Our Ensemble
The Bright Invention Ensemble practices and performs long form improvisation, teaches classes, and delivers workshops in all Bright Invention program areas. They are an extraordinary group of Philadelphia-based actors with multifaceted lives. You can meet them here.
Aimee Goldstein
Aimee Goldstein (she/her) is a Philadelphia based theater artist and administrator that has been improvising with Bright Invention for the past 5 years, and got her BA degree in Acting from Temple University in 2014. In addition to Bright Invention, she is also the founder of 2 Jewish a cappella groups in Philadelphia, Jewkebox and The ChaiLights. She has worked at various regional theaters in the Philadelphia area, and was a long-time box office sales associate at Bucks County Playhouse and was the Company Manager for a world-premiere musical there as well. During quarantine, Aimee was also a producer on Untold: A 10-Minute Playfest, an all-audio based experience. She is also the co-host of the podcast, 2 Years til 30! Post quarantine, Aimee is looking forward to hugs, improvising with Bright Invention, and going out for sushi (not necessarily in that order!)
Shea Sonsky
Shea Sonsky (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based actor/singer/all-around creative-type. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Theater with a concentration in acting and a minor in English Literature from Skidmore College in 2015, where she discovered her love of improv and sketch comedy as a member of the Ad-Liberal Artists. With the Ad-Libs, she participated in the Chicago Improv Festival College Tournament, the Brown University Comedy Conference, and four National College Comedy Festivals. Outside of the Ad-Libs, Shea spent her time at Skidmore performing in theatrical productions, workshops and student films, while dabbling behind-the-scenes in directing and makeup design. She also spent a semester studying Shakespeare at the British American Drama Academy in London. Locally, Shea has completed internships at the Hedgerow and Arden Theatres, and taught theater at the Upper Main Line YMCA’s summer programs. During the Fall, you can find her among the ghosts and ghouls haunting Eastern State Penitentiary’s nationally acclaimed Terror Behind the Walls attraction. Outside of the theater world, Shea enjoys reading, writing, spending time with her rescue dog, Lulu, hanging out in nature, and picking apart TV shows on the internet. As someone who is passionate about improv and committed to making the arts accessible to all people regardless of gender, race, age, ability or socioeconomic situation, Shea is absolutely thrilled to be a part of Bright Invention.
Kiersten M. Adams
Kiersten M. Adams (she/her) is a trained musical theater actress from Philadelphia PA. She has participated in a number of singing competitions and has been seen on stages in PA, NJ and NC. She has appeared in roles such as, Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show, and Stuart Little in Stuart Little. She has worked with people like Troy McLaughin, Heitzman and Reid, and Tracy Thomas honing her skills . She is constantly adding to her bag of tricks to become a more diverse performer. Kiersten enjoys acting and teaching as a member of Bright Invention. She also runs her own health and wellness business focusing on general health and weight loss. Offstage, she enjoys yoga, aerial arts, painting, clothing design, and being a mother.
Eric Walker, Jr.
A born, bred and fed Philadelphian, Eric Walker, Jr. (he/him) has been on a quest to entertain audiences with his poetry, music, and comedic stylings. Performing under the name MC eNDee(Eric never disappoints eager ears), he has hit the stage in University City, Manayunk, and Rittenhouse to share his love of lyricism with the city's open mic crowds. After reading Neil Strauss' The Game while on holiday in Amsterdam, Eric decided to take a bit of Neil's advice on breaking out of his shell by taking an improvisation class. Afterwards, he formed the improv group Wit Jongen Dronken with long time friends and performed multiple shows across Philadelphia. Now as a member of Bright Invention, he hopes to bring his experience and talent to the stage, and make beautiful scenes with a wonderful, knowledgeable, and dedicated cast.
Suzanne Anderson
One of the newest members of Bright Inventions, Suzanne Anderson (she/her) has been improvising since the 8th grade when she took her first Improvisation class. Suzanne is currently completing her training at PHIT (Philly Improv Theater) and is very excited to be part of the Bright Inventions/White Pines Productions team. Suzanne has performed throughout her life: as an attorney litigating criminal cases, as a psychotherapist leading individual and group therapy and as a comedic improviser with local Improv Team, Time Bandits. Often funny, Suzanne brings a quick irreverence to her work while being able to connect with her scene partners on a deeply emotional level. Suzanne lives with her husband, daughters and dogs in West Philly/Best Philly and is very active in her local community organization.
Owen Corey
Owen Corey (he/him) is a Philadelphia-based actor excited to be joining Bright Invention. In Philadelphia, he's performed at the Hedgerow Theatre (Moby Dick, Three Sisters) and Commonwealth Classic (Measure for Measure). He is a graduate of Fairfield University, and a native of Delaware County.
Rick Horner
Rick Horner has been doing improv in and around Philly for over 25 years, doing short form, long form and musical improv in multiple groups and with various amazing folks. Rick is available for coaching too! Rick considers himself to be in the hospitality business. When Rick is not doing improv, he is probably spending time with his family or re-watching one of the Planet of the Apes movies (or an episode of the T.V. series). Thanks for your cards, letters and baked goods.
Anita Nicholson
Anita Nicholson has trained at Philly Improv Theater and the Magnet. Regionally, she performed with ComedySportz's Improv Narrative Team and Liberty City Radio. She currently covers diversity with Broad Street Review and in her spare time teaches community coding and dance classes. She currently lives in fear of her two cats, Biscuit and Leslie Knope.
Jack Presby
The acting bug bit me in seventh grade when I saw the original production of Godspell. Flash forward a few years, and I became a long time member of a local Philadelphia community theater where I served as actor, director, and, producer. This is where I found the value of encouraging and mentoring young kids and teens. To watch them grow strong and confident and see what fine young adults they became made me proud. Later, my path changed to comedy: stand up, sketch, and improv. I had no idea of the power of improv - how it shatters boundaries and can heal as well as teach. He/him.