Staff

Gina Trimarco is the founder and operator of Uptown and Carolina Improv Company. It has been her dream to own and operate a space for artists of all media, especially for the performing arts. In early 2009 she founded Carolina Improv Company (CIC), in which she oversees all aspects of the company, including teaching all individual adult classes, facilitating corporate training programs and directing/producing improv shows. The popularity of improv and CIC in Myrtle Beach has grown quickly and it became more and more important for CIC to have its own space for classes and performances. Simultaneously while launching CIC, Gina has been very involved in the visual arts community and has witnessed the growing need for a space for all artists to exhibit their art and for the community to be able to experience art.   Almost immediately she began looking for a place for her vision and after an exhaustive search, landed at Myrtle Beach Mall.

Originally from Chicago, Gina earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from DePaul University. While in college she studied improvisational theatre at Chicago’s famed Second City Conservatory and Player’s Workshop of the Second City. She has also studied with Zach Ward, owner and producer of DSI Comedy Theater in North Carolina. When she discovered that improv entertainment and classes didn’t exist in Myrtle Beach she decided to start teaching improv herself!

Gina relocated to the Myrtle Beach, SC in 2007 after more than a decade of experience in the entertainment, hospitality and tourism industries in Chicago. Before arriving to Myrtle Beach, Gina was the General Manager for the Navy Pier IMAX Theatre, a tourist attraction similar to Broadway at the Beach. A former television producer, she held marketing director positions with Spirit Cruises, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding and Butterfields’ Auctioneers. Additionally, she worked in public relations for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and City Colleges of Chicago.

Giving back to the community is important to Gina. When not teaching, Gina serves the Myrtle Beach community as a Rotarian and Elk, in addition to serving on the Board of Regents of Leadership Grand Strand, advising as a committee member of the Myrtle Beach Area Arts & Cultural Committee and as a committee member of the Small Business Council for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. She is also a graduate of Leadership Grand Strand XXIX.


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Marilou often jokes that she's busier more now in retirement than when she was working full time as a school teacher in Fairfax County, VA. She has 23 years of classroom experience teaching at various levels, including pre-school, middle school, standard high school and adult education in English, Speech, Theatre and Math. Her theatre curriculum included "theatre sports" (improv) for children and teens. Marilou has more than 25 years experience directing and producing theatrical productions including one-act plays, comedy productions, cabaret acts, variety shows, festivals, touring companies, improv troupes, theatrical competitions and professional development workshops. Cast members ranged in age and experience from pre-school through adult professionals. Additionally, Marilou has 30 years of public speaking and interpersonal communications activities - including one-on-one presentations and appearances before large audiences, along with personal performances in theatrical productions including classic theatre, comedies, musicals, cabaret acts, USO tours, summer stock, dinner theatre and variety productions. Locally, she has performed at Theatre of the Republic, with the Castaways Repertory Theatre, and has her own one-woman show about being a Southern Belle. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre/Speech in addition to post-graduate studies in English, Directing and Acting. With Carolina Improv Company, Marilou is a performing ensemble member, coordinates the youth program and assists with corporate training facilitation.


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