Jessie’s passion for the spontaneous and unscripted world of improv began during intensive study in California (where she lived for more than 30 years), she began to perform, and to teach classes, and then to direct and coach improv troupes weekly. She was a regular performing troupe member of Awkward Face at Pan Theater in Oakland, CA, and Flash Mob Musical Improv at End Games in San Francisco. She also teaches an annual workshop at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico as part of the summer Creative Arts Festival as well as other improv workshops around the country by request.

A theater alum from Wichita State University, she learned from the best of ICT: Dr. Richard Welsbacher, Joyce Cavarozzi, Mary Jane Teall, Audrey Needles, and Gina Austin among others. She also was a student of improv notables which include David Alger, Jimmy Carrane, David Razowsky, Rachael Hamilton, Tracy Burns, Mick Laugs, and Los Angeles-based Meisner coach, Matt Chait. 

In addition to improv, Jessie has almost 50 years of stage experience from coast-to-coast as an improviser, actor, director, producer and choreographer. Her most recent big day-job was as the Executive Producer and Creative Director of Corporate Events for a Fortune 100 company.

And now she brings her broad experience and deep knowledge back to her hometown of Wichita, Kansas, where she has built an improv home at Flying Pig Improv. In the seven years since its founding, FPI has hosted nearly 600 shows, welcomed over 11,000 delighted audience members, and trained 900 courageous students in improv classes and business workshops (updated April 2026).