Gnu Tales

The second Saturday of every month, Gnu Tales has been delighting audiences with brand-new, never-before-seen, improvised fairy tales created before your very eyes! Our shows are recommended for ages 2-102 (but especially geared toward ages 3-8), so bring anyone you know who’s looking to add a little childlike wonder to their world—it’s only $10 for the whole family! And don’t forget the camera—the kids are welcome to join the cast on stage to help create the adventure! Come out to our shows and let us add some magic to your Saturday morning.

Runtime is about 60 minutes. Come early for coffee and coloring!

MEET THE CAST:

Dylan Kinney, Creator of Gnu Tales
Dylan accidentally began his improv career in 2003, when he registered for (and won) the first annual "Mr. Star Wars" contest at Dragon*Con in Atlanta. In the fifteen years that followed, he performed hundreds of shows with multiple teams in the Nashville area. He met his wife while he was performing improvised Shakespeare at the Tennessee Renaissance Festival. His two daughters were his inspiration to create the improvised fairy tale show "Gnu Tales" for families with young children of their own.

Dani Leyhue, Gnu Tales
Dani first found improv in a small studio outside of Chicago. She has appeared in a few Nashville short and long form based groups, but has found her home making magic with Gnu Tales. Her sense of humor is whimsical and fun for all ages. Dani has deep affinity for fairy tales, to the point that she has professionally written and designed children's books. Today she works in the crazy world of publishing and makes digital magazines. Dani also wonders why many of the cast bios have two heads and wonders when she'll grow a second head.

Kelsie Craig, Gnu Tales
Kelsie moved to Nashville from Arkansas in 2011. While in Arkansas she was part of Improv Little Rock! She loves improv and telling stories. While in college she traveled to New York for a Second City intensive. She teaches 4-18 year olds at Nashville Children’s Theater and Centennial Performing Arts. She especially loves the little ones and their vast imaginations. She’s happy she’s found a home with Gnu Tales at Third Coast.

Mary Claire Reynolds, Gnu Tales
Mary Claire grew up in Nashville, so it’s unsurprising that her first professional acting gig at age 14 was playing a mermaid in a country music video. Many moons later, she got her start in live improv while she was in Chicago for a commercial casting & decided to sign up for a Second City intensive on a whim. Hooked, Mary Claire went on to train at UCB Theatre in Los Angeles. While in LA, she performed with her long form team Bacon Marmalade all over town including the iO West and the Clubhouse stages. Upon her return to Nashville, she jumped into all the improv she could find and now she’s super excited to be playing the Third Coast stage with Freak Pony and Gnu Tales. When Mary Claire is not on stage, she can be found chasing her two preschool age daughters around and/or staring into an empty mug, wondering why the coffee’s already all gone. And she always double knots her sneakers.

Molly Kemp, Gnu Tales
Molly is a Nashville transplant from a small town in northern Connecticut. She caught the improv bug over a decade ago and hasn't been able to shake the habit since! She performs with various groups at Third Coast and teaches classes at the Third Coast Training Center. Working with and helping kids has always been a passion of hers, from serving at camps to working at a preschool company to volunteering with the foster care review board. She's excited to have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of young children through the magic of improv with Gnu Tales.

Ryan Leyhue, Gnu Tales
Ryan Leyhue is a pirate who occasionally gets to play other things as well. As a professional actor and comedian for the better part of two decades, Ryan has performed for children of all ages, but particularly enjoys performing for young audiences because he really gets to “play like a child” when performing for children. Ryan’s favorite color is orange and his favorite animals (aside from the GNU, of course) include alligators (with whom he has performed) and sharks!