Shamaya Sutton began her journey in the performing arts at just ten years old in the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area, where she first discovered her love for theater and storytelling. After relocating to California, she pursued a degree in Theatre Arts at Yuba College, graduating with honors in 2017. While there, she founded the college’s first Improv Club under the mentorship of Professor James Gilbreath. The group—later rebranded as DOPEE (Dramatic Outreach Program and Everything Else)—thrived for three years, bringing live comedy and creative outreach to the community before its members transferred to four-year universities. Sutton continued her studies at California State University, Sacramento, where she graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Theatre. During her time at Sac State, she earned two Irene Ryan nominations and became a finalist at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region 8 in 2019. Her early stage work also earned recognition from the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance (SARTA), including a 2017 Award of Achievement for Leading Female in a Drama for her debut performance as “Nina” in The Seagull at The Acting Company in Yuba City. In addition to her stage career, Shamaya made local history as the first female morning show DJ for 93Q Radio, and today she continues to champion the arts as a reporter for the Territorial Dispatch, where she covers local theater, music, and cultural events across the Yuba-Sutter region. With the encouragement of former performers and growing community interest, Shamaya revived her original improv group alongside co-founder Tyler Zepp, reintroducing it as Yuba-Sutter Improv. Her mission is to foster connection, confidence, and creativity through the art of improvisation—one laugh at a time. 

Tyler Zepp has been volunteering his time and entertaining the community for the past 10 years . He studied theater at Yuba Community College, being involved in various shows and credits the program to helping him find his inner voice. While there, he met Shamaya Sutton and became a founding member of the DOPEE Improv group and since then the world has never been the same. After enjoying the Yuba College fame, he decided to work with another equally esteemed group, The Acting Company, in shows such as "Oliver", "Sherlock Holmes," and "Vanya Sonya ,Masha, and Spike." Tyler has also worked with the youth at elementary schools in Meridian in various extracurricular activities and helped coach the Yuba Sutter Combat Wrestling team. Tyler is excited to once again bring his passion for theater and helping others to the Improv Club. 

Luis has been performing with Yuba-Sutter Improv since its reestablishment in 2022. Before discovering Improv, he was but a simple office-boy yearning for belonging and excitement. After joining YSI, he quickly fell in love with the art form—continuing his training through Sacramento clubs and expanding his skills in both long-form and short-form Improv.

Since then, Luis has performed in multiple shows across various Improv theaters, including Helix, Improvivor, Scene Kids, and more. He continues to pursue classes and workshops to refine his craft and share his passion—helping others discover the same joy that Improv has brought him!