Meet the group
Our Story
The Say What!? Improv Group was first established in 2007 to perform around the nation and to provide training and education in the discipline of improvisation. With over 25 years of combined improv/comedy experience, Say What!? draws on professional comedians, business professionals, and Chicago's Second City improv school graduates.
Say What!? continues to travel across the world entertaining for A list comedy clubs and has recently rebranded and reorganized to expand its service offering beyond pure entertainment to incorporate improv workshops for business. We've found that the unique methods of improv can help businesses of any size or nature become more creative, innovative, adaptive, and responsive—sources of major competitive advantage. Our improvisational methods will lead to accelerated performance, productivity, and synergy in your company. Everyone will learn more in the light atmosphere we create when we make you laugh with relevant, customized sketch and improvisational comedy.
Notably, Say What!? also takes pride in performing for various charitable organizations such as The American Cancer Society, Toys for Tots, and the US Marine Corps.
Say What!? Group Members
Ryan Faber
Ryan Faber began stand-up comedy in 2002 and placed as a finalist in the "Funniest Person in Columbus" contest at the Funny Bone comedy club. He then joined The Boss Players, a Columbus, Ohio based improv group. While working with The Boss Players, Ryan spent much of his time as co-creator and writer for an improv based TV show, Citizens Arrest, which aired for one season on local cable television. While continuing his passion for improvisational comedy, he earned a degree in Business Management and has worked independently as a business consultant. After honing his skills in business and improv, Ryan co-founded the Say What!? Improv Group. Ryan currently teaches improv classes each year for a private children's summer camp. He also donates his time as an improv facilitator for local high school theatre groups in the Greater Columbus area.
Jeff Gage
Jeff Gage studied cinematography and theatre at The Ohio State University and started his journey into improvisational theatre in 1986 as a founding member of On the Line improv group. In 1988 Gage co-founded Midwest Comedy Tool and Die, a nationally touring comedy group that performed in clubs, colleges and corporate events throughout the U.S. and Canada for over a decade. Jeff has trained with Paul Sills, founder of the improvisation theatre movement in America and founder of Chicago's most famous improv theatres, namely The Compass Players in the 1950's and The Second City. Jeff has been teaching leadership, teambuilding, and improvisational workshops in the Mid-west. Jeff Gage has also acted in films, national television commercials, and appeared in worldwide magazine publications.
Jay Hendren
Jay Hendren has been a professional touring comedian for over a decade. Jay's unique comedic wit helped earn him the title of "Funniest Person in Columbus" by "A list" comedy club, The Funny Bone. Jay also preformed with Improv groups such as MC2, Slipshod, and Say What!?. Hendren began to audition for TV and film and landed a role in the film, "Traffic". His comedy has allowed him to tour Internationally for corporate events, private parties, comedy clubs and colleges. Jay also has a long resume of TV credits including Honda, West Virginia Lottery and Speedway.
Larry Ramey
Larry Ramey is a performing songwriter and Improv actor from Columbus, Ohio. He began as a Humanities major at Lakeland College and worked full time, on-air, as a DJ at WELW in Cleveland, OH. He then started performing musically in recording studios, live bands, duos, and single shows. A recording opportunity led to an audition for what became The Midwest Comedy Tool and Die (MCTD), a national comedy act, touring over 20 states for more than a decade. MCTD headlined business theater events, clubs, and colleges. Ramey also studied with Paul Sills (Original director of The Second City- Chicago, IL). Larry has facilitated corporate teambuilding workshops and educational interactives with The Ohio Model United Nations and Montessori schools. His credits include the MGM/United Artists film "My Summer Story", the Indy film "Bottom Feeders", "America's Funniest People"- MCTD, radio and TV commercials for Toyota, WWF, McDonalds, and more. Larry Ramey currently composes and records music and lyrics for himself and other recording artists.