Meet Hashtag's Core Curriculum Instructors

Paul Stelzer - Level 1

Paul Stelzer co-founded The Hashtag Comedy Company in 2012. That year, Paul met the other co-founders and original members of Hashtag Comedy while taking improv classes in Columbus. As the instructor of Hashtag's Level One Introduction to Improv class, Paul's primary goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where students can build confidence and bond with each other while learning the fundamentals of improv comedy. Paul says, "I hope my students have fun and enjoy improv as much as I did when I took my first classes." Paul is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he studied Communications (Radio/TV/Film) and Theatre. After college, Paul built a career in TV News and Sports, including three years as a News Reporter at NBC 4 in Columbus. Paul is the son of Bob and Marilyn, and the younger brother of Jay and Cathy. "My entire life, my family has filled my world with love and laughter," Paul recalls. "Mom, Dad, Jay, Cathy, David Letterman, and Jerry Seinfeld have shaped my sense of humor more than anyone else." FUN FACT: In 1995, Paul "improvised" his way into a Chicago Bulls postgame news conference and asked Michael Jordan a question. (Nobody has confirmed the rumors that Jordan and Stelzer played blackjack together at a riverboat casino in Joliet later that night.)

Josh Waddle - Level 2

A performing member of Hashtag Comedy since 2018, Josh Waddle has been involved with Hashtag's education team for just as long. Born in Columbus, Josh grew up in Lexington, KY, graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in education before moving back to Ohio. Discovering a love for performing and comedy, Josh is now a full time actor and comedian and loves being able to combine his two passions of acting and teaching together with Hashtag's improv classes.

You'll regularly find Josh performing around town with Hashtag Comedy, Donut Sundae, on local podcasts, and always happily jumping in on improv shows being put on by former students. He has been the lead instructor for Hashtag's level 2 classes since 2024, having been the lead for Hashtag's children's classes for several years prior.

Candice oates - level 3

Candice Oates is a born-and-raised Ohioan with a life-long passion for comedy. 2019 was the year that she finally realized her high school theater kid energy and her absorption of niche comedy could actually be put to good use. Candice has 7 years of improv training and experience, and is currently a member of Hashtag Comedy’s TBD the Improvised Musical. She also performs regularly at The Nest Theatre with her improv groups Skoora, Sorry We’re Sorry, Psychopomp, Vandalpose, and Meanwhile, Elsewhere. 

Candice has taken curriculum classes and workshops for improv and sketch writing with numerous trainers and facilities, including Hashtag Comedy, The Nest Theatre, Improv With Mark, Imposters Theater in Cleveland, Arcade Theater in Pittsburgh, and UCB Characters Welcome.

Candice has been teaching Level 3 at Hashtag Comedy since March 2025, and is thrilled at the opportunity to spread the joy and insanity of improv.

katie drown - levels 4 & 5,

Katie Drown is an improviser, teacher, and Director of Curriculum at Hashtag Comedy Co. based in Columbus, Ohio. A lifelong singer and actor, Katie discovered improv comedy at The Ohio State University in 2011, where she trained with Fishbowl Improv and quickly fell in love with the art form.

She has been teaching improv classes and masterclasses at Hashtag since 2018 and began teaching core curriculum levels in July 2024. Katie currently teaches Levels 4 and 5 and designed Hashtag’s Level 5 improv curriculum. She is also the creator of several popular masterclasses, including Seeing Invisible Things, How to Be a Ninja, and Improv for Luvahs. With 15 years of experience as an improviser, instructor, and coach, Katie brings clarity, playfulness, and precision to the classroom, helping students deepen their skills while having a great time.

On stage, Katie is an original cast member of musical improv groups TBD: The Improvised Musical and Ladies Who Lounge. She is also a founding former member of ROT Improv. Outside the theater, Katie is the co-founder of WitWorks, Hashtag’s corporate improv training partner, where she designs and facilitates experiential learning programs for organizations across the country and abroad.