Puppetry 101: Introduction to Puppetry Long Form Improvisation with Tamra Malaga and Josh Cohen

Tamra Malaga has received training from Chicago’s Improv Olympic‘s, Charna Halpern, as well as the original members of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater: Veep’s Matt Walsh, SNL’s Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts & Armando Diaz. She worked as a graphic designer & daytime assistant / box office for UCBT NY & performed in several productions at the UCBT NY, most notably a proud alumni of the UCB’s house Harold Teams, Team C.H.U.D. & The Joe Ross Tribe (with Shannon O'Neill & Chris Gethard, Coach: John Ross Bowie). Tamra frequently performed on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien, hosted on an on-line series on AOL.com’s,”The DL, and the on-line talk show Nominated for a, “STREAMY AWARD, called Monkey News Source, on TheStream.TV, in LA. For the past 20 years Tamra has been teaching & performing Long-Form Improv & Sketch comedy on stage, film & TV. The Josh and Tamra Show began in 1999 when Josh Cohen began his career in as a professional Muppeteer for The Jim Henson Company, as well as a film and television actor. Josh met Tamra while performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. They opened a short lived pop-up comedy theater, "Freaks Local 413", (the first improv, sketch, standup spin-off theater). Their 20 year partnership as an improv, sketch, puppet comedy duo, The Josh and Tamra Show, has resulted in the duo headlining improv comedy festivals all over the US and Canada, where they perform and teach their unique brand of long-form puppet improv comedy. Josh has toured the world teaching and performing puppetry for the Muppets. Notable performances have included work on Sesame Street, Bear in the Big Blue House (tour and TV), Old Dogs (starring opposite Bernie Mac, Robin Williams and John Travolta), and Muppetfest. The duo are now married and live in the NY with two amazing and talented sons. Josh & Tamra received a STREAMY AWARD nomination for their groundbreaking live streaming web puppet talk show, "MONKEY NEWS SOURCE", featuring UCB & I.O. alumni such as Nick Kroll, Jessica St. Clair, Dan Bakkedahl, Seth Morris, Brian Huskey Nate Corddry and much more... Josh & Tamra are also the creators, writers & producers of the, "BEST COMEDY", winning original puppet sitcom pilot, at NYTVF called "APARTMENT 413”. The win was featured on Variety.com. The duo are currently wrapping their third season of The Josh and Tamra Show, which films at Westchester Media TV Facility, and airs on TV in Westchester, NY & simulcasts on-line. The Josh and Tamra Show also perform mainstage at The Magnet, P.I.T., and Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in NYC. Currently, the duo are pitching TV shows, while producing a TV show & comedy shorts. Please visit: www.youtube.com/thejoshandtamrashow

Josh Cohen began his career in 1995 as a professional puppeteer, film and television actor. In the early 2000’s, Josh was the proud proprietor of a NYC pop-up comedy space called, "FREAKS LOCAL 413 STORE FRONT THEATER." There he hosted NYCs top improv, sketch and standup comedy acts. While running “FREAKS” & performing at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, Josh met Tamra Malaga. Their 20 year partnership as The Josh and Tamra Show, has resulted in the duo headlining comedy festivals all over the US and Canada, where they perform and teach their unique brand of long-form puppet improv comedy. Josh is proud to be a Muppeteer for the Jim Henson Company. Josh has toured the world teaching and performing puppetry for the Muppets. Josh trained with the UCB 4’s Ian Roberts, Veep’s Matt Walsh and SNL’s Amy Poehler. Josh is a proud alumni of the UCB’s house Harold Teams - My Kickass Van. He was also the resident puppeteer and costume character performer on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Alongside his comedy partner, Josh & Tamra are also the creators of the "BEST COMEDY" winning original puppet sitcom pilot, "APARTMENT 413.” Most recently, Josh & Tamra received a Streamy award nomination for their groundbreaking live streaming web puppet show, "MONKEY NEWS SOURCE". The duo are currently wrapping their third season of The Josh and Tamra Show (Westchester Media Facilities TV) , and can be seen featured on the main stage at The Magnet, P.I.T. , and UCB in NYC. Currently the duo are producing a sketch show and comedy shorts for JoshAndTamra.com. Please visit youtube.com/thejoshandtamrashow