Fantastic Voyage Improv

Blake

Blake has loved improv ever since joining his college improv club in 2001. He has trained at ComedySportz, Brave New Workshop and HUGE Theater, and currently performs regularly around the Twin Cities with several different groups including Fantastic Voyage Improv and Jesters Comedy Improv. In addition to making things up on stage, Blake also guides gangster and ghost story tours in St. Paul for CynCity Tours. In his free time Blake can be found singing barbershop harmony, building with Legos, playing and watching sports, and tripping over things. 

Blake is one of the “elder” members of FVI. Over the years we’ve come to rely on him to be a strong performer on stage, and a great human being off stage. We can say with 100% certainty that our troupe, and our lives, would be worse off without Blake in it.

FVI:How long have you been involved with FVI?

Blake: My first show was in March of 2013 so I’ve been with FVI for just over 12 years.

F: What got you started with improv?

B: I did a little bit of improv with my high school improv club, but didn’t get serious about it until college. I saw my college’s improv group, “Scared Scriptless” perform and I just knew that I wanted to do improv. I joined “Scared Scriptless” in 2001, and have been doing improv regularly ever since. 

F: If you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who would it be, and what would you order?

B: My paternal grandfather. He passed away shortly before I was born, and I would love to have the chance to meet him. I would probably order pancakes because my grandmother, his wife, loved to make them. 

F: Where else can people find you?

B: I perform improv with Jesters Comedy Improv and Last Action Movie. I also sing with the Minneapolis Commodores a cappella chorus, and guide historical tours of St. Paul for CynCity Tours

Eli

In his day job, Eli works as a mailman, carrying packages. On stage, he’s been known to hoist the show onto his shoulders and carry us to places we couldn’t even imagine. He fearlessly embraces the spirit of “Yes, and…”, and we love having him be a part of our lives.

How long have you been with FVI?

I have been with FVI since 2017 with an extended absence because of my work schedule in 2018. Once my schedule cleared up in 2022 I joyfully returned to the cast.

Your day job is a mailman. Do you have any fun stories from your time out in the neighborhoods?

In my time as a mailman I have experienced quite a bit, such as petting dogs only to have their owners comment on how surprised they are that the dog hasn’t bitten me yet, and delivering everything including a kitchen sink!

If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

If I could have a lifetime supply of anything I would have to choose a rotating menu of curry.  I love curry and could absolutely eat it every day, even if my digestive tract may not always agree with me.

Where else can people find you?

You can find me hiking with my dog, annoying my beautiful wife, playing games online with friends, and on YouTube with Table of Fables DND.

Matt

Matt embraces the theory of “Yes, and…”, both on-stage and off. His love of adventure takes him places most of us dream of. Whether it’s a solo trip down the Mississippi in a inner tube, strumming his ukulele, or a last-minute jaunt to Japan, his love of adventure is truly inspirational.

FVI:How long have you been involved with FVI?

Matt:  I have been with FVI for about 12 years.  After returning from college overseas I was looking for a job.  I applied to work at Target.  They were ready to hire me on the spot and said I was overqualified.  But I also had to take a drug test and since they had a minute clinic I had to do it immediately.  Failing the test banned me from the job and ever working at a Target again.  Thus, I went to a head shop in Anoka to get some synthetic urine.  Down the block was a sign that said “Free Improv.”  I walked in and was asked to be an audience participant in Blind Line.  The rest is Herstory.   

FVI: You’re known as “TV’s Matt Alto”. Tell us the story behind that.

Matt: While working toward my MFA in London our school would bring us to plays.  My fellow directors and I took the tube into London and were taking the train back after the show.  It was a good night and I was feeling energetic so I put on my headphones and started dancing.  This is something I frequently did that caused many to turn their head.  I was dancing for quite a while making sure not to knock into anyone.  I found that if I looked at people while I did this it would weird them out even more.  Thus, I usually danced facing the door.  At Leytonstone (1 stop from my destination) a man pushed me off the train just as the doors were closing.  Thankfully I landed on my feet and continued dancing, but by that point the doors had closed and the train was off.  I took the next train and made my way home without difficulty.  Later I heard from my friends that they had chewed him out for his actions.  A few days later a classmate said he saw a funny video and they discovered it was me.  It went viral and within a day had 300,000 views.  People began remixing it with various songs.  Though they never got close to what I was actually listening to, it wasn’t EDM.  The hubbub died down and I finished school.  Upon returning home, a year later I got a call from a friend here in MN.  She was watching TV and said she’s pretty sure she saw me.  On Tru Tv’s top 20 Internet Videos I was number 9 on “Worst Days Ever.”  It actually was a great day but I still do not know who took the video and have never received a cent for it.  There were actually two videos of the incident, this is one of them.

FVI: If you could make the ultimate sandwich, what would be on it?

Matt: I have tried cooking adding everything available.  For example, once I made salsa and even added peanut butter.  I discovered that adding everything muddles the product.  Thus the ultimate sandwich is a simply made sandwich of what you want at the time.  Basic Tuna melt, simple club or Rachel with homemade sauerkraut is just fine depending on the mood.  

FVI: Where else can people find you?

Matt: At 825 Arts, playing pinball at a corner bar, or strumming ukulele down by the river. 

Rebecca

Not long ago in this galaxy right here, a girl in a karaoke bar ran into some improvisers, and the recipe for comedy music gold was born. Rebecca has played in a lot of bad bands and music studios, and does in fact know how to play every song in the world.

