the company
The Imagination Machine was founded in 1981 in the city of Orange, California by Deborah Wren. As a classroom teacher and working actress, she saw a way to use her own creative abilities to encourage students to explore their imaginations through creative writing. She developed her concept for The Imagination Machine in order to foster children's ideas before they started censoring themselves about what was "good" or "bad." Through our program, students see their own stories come to life on stage! What started with only 14 schools over 30 years ago has blossomed into over 500 schools per year. Now The Imagination Machine can be found throughout the entire state of California and will soon be expanding its touring company into Arizona and Nevada!
the journey of
a teacher
meet
our cast
Filled with professional actors and musicians, we absolutely adore our cast of performers. Learn more about them; we know you will too!
robert ramirez
He/Him
Actor
A man who wears too many hats, Robert is an Actor, Musician, Dancer, Magician, and Consultant. His career includes Broadway national tours and multiple television appearances in many forms. He loves to teach and share his experiences to help represent performing as a professional career.
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loves - Video Games, Jeopardy, Burgers
started - January, 2013
sam forbes
He/Him
Associate Creative Director/Actor
As a big proponent of celebrating the ideas of young people and a big fan of performing as wackier things like dragons, trolls, and babies - Sam knew that joining The Imagination Machine was going to be a life-altering event. Sam has three younger siblings that are all 10+ years his junior, and is very grateful to have their influence reflected in his work.
loves - Shrimp, Beatboxing, LoL eSports
started - April, 2014
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kelley dorney
She/Her
Actor
Hailing from Texas, she's lived in New York, London, and has now called Los Angeles her home for over a decade. She's performed locally at the Ahmanson, Hollywood Bowl, La Mirada, Musical Theatre West, 3D Theatricals, and Reprise 2.0 to name a few. Kelly loves performing children's stories and is in constant awe of their imaginations and creativity.
loves - Goofy, "I Love Lucy," National Parks
started - November, 2014
paul zelhart
He/Him
Actor
Paul is a long time fan of creativity and stories, and has had a wonderful time working for The Imagination Machine. When he's not onstage, yelling in silly voices, he runs camps to teach children of all ages roleplaying games.
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loves - Led Zeppelin, Spicy Mango, Fantasy Books
started - January, 2019
mike cavinder
He/Him
Actor
Mike is a fun, charismatic character who has performed all over the world as a professional actor. He has performed as far as Singapore and Saudi Arabia to right here in our backyard of Southern California. Musical or play, he's delighted to be onstage.
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loves - Cooking, Laughter, Woodworking
started - February, 2022
phil ward
He/Him
Accompanist/Actor
Phil performs a lot at Knott's Berry Farm and has been an ensemble member at Theatre of NOTE in Hollywood for almost 40 years. He and his guitar appear around Southern California doing original humorous folk songs, and when he makes recordings of them he releases them on the Trough Records Label.
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loves - Vegetarian Food, Monster Movies
started - February, 2022
emily abeles
She/Her
Actor
Emily is an actress and writer, graduating from UC Irvine with a degree in musical theater, as well as memories of the school's newsroom (the New U). She continues to pursue theater and film in LA and New York, and is excited to see where her journey takes her next. Much love to her parents and family - thank you for (literally) everything.
loves - Movies with Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan
started - October, 2022
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amanda godoy
She/Her
Actor
Amanda is an award winning actress and educator with degrees in Acting and Humanities from Azusa Pacific University - where she now teaches! As an actor, she's worked with Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, and more. As an educator, she's taught improv, sketch comedy, acting, and Shakespeare. She also writes, directs, and produces film projects. She believes nothing is more powerful than storytelling!
loves - Shrek, Chips & Guac, Reality TV
started - October, 2022
emily-mae kamp
She/Her
Actor
A graduate of USC with degrees in Acting & Dance, Emily-Mae has also trained at UCB, The Second City, and The Groundlings. When she is not choreographing, or working with her own students, she enjoys reading Shakespeare and memorizing as many monologues as she can. Emily-Mae began performing stand-up comedy at the age of 14 in Los Angeles - with her mom signing her into open mics.
loves - Making Popcorn, SNL Trivia, Her Birthday
started - October, 2022
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anya johnston
She/Her
Actor
Anya hails from the small city of Pinole in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the ripe age of four, she started performing in musicals at her local community theater. She developed a love for performing and storytelling and eventually received her B.A. in Drama with Honors from UC Irvine. She hopes every young person can experience the magic of storytelling like she did as a kid!
loves - Board Games, Ice Cream in a Cone
started - February, 2023
sarah wolter
She/Her
Actor
Sarah has been a performer and educator for 20+ years. She served as an award winning Artist in Residence at the Phoenix Theatre Company in her home state of Arizona, before relocating to Los Angeles. Sarah has appeared on various stages around the LA area including The Groundlings, Second City, Rockwell Table & Stage and La Mirada Theatre to name just a few.
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loves - Going to Bed Early & Sleeping Late
started - May, 2023
joseph bricker
He/Him
Actor
Joseph is a corn-fed midwesterner now living in Los Angeles. Coming from a big family (he's the fifth of six kids!), he learned to be loud and proud. After studying classical theatre and receiving his BFA in acting from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre training program, he made his way to California. When he's not acting, you can find him producing, writing, teaching theatre, or performing poetry.
loves - Dungeons & Dragons, Poetry, Ramen
started - January, 2024
eric modyman
He/Him
Actor
A big kid at heart, Eric is excited to be bringing children's stories to life. With over 20 years of experience as an actor and director, Eric has close to 150 projects to his resume. Eric is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, with small appearances in "Colin in Black and White," "Hacks," and "80 For Brady." He's worked with Chapman University, the California Educational Theatre Association, and is a voter for the OC Theatre Guild.
loves - Vinyl Records, Traveling, Disneyland
started - January, 2024
clayton moore
He/Him
Actor
Clayton Moore is an Orange County-based writer and performer who has been bringing children's stories to life as a fun uncle for years. He's thrilled to have the chance to bring his uncl-ly talents to The Imagination Machine and can't wait to inspire the next generation of writers and performers.
