!

Holly has been performing improv comedy and scripted work throughout DFW since 2010. She has received the majority of her comedy training through The Alternative Comedy Theater where she is a founding member of the group, “Death With Benefits”. She is also the Creator and Host of the Give Me Twenty Podcast where she interviews folks in the entertainment and “influencer” world and gives them a round of 20 Questions. Outside of the comedy world, Holly was also the  Co-Creator and Executive Producer of The Dead Awakening Annual Belly Dance Showcase which sold out every show for a 4-year run. During the day, you can find her working as a senior care advocate in the senior living world which really… is a comedy of its own kind at times.

Tristen holds a Bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Stephen F. State University and currently works as a video specialist for Wylie ISD. He also taught high school animation, graphics design, and audio/ video classes at Wylie ISD. Tristen is a recent graduate of Stomping Ground and will be performing in their new mainstage show, The Midnight Vault. Tristen has had a passion for storytelling and animation since he was a child which drove him to teach himself animation, graphic design, and video production. The stage was always adjacent to all of these pursuits so it was just a matter of time before he found himself taking improv classes at Stomping Ground. Tristen also will tell you that Dungeons and Dragons taught him about improv too, but he’s not sure that counts. He really just wanted you to know he likes DnD. Tristen wants to share the joy improv has brought his life with all of his students. From learning to let go and relax to healthy communication techniques, he believes everyone can benefit from taking an improv class!

John caught the acting bug in 2008 just before he finished high school and it wasn’t long after that he joined Take One, an improv comedy troupe, spending the last 12 years touring with them across the midwest performing at comic, anime, and other pop-culture conventions. In John’s pursuit of performance, he has trained with OKC Improv, ComedySportz Dallas, and with coaches from The Second City, iO Theater, and most recently, Stomping Ground. When he isn’t taking the stage or stepping behind a camera, John tends bar professionally at work and personally for his friends, taking joy in cultivating an experience for every audience he’s given.

Joshua has served as Musical Director of Stomping Ground since 2018. Prior to joining the Stomping Ground family, Joshua worked as musical director for The Second City main stage show in Las Vegas, as well as the Dallas based comedy troupe Ad-Libs. Joshua studied Music Composition and Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas and has also written and performed music for local television and film. Joshua grew up in the North Dallas area and currently lives and works as an elementary school math teacher in Far North Dallas. Joshua performs with Stomping Ground’s musical improv team, Sound Garden, along with Broadway-ish and several written-for-stage productions like “Eat, Prey, Love”, and co-teaches the Musical Impov classes at Stomping Ground.

Jocelyn served as the Director of Development for Stomping Ground from 2018 to 2024 and was instrumental in growing the young organization while building relationships with donors and grant providers. She received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington and serves as Board Treasurer for the League of Women Voters in Collin County. She has been acting in DFW for the last 17 years; she leads The JIM Experiment improv troupe, and is co-founder of Lots O’ Lazzi, a vaudeville-style clowning troupe. Jocelyn is also leading efforts with Not in Our House DFW to create and implement standards for safety in Dallas Fort Worth regional and community theaters. Jocelyn is grateful to SG for giving her the opportunity to combine her love for theatre and performance with her passion for helping others.

• Development@stompinggroundcomedy.org

British born, Dallas based lawyer and standup comic. Trained in standup and sketch comedy at Dallas Comedy House and Stomping Ground, David has performed in person standup at Dallas Comedy House, Stomping Ground, Comedy Arena McKinney, and various other DFW venues. He has also performed online standup comedy with Flappers Comedy Club in Los Angeles, Rampantly Media, Dat Phan & Friends and at many other outlets. David currently books in-person standup comedy at Six Springs Tavern in Richardson Texas and online through Wild Beaver Productions (cofounded with Charlotte Parker).

