Performer of The Month

Dana Powell

Dana Powell was born and raised in Springfield, MO. Always known to be quiet and unassuming, she had what could be considered an “awakening” when she discovered the thrill of stage performing once she reached high school. This epiphany motivated her to enroll in Missouri State University’s Theatre program where she soon found herself a member of the only improvisational comedy troupe in Springfield, The Rusty Trumpets. They had no clue what they were doing but they gave it the old college try in local bars, much to the dismay of Dana’s mother.

After six years of working night and weekend shifts in factories, hotels, discount retailers, florists, bingo halls, art galleries and the census bureau – all just to pay for school – she graduated with a BFA in Performance. In this time she had met her future husband, Dan Tipton, unquestionably the single greatest moment in her life. After a year of editing the 10 PM local news, in June of 2000 she moved with her husband-to-be to Los Angeles, where she enrolled in classes and interned at the old IO West space on Santa Monica. Through the years she has performed in countless shows at IO West. Her favorite former shows/teams include Steaming Volvo, Big, We’re not British, The Improvised Movie, Celebrity, Dry Clean Only(Del Close Award: Best Scripted Show) and Goal!. She can currently be seen at IO West in Powerhouse, and God Squad. She has also performed at UCB, currently teaches/performs at Westside Eclectic, and has just begun Advanced at The Groundlings. TV Credits include Reno 911, Emily’s Reasons Why Not, and The Megan Mullally Show.