about us

“In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too), those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.”
— Charles Darwin
Sharks Barksley improv team performing live at Haus of Comedy in Sacramento.

our mission

Our mission is to empower people of all backgrounds to play, grow, and connect through inclusive, high-quality comedy and performance experiences—cultivating laughter, creativity, and community in a vibrant space where joy and personal growth thrive.

Jessilee Windhaus, founder and co-owner of Haus of Comedy, with students from an Improv 101 class in Sacramento.

what we do

Through our workshops and programs, we aim to boost morale and improve the quality of life for all, using the power of improvisation as a dynamic tool for personal growth and enrichment. Our unique approach is grounded in the belief that everyone has the capacity to become more confident, creative, and adaptable.

We offer a diverse range of improvisation-based experiences, from corporate team, culture, and camaraderie-building workshops that enhance collaboration and communication, to adult improv classes, to high-quality live comedy shows, featuring established groups like Sharks Barksley, improv jams, musical improv, comedic competitions, and other community-produced events.

Haus of Comedy troupe Sharks Barksley smiling outside The Frida Cinema during OC Improv Fest.

who we are

Haus of Comedy was founded in 2023 by Jessilee Windhaus under Empire Arts Collective’s artistic incubation program before transitioning into becoming its own independent entity in August of 2024.

We set ourselves apart through a distinct fusion of expertise, professionalism, and a dedicated commitment to fostering both personal and professional development. Our services are distinguished by their adaptability, inclusivity, and the transformative influence of improvisation. We prioritize inclusivity and a sense of belonging for all participants and staff.

Anchored in Sacramento, our founder and foundational values are deeply rooted in community investment, offering a comprehensive understanding of Sacramento's unique essence and values. We pride ourselves on being a driving force for positive change, helping individuals and organizations of all ages unlock their full potential and embrace the power of “yes, and…”

DEIA statement

At Haus of Comedy, our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) is a guiding principle in everything we do. We acknowledge that cultural bias, systemic racism, and inequity continue to shape experiences in Sacramento and beyond. Part of our mission is to actively work against those forces by embedding racially equitable practices into our operations and community engagement.

We are dedicated to reimagining systems, structures, and norms to better serve marginalized communities. This includes critically examining practices historically labeled as “professional” that have perpetuated exclusion—particularly for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)—and creating new ways forward that emphasize equity and belonging.

In all of our shows, classes, workshops, and community events, we strive to build inclusive and accessible environments with minimal barriers to participation, so that anyone can experience the joy, creativity, and connection that comedy brings.

We remain committed to offering programming that welcomes adults of all backgrounds—across race, ethnicity, nationality, ability, age, gender identity, and sexual identity—while continuing to expand opportunities for voices and perspectives that have been historically underrepresented in the arts.

meet the team

  • Jessilee Windhaus

    FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Jessilee Windhaus (she/they) is an improviser, actor, producer, instructor, and entrepreneur born and raised in Sacramento. She brings over 10 years of experience in leadership in the performing arts and over 20 years of expertise in improv performance and instruction. She is the Founder of Haus of Comedy, Co-Founder of Empire Arts Collective, and Founder of That Plus Chips live sketch and improv comedy group. Jessilee has trained with the Upright Citizen's Brigade, The Groundlings, and many other esteemed improv instructors, and holds a Bachelor's in Theatre from CSU Sacramento. Jessilee has performed both nationwide and locally at comedy hubs like Sacramento Comedy Spot, STAB! Comedy, ComedySportz Sacramento, Empire Arts Collective, Dinner Detective, and Sutter Street Theatre. They served as the Director of High School League at ComedySportz Sacramento, Tour Actor/Director with the renowed Missoula Children's Theatre, and as a Teaching Artist at B Street Theater (current). Jessilee's experience also includes Project Manager at UC Davis Health's Early Psychosis Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTA), overseeing a $27+ million dollar project serving 42 California counties through a collaboration with UC Davis, Stanford, and UC San Francisco.

  • Andy Sarouhan

    DIRECTOR OF DAYTIME OPERATIONS

    Andy Sarouhan (he/him) has been a professional improviser and improv instructor for 25 years. His improvisation journey began in 1992 when he joined his high school improvisation team. That event started a chain reaction that eventually resulted in a BA in Theatre from UC San Diego and an MFA in Creative Writing from UC Riverside. From 2003-2019, Andy performed, directed, and coached extensively in San Francisco through BATS Improv, ImprovWorks, and Un-Scripted Theater Company. In 2019, he relocated to Sacramento and has been active in the local improvisation scene as an instructor at B Street Theatre and a performer and producer at STAB! Comedy Theater and Windhaus Improv. For 15 years, Andy has taken the practices and philosophies of improvisation to settings outside the theatre, facilitating skill-building workshops and corporate role-playing experiences for countless professional entities, ranging from public school districts to Fortune 500, and pretty much everything in-between. The dude just likes his work!

  • Nick Armstrong

    ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

    Nick Armstrong (he/him) is an accomplished actor, comedian, and improviser with a career spanning over two decades. Known for his boundless energy and quick wit, Nick has performed on stages and screens across the country, earning a reputation as a dynamic and versatile performer, teacher, and writer. As an improviser, Nick is one of the most recognizable names in the comedy community. He is the founder of Improv Utopia, co-owner of RISE Comedy, Haus of Comedy, and CrowdWork where he has helped shape the next generation of improvisers by fostering a supportive and inclusive comedy community. He has taught and performed improv at some of the most renowned comedy theaters in the world, including The Groundlings, iO, and Westside Comedy. Nick’s acting credits include roles in hit television shows like The Office, Grey’s Anatomy, Parks and Recreation, and Bulldozer which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2025. Whether he’s on stage making audiences laugh, teaching students to embrace their creativity, or building a thriving comedy community, Nick Armstrong’s passion for comedy, community, and storytelling is at the heart of everything he does.

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