Nelson Velazquez has been involved in improvisational theatre for the last 12 years. He is currently the Artistic Director of Salsation Theatre Company, a 17 year old Latino theatre company specializing in sketch and improv comedy. He currently serves as head musical director for Los Improviachis, an improvised musical mariachi band. He has trained and performed at Second City Training Center, The Annoyance Theatre, and ComedySportz Chicago and has performed with various groups across the country. He’s also a former associate producer for the Chicago Improv Festival. Nelson was also the founder of the improv program at Crown Point Community Theatre and is currently the CEO for Improductions, LLC. He's taught workshops across the country including The Chicago Improv Festival, The San Jose Improv Festival, The Trill Comedy Festival, and The Grand Rapids Improv Festival.

I've studied at all of big three (Annoyance, Second City, and iO) and the best time I've had has been performing under Nelson's direction. He makes the experience fun and educational. Nelson's unique take on improv makes me confident that it is impossible not to up your improv game and enjoy doing it. I give extremely high marks to Nelson as an instructor and human being. - RS (Makeshift Up)

Working with Nelson, he has thought me incredible improv skills that range from character work to family friendly comedy. He has created an improv world that made it enjoyable for me, yet still a learning experience. I would take two classes of his that were the same, just because I know that I would walk away with a different experience and more knowledge than the latter. I recommend Nelson Velazquez as an Improv coach to all of my improvising peers, because I know they would all walk away better, regardless of their improv experience. - HB (Teenprov student)I'm comfortable with scripted acting and directing, but improv had always been on my "bucket list." My only previous experience with improv was having it happen around me while I was too shy to jump in. In his class, Nelson Velazquez made me feel safe, relaxed, and part of the group, but then challenged me in an enjoyable way. I often recommend Nelson to friends who want to try their hand at improv. He's an excellent teacher who is great with newbies, but also can instruct at much more advanced levels. The man is loaded with positive energy!- LR (Improv Fundamentals student)

You did a great job! Thank you. I can't wait to apply some of the techniques you gave us in my presentations in the coming year. - MF (NIPSCO corporate training)
So grateful I decided to do that musical improv workshop with you. I've been able to perform musical improv twice since then and nothing is more fun! - SR (Grand Rapid Improv Festival workshop attendee)

Nelson is exactly what you would want from a coach: passionate, supportive, and honest. I feel like I have grown in my skills and more importantly in my confidence as a performer because of Nelson.- KW (The Tony Stanzas)

I participated in an Improv for beginners class with Nelson Velazquez. I loved it & hope to return to another class soon.

Nelson is very energetic & loves his job. He has great passion for performing Improv & this shows in every skit he does with his "newbie" classmates.

You can tell when some people are not truly engaged in their work. These types of people merely "go through the motions" when executing their job duties. Nelson Velazquez is definitely not one of those lack a daisical persons. He is fun & seeks to bring out the best in his students!! - DK (Improv Fundamentals student)