Professor Emeritus

(Improvisation Sensei)

Linnea was born while her parents were on the road with a show and has been in theater ever since. Growing up backstage, Linnea performed between ages one to 24, and earned her B.A. and M.A. in Speech and Theater at the University of Illinois Chicago Circle. She discovered a love for teaching and directing. Linnea taught for Players Workshop of The Second City for 30 years, while directing The Second City Children's Theater for 20 years. More recently, she was a professor at Malcolm X College for 15 years. Upon retiring, Linnea turned her thoughts once again to Players Workshop.

Education Director

(Man of a Thousand Laughs)

While attending Players Workshop of The Second City, Doug studied improv with Jo and Linnea Forsberg, Judy Morgan, Martin de Maat, Lee Houghton — and character development with David Shepherd (co-founder of Compass Players). As a teacher and director at the original school (1981–96), Doug also led a creative writing workshop (1988–92) and composed scores for The Second City Children's Theatre. He's used the art form in advertising, education, business development and musical theatre. Doug supports the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Managing Partner

(Improvisation Evangelist)

Jeff graduated from Players Workshop in 1989 and has pursued a creative life ever since. Jeff is a speaker, author, playwright, creative director, producer, and cable TV & corporate event host as well as one of the founders of The Factory Theater. Jeff now works mainly as a motivational speaker spreading the power of improvisation as a tool for innovation to corporate clients of all sizes. Having studied, performed, directed, and taught at Second City for over a decade, Jeff could not be more excited to relaunch Players Workshop.