Improv Obsession - Conversations About Improvising Better

Scott Neiman is on the show! You know Scott from his Harold teams, The Ruckus, Scandal!, and The Great War. Scott and I talk about the moment when it ‘clicked’ for him. How we can interpret notes and hear the important overarching notes behind the notes. Obviously we talk about Harold stuff, duh. Also, I find out about a few more of the SLO… they’re everywhere. Rate. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Jensen is on the show! You know Joel as one of the cohosts of Room 101 with his team Shakedown. Joel and I talk about EVERYTHING, and it’s a pretty great episode. We discus coming up in the comedy system and trying to hone our chops. We talk about our personal comedic philosophies and where we’re ‘at’. Also, we discuss in depth a weird scene where Nick Mandernach was a pirate. Rate. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy. Happy improvising.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Davis is on the show! You know Scott from Styx Martin, or as the DJ for Soundtrack, or from Oh Brother or as one of the hosts of the 11th Hour Show, or from One Photo Reviews. PHEW. Davis and I talk about him tour the WORLD putting on plays with kids. We also cover what it's like to be removed from a harold team, and we talk about how much fun sketch is. Also, we very awkwardly start listing off nice people.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Coolidge is on the show! You know him from his two man team Ranger Danger and The Danger Ranger, and his iO West Harold team The Cartel. Drew and I talk a bit about what makes a show a whole piece. We also talk quite a bit about two prov. And, Drew finally calls me out on all my bullshit of when I say "I love it." Also, check out Luis Cortes' U.S. Hers and History  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Newell is on the show! You know Matt from his super star Harold team Kid Grift, as previously heard on this podcast. AND, you know Matt from his super star two person team, Fiddler's Green with Mary Holland, also previously heard on this podcast. Matt and I talk a bit about how one can remain a straight man in a scene and still have fun. We also talk about the slightly different approaches Matt has to doing Harolds or doing two man shows. Rate! Subscribe! Comment! Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Walsh is on the show! You know him as one of the founders of Upright Citizens Brigade, as well as from Assscat, and he's in like 100 movies. Matt and I talk extensively about heightening. Andl we discuss how to move beyond the basics in improv into the more advanced levels. It's pretty fantastic! Rate. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy. Be excellent to each other, golden age of improv, happy improvising!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Miles Stroth is on the show! You know him from the Cagematch juggernaut team, Heather and Miles Miles and I chat about his Miles Stroth workshops and how they can teach you how to be an excellent improviser. We also talk quite a bit about position play. Rate. Review. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ian Roberts is on the show. You know him as one of the founders of Upright Citizens Brigade, as well as from Assscat, from the legendary The Family, Reno 911, the executive producer of Key and Peele, and a whole bunch of other stuff that makes him a comedy legend. Ian and I talk about how he uses his ‘flash’ exercise to help get people to game quickly. Ian also explains the philosophy of a strong straight man. And we talk about a WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER STUFF AND IT’S AMAZING. Enjoy.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessica Allen Eason is on the show! You know her from Neutrino and Ms. Jackson. Jessica and I talk about her roots in musical theatre and her desire to be a lusted after leading lady. She also tells me about learning improv from the great Paul Sills. Jessica also tells me about how she asserted herself as a formidable improviser when she first showed up for classes at UCB. Also, I pretend to know what she’s talking when Jessica brings up a bunch of actors and plays. Rate. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy. YOLO.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Holland is on the show! You know her from John Velvet, Fiddler’s Green, Lord Willin’, and New Money. Mary talks to me about the first thing she thinks of when starting a scene and how it helps her build a world. We also talk about the Johnny Meeks mantra Por Las Buanas. And, Mary simulates breaking up with me. It hurts. All that and more!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Welsh is on the show! You know him from Cooper, Styx Martin, Grandma’s Ashes, Monstro and more. Paul and I talk about following dreams, getting stage time, and hanging back in scenes. Also, we decide that no one wants to hear you fucking shoe horn in your stupid fucking initiation that that you thought of on the subway. And, we discuss the confidence that comes with getting validated in improvisation. Rate. Review. