ABOUT

In the Fall of 2019, the stars aligned…

Long-time improv partners Rachel Michaela and Eric Weiss returned to their roots at Santa Fe Improv (SFI) where they originally studied under their mentor, Ben Taxy. They accepted an invitation to join the teaching team as the school entered a new era. It was at the first staff meeting where they crossed paths with Brian Crane ( Baron’s Barracudas). The result was improv love at first sight. Rachel, Eric, and Brian became quick friends and solid teammates leading to the creation of The Faculty Lounge™, New Mexico’s longest running professional longform improv team. Forged during the COVID-19 pandemic and the world of Zoomprov, the trio continued playing together and caught lightning in a bottle. When asked about it later, they agreed their meeting was divine intervention. 

Eventually, life’s ever-changing circumstances called Brian back to Chicago. Rachel and Eric kept his spot warm while they continued to evolve the team and perform for live audiences throughout New Mexico. Many talented improvisers have since played with The Faculty Lounge™, but none have matched the talent and commitment of core members Patrick Firme and Garner Jarrett. 

The Faculty Lounge™ has shared the stage with improv legends like Neil Casey (Jean Cocteau Cinema) and Will Hines (Santa Fe CloudTop Comedy Festival 2024). Rachel and Eric’s two-person show elevated The Faculty Lounge™ to new heights, with two appearances on Improv4Humans with Matt Besser and an invitation to the 2023 District Improv Festival in Washington, D.C.

In 2023, life shifted again as Garner relocated, transforming the team from a quartet to a trio. The Faculty Lounge™ continued to excel as the SFI house team, with Eric Weiss serving as SFI’s Executive/Artistic Director and Rachel Michaela as SFI’s Lead Instructor until Patrick also relocated in 2024.

Throughout its journey, The Faculty Lounge™ has navigated numerous transitions, yet its future remains anchored in the core values upon which the team was built: a commitment to authenticity in comedy, creative freedom in performance, and, most importantly, relationships founded on trust and unyielding loyalty.  

Stay tuned for the next chapter as The Faculty Lounge ™ presents a new era of LIVE Comedy Improv…

“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.”
– Coach Taylor, Friday Night Lights