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loves - New York Knicks, James Webb Deep Space
started - January, 2024
molly renze
She/Her
Actor
Molly Renze is an LA-based actress, comedian, and clown! She graduated from clown school at Phiippe Gaulier in France and received her Acting BFA at Cal State University, Fullerton. Her improv training includes The Groundling, UCB, and ComedySportz. Molly performs all over Los Angeles and has been on lineups with such comedians as: Reggie Watts, Chelsea Peretti, Atsuko Okatsuka, and many more.
loves - Muppets, Thrifting, Skate 3, Noodles
started - January, 2024
kyle pearson
He/Him
Actor
In his freshmen year of high school, Kyle got his first-ever opportunity to be a performer in his school's theatre program. Little did he know that this class would kickstart his passion for improv, musicals, and all matter of comedy! Now, Kyle has been goofing around for over 10+ years; having performed, hosted, and directed shows all across OC/LA. Kyle hopes to keep learning more and more about how to make people laugh.
loves - Video Games, Trivia, Movie, Friends <3
started - April, 2024
brianna diiorio
She/Her
Actor
Brianna is so delighted to be a part of The Imagination Machine! As someone who has worked in children's theater for over 5 years, she is excited to help encourage the creativity of kids throughout Southern California. In addition to performing, she currently teaches after school musical theater to elementary-aged students in Orange County.
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loves - Bird-watching, Avatar the Last Airbender
started - December, 2024
danny ditorrice
He/Him
Actor
Danny received his BA in Acting from the University of Nothern Colorado in 2017. Since then, he's performed a Jim Henson Puppet at Universal Studios, appeared on television, and written/produced several award-winning independent short films. Danny performed comedy for children at Adam's Mystery Playhouse, and is thrilled to say he's driving his 5-speed Mustang around to schools.
loves - 1960's Race Cars, Fresh Basil, John Denver
started - December, 2024
kyle goulston
He/Him
Actor
Kyle Goulston has been performing improv comedy for over 10 years. Originally from Las Vegas, Kyle now lives in Orange County with a cat that isn't his. When he's not performing or writing comedy, Kyle can be found if you look really hard. Kyle is also the proud owner of a mini fridge!
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loves - Survivor, Board Games, Waluigi
started - December, 2024
jenni thurmond
She/Her
Actor
Jenni is thrilled to join the team at The Imagination Machine! She has a great love for live theatre both onstage and in backstage roles. Jenni has over 20 years of experience performing for guests from all over the world at The Disneyland Resort! She can't wait to bring your stories to life!
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loves - Her Fur Babies, Working With Non-Profits
started - December, 2024
tucker boyes
He/Him
Accompanist/Actor
Tucker Boyes is a giant kid. When he isn't playing piano and jamming to showtunes, he's drawing fantastic ideas for comic books and new superheroes. Keep being creative!
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loves - Dr. Pepper, Cheez-Its, Angels Baseball
started - February, 2025
keith collins
He/Him
Actor
Keith is thrilled to be working with the company that brought his opus, "My Friend the Turkey," to the stage when he was 11 years old. He has performed across the US and soloed in Japan and Australia - but nothing he's done is as cool as when he sang the National Anthem at Dodgers Stadium. Of all the work Keith has done through the years, being a dad is his favorite.
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loves - Dad Jokes (or "jokes" as he calls them)
started - February, 2025
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randi de marco
She/Her
Actor
Randi is a comedienne, singer, actor, and writer from Los Angeles! You can find her performing improv comedy, musical improv, and sketch monthly at UCB Franklin in Hollywood. She's also a yoga teacher (E-RYT 200)!
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loves - PeeWee Herman, Weezer, Trader Joe's
started - March, 2025
sierra green
She/Her
Actor
Sierra is an LA-based actress, Emcee, and Voiceover Artist. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Sierra moved to California to study Acting & Music at Chapman University. Since graduation, she's been a Character Performer for Disneyland & Universal Studios, an Anchor for iHeartRadio, a Podcast Host, and an On-Camera Spokesperson. She's loves bringing adventures to life and hangin' with her husband and two cats!
loves - A Themed Party, Finding Faces in Objects
started - March, 2025
derek luetjen
He/Him
Actor
Derek was born and raised in Overland Park, Kansas, and moved to California in 2012 to pursue stand-up comedy. After performing 300 shows in 2014, he walked away from stand-up to pursue improv. He recently married a wonderful woman and liver with her and his little dog Luna Casserole. He worked as an animator for a few years until the writer's strike in 2023, and is now working towards an electrician career. ​​​
loves - Ways to Improve Life, Wrestling His Pup
started - April, 2025
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caitlin lopez
She/Her
Actor
Caitlin has gone to a whole lot of school for the thing she loves a lot: theater. A director and performer - she has her BA in Acting from CSU San Bernardino and an MFA in Directing from Ohio University. Combined with over 20 years as an improviser performing all over the country, she's using her knowledge to make everyone as obsessed with theater as she is.
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loves - Scruffy Dogs, Floppy Dogs, Wiggly Dogs
started - May, 2025