Shira Katz studied theatre at Towson State University in MD and has taken improv workshops in Chicago IL through Second City Improv. Shira has been performing with (and is an original member of) the Screaming Puppets improvisational comedy troupe for over 6 years. She has experience with both long and short form improvisational theatre. Shira has performed at the National Theatre in DC, the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, MD as well as the Chicago Improv and DC Comedy Festivals and venues across MD, DC and VA. Shira has taught improvisational comedy classes and workshops in the Baltimore and DC area and has worked with children as young as 4 years old. She has performed for a wide range of audiences including Bar and Bat Mitzvah groups, hospice workers as well as the legal department of America Online.
Additionally, Shira has used her acting and improv skills in an educational setting, working as a Standardized/Simulated Patient for the University of MD Medical School to help train (future) physicians. Shira finds that many fundamental principles of improvisational theatre are useful and valuable in everyday life. Because improv is spontaneous and unscripted, you must be fully present for each moment, let go of ideas or expectations of where you think a story might go, and be trusting of your stage partners so that together you can build, create and tell a good a story. Shira believes laughter is essential and nutritional to a healthy soul and encourages everyone to add some to their daily menu. She made aliyah to Jerusalem in August 2005 from Baltimore, MD. She is very excited to be here in Jerusalem working with Off the Wall and hopes to bring joy and smiles to everyone she encounters.