Tara DeFrancisco & The Nest Theatre Comedian from Columbus, OH

Hi - I'm Tara DeFrancisco! I'm a global comedic performer, educator, and speaker doing work with groups all over the world. For 20 years, I have performed onstage professionally at Chicago institutions and now own my own place in Columbus, Ohio around touring worldwide with a 2 person improvisational show. I have designed programming for non-profits, universities, businesses, and improv training centers all over this planet, and find absolute joy and purpose in sharing the tenets of the artform with people who don't use it for stage performances - to make their spaces better, more productive, and collaborative. Looking for a speaker? Yes, I do that. Looking for a trainer? Yes, I do that. Looking for someone to help your group focus on better skills to bring them purpose, creativity, all while feeling a bit of joy? Yes, I DEFINITELY do that. I co-run a space called The Nest Theatre & Nest Creative (CBus Improv) the only dedicated space of it's kind in a city of 2 million residents. My partner, Rance Rizzutto, also has a shared professional background similar to my own, and has done over 6000 improvisational mainstage shows and over 20,000 hours of professional work in this field. Thanks for checking out our services at The Nest! A little on The Nest itself: We are a full-service entertainment collective running in Columbus, Ohio - a dedicated space for live entertaiment including improvisation, sketch comedy, storytelling, and experimental shows as well as a formal training center for improv students. Running since 2016, we are the only professional theatre housing these arts with certified trainers and instructors who travel globally to speak, instruct, and perform worldwide. Our primary services? We have so much: *VIRTUAL TRAININGS *VIRTUAL SHOWS AND PROGRAMMING - group workshops, group parties, individual training *Applied Improvisational Training / Corporate Facilitators - we design and implement training for groups anywhere from 1 hr to a full days of coaching with professional teachers who have taught in 24 countries worldwide to over 200 Fortune 500 companies and non-profits *Improvisational Comedy Troupes - roadshows and homeshows for groups 18+up *ComedySportz Roadshow- a family/work friendly show that launched Whose Line? started in 1984, now residing in our fair city - appropriate for everyone, funny for all, and accessible for all ages/events without being corny *Emcees - Professional emcees that can help facilitate any large event, award ceremony, or teambuilding cooperative *Inspirational Speakers - not only do we have emcees and facilitators, but we also have people from various backgrounds who inspire and lead through keynotes and lecture-demos (LGBTIQ, POC, different-ability, over 60 too!) It doesn't stop there - just in case you are looking for even more: *Scripted events - we work with you and write a sketch comedy scene customized to your group *Officiants - humorous, playful, kind officiants for your wedding event who will take the time to know the wedded-to-be *Comedy Hypnosis - with a trained hypnotist in our collective with many shows under his belt, your office will have a great time! *Tarot readings - We read the cards all night long for a little mysticism at your fun event! *Characters in Disguise - multiple people acting as stooges at your event - Bumbling Waiter, Fake Speaker, etc. We do it all, and we have fun doing it! We have 5 stars and over 300 ratings on facebook/Yelp, and we love to work with people.