Our Team
Richard J. Martinez (he/him)
Founder, Creative Director, Instructor
Richard J. Martinez is the driving force behind The Playful Stage, fulfilling his lifelong passion for theatre by creating a vibrant and inclusive theatre school.
Richard began teaching improv in 2015, and his supportive and encouraging teaching style helped lead countless students to personal breakthroughs, both on and off the stage. He taught improv classes, both advanced and introductory, at Held2gether for eight years, and has been a student of Impro, Second City, Groundlings, and IO West. He and his team of wild card players placed third at the 2019 Improv Cup in Orange County. In addition to classes at The Playful Stage, Richard also coaches improv at local high schools, medical programs, and for various corporate events.
Richard has had a lifelong love for theatre. In 2025 he directed the critically acclaimed community theatre world premiere of Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill: The Musical at Landmark Theatre in Long Beach. In 2025, he also directed Long Beach Shakespeare Company’s sold out run of Richard III. Additionally, he served as Associate Director for the 2022 Long Beach Landmark Theatre Company production of Rent and as was the director of The Eight: Reindeer Monologues for both New Strand Ensemble (2008) and Held2gether (2016).
As a stage actor, he has appeared in such productions as The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (“Judas”) - Burnight Theatre, In the Blood (“Jabber/Chili”) - The Garage Theatre, Angels In America (“Belize”) and more.
As a neurodivergent person, Richard finds both grounding and empowerment in the arts, which inspire his dedication to fostering self-discovery and creative expression in others. As a gay, Black, and Mexican artist, he celebrates inclusion in the theatre arts and the power of diverse voices. As a human being looking for meaningful connection with others, Richard appreciates that the theatre arts has always been a space to seek that out, and is proud to have created a space where others can find their own connections and community.
Guest Instructors/Facilitators
Kendra Nicholson
she/her
Kendra Nicholson received her degree in Theatre with a minor in English. After being a stay-at-home mom for several years, she worked her way back into performing and directing community theatre before she found improv.
As a child she dreamed of being a teacher when she grew up, and was able to make that dream come true when she began performing and teaching improv with Held2gether in Long Beach, CA.
In 2018, she lost her 18-year-old son to suicide. She stepped away from improv and began writing. Her first book, “The Climb,” is a young adult fictional novel written from the perspective of a 13-year-old boy who loses his big brother to suicide. She looks forward to sharing her experience of how improv has been beneficial to her grief journey and her writing.
DeRod Taylor
they/them
DeRod Taylor (they/them) starred as Richard III in the Helen Borgers Theater’s 2025 production of Richard III. They are a frequent player with the Long Beach Shakespeare Company, where they portrayed Betty Zatop in Coming and Going during the company’s 2025 Play Shorts Festival. They also were featured in the ensemble in the world premiere of the community theatre production of Jagged Little Pill: The Musical, produced by Landmark Theatre Company.
DeRod is a professor of communication studies at El Camino College, specializing in performance studies and intercultural communication. They wrote, directed, and starred in The Soulfood Museum at the University of Northern Iowa.
Brian Patrick Williams
Brian Patrick Williams, at his core, is a storyteller and believes deeply in the power stories have to positively impact the lives of those who experience them. Storytelling comes in many different forms and Brian embraces and engages in several.
In addition to his 10+ years of experience as a freelance video editor, Brian also has over 14 years experience as an actor, holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Connecticut, and has performed in countless productions all over the world.
IG: @brianpatrickwilliams
he/him
she/her
Mallory White
Mallory White (she/her) is an actor, dancer and writer with many years of experience studying and performing in New York and California.
Current artistic endeavors include dancing with WE Dance, teaching Danceprov at the Playful Stage and creating content on Raised Vegas about her debut novel, ATOMIC ROULETTE.
Mallory was cast as “Queen Margaret” in the Long Beach Shakespeare Company’s 2025 production of Richard III.
Liz Lanier
she/her
Liz Lanier is a highly accomplished performer hailing from Southern California, with a rich background in theatre, improv, and sketch comedy that spans over several years. With a profound passion for character development, captivating storytelling, and empowering artistic expressions, Liz has dedicated herself to nurturing the talents of aspiring artists.
Liz's expertise lies in the transformative power of improv, which she adeptly imparts to her students. Her deep commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment enables new students to embark on a remarkable journey of self-discovery, self-growth, and heightened confidence.
Through her guidance, students are encouraged to embrace their unique voices, explore new horizons, and tap into their creative potential. Liz appreciates the opportunity to share the magic of improv and instilling in her students a newfound sense of empowerment and the ability to thrive on and off the stage.