Bad Medicine was conceived over a plate of tater tots in 2013 and has since flourished into an award winning sketch comedy troupe that produces sketch shows and teaches sketch comedy at the historic DC Improv Comedy Club. Outside of the District, we’ve performed at comedy festivals such as SF Sketchfest, Austin Sketchfest, NYC Sketchfest, Montreal Sketchfest, Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, SketchFest Seattle and Philly Sketchfest. We also produce Sketch Nerds a comedy podcast about the craft of sketch comedy and our award winning short films have screened at the DC Shorts Film Festival, Women in Comedy Festival, Portland Comedy Film Festival, Atlanta Comedy Film Festival and more. Bad Medicine is also a cofounder of DC Sketchfest. Washington DC’s only sketch comedy festival. Bad Medicine is led by Elizabeth Kemp, Isaiah Headen, Shoa Appelman, Andy Weld and Leila Drici.
We want to hear from you! Please fill out this form if you have booking inquiries, a submission for the Sketch Nerds podcast or any question if you cannot find what you are looking for. Yet if filling out a contact form is beneath you, feel free to email us at badmedicinecomedy@gmail.com
BAD MEDICINE CAST & WRITERS
Growing up in Rockville, Maryland, taught Bethany one thing: she wanted to be an ATHLETE. After accepting that exercise makes her cry, she realized her love for performing, which led her from acapella singing to improv and sketch comedy. She joined Bad Medicine in 2019. She also performs with improv teams The Hypothesis and 1-800 FIRE DEPARTMENT. Her comedic influences are Bo Burnham, Kristin Wiig, Gilmore Girls, Fleabag, and dogs that talk like humans.
Bethany’s Sketch Comedy Inspiration: Peter, Paula & Murray – SNL
Instagram and TikTok: @bethanysalright
Born and raised in regular Nebraska, Tammy discovered a knack for comedy after completing her service in the U.S. Marine Corps. It was during her transition to civilian life that she decided to take a stand-up comedy class, igniting a passion that would shape her future. Just not in stand-up – that’s too hard.
She soon found her comedic stride as a member of Bad Medicine where she enjoys both writing and the occasional performance. In addition to her sketch writing, she dedicates time to developing personal projects, showcasing her versatility as a creative force. She has a diverse background in film production and editing that gives her a unique perspective in taking written works and translating them to stage and film. But these days you’re more likely to find her behind the curtain rather than behind the camera – because that was also too hard.
Originally from Ridgefield, Connecticut, Sean joined Bad Medicine in 2016, hoping to balance out his legal practice (specializing in postal contracts and the shipping of live animals & dead people), baking, homebrew video game blogging, mud running, and cat daddying.
Raised on All That, MadTV, SNL, and In Living Color, Sean would describe his sense of humor as gleefully inappropriate, especially if he didn’t tell you he was mixed race beforehand.
Sean’s Sketch Comedy Inspiration: Inside Looking Out (MadTV)
Instagram: @arbitrary_and_delicious
Twitter: @arb_and_delish
TikTok: @scrobins
Zoe joined Bad Medicine in 2021. She is originally from Bethesda, Maryland and would describe her sense of humor as silly. When not writing sketches, she can usually be found watching too much Premier League soccer.
Zoe’s Sketch Comedy Inspiration: Batman Meets the Riddler (CollegeHumor)
Leila was mortified to discover that she was NOT invisible when she won class clown as a senior in her Reston, Virginia high school. Turns out everyone DID see her butt the many times she mooned her peers. Starting with improvisational comedy, she has studied with WIT, The PIT, UCB, and found a cozy little spot with Bad Medicine and sketch comedy in 2013.
Once described as a “storm of knees and elbows” by an ex-boyfriend, it is no surprise that physical comedy is her bag.
Sketch Inspiration: Liza Minnelli Tries to Turn Off a Lamp
From Rhode Island, Emily joined Bad Medicine after riffing with two of its founders, and her mom, at a bar in 2015. Personification, mixed with a dash of slapstick, are what tickles her the most. She unwinds from her jobs as a mama and pencil-skirt- all-business consultant by acting and relentlessly teasing sketch writers. On stage she loves to wink at someone in the audience so they know it’s okay to let their fart out now. No one will hear during the sketch, just let it out. Let it out.
Movie Clip: Strange Wilderness – Shark Laugh Scene
Hailing from the Virginia suburbs, Shoa joined Bad Medicine in 2014. Her jokes are subtle, unsolicited and tied to her journey, which is a relatable journey, if your journey also involves trying to become a professional athlete, then trying to become a professional employee, then becoming an award winning comedian *blushes* *twirls hair*, it’s no big deal, calm down.
Sketch: The First Female Bank Robber
J.P. spent his childhood overseas in Frankfurt, Germany and still calls it home. He joined Bad Medicine in 2018 as a writer and actor and has never looked back! He also has a background in theatre and has performed with local theatres such as Dominion Stage, Rockville Musical Theatre, and Little Theatre of Alexandria.
J.P. describes his sense of humor as “smart goofy” – like Conan O’Brien giving a graduation speech! He grew up watching sitcoms (Seinfeld, Frasier, and New Girl) and still draws from them for comedic inspiration.
J.P.’s Sketch Comedy Inspiration: Liam Neeson doing improvisational comedy
Instagram: @jp_mce
Isaiah grew up in Northern Virginia and went to film school in Washington, DC. He’s a founding member of Bad Medicine and despite having a small background in dance theater he fancy himself more of a writer/producer than an actor.
Isaiah’s surrealist humor is rooted in cartoons from classics like Dexter’s Laboratory and The Powerpuff Girls to modern breakouts such as Adventure Time and Gravity Falls. Even today his favorite sitcoms are adult animation with the top spots going to Futurama and BoJack Horseman.
Isaiah’s Sketch Comedy Inspiration: Chappelle’s Show
Bad Medicine Comedy 