Founder

James Robilotta is the founder of the freestyle-rapping, beatboxing, always fresh, long-form team “North Coast”. He started performing improv and stand-up comedy in 2004 and continued in graduate school with Clemson University’s troupe, “Mock Turtle Soup”. In 2007 he started studying at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and the Magnet Theater, in New York City. James now teaches hip hop improv at the Magnet theater and workshops at comedy festivals around the country.

Outside of improv, James is a Professional Speaker who talks with corporate and college audiences around North America about Authentic Leadership and Networking. He is also a Personal Coach who hold people accountable to pursuing their goals and living more purposeful lives.

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Douglas Widick is a founding member of Hip-Hop Improv group, North Coast, which was named one of Timeout NY’s Top 10 Comedy Shows of 2014. You can catch him performing around NYC with many other musical improv, improv, and sketch groups as well. He is a member of house Musical Improv teams at both the Magnet and PIT Theaters, and just finished sketch shows with Pop Roulette (PIT), The 2017 Tony Awards (UCB), Dead Dads Club (UCB).

He also performs with UCB Theater NY Maude Sketch Team Dangerous Woman. Doug teaches an 8-week Hip-Hop Improv class at the Magnet Theater, and was recently seen in the Off-Broadway musicals, F#%king Up Everything and Blank! The Musical.

doug@northcoastnyc.com

Producer

A Brooklyn girl since 1987, Tori has been dedicated to live theatre since the age of 16. From building stages at Lincoln Center to Company Managing at Barrow Street Theatre, she's had the pleasure of working with such legends as TJ & Dave, Daniel Kitson, and Colin Quinn to name a few!

In 2016 Tori hopped the pond to produce theatre and comedy in the UK, including the Edinburgh Fringe and VAULT festivals annually. In London she solidified her love of satire while producing NewsRevue, the world's longest-running live comedy show. In addition to working alongside the brilliant North Coast, she's also spent the past 2 years event-managing the immersive theatrical powerhouses Punchdrunk and Secret Cinema.

Dividing her time between continents, Tori proudly supports artists in whichever country she finds them!

tori@northcoastnyc.com

Diversity Program Director

RJ Williams is a performer, coach, and a cup of awesome from Dallas, TX. In addition to North Coast Hip Hop Improv, he performs with Baby Wants Candy and is on a house team at The Peoples Improv Theater.

Additionally, RJ has has performed around the US and Europe. If smiles were currency, RJ would be rich.