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Harrison Brown stopped by the show! You know Harrison as the host of The Cagematch at Upright Citizens Brigade Los Angeles, maybe you’ve seen one of his famed air guitar, drum, and high-fiving solos. Also, Harrison is the host of Tuesday Night Thunder, and he was on early UCBLA Harold Teams, MacGuffin, Perfect Crime and Panama. Harrison and I chat about what is the element required for your best shows. We also talk about the origins of Tuesday Night Thunder the value of indie shows and the boom of the indie scene. Finally we discuss whats the deal with Cagematch. Rate. Subscribe. Comment. Review. Donate. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam McCabe is here! You probably know Adam from Bangarang!, Oh, Brother, and as one of the hosts of Sketchbar. We talk about the merits of Short Form, how simple games can be great, and the way to straight man awesome. Also, Adam confesses his fear of robot sentience and I confess my fear of people being nonchalant with knives. So, yeah, we’re pretty much best friends with very specific fears.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re talking Los Angeles Indie Improv Festival, THE SECOND YEAR! And back each for their second time, Casey Feigh, Nick Mandernach, and Jonny Svarzbein. First we cover all the important information about the LAIIF, like it’s Saturday May 25th from 11AM to Midnight. Also we talk a bit about the organizing of the show with help from Crashbar, Tuesday Night Thunder, Room 101, 11th Hour Show, and the Manifesto Show And we talk about some of the wonderful people who helped get the show on it’s feet this year including Improv Artvice master David Kantrowitz and the man behind Danny Cohen’s greatest hits, Danny Cohen! Also, someone throw an after party.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christopher George is on the show! Christopher is the Assistant Artistic Director a at Finest City Improv in San Diego. He also writes an awesome improv blog, Riding on the Wall. Chris talks about his mission for creating a new improv scene in San Diego. Breaking from an oppressive theatre. And of course we talk about our approach and philosophy to improv. And he invites the entire world to come out to Finest City to see a show, all 7 Billion of you. Rate. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dickie Copeland is on the show today! You know Dickie from Styx Martin, Bitty Schrim, D’artagnan, Heavy Goose, Bikini Tiger, her wonderful writing, more. Dickie and I talk a bit about improv, but even MORE about developing yourself as a professional comedy person. We talk about why I should have changed my name, how to focus on a path for writers, determining and going after your type for actors, and also, why is game so hard. Also, we spend the whole episode drinking whisky so you know it’s a good episode! Subscribe, rate, comment, enjoy, donate.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lilan Bowden is on the show! You may know Lilan from Bonafide, Styx Martin, or TAB, the host team of Crashbar! Lilan and I chat about being in love with what other people are bringing into improv scenes. Lilan also coaches me through having a healthy view of auditioning for harold teams. We talk a bit about Maude night. And we talk about a bunch of other important improv stuff! Lilan gets to weigh in on the conversation that Rene Gube and I had on whether or not it’s funny to hit Lilan. Also, I keep asking if Lilan’s ok. I’m very worried about Lilan’s well being cause I love her so! Rate. Subscribe. Donate. Comment. Enjoy.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jimmy Carrane, aka The Improv Nerd is on the show today! If you’re a Chicago person, you’ll know Jimmy from his many Art of Slow comedy classes. Or if you’re outside of that area you may know him as part of the legendary team Jazz Freddy and his book, Improvising Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser. OR, if you’re a podcast lover or ever check the related podcasts in iTunes next to Improv Obsession, you may know Improv Nerd. Anyway, Jimmy and I talk a bit about slow play. Jimmy also tries to convince me to get dedicated to a team, and I stubbornly say it probably won’t happen. Rate. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy. Discuss. Love. Live.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thomas Middleditch is on the show today! You know Thomas from his friday night exploits with Diamond Lion. You also may know Thomas from Snow Pants, Middleberger, Baby Wants Candy, The Improvise Shakespeare Company, and a bunch of other stuff Thomas and I talk about the most important thing about, improv, the 90s. We also get into kinda improvising from your gut. Thomas tells me about a heroic and dangerous moment in his improv. AND we chat about recklessness, CONTROLLED recklessness. Rate. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy. Donate?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erin Whitehead is on the show! She's a hilarious improviser who you may know from her UCBLA harold team Kid Grift, and you may remember THEM as all coming the podcast together for episode 26. Erin and I chat about gaining confidence after being in a rut. Erin talks about being honest in her improv. And, the best part, Erin and I hug. You get to hear that. LOL. Also, donations welcomed at ImprovObsession.com. Listen. Rate. Subscribe. Enjoy.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices