Passing the Torch: AIN's New Board and a Fond Farewell to Outgoing LeadersIn December 2024, we asked our membership to accept or reject the new board slate. An overwhelming approval from the membership accepted the new slate. The Applied Improvisation Network is thrilled to introduce our newly elected AIN Board of Directors! These dedicated individuals have stepped up to lead our network, bringing with them a wealth of applied improvisation experience and fresh perspectives. As we welcome this new group, we also extend our deepest gratitude to outgoing AIN Board President, Ed Reggi, and Vice President, Kat Koppett, for their exceptional service and dedicated leadership over the past 4 years. Their incredible dedication and vision have been instrumental in shaping AIN into the premier professional association for applied improvisation. We are excited to see the innovative ideas and energy that our incoming President, Vicki Crooks, and Vice President, Louis Wells, will bring to the table as they guide us into the future of our network. Please join us in congratulating the entire new board and expressing our sincere appreciation to our outgoing leaders.
Ed Reggi writes... It is with a heart full of pride that I pass the torch to Vicki Crooks, our new President and Louis Wells our next Vice President. Leading this AIN as its President over the past three years has been one of the greatest honors, and I am filled with immense gratitude for the support, dedication, and camaraderie of the entire board. As I step back, I am confident that both Vicki and Louis will bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and unwavering passion to their roles. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories, and always remember the incredible impact we have on the global AIN membership and community. Congratulations, and welcome to this exciting new chapter! Kat Koppett says... I am delighted that Vicki and Louis will be stepping into AIN leadership roles. They both have a special combination of experience with our organization and fresh energy and insight. Long ago we built into our bylaws term limits. I believe that this is precisely the gift of this: to hand the baton to new folks who will have new approaches, energy and styles. I look forward to continuing to support our collective endeavors and encourage you all to get involved to support our new board!
Letters from our new AIN Board President and Vice-President
Incoming President, Vicki Crooks says... It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the new president of AIN. I am currently teaching in higher education but also have been involved in theatre for many years. I have used applied improvisation in the classroom as well as the theatre and I enjoy helping others think about how they can integrate improvisation in non-traditional settings. I attended my first AIN conference in 2011 (Baltimore, Maryland—U.S.A.). Despite not knowing a single person, I felt very welcomed and included. What a glorious experience it was to be with so many like-minded people. Since that first conference, I have been privileged to attend 8 more in-person conferences. I regularly attend academic conferences; but the AIN Global Conference remains my favorite for ideas, inspiration, and especially for the chance to learn from amazing presenters. Now, almost 14 years later, I am stepping in to serve as your president and feeling a mixture of gratitude, trepidation, and excitement. I am grateful to be part of this unique organization, where members from around the globe and from all walks of life can organize around the ideas and practices of applied improvisation. I am deeply appreciative for my board colleagues – all volunteers who work to respond to members, build sustainable organizational practices, and ensure that AIN continues to grow as a leading organization in the world of applied improvisation. I feel some trepidation at the thought of following our previous board president, Ed Reggi, and vice-president, Kat Koppett. I consider both Reggi and Kat personal mentors and AIN heroes. They have been a tremendous asset to our organization and community. The next time you see either of them, let them know their work is appreciated! I am excited about the year ahead and look forward to working closely with the executive team of Louis Wells, Chris Esparza, Bryan Cooperrider, as well as our amazing board members, and terrific administrator Anna Alexander. We are working to develop new platforms and offerings in response to member needs and interests and will continue to provide a range of successful programing including open space, member talks, virtual and in-person conferences. I invite all of you to attend the upcoming 2025 AIN Conference in Florida. Whether you’ve been to several AIN conferences before or are considering attending for the first time, I encourage you to come and be a part of the inspiring, supportive community that I discovered during my first conference in Baltimore. If you have any questions about the conference, your membership, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, my fellow board members, or Anna Alexander. See you in Florida!
Incoming Vice-President, Louis Wells writes... I’m thrilled to join the executive team of AIN as your new Vice President. From my first conference in Montreal, I knew I had found a community that shared my core values—connection, creativity, and collaboration. That experience shaped my academic and artistic journey, and I’ve been an active part of AIN ever since, serving on the board for six years and overseeing various programs. AIN is a community I deeply value, and my goal is to enhance its reputation and expand opportunities for meaningful connection among our members. In uncertain times, we have the unique ability to offer guidance, create spaces where attention is nurtured rather than exploited, and amplify the voices of those seeking collaboration and belonging. My background is rooted in theater—I have been a university professor, improv performer, theater director, and now the artistic director of a new theater in Zaragoza, Spain, where I’ve lived for the past three years. Applied improvisation has been central to my work and informs everything I do. I’m excited to work alongside Vicki and all of you to strengthen our community and continue building a space where applied improvisation thrives.
Welcome our brand new Board of Directors Members
What our newly elected Board of Directors Members hope to contribute — Karolína Harries writes... I offer my optimism, energy, solution and action focused approach, my supportive nature and also my experiences from managing teams and projects in both non-governmental and corporate setting. I can also offer my awarness of the intercultural differences, knowledge of the central and eastern European context and also understanding of/for the "western" and the US context. Povilas Plūkas says... My desire to give back to the AIN community stems from the support I received during challenging times. I believe in a fair balance of give and take, and serving on the board would allow me to give back. I'm eager to identify areas where my initiative and competences can be best utilized, and I'm keen to collaborate with both former and current board members to understand the strategic direction of the AIN. From the age of 16, I've consistently served on boards, councils, and similar bodies, gaining experience with diverse individuals and organizations. My strengths lie in communication, cooperation, and fostering understanding across cultural and professional backgrounds. I possess strong organizational, resource management, and leadership skills, honed through various roles such as chairman, executive partner, and founder. I have experience initiating and managing projects ranging from €500 to €500,000, often overseeing finances, budgets, and teams, as well as securing grants and fundraising. Here are some recently brainstormed areas I'd be interested in developing:
Patrick Short writes... My whole thing is helping other folks grow. I love seeing the lights come on. I'd like to see AIN respond more nimbly to new contexts and new opportunities. I have substantial experience in event planning and people managing. I know a little to a lot about a very wide set of topics. I have a track record of building community.
Thank you to all of our amazing board of directors! We thank everyone for serving on our Board—both past and present! It is the dedication of our volunteers who make AIN the premier professional association for applied improvisation. (Last Updated: Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 at 6pm eastern) |
