Performers
PRIYA BIRD
Priya is a native Californian. As a child, people would tell Priya she had a funny bone. She became so concerned about this that she took a career in healthcare to find a cure. She’s still searching for a treatment plan. Priya found her way to Improv so she could be more relatable to the Hipsters. Priya gave up her mom jeans for skinny jeans but can someone please let Priya know if it is “hip” to wear a knit beanie or a fedora hat these days? Priya loves spending time with her family, being married to the “Bard of Devon”, pretending to be Irish, figuring out the difference between string theory vs string cheese, and oh yeah, Held2gether. Finally, Priya is the COO of her aunt’s matchmaking business. So if you are interested in finding love please contact us at 1-800-Held-2-gether. Remember, all sales are final.
AGNES CHAN
Agnes is the mom to 37 kids. She first broke into television in 37 Kids and Counting. People Magazine calls her the next Kris Jenner with her kids starring in This Is Us, hosting The Late Late Show, and occupying every minor role on the Disney Channel. She currently stars in The Real Housewives of Long Beach. Agnes has performed in many Held2gether firsts including the first scripted play, The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, the first Stand-Up Comedy Showcase, and the first improvised Superhero show. She’s a showstopper. The shows stop after their first and only performance with Agnes. Her improv career first started while growing up in Long Beach where another troupe member’s mom used to babysit her. Agnes moved to New York for college and stayed busy writing and starring in a Tony Award winning musical about one of the Founding Fathers. She threw away her shot and moved back to Long Beach to join the Held2gether Troupe and be cared for by her old babysitter.
BRODY FITZPATRICK
Brody was raised by a Hungarian woman in the Bronx with other people in a small apartment that sometimes had no hot water or heat always on the coldest days in the winter. He learned everything he needed to survive on his own. He wanted more than just the day to day blady, blah blah, and longed to be part of an artistic and supportive community. Brody stowed away in an 18 wheeler in search of a dream, wandered through life and eventually ended up in California. He searched high and low until someone told him that he needed to go to Long Beach. Brody eventually found Held2Gether and had his first level one class with the talented Kendra Nicholson in 2017.
LANI HA
DARREN HELD
Darren was cemented into the entertainment industry when he was asked to become Chris Hemsworth’s body double. After numerous female maulings and assassination attempts, he decided it was much safer to direct other unsuspecting people into peril on stage. His favorite hobbies are broccoli separating, skipping to “Come on Eileen” and hugging. He’s found all of these things to be extremely helpful when directing his troupe, particularly on the days when Mercury is in retrograde.
MICHAEL KHURAIBET
Michael has been correcting people on the pronunciation of his last name for the last 30 years. He is the youngest of four children, which makes him especially desperate to win your approval. In his free time, Michael likes riding his bike around Long Beach with his wife. She does not do improv. It’s a very sensitive issue in their relationship. I really wish you hadn’t brought it up. And now they’re arguing. Great, thank you for that. You know, I have to live with this. You just get to read and laugh and walk away. But there are real people on the other side of this keyboard.
Michael has a master’s degree in creative writing, which he hopes will prove useful as a member of the Held2gether troupe. If not, he spent $113,000 for nothing. Oh great, now they’re arguing about that. Boy, you’ve really done it this time. I hope you’re happy.
ALI KIMMEL
Ali has lived most of her life in southern California, and hails from the mysterious and rarely talked about land called the High Desert of San Bernardino County. An only child, she was 100% that kid who would randomly start singing on the bus and had lots of imaginary friends. She’s proud to say she has actual friends these days, and the imaginary ones only made an appearance that one time she tried hypnotherapy. The random singing still happens, though now in more socially acceptable situations.
Ali attended an acting conservatory for college and disliked it most of the time. She also was a full-time non-union extra for three years, and enjoys being that person you’re sure you’ve seen somewhere. Maybe from school? Church? No? Wow, that’s weird. She has done a bunch of community theatre, which is how she ultimately first learned about Held2Gether before ever moving to the Long Beach area. She moved there during the height of the pandemic, and once things felt safer to her, Ali decided to take classes there, as she has always enjoyed being silly with other people.
When not improvising, Ali can be found playing World of Warcraft (for Gilneas!), on her phone way too much, or repairing other people’s glasses. Please remember to not clean your glasses dry, remove them with one hand (unless you only have one hand—that was a super awkward experience), or push them on top of your head when you’re not using them. Sure, they look good up there, but that’s why they’re stretched out. Thank you.
JESSICA LORD
ANN MANTEL
Ann has underwear older than many of her troupe members. Yet she still refuses to act her age. Settled here in Long Beach for seven years, Ann is thrilled to have found her kooky comrades of Held2Gether. Ann spent her early years in New York City where for 35 years, she wore mostly black, got everywhere on the Subway and leased a succession of rent stabilized apartments. Now in California, Ann can be seen wearing actual colors. On the rare occasion that Ann in fact walks somewhere, she marvels at herself waiting for the WALK light before crossing the street. Ann would like to thank the Long Beach Unified School District for her salary and her union for collectively bargaining on her behalf. Deep bows to Darren, Scott and the Held2Gether Company for their faith and patience. Lastly, Ann would like to thank the universe for locating the Company in Long Beach where she can exercise her performance muscles without ever having to get on the 405.
NEIL MATSUZAKI
The Neil is a humanoid creature that exists to eat, sleep, and consume memes. The Neil is native to the San Gabriel Valley but has been seen as far out as the wilds of Sacramento. Current migratory patterns have seen the Neil in the Long Beach area integrating itself with the indigenous improv scene. If you see one, don’t panic. He is relatively harmless and will only approach if he is foraging for food or video games. The Neil is a good source of nerd lore and is a good sacrifice on any adventure to show that the story is getting serious.
CHRISSIE MUGGERIDGE
Chrissie Muggeridge wants to change the world. Her notebooks are bursting with plans for film collectives, educational uprisings, and pickleball brunch halls the world isn’t ready for. She’ll fill you in on the details later… unless the suggestion from the audience changes everything.
ALBERTO SANCHEZ
Alberto is a Tax Man by day and Improvisor by night. Born and raised in the South Bay and LBC! He loves to make people laugh and is always game to play the fool. Alberto constantly deep-dives into hobbies; from salsa dancing teams to sumo wrestling. With four years of improv experience, he is ready to dive deeper and make you all laugh.
ALEX SWANSON
Alex Swanson is a So Cal native and unapologetic Disney adult. Since joining Held2gether a year and a half ago, he has embraced every opportunity to grow as a performer and collaborator. He’s excited to share the stage with the troupe and bring audiences laughter as often as you’ll allow him!
BILL VETRO
Infected with the Improv virus early in his acting career, Bill has spent three decades learning, performing and teaching Improv. He is happy to be in Held2gether with this talented troupe. “It’s fun to become multiple characters and not be diagnosed with a disorder”, Bill says. “And you never know what’s gonna happen, not like porn acting.
