Kevin Allison

Kevin Allison was born on February 16, 1970, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He demonstrated an early inclination towards performance, studying at New York University where he initially pursued film before shifting his focus to writing and acting. While at NYU, he became a founding member of the influential sketch comedy troupe, The State. This group later gained widespread recognition for their self-titled MTV sketch comedy series, which aired from 1993 to 1995. During his time with The State, Allison was involved in various popular sketches and contributed significantly to the show’s writing.

Following the disbandment of The State in 1995, Allison continued his career in entertainment. He made numerous film and television appearances, including roles in “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey” (1991), “Wedding Daze” (2006), “The Ten” (2007), “Reno 911!: Miami” (2007), an episode of HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords” (2007), “High Maintenance” (2016), and “Cobra Kai” (2021). Parallel to his acting work, Allison has written for television and for production companies such as JibJab and Blue Man Group. His diverse background also includes teaching sketch comedy and storytelling at institutions like New York University and the People’s Improv Theater, where he also served as artistic director.

A significant turning point in Allison’s career came in 2009 when he launched the storytelling podcast, RISK!, which quickly gained popularity, regularly appearing on top ten lists on iTunes and attracting over one million downloads monthly. RISK! features true stories shared by both seasoned performers and everyday individuals. Building on the success of the podcast, Allison established The Story Studio in New York in 2011, providing creative and corporate storytelling training. He consistently tours with live RISK! shows, extending the reach of his storytelling platform.