David is Curious

Ali James is a fantastic mind in the improv world and I am so lucky to have been able to chat with her more. I not only love her style but her approach to improv. I am super interested in the work of Pretend Improv in London and she is the third co-producer in that company.   You can catch Ali in The Play's the Thing, a super talented cast of Shakespearean improv actors. Their accents and cadance is on POINT. They really understand the tone and texture of the Bard. https://www.instagram.com/the.playsthethingimprov    Of course you can catch her work as part of the fantastic Pretend Company. https://www.instagram.com/thepretendcompany/    And you can also catch her as a part of the award winning Showstoppers. https://showstopperthemusical.com/    Also ... something she announces in this episode is her role as director of the Improvathon in London! https://www.instagram.com/theimprovathon   Ali James is all over improv. And is a positive force in the craft.   Enjoy the interview!"

This episode I interview my son.  He tells a couple of stories, sings a song, and calls me a "poop."  This may be more a "vanity project" but I'm curious for my future self. I think that 15 years from now, re-listening to this episode will be super interesting. To hear his voice, and how he tells stories.  I think in 30 years, when I'm gone, he might like to hear how we interacted. Maybe he will glean how I was as a father. I would love to hear how my dad spoke to me when I was young. My dad has dementia. It's getting harder and harder to remember what he was like. I have memories of him, but the former day-to-day experience of him is fading over time even though the physical body still sits there.    

Bala Viswanathan, Yuehan Liu and Stephen Lee grace me (and the audience) with their experience and eloquence. All three are fantastic improvisers on stage and leaders in the community. I asked them about "the unknown" in improv. We always talk about "not knowing" where the improv is going, but what does that mean? How come some people are drawn to the unkown and some people afraid of it? We discuss this and there are several moments of wisdom and insight. Thank you to Lloydie and Liam of the Robin Hood Improv Festival for making this space.   #improv 

Jason Hader!! (brrrr brr brr BRRRR!!!) I have been wanting to talk to Jason for a while now. I chat with him all the time on social media, but this was the first time having a conversation. At the end of this episode you can hear his new single he has titled "David is Curious." I am so honoured. You can hear more of his music on his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonHader   Enjoy!

I have been wanting to interview Jill Eickman for a long time! I am so happy she made time for this.  It was very interesting to hear about Leela Improv and their holistic approach to improv training. I enjoyed hearing Jill's views on community and I finally was able to compliment her on something I have admired for years now. Give it a listen! If you want to find out more about Leela Improv check out this link: https://leela-sf.com/ #improv

Tess Hills is an amazing performer - both street performance/immersive theatre and puppeteer. I had the sheer honor of working with Tess on Brainland as puppeteers.  She is the kind of person that elevates the whole quality of the project. Tess is fun to be on set with (we kept trying to hide stage clips on each other when the other one wasn't paying attention) and she also brings professional guidance to the project. I learned SO MUCH just by being around her. It was incredible. Tess owns and runs a company called Curious Cargo which has some fun shows for festivals and live events. They have a sketh/show called The Temperance Society described as, "Then never fear, the Victorians are here to help you mend your ways. They're frightfully proper, sombre and stern, with a terribly stiff upper lip." Truly an incredible performer. And one of those incredibly talented people who is also so so so humble. Her backbone is in play and always connecting. I loved doing this interview.  Hope you enjoy it!

If you get the chance to take an improv class with Maria Peters - DO IT.  She is an incredible mind in improv and has worked with legends. Her empathy and creativity in improv is some of the best I have ever seen.  I have always enjoyed seeing Maria Peter improvise. There was one time I was in an improv class with her and the whole class did a group scene. During the scene, I could tell she literally listened to me.  She literally heard me and supported me.  So many others were trying to impress the influential teacher. They were trying to do big bold moves or funny bits. Maria was in the space with me, at that time.  And as a scene partner I felt so much trust. I cannot recommend her enough. If you would like to find out more about this amaxing improv performer, you can find out more at: https://www.mariapeters.co.uk/ You can also follow her on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/mariapetersimprov/ 

