Lelda Kapsis Artistic Director
Lelda first trained in improvised comedy as part of her Musical Theatre BA, which she completed at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2003.
Immediately after completing the full training program at The Improv Conspiracy (Long Form Improv Levels 1-5) in 2015, Lelda was cast on a house Harold team. She frequently performed in improvised musicals and Gravid Water format shows. As a member of the teaching staff at the Improv Conspiracy, Lelda was a regular teacher, coach and directed sketch and improv shows.
Lelda began her professional acting career playing the role of Lisa Houseman in the original cast of Dirty Dancing The Classic Story on Stage in 2004. Since then, she has performed with The Melbourne Shakespeare Company (Viola in Twelfth Night, Antonia in Much Ado About Nothing and Luciana in Comedy of Errors), The Really Useful Company (swing in Cats, South East Asia Tour) and The Production Company (ensemble in Camelot).
Lelda was a performer and workshop facilitator at Make a Scene, where she contributed to the development of Commedia dell’Arte style shows which she performed in regional tours and in schools around Melbourne. With Make a Scene, Lelda collaborated on a new translation of The Servant of Two Masters and performed the role of Beatrice at La Mama Theatre.
Lelda will be appearing in a brand new comedy gameshow on Comedy Central in spring 2024.
Lelda has over over 20 years teaching experience. She began as a ballet teacher in her teens and has consistently worked as a performing arts teacher ever since. Lelda taught at the National Theatre Drama School in Melbourne, developed the curriculum for Act 1, school for young actors and has taught dance, drama, movement for actors, Strasberg Technique, scene study, screen acting and improv.
Lelda worked as a Pilates Teacher, Yoga Instructor and Personal Trainer for many years.
Lelda views coaching as an enormous privilege, she does all she can to support players so they feel proud of the theatre magic they create.
Coach: Limited Edition, The Improvised Gameshow, Stella, Your Best Life, Level Up and Improv Gym
Player: Sundae, Get Ugly, Loo-Prov!
Baby Improviser Lelda loving life at Harold Night; 24yo Lelda as Grizabella; Badass Lelda as Beatrice
Sam Roulston Director
Sam Roulston is an award winning Comedian, Writer and Actor.
Sam was a member of Faculty at The Second City, Toronto for 7 years before moving back to the UK in 2022. He taught in the Improv, Sketch Writing and Youth and Teen Programs and directed in the Conservatory Program. Sam was also the Program Head for the Kids and Teen Department for almost two years. Sam currently coaches improv troupes all around London and runs a monthly improv drop-in at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre.
Sam has performed and taught at comedy festivals all over the world including: Edinburgh Fringe, Hell Yes Fest (New Orleans), Mama City Improv Festival (Capetown), The Del Close Marathon (NYC), Big City Improv Festival (Toronto), Improv Fest Ireland (Dublin) and The Detroit Improv Festival.
Right before the pandemic hit, Sam performed 5 improv shows a week to an audience of 900 audience members aboard the MSC Seaside in the Caribbean.
Sam regularly performs with his improv duo Sam & AJ, with Taco Cat (The Free Association) and Shuffle (Hoopla). Sam was a Semi Finalist in The Komedia New Comedy Award 2023, The Max Turner Prize 2023, The West End New Comedian Of The Year 2023 and in The Museum of Comedy’s Sketch Off 2023.
Sam premiered his solo sketch comedy show, CRINGE at the 2021 Toronto Fringe Festival where he won The Second City Best New Comedy Award. CRINGE received ★★★★ reviews and was described as “Brilliant” and “Savagely funny” - Now Magazine.
“Sam Roulston (comedian extraordinaire and improv teacher at the ol’ Second City) ... share(s) his deep passion for telling excellent stories with a sense of humour”
— Broadway World
Sam is very excited to be an integral member of the Blanche Improv team! (Blanche feels extremely lucky that she gets to work with Sam!)
Coach: The Short Form Revolution
Player: Sam & AJ, Sundae, Taco Cat, Shuffle
