The Novelties
J Chachula is a professional teacher, actor, and director. He is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and received his Meisner training from Larry Silverberg. He studied improvisation with Transactors Improv Company and spent two years touring with the group. More recently he improvised with the celebrated foursome Third Date, directed by Dan Sipp. He currently directs Open Mind's first longform improv group The Novelty. J has acted in and directed productions with On The Roof, Fallen Rose, Raleigh Ensemble Players, Temple Theater, Justice Theater Project, Exit Through Eden and has performed for kids with Little Big and Raleigh Little Theatre. He has managed, directed, written and acted for the NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Fun Theatre. In the corporate world, he has two decades experience acting in industrial videos and using theatrical techniques, improvisation and live role-play to train employees in more effective communication.
Dave Tillery writes fiction and lives with his aging Pekingese, Blondie. He began taking improv classes decades ago and began a more serious study over the last ten years. Dave has performed occasionally at Meddlesome in Durham and The Comedy Works in Raleigh. He became a member of The Novelty in early 2023.
