Frank Spitznagel and Nikita Burdein

Teaches at Magnet Training Center

Frank Spitznagel: 
Frank Spitznagel is the Musical Director at Magnet Theater and a piano accompanist who frequently plays for such improv groups as I Eat Pandas, Veal, The Made-Up Musical, Gusto, and many others. He is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music, where he studied piano performance. His work can be heard on several studio recordings. 

Frank has composed for Comedy Central and the Aspen Comedy Festival. He accompanied Itzhak Perlman in an original jazz composition by Benny Golson at Lincoln Center. He also played the American premiere of The Hired Man Off-Broadway. He has been musical director for productions such as Nunsense (all incarnations), A Chorus Line, Chicago City Limits, and several original musicals.

Nikita Burdein: 
Nikita Burdein is an Improviser, Actor, Writer, and Filmmaker.
He has trained at the Magnet Theater and Upright Citizens Brigade since 2011 and performs weekly with Magnet musical house teams Wonderland and Premiere. He also performs with Royals at the Peoples Improv Theater and with Happy Karaoke Fun Time at the Annoyance Theater.

He is a founding member of the puppet troupe, Penny and the Puppettes, and a producer of the storytelling podcast, We Love Bedtime Stories. He has worked behind the scenes on many advertising campaigns, films, and television shows, most recently completing work as Associate Producer on HBO's The Jinx.