Instructor Bio.

Jeff Kinsler

Jeff is originally from Albany NY and grew up in a typical dysfunctional family. He found escape through humor and loved watching stand-up comics on TV. Making people laugh always seemed magical. He also voraciously consumed comics, Mad Magazine, and, as a young teen, National Lampoon. This accounts for his slightly twisted sense of humor.

He moved to Central New York to attend SUNY Utica…and liked the area so much, he decided to remain here. Also, his parents left the state while he was in college. So, he really didn’t have anything to go back to. Years later, he returned to academia to earn his Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) and worked in the field of mental health. He claims this has helped him immensely with running a comedy theatre.

In the late 1980’s, Jeff tried his hand at performing comedy. With no prior experience, he entered the Edge Gel - National Lampoon Comedy Competition…and lost. But, he was bit by the comedy bug, and kept plugging away. He eventually toured clubs and colleges in the US and Canada.

Jeff has over 35 years of experience in the Performing Arts. He’s appeared in TV, film, radio, and live theatre. He fell in love with Improv Comedy and trained with prominent instructors at comedy theatres including The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in NYC, The Annoyance Theatre…and he studied musical improv at Magnet Theater. Jeff’s former improv team, Saltine Warrior, performed in the Del Close Marathon (NYC) and regularly at the Paul Robeson Theater in Syracuse. He also hosted the shows for Salt City Improv’s house team, Pork Pie Hat…the longest running short-form improv team in CNY.

Jeff was the founder and lead instructor for the Central New York School for the Performing Arts (and immediately regretted giving it such a long name.) Since then, he’s taught a multitude of people improv, stand-up, acting and public speaking,…and has presented workshops in the U.S. and U.K. In 2009, Jeff opened and operated the Salt City Improv Theatre in Syracuse (until it was shuttered due to the pandemic.) He is currently in the process of opening a new comedy venue…The Oasis Comedy Theatre…in Oneida NY (slated to open in late Spring of 2025.)