ABOUT

Our Mission

Haus of Improv is dedicated to teaching the techniques of improvisation for effective communication, collaboration and active storytelling in the courtroom and beyond.

Our foundation is built upon the experience of well-rounded, diverse theater artists who are passionate about creating a positive, FUN and safe environment for “on-your-feet” learning and skill building.

We value the power of storytelling and strive to make a meaningful impact on our clients, community and society, knowing that any individual or group that can communicate effectively, can overcome any obstacle.

Steve Hohman, Creative Director

Steve graduated from San Diego State University where he received Bachelor’s of Art degrees in Theatre Arts and Communications (Media Management). As a professional improvisation actor, Steve Hohman honed his improv skills with the prestigious Upright Citizens Brigade (LA) and has been part of The National Comedy Theatre’s MainStage cast in San Diego since 2011, where he previously held the position of Managing Director.

As a teaching artist, Steve has taught with arts education organizations throughout Southern California including Segerstrom Center for the Arts (Orange County); The Old Globe; Playwrights Project; Junior Theatre (San Diego) and All the Arts for All the Kids (Fullerton).

For seven years, Steve performed as a witness in Roger Dodd’s Trial Skills Clinics. He has continued this work by assisting lawyers in their deposition, trial, and witness preparations.

Olivia Espinosa, Education Director

A bilingual actor, playwright, director and educator, Olivia has a passion for all things theatrical. After graduating from SDSU with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, she has been working in the industry ever since. Taking on roles from box office assistant to dramaturg (someone who helps a playwright revise their work).

Some of the best experiences she’s had on stage include touring with Armed Forces Entertainment, performing for military families stationed throughout Europe. In 2022, Olivia was nominated for best supporting performer in a play by BroadwayWorld San Diego.

As an educator, Olivia taught playwriting to students in group homes and detention facilities. Writing credits include commissioned plays to promote awareness and change in the foster care system.

In 2017, Olivia was the recipient of Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s most prestigious award- The Phil Killian Directing Fellowship where she was assistant director to Bill Rauch on the company’s first production by a Native American playwright. Since then, she has learned from and assisted prominent directors like Tony Taccone and Tina Landau (Tony Award Nominee).

Olivia combines all her theatrical experience to giving voice to Native American, Alaska Native and First Nations playwrights as an active member of Los Angeles’ Native Voices at the Autry Artist Ensemble.

Her biggest accomplishment yet comes from juggling her two children (both under 4) and her theatrical career while teaching improv, performance and storytelling to help attorneys become better advocates for their clients.

History

We founded Haus of Improv in 2015 after seeing the positive impact that learning improvisation had on the school age students and professionals we were teaching. The key elements of improv created a space where people could express their creativity while finding ways to problem solve, collaborate and communicate with each other effectively.

In 2020, when all theater gigs, teaching and live performances stopped, we reflected on what we love about our job(s)… building confidence in others and lifting underserved voices.

Pre-pandemic, we also traveled with trial skills clinics. Performing as witnesses to help attorneys with constructive cross-examination skills. In 2020, the clinics moved to zoom and it accelerated our work as witnesses. As a result, we’ve been cross-examined over 1,200 times by some of the world’s top attorneys. This unique experience has shown us the real power of “Yes, And” for constructive communication, even high stakes legal cases.

Our joint background as actors, educators and expert witnesses provides an unparalleled, customized service to help attorneys become better advocates for their clients while serving our mission as artists to tell stories that need to be heard.