Over # Years of Experience
Our Training team is made up of professional improvisers who also happen to be professional Facilitators and/or certified Coaches, with over # years experience instructing business professionals in a wide variety of industries.
Benji Cooksey
OWNER & GENERAL MANAGER
Benji is the owner and general manager of CSz Houston. He has been a player on the team for 5 years and is the head of corporate entertainment bookings. Benji's production credits include the founding of Improv! The Musical - Houston's first completely improvised musical, making its way into its second year of running, (713) - An original Houston late night Comedy Show and Beer Babies - A drinking game turned comedy show.
Brendon Duran
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Brendon has taught countless workshops to students of all ages, corporate groups, and performers. He has also directed the hilarious productions Aladdin: Unscripted, Back to the Future: Unscripted, and The EaDo Comedy Show. By day, Brendon teaches for the Alley Theatre as part of their Staging STEM and Playmakers programs.
Chad Minchew
OWNER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Chad has worked as an improvisor and trainer with CSz Houston for the last 8 years. As the Artistic Director for the company, Chad's role includes managing a team of over 40 players so that they are always sharp and engaged with audiences week in and week out.
Mariel Smithwick
Mariel has been a corporate trainer and team building leader with CSz Houston for 11 years. With extensive experience creating programs, May has delivered workshops which include Leadership, Teamwork, Problem Solving, Customer Service, Presentation Skills as well as Communication Improvement Training. Mariel has lead workshops for Halliburton, BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil and many others.
With a BA from University of Houston in Interpersonal Communication Mariel has made it a study of working with groups so everybody has the opportunity work on their communication skills and have fun while doing it.
Samir Mojaddedi
2015 & 2016 CSz Houston MVP
Samir has been a member of CSz Houston since 2010, and a trainer since 2012. Samir brings over 10 years of team-building experience from academia and the sports/entertainment world, as well as experience as a coach in the ComedySportz High School League since 2013. As a trainer for CSz Houston, Samir has facilitated workshops with Rice University, Shell Oil, Starbucks, Schlumberger and many others.
Steph DeWaegeneer
Steph’s infectious enthusiasm and applicable messages, delivered with genuine warmth and humor have made her a presenter in demand. Steph has trained hundreds of executives, actors, and students in improvisational and interactive theatre techniques over her varied career. She proudly represents women throughout the U.S. as the Miss Plus America Ambassador, and was their national titleholder MS. Plus America 2009. Nationally she has presented award winning programs for COMMON a Users Group, Houston West Chamber of Commerce, Incredible Networking, RCMA (Religious Conference Management Association), and NAR (National Association of Realtors). She’s been named the 2012 Woman of the Year by the Galleria league of ABWA (American Business Women’s Association).