Becca is more than just the piano player for FVI, she’s also the driving force behind most of the organization that goes on between shows. From venue management, scheduling, and general wrangling of performers, Becca does it all!

FVI: How long have you been with FVI?

Becca: Since 2017. I was already playing piano with Jester’s. FVI was doing weekly shows at that time, and I was invited to watch. When I walked in, the troupe said “Becca! Where’s your piano?!” I brought it back the next week, and kept coming back!

F: How long have you been playing piano?

B: I started taking lessons when I was 4. I played in my high school jazz band and learned how to make stuff up. I taught piano lessons during high school and after college. A friend from undergrad was leading Jester’s when I moved to Minnesota. He called one day to ask if I could fill in for a show. Apparently I did ok, that was in 2015 and they haven’t kicked me out yet!

F: Valentine’s Day is coming up. What is your most memorable Valentine’s Day?

B: In college for a couple of years, we had a party on Feb 14 to celebrate Emperor Norton Day. Emperor Norton lived in San Francisco in the 1850’s and 60’s, declared himself emperor of the United States in 1859, and for years “reigned” in the city issuing various proclamations such as banishment of the word “Frisco”, with a $25 fine to people caught saying it. We celebrated by getting together and drinking to his memory. This was in no way an attempt to make up for our lack of dates for other celebrations that were going on that day. emperornorton.net

F: Where else can people find you?

B: I also perform with Jester’s, and and I run the game shows at Can Can Wonderland. You can also find my original music (as Rebecca Hickman) on all music streaming platforms.

Steve

Back in 2011 Steve took an improv class that ended with a student showcase. This was his first time in his life on stage. After that show, he knew improv was going to be a part of the rest of his life.
Off stage he can be found hanging out with his 3 kids, tinkering in the garage, making delicious food, and motor floating on the boat. Sometimes all at the same time!

Suzanne

Victoria

Victoria first fell in love with improv watching Friday night shows at the University of Pittsburgh in high school—the only reason her parents would let her stay out past curfew. After moving to Minneapolis over 10 years ago, she finally dove into formal training at Brave New Workshop, HUGE Theater, and Strike Theater. She currently performs with Fantastic Voyage Improv and Jesters Comedy Improv. With a degree in vocal performance from Duquesne University, Victoria brings her classical and jazz training to the stage, occasionally unleashing her opera voice in scenes. When not improvising, she performs around the Twin Cities and fronts the jazz duo Clover Club, redefining music from the mischievous and elegant 1920s-40s with their own unique spin.

Victoria first started performing with FVI while we were doing online shows during the pandemic, and her energy clicked immediately. She didn’t meet most of the troupe members in person until we were allowed to do in-person shows again. She merged seamlessly into the troupe, and has brought greatness every show since.

FVI:How long have you been involved with FVI?

Victoria:  think it was four years ago in 2021 that I did my very first Zoom show. 

FVI: You have an extensive background in singing. What brought you to improv?

Victoria: I started taking improv classes because I used to do improv in acting classes with the Civic Light Opera in Pittsburgh and I remembered how much fun I had. I wanted to do something as an adult that would make me laugh so there was no question improv was the way to go. 

FVI: In a “Freaky Friday” situation where you woke up in someone else’s body, who would you like to be for a day and have them inhabit your body?

Victoria: Oooh! I had to think about this for a sec. I think I’d like to step into the body of someone who is a full time meditator/Buddhist monk of some sort and just bliss out all day looking at the sky. As for who would I like to be in my body? Probably a professional marathon runner on training day. That way I can outsource my workouts. 

F: Where else can people find you?

Victoria: You can find me on instagram @victoriatemiz or my website victoriatemiz.com. I sing at wine bars like Troubadour and am going to be singing in the upcoming Twin Cities Jazz Fest!

(FVI Note: This interview was conducted prior to the Jazz Fest, but due to issues wasn’t published in time. Check for her at Jazz Fest 2026!)

Zachary

Zach is truly a powerful performer. Audiences and fellow performers can count on him to sing, dance, and invent zany characters. Anything to get not just a laugh, but to evoke real emotional responses. Watching Zach perform is truly seeing the joy of improv brought to life.

FVI: How long have you been involved with FVI?

Zach: I believe I joined in January of 2015 during a blizzard. The cars were all buried in snow. If you weren’t careful you could lose your niece in a snowbank, but we didn’t. Instead we were playing improv in the basement of good ole MaGillycuddy’s in Anoka.

F: You’ve been involved in theater most of your adult life. What is one role you’d love to play?

Z: I’d love to play the ghost of Christmas present in A Christmas Carol. There is something so attractive and compelling about playing “present” always now. I imagine it being a wonderful thing to play. 

F: Now that spring has sprung, what puts a spring in your step?

Z: I love to get out there and do some gardening. I’m really excited about my sunchokes this year! It is my first time growing them, and I can’t wait to see how they taste. I’m told they are similar to a potato. Oh and the rhubarb! My one rhubarb plant is so big already!

F: Where else can people find you?

Z: They can find me holding hands with my beautiful and charming wife Suzanne.

I also play with Jesters Comedy Improv. The next show I’ll be in is at Rustic Roots Winery on June 6th.

Bill

Bill recently had his first child, so for the time being he’ll be focusing less on making jokes on stage and more on teaching his family the art of the perfect dad joke.

You! The audience!

You’re an important part of every single performance we do. Without you we’d just be a bunch of wierdos jumping around the stage. But you make us into a bunch of weirdos jumping around the stage doing UNPROV! Thank you for being a part of what makes us great!