Travis Charles Ploeger

Travis Charles Ploeger

Washington Improv Theater

Travis Charles Ploeger is the creator of iMusical, which he directed for its first 19 years from 2006 through 2025.

He joined WIT after an eight-year career as the musical director for Chicago City Limits, at that time the longest running comedy revue in NYC. During his time in the Big Apple, he also performed regularly at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and the People’s Improv Theater, and helped create “I Eat Pandas” with Eliza Skinner and Glennis McMurray (McCarthy). A graduate of the Hartt School of Music (University of Hartford), he has since helped to create and perform approximately 2,000 (!) improvised musicals across the country. His fond non-improv musical theater credits include music directing Loretta “Hot Lips” Swit at the Forestburgh Playhouse (NY), yucking it up with the best of them at The Great American Melodrama (CA), and clowning around on a white baby grand onstage in Constellation Theatre’s 2014 production of SCAPIN.

He currently teaches music and theater at John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, does music ministry with Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda, and (gratefully) spends slightly more time than before with his wife and kids. He is also a season ticket owner for the Minnesota Vikings, and has yet to turn down a chance to visit a tiki bar.
He thanks the dozens of iMusical ensemble members for all of the joy they brought him and DC audiences these many years, with special thanks to Mark Chalfant, for allowing his dream to come true. Please follow him on Bluesky here. Mahalo!

Photo by Andrew Bossi

Favorite Word
Mahalo
Favorite Historical Figure
Thomas Coryat

Travis Charles Ploeger has taught musical improv to hundreds of students nationwide since the 1990's.

Using his professional experiences with Chicago City Limits, Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, People’s Improv Theater, Magnet Theater, as well as WIT, he not only encourages first-time performers to find their own voice, but guides seasoned professionals in polishing their craft. His unique blend of combining emotional honesty, structured composition, and spontaneity led to the creation of iMusical back in 2006… and it’s still going strong today!
A graduate of the Hartt School of Music (University of Hartford), he has since helped to create and perform approximately 2,000 (!) improvised musicals across the country. His fond non-improv musical theater credits include music directing Loretta “Hot Lips” Swit at the Forestburgh Playhouse (NY), yucking it up with the best of them at The Great American Melodrama (CA), and clowning around on a white baby grand onstage in Constellation Theatre’s 2014 production of SCAPIN.
When not leading musical improv workshops, he is teaching music and theater at Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, and creating music ministry at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda. You can contact him on Bluesky here. Mahalo!

Student Feedback

“His enthusiasm and energy are very contagious!”

“Travis made what’s rather hard and potentially embarrassing, (singing in public) easy and fun.”

Personal Motto
All you are is your word.
Hidden Talent
Texas Hold 'Em Poker (No Limit)