Much Ado About Nothing actress Beatrice and Hero

ACTOR | IMPROVISER | DIRECTOR

Sara Mountjoy-Pepka

Actor, improviser, director, and other things too. Now based in Chicago via Los Angeles and Seattle. Special focus on comedy, Shakespeare, and comedic Shakespeare.

Shakespeare

Sara is passionate about Shakespeare. Her performance history includes Great River Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Shakespeare Company / Wooden O, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum, Ensemble Shakespeare Theater, and GreenStage Shakespeare in the Parks.She does other theatre too, obviously.

A Midsummer Night's Dream Hermia or Helena

Improv / Clown / Mime

Sara has been a professional improviser since 2008, including company membership with the acclaimed Impro Theatre of Los Angeles and Seattle TheatreSports / Unexpected Productions. She is a founding member and director with Ripley Improv and The Improvised Generation. Her specialty is full-length improvised plays in more than a dozen classic and contemporary genres, from improvised Shakespeare and Chekhov to Star Trek: TNG and YA dystopia.Sara is also a professional mime, and toured with Magic Circle Mime Company for 17 years, performing with major orchestras around the world. She's been on Jumbotrons in Taiwan . . . twice!

Directing

In addition to performance, Sara is a director and producer. Her Jane Austen UnScripted at the Garry Marshall Theater in Los Angeles sold out and extended twice. The Improvised Generation (improvised Star Trek: TNG) ran for six seasons and sold out every show.Other directing/producing credits include ENCOUNTER for Ripley Improv, Little House on Vermont for Impro Studio, and Bubbles in the Wine for Unexpected Productions.

Chicago acting teacher
Illinois actress

Classes / Coaching

Sara is a regular improv/acting coach and teacher, and offers workshops or multiple sessions with your group based on your specific needs and targets. Rates dependent on size of group, setting and curriculum.Current classes:Level 2: Shurtleff to Scene @ Acting Studio Chicago
Grades 9-12: Acting for Teens @ Acting Studio ChicagoPast classes and workshops include:

  • Physical Communication for Improvisers and Actors

  • Bringing Clown Logic to Your Characters

  • A Grounded Launch for a Clear Story (Narrative Improvising)

  • "Yes, And" for Non-Actors

Sara is also available as a one-on-one coach for Shakespeare first-round audition monologues and call-back scenes. $40 per hour.

Resume and Headshots

Click below to view Sara's resume and headshot. Reel clips available on Actors Access.