Jesse Suphan is a San Diego–based comedian, improviser, director, and teaching artist who believes that making people laugh and making people feel they belong go hand in hand.

His comedy journey began in stand-up in New England. After moving to San Diego, Jesse found a creative home at Finest City Improv, where the spirit of “Yes, and” offered something beyond stage time: a community built on trust, collaboration, and having each other’s backs. That experience inspired him to create IMPRIDE—a festival celebrating LGBTQIA+ voices and giving artists space to take risks, tell their stories, and be joyfully themselves.

Jesse trained and performed at Second City Los Angeles and has also performed at Second City Chicago. His work spans improv, sketch, musical comedy, and theatrical parody, with performance credits including the musical improv duo Hardy Boys, the troupe Killer Giraffe, and holiday sketch productions. He has directed sketch revues including Netflix and Kill and Law Law Land, as well as the parody musical series Attack of the Rotten Tomatoes. His background also includes artistic leadership and programming at Finest City Improv and directing the San Diego Improv Festival.

As an educator, Jesse teaches core improv, musical improv, sketch, and workshops exploring character, collaboration, and inclusion. He also brings improv into the workplace, helping teams practice listening, build confidence, and connect through play. His television appearances include serving as an improv teacher on Freeform’s The Letter and appearing as a guest on Busy Philipps’s E! talk show, Busy Tonight. His perspective on LGBTQ+ representation in comedy has been featured in Fast Company.

With IMPRIDE’s holiday celebration, Jesse brings his love of irreverent comedy, musical storytelling, and found family together in A Good Dickens. Across his work, the aim remains the same: create room for more voices, more connection, and a really good laugh.