The Rejects

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Paul Dahman

  • Paul Dahman began dabbling in the ancient art of improv comedy after watching just one too many episodes of "Whose Line is it Anyway?" He started training seriously at the tender age of 19. He trained with Mainstage Improv in Columbus, before leading and training young padawans of his own for two years. Paul interned with Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in NYC, a comedy school created, in part, by Amy Poehler. He trained more (because you always continue to learn) with Good Ghosts Improv in NYC. They performed exclusively at the COW Theatre in 2015. Moving back to Youngstown in 2016, he got involved in community theatre. In 2017 he joined and began to help teach improv to the members of The Dinner Theatre Rejects, the area's premier comedy group. Paul helped develop IMPROVing Communication with John Morris for groups and businesses. He has written 2 one act plays, dozens of sketches, and a book for the musical Burn.

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John Morris

  • A founding member of The Dinner Theatre Rejects, John has been acting since The Princess of Serene in 3rd grade where he played the character “Frog” and was fortunate to sing the seminal theatre classic “Woe Is Me.”  Fast forward 317 years and several equally remarkable roles later, and John found a gaggle of like-minded individuals to start doing sketch and improv comedy and The Dinner Rejects were born!

    John has been a featured speaker on IMPROVing Communication for numerous organizations. John is also co-author of the book for the upcoming musical, “Burn” based on the Salem Witch Trials.

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McKenna Lago

  • McKenna has been a member of The Dinner Theatre Rejects since 2023, after a one-off sketch appearance turned into an audition. Having had no prior experience or formal training in improv, The Rejects have taught her everything she knows (for better or worse). Working with The Rejects, McKenna has grown as a performer and has further explored her true passion: entertaining (and being entertained)! She has now had the opportunity to perform on many stages across Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, as well as getting to share her newfound knowledge with others during workshops. Outside of her time with The Rejects, McKenna can be seen performing on various local stages, having been in shows such as The Play That Goes Wrong, American Idiot, Legally Blonde, and Almost, Maine.

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Brad Smith

  • Brad has been an honorary member of The Dinner Theatre Rejects since the beginning, helping to film and edit their videos. After years of behind-the-scenes work, he finally made the leap from behind the camera to the stage, joining as a full-fledged member for live performances. When he's not on stage, you'll find him behind the camera, making sure the laughs live on long after the curtain falls. Offstage, Brad enjoys traveling, golfing, and unwinding with his dog, Penny, and his wife, Ashley, who deserves a huge thank you for putting up with his time commitment to the Rejects and tolerating his constant attempts at humor and lame jokes while he practices for improv. Brad is all about creating moments that bring smiles, whether it’s in the theater, online, or in-person.

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Jose Garcia

  • Jose (a former intern) has now been with the rejects for a few years. Prior to Rejects, he was part of a traveling Drama Team called “New Life Drama Company” for 3 and a half years, which started the whole idea of just doing improv for him! After that he found the love of his life in the Drama Company and married his beautiful wife and best friend, Jojo Garcia, who introduced him to the musical theatre or just the theatre world. He’s been in a few musicals and plays, just to name a few like “Escape to Margaritaville”, “Servant of two Masters”, “Legally Blonde”, and “American Idiot” where he met Paul and McKenna! Now as a full fledged Reject, Jose just feels at home when he’s doing improv and just having a good time with his Rejects family, being goofy and silly and just having a great time with the audiences!

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Brian Berlin

  • Brian is a longtime improv enthusiast, creative mind, and occasional Victorian literature expert. With a master’s degree in Victorian lit and a flair for storytelling, he served as the head writer and visionary behind An Impromptu Christmas Carol, where he also tackled the role of Scrooge with a mix of sarcasm and seasonal spirit. Brian performs regularly with both The Dinner Theatre Rejects and Double I, bringing brainy chaos and big laughs wherever he goes. He sends love and thanks to Christy and Claire Berlin for their endless patience and to all the friends and family who've supported him along the way.

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Rosalyn (Roz) Blystone

  • Roz is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy of NYC. She has participated in every aspect of the theatre she could while also raising 2 amazing kids with her husband, Brian. She has been a long-time member of the Rejects and credits them for helping keep her sane through the growing pains of the late teens! Mama Roz is living it up in this next chapter of life, including performing at the Beck Center and Cain Park in Cleveland. She treasures every time she gets to jump into the mania with this highly skilled crew of chaos coordinators! Ca-caw, my dear Rejects!