Sandy Bruce, Founder and Exec Dir of Spectrum Arts, Inc. ("Shenanigans"), was inspired by her teen-aged grandson's challenges in a youth theater production group to research other outlets for his desire to get on stage. She learned about improv theater and decided it would be a good approach to dealing with the social challenges of autism along with giving a performance outlet. So Shenanigans was born! Sandy is well-researched on issues and challenges of those on the autistic spectrum and believes that experiencing the joy of the arts is an integral part of a well-rounded life for people of all abilities. Having enjoyed her casual pursuits as an artist and musician since early childhood, she is passionate about the lifelong rewards found within the arts. Sandy sees accessibility to the performing and creative arts for those with autism as a way to not only develop social skills, but to gain self-confidence and joy through the experience of performing. Incorporated as Spectrum Arts, Inc., she hopes the works through Shenanigans will increase community awareness of the unique contributions of those with autism. Sandy brings a varied business background in sales and corporate marketing communications to her venture, as well as prior entrepreneurial experience in arts related businesses.





JStar, Shenanigans charter instructor, has studied improv at iO (Chicago), The Annoyance (Chicago), Second City (Chicago, L.A., Las Vegas), and Actor’s Express. Bitten by the acting bug as a young child, he began his acting career in college and has performed on TV, stage, film and commercials. With his sharp wit and playful sense of humor, JStar has secured a prominent place for himself within the Atlanta improv community. As director, founder, and player of The Basement Theatre in Buckhead, he is eager to share his passion for improv acting with students of all ages. He also produces an annual improv festival, Spontaneous Combustion Atlanta, that draws improv talent from around the country. JStar can often be found entertaining the young patients at CHOA-Egleston Children's Hospital, and in his spare time, he enjoys creating mixed media paintings, functional sculptures and artistic lighting & furniture pieces.




Jason Evans performed his first play when he was in 1st grade & understands how theatre can positively affect a child’s life. He trained in improvisational skills at Whole World Theatre in the '90s and sees the medium as a perfect way to introduce kids of all backgrounds to the stage. Jason is also a volunteer docent/storyteller for the National Park Service; a counselor at Camp MAGIK (a special grief camp for kids); and is CEO of the Atlanta Stay-at-Home-Dads group, Dad-2-Dad. Dedicated father of a child with autism, Jason's Shenanigans classes are filled with energy and his personal sensitivity to the needs of autism.



Rachelle (Merlis) Freedman received her B.A. in theatre from Georgia State University and has taught acting workshops and directed plays for children, teens, and adults across the country. She was a founding writer/director of The Miracle Project, a theatre program for children with special needs, which was featured in the award-winning documentary Autism: The Musical. She was also an instructor at Kol Neshama, an LA-based acting conservatory for girls, and has directed for the Jewish Women’s Repertory Company of Los Angeles. She currently teaches Drama at Torah Day School of Atlanta, and is the director of Experience the Arts, a Performing Arts camp. Her most important role, however, is playing Mommy to her three little hooligans at home.



Jesse Cramer is a recent graduate of Penn State University in English and Theater. His Penn State years were filled with disappointing football, but also, luckily, lots of improv training and performance. He has been involved in the improv community since 2006, performing for two years with his inaugural troupe "Your Ex-Boyfriends." He has performed alongside and trained with numerous theaters and troupes such as The Upright Citizens Brigade (NYC), The Philly Improv Theater, Rare Bird Show (Philly), Baby Wants Candy (NYC), DERRICK Comedy (LA), and Code Duello (Boston). Although he is an aspiring improv and stage artist, Jesse also works at The Community School, a specialized environment for adolescents and young adults with autism, in Decatur. He loves this job, since it gives him the opportunity to be a kid all day, every day, hopefully forever.



Randi Gould, Shenanigans's drum circle facilitator, has been a professional Latin percussionist for over 20 years. The Randi G Trio and Randi G and the Jazz Ensemble played in venues around the southeast, including The Opryland Hotel, Cheekwood Academy of the Arts, and Sam Snead Golf Tournaments. Randi has traveled to Canada, Africa, England and all over the U.S. playing latin drums and piano as a music minister and worship leader and mentor. She has been working as a mentor with autistic children and adults for almost two years, using drums as a vehicle for enhancing emotional expression, interpersonal communication, and self-confidence. Prior to that Randi was a parapro in the Cherokee County School system, working with mild-moderate students with emotional, cognitive, and developmental disorders. Early on, she saw the spark that is ignited when students participate in creative musical expression. Her vision is to see the joy and interplay that comes from making music and, in turn, the music that comes flowing out of such joy! Randi is a certified Kindermusik educator, a Cherokee County spec ed sub and a private music teacher for special needs kids of all ages and challenges



Desiree’ Thomas is an elementary school teacher with over ten years of classroom experience. She has spent a large portion of her career teaching inclusive education and working with children with autism.  Her love for performing and being on stage began at birth. By day she is on stage in front of a captivated audience of young boys and girls where she is by far the biggest kid in the room! She recently began taking improv theatre classes and fell in love with the art. Desiree’ is inspired by what improv can do to benefit all children, especially those on the autism spectrum. She brings years of experience, patience, a love for children, and lots of energy!



Alison Ratner is a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She received her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work in 2005 and has a BA in Psychology from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. Alison’s experience includes working with children, adolescents, families, and groups. She has worked in a number of therapeutic settings. They include a residential treatment facility for adolescents, a free outpatient center for children and families, an outpatient community mental health center, and a private practice social skills center for children. Alison is currently leading social skills group therapy at a school for children with developmental disabilities, providing mental health consulting at a school for children with special learning and behavioral needs, leading anti-bullying and friendship groups in a local pre-school, and seeing children, teens, and families in private practice. As part of the Shenanigans team, she is leading a new class on social skills through therapeutic improv, a more structured approach through improv exercises and therapeutic conversation.



Andy Jones has been in education for 14 years, working in a variety of environments, including with students with special needs. He has also been a professional actor for five years. At Shenanigans, he gets to combine two of his biggest passions, teaching and acting.



Val Bruce has years of experience with autism through her teen-aged son, who is the inspiration for Shenanigans. Val is Shenanigans' administrative assistant, director's assistant, and occasional video editor and photographer. With her background in piano, violin, and visual arts, she has more recently lent her talents to the art of machinima (videos created using the graphics engine of electronic games), and has earned industry recognition of her works. She also has significant social media experience in creating and moderating a popular machinima forum.



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