EIU Media Relations

EIU’s Hello Dali improv comedy troupe sets its sights on silly shenanigans

Eastern ensemble offering a season of smiles at a variety of side-splitting stage shows this spring

(Charleston, IL) – In an alternative corner of the world, nicknames like Mindwipe, Ex-Files, and Outback might suggest membership in some cinematic summer blockbuster’s transnational spy network. But on Eastern Illinois University’s campus, they are associated with laughs, spontaneity, and pure theatrical fun.

Founded in 1991, Hello Dali has been EIU’s longest-running improvisational comedy troupe and one of the University’s oldest registered student organizations (RSOs). At every performance, Hello Dali audiences can expect a fully improvised experience where each scene is created in the moment, shaped by spectators’ suggestions and performed with near-fearless creativity.

Members of EIU RSO’s Hello Dali Improv Comedy Troupe, adorned here with “absorbent accoutrements” before one of the group’s themed shows earlier this March. Members of Hello Dali are eager to provide laughs, spontaneity, and pure theatrical fun at the troupe’s remaining improv shows this spring on EIU’s Charleston, Illinois campus. Pictured here are current Hello Dali members (back row from left) Zack Evans, Hello Dali president Charlie Stauffer, Evelyn Bogard, Jo Mitchell, Tim Anderson, Michael Fellows, Brenden Cash, Hello Dali treasurer Ethan Lane, and Jay Larson; (front row from left) Mitch Cox, Hello Dali vice president Azlynn Padderatz, Myles Wright, Hello Dali secretary Abby Hill, and Hello Dali social media manager Olivia Keys. Fox Woods, not photographed, is also a part of the active lineup.

Mindwipe—government name Charlie Stauffer—is the group’s current president. The longest-running Hello Dali cast member, Charlie seems to speak through a subtle, mischievous grin indicative of a quick wit and an appetite for oddball humor. They say the unpredictable nature of improvisational comedy is incredibly thrilling and fun. 

“Unlike scripted theatre, nothing in our shows is written or rehearsed ahead of time,” shared Charlie, an Urbana native. “Our performers build their scenes, characters, and relationships straight from audience prompts, and we rely on pure improvisation to bring their ideas to life.”

The result? Fresh, unpredictable comedy every single show. Each performance delivers exclusive moments that no other audience will ever see, hear, or experience again, creating an ephemeral but mutually shared bond between the performers and the members of each night’s unique crowd.

“We love it when the whole room gets into it, laughing and enjoying themselves,” added Hello Dali’s Ethan Lane—a.k.a. Uncle Howdy. Ethan’s tone is sensible and serious, suggestive of his status as an M.B.A. graduate student in the Lumpkin College of Business and Technology and as Hello Dali treasurer. “When the crowd gets into the spirit of the show and involves themselves in our absurdity, it just enhances the whole experience and helps us create a cool connection with the crowd,” said the St. Joseph native. 

Cultivating connections is a notable hallmark of the EIU experience, and the relationships Hello Dali members share is markedly evident, even in their casual conversations with each other. Several Hello Dali performers took time to share specific stories about the inclusivity and togetherness they’ve felt both as individual EIU students and as part of their comedic collaborative.

Before Hello Dali, current president Charlie admitted that finding close friends on campus their first semester wasn’t easy. But after seeing the troupe perform during visits to their residence hall freshman year, they made the choice to audition. “Easily the best decision I’ve made as an Eastern student,” chirped the senior chemistry major. “I’ve met so many cool people and some of the closest friends I’ve ever had.”

For others in the cast, Hello Dali has provided a safe, almost sacred space for its members to discover themselves at deeper, more authentic levels. In doing so, the troupe has forged extremely close personal friendships, creating a unique bond that unquestionably stands out during their on-stage performances.

Abby Hill—a.k.a. Outback—transferred to EIU as a junior. Originally from Mount Prospect, she joked that as soon as she found out EIU had its own bowling alley and student improv group, Eastern became her runaway choice to complete a four-year degree. Now a senior graphic design major and Hello Dali secretary, Abby shared that seeing this group perform—and being able to perform alongside them—has been an absolute blessing during her time at Eastern.

