Co-Artistic Director, Company Member and Coach
Karen Brelsford is the co-Artistic Director of BATS Improv, together with Derek Yee. She is a BATS main stage company member, improv instructor, and a working TV/Film actor in San Francisco, LA and Canada. She is an active member of SAG-AFTRA and UBCP/ACTRA. Karen has taught improv and acting for over 10 years, educating aspiring performers in Canada and the Bay Area.
Her love of improv began over 20 years ago in Victoria, BC when she was invited to join the improv group Throw Us A Line. From there, Karen developed a thriving career in improv, including performing with Canada’s award-winning improv group Sin City. She performs regularly with RagTag Improv, The Iron Stage, and the pandemic-produced international group Boyband. Karen also performs as a comedic Kate Middleton impersonator.
Before pursuing a career in the arts, Karen was a Dendrochronologist at the University of Victoria and the Pacific Forestry Centre in Canada. She used tree- ring science to date historic log structures in the Canadian Rockies and to study the effects of fungus on tree growth and mortality. Karen has an associate degree in acting from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NY. She also holds a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Victoria, Canada.
www.karenbrelsford.com.
