Sharla's Story
With a BA in Theatre from Georgia Southern University, Sharla took a leap of faith after graduation and moved to Hong Kong for two years. Under contract with Dramatic English, she worked in public schools, helping students build confidence in speaking English through drama classes. But her passion for performing couldn't be ignored. She soon joined the improv ensemble People’s Liberation, performing short-form improv for locals and tourists at TakeOut Comedy Club. Surrounded by a diverse, international ensemble, her love for improv truly ignited.
Fueled by this newfound passion, Sharla knew exactly where to go next: Chicago—the heart of improv. Once there, she dove headfirst into the scene. She trained at Second City, The Annoyance, and took Long Form Improv Training with Jimmy Carrane. She went on to produce and perform in countless improv and sketch shows at The Second City, The Annoyance, ComedySportz, The Public House, iO Theater, The Playground, and Theater Wit.
Everything changed when she saw a show by pH Productions, a high-energy, interactive long-form improv and sketch ensemble. Immediately, she knew—this was her tribe. After auditioning, she joined the team and spent the next five years performing with them. Together, they built their own theater in the Chicago neighborhood Andersonville . The work was electric: new improv formats, original sketch shows, full-length musicals, holiday specials, kids shows—something for everyone, always evolving.
In addition to performing, Sharla coached students through the pH College Program, mentoring Loyola University students in weekly College Night shows. She also completed the Second City Conservatory Program, deepening her craft even further.
In 2016, Sharla took a year-long adventure to Okaya, a small town in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture, where she taught English. Upon returning to Chicago, she rejoined pH one last time for their final performances before the theater sadly closed its doors.
A year later, Sharla and her husband were expecting their first child and decided to move to Colorado Springs. UCA was born in the dark days of covid in 2020 and Sharla realized uniting people through improv was the new path she couldn't ignore. Today, they live in Wichita, where Sharla’s passion for improv continues to thrive. You can catch her at Vorshay's performing with the wonderful troupe Say What?! Improv.
She’s beyond excited to share her experience and love for comedy with the local community!