“Look, it takes good people to laugh when things in our own lives seem absolutely bananas. When you bring creative and encouraging people together, good things happen,” Abby said. “Remembering to laugh is always important, but it feels almost necessary when the world feels so unpredictable, or when things in our personal lives might be weighing us down.”

That was the case for EIU junior Azlynn Padderatz—a.k.a. Ex-Files. For her, Hello Dali became a beacon of hope at a time when life seemed to be handing her challenge after challenge. Following the distinct one-two punch of a distressing family emergency immediately followed by an unpleasant, formidable breakup, Azlynn entered EIU as a transfer student from Decatur majoring in digital media technology. She arrived on campus at the beginning of a spring semester in early January.

“It’s maybe not as easy to meet new people in the middle of an academic year, especially when it’s really cold and you’re dealing with some personal challenges,” Azlynn confessed. “But within literal minutes of going to the audition, I realized this is where I belong—in this group, with these people, and at this University. Hello Dali has given me endless amounts of unconditional love, support, and compassion. I owe this group and these people everything.”

Her Dali counterparts, moved by her admission, grew visibly teary-eyed. But in true Ex-Files fashion, Azlynn commanded the room’s attention with an intentional, melodramatic flair: “I’M WAY BETTER NOW!” she shouted with a playful smirk, eliciting warm smiles and supportive laughter from her Dali family.

Meanwhile, other Hello Dali members exude an almost subdued charm. Olivia Keys—a.k.a. Dictionary—is a sophomore art education major from Paris (IL). Having been involved in musical theatre since kindergarten, Olivia was looking for alternative opportunities to perform during her EIU experience. When she discovered that Hello Dali offered the same level of personal connection as musical theatre—but without the overly-demanding rehearsal schedules they often demand—she decided to give improv a try. Fast forward a year later, and Olivia is enjoying her second year in the troupe, serving as Hello Dali’s social media manager.

“I am so happy to be part of a group that promotes eccentricity in a safe, comfortable space,” Olivia said. “It’s amazing to know that during a practice or during a show, I can just get weird without feeling like I’m being judged or mischaracterized—especially when our games end up leading to really bizarre situations or some completely random circumstance.”

Ethan agreed with Olivia’s outlook. Having never dipped a toe into theatre/performance before EIU, Ethan found himself casually tagging along with a roommate to watch the group’s auditions—“just for something to do.” By the last night of tryouts, Ethan decided to give comedy improv a shot. Shortly thereafter, he was named an official cast member, and hasn’t looked back.

“Since then, I’ve met so many people who have become some of my closest friends. I love the idea that we can be multiple versions of ourselves but still be taken seriously when we’re not performing.” As the group’s treasurer, Ethan’s “more serious” side also earned him a second (unofficial) Hello Dali moniker—Mr. Business.

Talking with other Hello Dali players, it’s clear their shared sentiment about the group’s togetherness was born from EIU’s broader commitment to creating meaningful, lifelong connections inside and outside the classroom. The environment EIU creates for its students remains vital to each of them individually, and adds to the longevity and legacy of the troupe. They agree that comedy improv allows the sometimes-hidden sides of their personalities to be celebrated at center stage, while still allowing them to remain true to themselves. What’s more, they said, their Hello Dali practices and performances—despite being physical and exhausting at times—also can be mentally and emotionally restorative, helping balance the gravity of day-to-day challenges like working, studying, or planning for their futures after Eastern. 

“Hello Dali, to me, just sort of weaves that common thread of support and encouragement and hilarity into the fabric of our performances, our friendships, and, we hope, into the EIU community as a whole,” Charlie said. “Embracing our ridiculousness together—whether it’s at rehearsals or performing live on stage—it just solidifies our belief in ourselves and in each other.”

“EIU stands out from other schools because the faculty and student connections are so integrated into our University experience,” added Ethan. “EIU puts a lot of effort into building a community that supports student relationships, employee mentorships, and professional networking, whether it’s through housing, RSOs, or all the different events on campus. Eastern just has a way of really connecting with its students and helps us create great relationships with each other.”

