FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 20th, 2026
Barry Wright (Highwire Improv)
barry@highwireimprov.com | 302-745-6877
Highwire Improv Expands Board of Directors to Serve Baltimore Arts Community
Baltimore, MD (Jan. 20, 2026) — Highwire Improv, a non-profit theater committed to fostering creativity and community engagement through improv, has elected three new board members, Aaron Thomas, Emily Marvin, and Jess Robey, to expand support for their mission to steward a community of artists committed to growth, collaboration, joy, and justice — in Baltimore and around the world — through improvisational theater.
In their January board meeting, the Board of Directors unanimously elected the new members, increasing the board’s membership to eight, representing a wide range of perspectives and industry experience. The election followed an exhaustive national search process that began last October.
‘We’re thrilled to have Aaron, Emily, and Jess join the team; with the opening of The Highwire Center last year, Highwire Improv has an opportunity to grow into an anchor arts organization and critical community third space. The additional capacity, leadership, and insight that our new board members bring will be crucial to delivering on our promise to grow improv in Baltimore’ said co-founder and Board President, Barry Wright.
The board also thanked Katie Overbey, who stepped down from the board after a multi-year term of service; she joins co-founder Geoff Taylor as director emeritus.
About the new board members:
Aaron Thomas is a relative newbie to Improv, starting as a student with Highwire in 2025. He immediately felt drawn to the craft and welcomed with open arms by the community of performers. Aaron is currently performing with a Baltimore based team, full of former Highwire students.
A committed public servant, Aaron has been improvising ways to improve communities and organizations for two decades. He keeps the lights on serving as a career Officer in the National Guard.
Emily Marvin may be new to Baltimore and new to improv, but they have 20 years of experience doing cool stuff in community. Some of their proudest accomplishments include opening a food co-op, competing on a roller derby team, and launching a resource group for queer folks. A project manager by day, they love solving problems. If you see them at The Highwire Center, please say hi and tell them about your dog (seriously).
Originally from Charles Town, West Virginia, Jess Robey has called Baltimore home for over thirteen years. She discovered her passion for improv comedy six years ago during an introductory workshop and hasn’t looked back since. She has performed at various theaters and creative spaces across the East Coast.
Jess is currently a member of several local teams, including Babeprov, Important Screws, Teen Angst, Baltimore Holy S#!t, ImprovScape, and is the producer of Girl Talk. For Jess, improv is a liberating experience that offers the freedom to let go, have fun, and feel truly supported by others. When not doing improv, Jess is making candles, exploring new places in the city, and dancing on some local dance floor.
About Highwire Improv:
Highwire Improv is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is to steward a community of artists committed to growth, collaboration, joy, and justice — in Baltimore and around the world — through improvisational theater. Founded in 2020, they have produced over 1000 digital improv shows and have delivered hundreds of in-person shows, classes, and workshops all across Baltimore.
For more information, visit highwireimprov.com or on social media at Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.
