Gettin' Biggie With It

Meet Blue! Our most famous guest yet! She started her performance career as part of a popular rap group discovered in the inner harbor - and now she’s in talks to direct an incredibly important production. Find out what it’s like to successfully live the art life. You’ll also get the answer to everyone’s burning question: Where did the nickname “Blue” come from?! Tease: it has nothing to do with the color blue... Join us and one time troupe: Bundies Crossed Cast of Improvisers: Devin McKay, Jenni Van Ausdall

Meet Jessica Henkin! She boomeranged back to Baltimore from the Bacchanalia of her New York youth, and now, she knows almost everyone in Charm City as one of the city's "Hip Baltimore Power Couples" (phrase coined by Kerri). A member of BIG since near its inception, Jess has a lot to say about improv...which is why she was our first guest to go over the 30 second time limit. Find out if we forgive her, more about the Stoop Storytelling Series, and how to strong-arm your way onto a podcast with one time troupe: Tendrils in the Asphalt. Cast of Improvisers: Sean Latta, Roy Taff, Barry Wright, Kristen McKenzie

Meet Julia Gerhardt! Big Magic Prophet. BIG Improv Teacher. Big time writer in the making. She's started improv clubs at high schools and college from LA to Baltimore and will talk to an Uber driver any time. Join us and one time troupe: Lice on Pubes, Crab on Back. Cast of Improvisers: Devin McKay, Allison Gross, Jenni Van Ausdall

Meet Allison Gross! She tells us about her botched college improv audition, gives us the scoop on what really happens on a Birthright Israel trip, and invites us all to explore our haunting anxieties... all while half of us are on spring break. Joined by one-time troupe The Data Scientists. Guest improvisers Brian Leonard, Julia Gerhardt, Devin McKay, Jenni Vanausdall.

Meet Nate Tyson! Nate is at the theater pretty much every day - but it’s on THIS podcast where he gets super honest and super open about the life changes that brought him here. Whether you’re trying to find your way to more art or spending a lot of time in your head or thinking about making some life changes, you’ll relate to something he says. Joined by ALL-the-time-troupe Old City!

Meet Sam Brunner! She Is one of the few people with the discipline to journal every single day, she writes a kick ass cover letter, and she made an important declaration to her sixth grade class... Plus she couch surfed around the world! Get her story here, and enjoy some improv from one-time troupe Suburban Time Capsule. Cast of Improvisers Brian Young, Michelle Faulkner, David Richman.

Meet Pam Hugi! She was part of a Chicago high school superlative rebellion, she can speak Russian, and if she looks familiar, it’s because of the standout roles she’s played on many a stage. Find out which ones, and hear about Pam’s journey to “enlightenment,” in today’s episode. Improv by one-time troupe Daddy Warlocks (or The Yogis, or Mr Bundles) Cast of Improvisers: Michael Hartwell, Nate Tyson, Jen Diamond

Meet Harold Young! The Fourth! He's tried everything once. He only needs 20 seconds to tell you an origin story. He stuck with BIG, even though people made jokes about his name being a format. We had a blast learning more, and you will, too! Join us, and one time troupe: Big Jims. Cast of Improvisers: Michael Hartwell, Nate Tyson, Jason Herbert

Meet Pat Hampton! This well-traveled New Yorker came back to Charm City for a special visit to explore how improv can help you be more of yourself - and also better at your day job. Plus he flatters the heck out of us with BIG praise. With one-time troupe Prisoners of Comedy. Cast of Improvisers: Bobby Gross, Julia Hall, Sam Brunner, and Nate Tyson

Meet Morris Kraicer! Morris might not have started his theatrical career until late in high school, but that didn't stop him from becoming one eighth of Richard Dreyfuss. We discuss what it's like to play a dog onstage, the intricacies of last names, and why comedy people are the best people. Join us and our one time troupe: Dog Stuff. Cast of Improvisers: Pam Hugi and Devin McKay

Meet Devin McKay! He’s a creative genius who makes trailers for plays! His college pal’s face was on a campus flag! And he does a killer Pee Wee Herman impression! Hear it all here and find out how he tells a compelling story and connects to his audience in limited time. He’s a delight and you’ll find yourself smiling as you listen. Joined by our one-time only troupe: Friends on Flags. Cast of improvisers- Morris Kracier, Nate Tyson

Meet Ti Coleman! When Ti walks in to the theater, people “woo.” He’s one of BIG’s favorite teachers, and you’ll see why in this episode. We talk about what makes good teaching, what makes good story telling, how we go from serious kids to funny adults, and why it’s all so important. Join us and our one-time troupe, Fun with Flack-cicity. Cast of Improvisers: Brian Leonard, Richard Gorelick, and Nate Tyson.

Meet Kim Scarfe! She chose Iowa over London, she gives kids confidence before "the crap of life" gets to them, and she is so happy that she gets to be friends with herself! She's sweet, badass, and funny, and you'll love her. With special guest Jonathan Pitts from The Second City, co-founder of Chicago Improv Festival. Join us, and our one time troupe: Plastic Bag Therapy! Cast of Improvisers: Jonathan Pitts, Nate Tyson, and Brian Leonard.

Meet Jenni VanAusdall!   She kills it in the chemistry classroom during the school year, and tears up video games in the summer. And she once had a deceased human's skull in her possession. Find out why, get the scoop on her non-parlor trick way of "science-y" teaching, and hear how we all found out the truth about Santa. With amazing one-time guest troupe: Fairy Sex Puns.   Cast of improvisers: Julia Hall, Julia Gerhardt

Her home town of Peru, Maine is home to only 1,500 people - so does the thriving metropolis of Baltimore feel like where she belongs? This BIG teacher and long-time improviser tells us how she found her way here, how to survive if you haven't read the book in an English class, and where to find fresh baked cookies on the road. Join us and our one time troupe: Contractually Obligated!   Cast of improvisers: Julia Gerhardt, Jenni Vanausdall, Michael Hartwell

He knows the secret to a good restaurant review - and can tell you the best and worst places to eat in town. So why does he now spend his nights making stuff up on stage? Find out what this former Baltimore Sun food critic gets out of the whole improv experience. This week's improv provided by this one-time appearance troupe: Good Job.   Cast of improvisers: Nate Tyson, Kim Scarfe, and Michael Hartwell.  

From an overly suburban childhood in the Finger Lakes to a political career fighting "Big Snapple" to crying in a Corolla during his first year of teaching, BIG's Education Director really opens up to us in our first episode. Enjoy improv by this week's one-time only troupe, January Composters. Cast of improvisers: Kim Scarfe and Nate Tyson.