Lynsey is a graduate of Texas A&M University and has improv training from Ad-Libs, Four Day Weekend, Stomping Ground, and has trained with Dean Lewis in stand up comedy. Lynsey is very active in the DFW theatre community, where she has performed in musicals and plays for the past 10 years. She is a Column Award-winning actress who has performed at Theatre Three, Theatre Arlington, OnStage in Bedford, Runway Theatre in Grapevine, Greater Lewisville Community Theatre, MainStage Irving Las Colinas, Lip Service Productions, and more. She most enjoys writing song parodies and bringing crazy and challenging characters to life. She has been a high school theatre instructor for seven years. At Stomping Ground, Lynsey can regularly be seen performing with Sound Garden, the improvised musical comedy group. She has also performed in My F*ed Up Thanksgiving, Baby Cats, and Crush(ed): A Valentine’s Day Variety Show.

Nic Hawk is a proud Iowan who has made his way to Texas while performing all over the U.S.. From his time dancing and doing stilt work at Disney and Universal Studios in Florida to his work Singing on NBCs The Voice. He now lives in Grapevine and has been performing stand-up comedy for years so Nic is very happy to come show his love of comedy to some fresh new eyes.

Daniel serves as Branding Manager, building a cohesive Stomping Ground brand image across new productions through planning of programming and creation of graphic design for show promotions. Daniel is an accomplished graphic artist, formerly a staff graphic designer and manager of University of South Florida’s daily newspaper, The Oracle (circulation of 30,000). With a decade of experience as an educator in Japan and as a technology consultant today, he is driven by a passion to empower and foster positive growth in others. Hailing from Miami, Florida, Daniel joined Stomping Ground in 2021. He is a performer in the house team, KEVIN, the creator and director of the show, SideScroll: The Improvised RPG, and a piano accompanist, under the mentorship of musical director, Josh Diamond.

Whitney teaches English full time for Fort Worth ISD.  She studied improv at Four Day Weekend and Stomping Ground Comedy, as well as voice acting and acting at Stage West Theater. She volunteers as an UpperClassmate with beginning level classes. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in education from TCU, Whitney spent time living and working in Nicaragua and rural North Carolina. Her experience spurred her desire to be more inclusive in her work. Whitney is an educator with comprehensive experience in public speaking, leading workshops, directing camps, guiding small groups, and teaching professional development courses for people of all ages. She deeply believes in the mission and welcoming community at Stomping Ground Comedy and wants to motivate others to find a love for improv.

Hayley Waring is a New Orleans native and holds a degree in Political and Creative Writing from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She’s spent several years as a preschool teacher at The Day School at Highland Park Pres. Hayley also currently attending Texas Christian University pursuing her Master’s degree in counseling, where she hopes to focus on how improv can empower children to cope with their anxiety. Hayley’s recently published book follows a diverse group of children as they navigate the Covid-19 pandemic. Hayley is also a trained improviser and has performed in several troupes in the Dallas area! Hayley has taught Improv for Autism at Oak Hill Academy and Cast of Characters Comedy Camp for ages 6-8 at Stomping Ground. She currently teaches preschool at The Weekday School at UCC.

Angela has been a Board Member at Stomping Ground since May 2020. She has also worked for Women In Need, a nonprofit dedicated to helping domestic violence victims along with educating the community about healthy relationships. Her position was that of Education Specialist and Educational Theatre Director which took her into the middle schools and high schools in Hunt and Rockwall Counties using a theatre production to educate students on teen dating violence followed by in-class curriculum. Angela is a theatre artist who specializes in acting, directing, and teaching and has worked with several theatre groups teaching workshops. She was born and raised in Chicago which is where her love for theatre and performance began. Angela graduated from Texas A&M Commerce in May 2021 and feels that going back to school has offered her many opportunities including interning with Stomping Ground and continuing her improv training. Angela most recently worked with Fine Arts on Main in Farmersville, Texas, and taught dance and drama for 6 years at Timbrel School of the Arts in Greenville. She has performed and directed for Greenville Theatre Works in Greenville, Texas where she also served as the Director of Education. Angela has been married for 19 years and has lost count of how many kids she has. “It’s a lot!” Angela says her passion for theatre continues to grow and especially in learning all the different ways it can be used to educate and heal. The exploration of theatre in unconventional ways is something she is committed to as an artist and Stomping Ground is at the front of the line with their programs and she wants to be a part of that. Angela is currently a contributor for Collin County Moms and performing in numerous productions with Pocket Sandwich Theatre.