Supporting EIU’s focus on relationship-building, veteran Hello Dali members cite the importance of serving as mentors to the group’s newest participants each semester. The “newbies” are assigned to one of the experienced players, who teach them the ins and outs of performative improv—from its most basic rules to the details and intricacies of each specific game. These relationships benefit more than just the newcomers, they promote a creative synergy of dynamic personalities, distinct energies, and assorted interests that help enliven their animated and unpredictable shows—something that helps every Dali member feel more connected to the crowd.

“EIU is really great at showing people they can be loved and appreciated,” added Olivia, who also serves as a resident assistant for Andrews Hall. “I can perform on stage or go anywhere on campus and just feel connected because of the people around me. EIU is an accepting, tight-knit community, and that allows us to maybe connect more deeply than students at other, larger schools. Off campus, too. It’s great to see so many businesses and organizations around town support us when we’re out in the community.“

Meaningful college and community relationships translate to other opportunities, too. Several of EIU’s Hello Dali alums have gone on to join the local comedy improv group, Corn Belt Underground, which operates as an arm of the Charleston Community Theatre (CCT). Past Dali members Alyssa Hilbert (formerly Holes), Kaleb Reed (formerly Megamind), Blake Richardson (formerly Playboi), and Lena Stapleton (formerly Two-Sticks), along with other musicians and actors from past EIU shows, regularly lend their skills to regional performances in various roles for CCT and other community theatres. Upcoming CCT appearances featuring past Hello Dali members include Corn Belt Underground’s improv performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, a six-day run of the dark comedy Fuddy Meers in late April, and the New Play Festival 2026 with show dates of May 15-16. All upcoming CCT performances take place in the lower level of the Charleston Elks Lodge #623, located at 720 6th Street in Charleston. More information on these events can be found on the CCT Facebook page. 

But today, at EIU, Hello Dali’s freshest lineup will once again unleash its comedic prowess in a series of spring performances, several of which will include Hello Dali’s newest members. 

Zack Evans, whose official ‘Dali designation’ is Poolboy, performed on stage as part of the Dali cast for the first time earlier this month. A freshman from Chicago yet to announce a major, Zack is joined by Fox Woods, a.k.a. Hoops, a junior studying engineering from Paris (IL). Fox was actually part of the group last year, and resumes his role on the Dali roster after taking a brief hiatus. Supporting Zack and Fox and rounding out Hello Dali’s full Spring 2026 lineup are troupe veterans Tim Anderson, a.k.a. Finger, a senior from Chebanse studying music; Evelyn Bogard, a.k.a. Hijack, a sophomore from Olney studying psychology; Brenden Cash, a.k.a. Wet Willy, a junior from Redmon studying English; Mitch Cox, a.k.a. KFC, a senior from Charleston studying theatre; Michael Fellows, a.k.a. Asiago, a junior from North Aurora studying music, television & video production; Jay Larson, a.k.a. ROBIN!, a junior from Somonauk studying art education; Jo Mitchell, a.k.a. Baldie, a sophomore from Effingham studying communication disorders & sciences; and Myles Wright, a.k.a. Hunkules, a sophomore from Mattoon studying computer and information technology. The group is excited for its remaining performances this spring, and looks forward to the often-odd suggestions of the audiences that give direction to their on-stage antics.

“People who come to our shows should have imaginative suggestions already in mind, and attendees can expect to see a fully improvised comedy experience,” Charlie said. “Hopefully, they come away laughing, surprised, and eager to attend our next performance.” 

Hello Dali performances are free and open to the public, with only donations accepted—perfect for EIU students and members of the broader Coles County community looking for a night of complimentary entertainment on EIU’s campus. Shows are typically held Thursday evenings throughout the fall and spring semesters when classes are in session, with upcoming show dates this spring of March 12, April 2, April 9 (a Hello Dali alumni show), April 16, and April 23. Interested attendees are encouraged to visit the Hello Dali website for upcoming show dates, times, and locations.

And the nicknames?

“Well, they just sort of originate from everyone’s most iconic audition moment—a flash of comedic genius that stood out as a highlight for what they would bring to Hello Dali as a member,” Charlie answered. “Beyond that, our Dali names are absolutely open to interpretation.” 

As part of its mission, EIU offers more than 130 RSOs, preparing students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU’s other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.