Mantis: Team Members

Gene Abella

Gene Abella is a Canadian Comedy Award winning actor-improviser. His previous credits include: Just East of Broadway (2009 Patron's Pick) Toronto Fringe Festival, Plan 'Live' From Outer Space(2007 Canadian Comedy Award winner for Best Comedic Play) He can be seen doing shows at the Bad Dog Theatre. He has taught improvisational comedy for The Second City and has performed at the Chicago Improv Festival and the Upright Citizen's Brigade theatre in New York.

Rob Chodos

Rob Chodos burst onto the national stage in 1988, when he won the plum role of "Alligator" in a commercial for Hershey's chocolate. A dormant period followed.

Michelle Da Silva

Michelle has had the pleasure of being trained by Larry Horowitz, Mike Kennard, Robin Duke, Joe and Dave Flaherty, and Allen Guttman. She found her love of improv there and after graduating, she began training with the Impatient Theatre Co, where she studied under founder Kevin Patrick Robbins, Sarah Hillier, Alex Tindal, Sean Magee, Mark Cotoia and Sean Tabares.

Robert Ariss Hills

Robert Ariss Hills, born Robert Hills, born February 23rd 1984, born in Smithville, birthed in Hamilton, has spent his life in the most natural of ways.

John Reed

John Reed is a Toronto-based short filmmaker. He has recently taken an interest in improv theatre, applying improvisational techniques to film making. A lover of animation, dark comedy, and fantastic, grotesque and carnivalesque style, John is an enthusiastic maker and lover of short films.

Jimi Shlag

Jimi is a graduate of Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City. While there, he performed in some Off-Broadway shows including one with the Tony-award winning Willow Cabin Theatre. In Canada, he has played in Regina at the Globe Theatre, the Summerworks and the Fringe.

Mantis is directed by Kevin Whalen.