I have had the privilege of seeing Ros perform several times and host improv shows. She has an authentic and vulnerable connection with the audience. Her simple shrugs, smiles or facial expressions commands the audience - because I feel like "friendship" is somehow inherent in her style. I saw her Twilight Zone themed improv show, "After Dusk" and immediately thought, "I need to interview her."   I am so curious as to her improv philosophy and what drives her to perform. I hope you enjoy this interview.   Here are just a few improv projects she is a part of: Real Positive Poles - SciFi themed improv: https://realpositivepoles.com/ Up the Antics - a fantastic Bristol based improv and skethc show: https://www.facebook.com/UpAntics Bish Bosh Bash - an improvised variety show: https://www.facebook.com/bishboshbashshow/ Murder She Didn't Write - an improvised murder mystery: https://www.murdershedidntwrite.com/    You can catch onstage or in class at the Bristol Improv Theatre: https://improvtheatre.co.uk/          

Luana Proenca said in a comment on Facebook: " We don't tell stories, we enter them." Now, I have been following Luana's journey via social media but that comment really struck me and I wanted to know more. I loved hearing her detail this philosophy in improv. And it really inspired me.  I have always felt that our service in improv is both to cater to the audience but not placate them - as humble guides through our stories. We are trail masters and taking care of the audience as precious cargo. This was such a good discussion and I am excited for the chance to meet Luana in person. You can find out more about her on her website: https://luanaproenca.wixsite.com/luanaproenca  We also discuss her documentary during this interview, and here is a link to it! "It was necessary to listen to other voices" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EviKrWSU2cY&t=25s    #improv 

Dr. Julian Waite has been one of the most influential people in my life.  He was the supervisor for my Master's Thesis. His thoughts on documentation have resonated with me years later. Not only is he extremely intelligent, he is also a REMARKABLE performer. I have seen him perform several times - in fact he was in one of my improv shows. One of my FAVORITE jokes he made during that show was he was giving a scene notes. And he instructed them to hit the high notes of the scene, and the low notes of the scene. After profoundly hitting the importance of the high and low notes ... he then also said they needed to hit the middle notes. Lol, so everything?!?! It was so funny. It was like the perfect vague and pretentious note a bad acting teacher would give you.  Hilarious. I hope you enjoy this interview.  I could talk to him for hours. From the very first question, he takes off. Dr Waite takes the concepts of identity and explodes it out.   So honored to have him in my life.

Monica Cordero-Cruz is such an amazing mind (and heart) in improv. I happened upon one of her thoughts online and it caused me to think so many thoughts - about culture and colonization in improv. I am so so so so thankful for this conversation. I hope you enjoy the interview as well! You can catch Monica on the team SPIT improv in Manila.  Here is a link: https://www.facebook.com/spitmanila/ They have over a MILLION followers on Facebook!

Colin Mee is a strategic and empathetic improviser. I have had the pleasure of hearing his perspective on improv (in bits and pieces). I was so happy to be able to sit down and hear a deeper share on how he attacks improv as a practice. I am so thankful for his time.  You can catch Colin as part of the MissImp community in Nottingham: https://www.missimp.co.uk/ You can also catch his improv team, Enter Player 2, at festivals and in Nottingham.   #improv 

I am so happy to finally present this interview with Roderick Millar. The first time I watched Roderick perform was as part of Somewhat Theatre at the Robin Hood Improv Festival in 2024. That show was ELECTRIC.  It was so good.  Roderick regularly comments on social media posts with such great analysis and communication of his ideas. I have been wanting to chat with Rodericl Millar for such a long time about his views on improv.   

Part two of my interview with Tauri Laws-Phillips, Stephanie Rae, and Deana Criess Tolliver.

Final part of my interview with Holly Bartolo.  So greatful for this opportunity.

Part 2 of my interview with Holly. 

I believe that the only thing more important than all the efforts of improv teachers and institutions, could be in the documentation of the practice.  Recording shows, interviewing teachers, debriefing after shows ... it is an overlooked value in improv. Holly Bartolo runs the Phoenix Remix, a fantastic resource for improv documentation, information and trends.  I highly regard the cannon of her work. You can check out the Phoenix Remix here:  https://thephoenixremix.com  I am so honored to have shared the space with Holly to find out more about her experience and history in improv.

Part 2 of my interview with Timothy Killilea

I finally get to meet Timothy Killilea. I find his comments on the Improv Boost insightful and building. I really admire Timothy a lot.   You can find out more about Timothy by following the pig.  Did I say "pig?"  Yes.  The Providence Improv Guild: www.improvpig.com He also has a podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/youreheartofallasleep Timothy also has a great instagram where he explores everything potato: https://www.instagram.com/potatobasedeconomy     He is such a creative and inspiring human being.

final part of the Jack and Jorin episode. I LOVED recording this. They inspire me so much.