​Chris Riel found his love for making others laugh at the tender age of six, when his teacher asked him, "What do you think of when I say duck," and he answered, "Chinese restaurant," straight-faced and wide-eyed. The teacher laughed out loud. At that moment, he had his calling. At the age of twelve, he was so enamored with the Brittish TV show Whose Line is it Anyway? that he convinced his 7th grade drama teacher to build their entire program for the year around improv. And so began a life-long love affair with comedy and performance.

​

Since then, Chris Riel has been a member of some of the most respected names in improv on the island, including Loose Screws, On the Spot, and Laughtrack Theatre. In 2008, along with Shawn Thomsen and Matt Miller, he co-founded the group In Yo Face Improv (iYfi), whose mission is to "spread the gospel of improv" throughout Hawai'i. Their style aims to bring improv to the point of immediacy, every scene, every character, every show, and their motto: just play!

​

In addition to being featured in a number of local commercials and films, as well as being cast as an extra on many movies and TV shows produced in Hawai'i, Chris Riel has also acted in plays and musicals in several of Hawai'i's theatres. A few highlights include his performance in Nanakuli at Leeward Theatre; Hamlet and The Merry Wives of Windsor for the Hawaii Shakespeare Festival; Once Upon One Time at Manoa Valley Theatre; and he starred as Romeo in Cherry Blossom Cabaret's production of Femme Capulet.

​

Chris also has a degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE). When not on stage or in the Play 4 Life studio, Chris teaches concept-based math to preschool and elementary-aged children and spends all the time he can with his beautiful fiance and darling baby girl.

​

Chris Riel, player-in-chief