Who we are
It all started in a living room in redondo beach…
In 1997, a small group of improv enthusiasts led by April Scott, Michael Sloan and Barbara Sloan (see below) started gathering for comedy workshops at Barbara and Michael Sloan’s home.
Though they didn’t know it at the time, this group was forming the foundation of April’s Fools Improv, now Hermosa Beach’s premier comedy improv troupe, and the longest-running community improv group in the South Bay.
Our members have trained at Second City, the Groundlings, UCB, iO West, and beyond. We’ve performed at venues across Los Angeles and we’ve taught hundreds of students.
Why do we do it? Because laughter matters and community matters.
April’s Fools believes that the beauty of the world lies in the diversity of it’s people. Come see a show. Take a class. Join the community.
We’re glad you found us.
Thank you, Charter Members!
April’s Fools was founded by longtime improvisers April Scott, Michael Sloan, and Barbara Sloan, whose shared love of comedy and spontaneous performance helped shape the troupe into a South Bay favorite. With roots in the improvisation teachings of the late Gloria Policare, the founders spent years performing, studying, and hosting workshops that brought together a growing community of improv performers and comedy lovers. Their spirit of playful collaboration and commitment to live comedy continues to inspire April’s Fools today.
Barbara Sloan is not only an improv enthusiast, she has also performed theatrical fencing—on film, the internet and at Renaissance Faires. Barbara and Michael give credit to the gift of laughter for their long and successful marriage, and recommend it to everyone.
Michael Sloan is a virtuoso at making every foreign language sound like Swedish. He adds comic imagination to every improvisation and he has performed in several L.A. venues, cable TV, and Renaissance Faires. He has also choreographed swordplay for film and stage.
April Scott loves good times with friends, cats, scrabble, poker, decorating, comedy improv, acting, singing, and creating from a blank canvas. One of her favorite quotes is: “When I hold gratitude in my heart, everything in my world works out.”