Improv Discussion and Resources

Today, my guest is Shannon Stott. Shannon is the creator and director of Improv On and Off the Stage, A virtual Improv Studio offering virtual classes and workshops. Based in Austin, TX she has been performing and teaching Improv since 2000. Shannon uses Improv to help people connect to themselves and others both on and off the stage.Find more information about her at Shannonstott.com  or follow her on instagram and YouTube at shannonstottimprov.Hey! We’d love to answer your improv questions, share your feedback, and get your recommendations. Send emails and voice memos to chris@thunderboltcomedy.com and I made put them on the show. We are sponsored by Pineappl, a video app designed for virtual improv. If you want effortless movement and a sense of connection in your virtual classes and shows, Pineappl is the platform for you. Try Pineappl (no final e) for free at get.pineappl.studio.Our theme music is Earth’s Assault on the Central AI by Tettix, courtesy of Tettix, You can find more of their music at tettix.bandcamp.comImprov Discussion and Resources, as always, is produced by me, Chris Griswold, for Thunderbolt Comedy. Virtual and in-person classes in improv and sketch comedy at thunderboltcomedy.comIf you’d like to discuss this episode, visit the Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook group or the ID&R Discord. The links for both will be in the show notes.Links:Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook groupImprov Discussion & Resources DiscordPineappl, the video app for virtual improvThunderbolt ComedySupport the show

Today, my guest is Kareem Badr. Kareem is one of the owners of The Hideout Theatre in Austin, TX  , and with his improv team Parallelogramophonograph, he co-authored “Do It Now”, a book of essays on narrative improvisation. In 2020, his fiction podcast script "Curtains" won the Austin Film Festival script competition.Great news! The Hideout Theatre has re-opened! PGraph's first show back at the theater is this Thursday, July 22nd!Hey! We’d love to answer your improv questions, share your feedback, and get your recommendations. Send emails and voice memos to chris@thunderboltcomedy.com and I made put them on the show. We are sponsored by Pineappl, a video app designed for virtual improv. If you want effortless movement and a sense of connection in your virtual classes and shows, Pineappl is the platform for you. Try Pineappl (no final e) for free at get.pineappl.studio.Our theme music is Earth’s Assault on the Central AI by Tettix, courtesy of Tettix, You can find more of their music at tettix.bandcamp.comImprov Discussion and Resources, as always, is produced by me, Chris Griswold, for Thunderbolt Comedy. Virtual and in-person classes in improv and sketch comedy at thunderboltcomedy.comIf you’d like to discuss this episode, visit the Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook group or the ID&R Discord. The links for both will be in the show notes.Links:Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook groupImprov Discussion & Resources DiscordPineappl, the video app for virtual improvThunderbolt ComedyHideout TheatreSET: The Family Game of Visual PerceptionSupport the show

Today, my guest is David Escobedo. David is the creator of The Improv Boost, a community-focused social media presence with more than 29,000 followers. David has been teaching and performing improv since 1994. He has studied at iO, Second City, Westside Comedy.He has a Bachelor's Degree in performance and directing and a Master's Degree in Drama, focusing on improv, and he is currently pursuing his PhD in Drama, focusing on improv training and rehearsal. Follow The Improv Boost on Facebook and Twitter for updates on David’s PhD work and his community boosting efforts.Hey! We’d love to answer your improv questions, share your feedback, and get your recommendations. Send emails and voice memos to chris@thunderboltcomedy.com and I made put them on the show. We are sponsored by Pineappl, a video app designed for virtual improv. If you want effortless movement and a sense of connection in your virtual classes and shows, Pineappl is the platform for you. Try Pineappl (no final e) for free at get.pineappl.studio.Our theme music is Earth’s Assault on the Central AI by Tettix, courtesy of Tettix, You can find more of their music at tettix.bandcamp.comImprov Discussion and Resources, as always, is produced by me, Chris Griswold, for Thunderbolt Comedy. Virtual and in-person classes in improv and sketch comedy at thunderboltcomedy.comIf you’d like to discuss this episode, visit the Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook group or the ID&R Discord. The links for both will be in the show notes.Links:Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook groupImprov Discussion & Resources DiscordPineappl, the video app for virtual improvThunderbolt ComedyChocolate Cake vs Fruit SaladTriangle of the SceneSupport the show

Today, my guest is Rhiannon Jenkins. Rhiannon is an improviser from London who has been very busy during Lockdown. She has directed The Love Circle, Loose Seuss, and Between the Lines virtually through the Hideout Theatre in Austin, Texas, and she’s appeared in numerous shows and festivals. In London, she’s education administrator for The Nursery Theatre. Rhiannon teaches online frequently, but she will be offering multiple in=person workshops at the Boom Chicago Comedy Festival at the end of July.Hey! Need some advice or have feedback about an episode? Send emails and voice memos to chris@thunderboltcomedy.com and they might end up on the show. We are sponsored by Pineappl, a video app designed for virtual improv. If you want effortless movement and a sense of connection in your virtual classes and shows, Pineappl is the platform for you. Try Pineappl (no final e) for free at get.pineappl.studio.Our theme music is Earth’s Assault on the Central AI by Tettix, courtesy of Tettix, You can find more of their music at tettix.bandcamp.comImprov Discussion and Resources, as always, is produced by me, Chris Griswold, for Thunderbolt Comedy. Virtual and in-person classes in improv and sketch comedy at thunderboltcomedy.comIf you’d like to discuss this episode, visit the Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook group or the ID&R Discord. The links for both will be in the show notes.Links:Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook groupImprov Discussion & Resources DiscordPineappl, the video app for virtual improvThunderbolt ComedyDaemon Voices: On Stories and Storytellingrhiannonjenkins.netSupport the show

Today, my guest is Michael Hartney. Michael was the Artistic Director of UCB New York, where he also co-created the character comedy house teams and spent years on both improv and sketch house teams. This year, Michael co-founded the new nonprofit Squirrel Theater.Michael’s TV credits include The Politician, The Break With Michelle Wolf, and 30 Rock. He also originated the roles of Stanley and Mr. Williams in School of Rock: The Musical on Broadway. If you’re in New York, see Michael’s Squirrel Theater shows at Caveat in Manhattan. His musical improv team Borabish is every Saturday night and the next Characters Welcome is Sunday, July 11th both at 7:30pm. Hey! Send me response emails and voice memos at chris@thunderboltcomedy.com and they might end up on the show.We are sponsored by Pineappl, a video app designed for virtual improv. If you want effortless movement and a sense of connection in your virtual classes and shows, Pineappl is the platform for you. Try Pineappl (no final e) for free at get.pineappl.studio.Our theme music is Earth’s Assault on the Central AI by Tettix, courtesy of Tettix, You can find more of their music at tettix.bandcamp.comImprov Discussion and Resources, as always, is produced by me, Chris Griswold, for Thunderbolt Comedy. Virtual and in-person classes in improv and sketch comedy at thunderboltcomedy.comIf you’d like to discuss this episode, visit the Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook group or the ID&R Discord. The links for both will be in the show notes.Links:Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook groupImprov Discussion & Resources DiscordPineappl, the video app for virtual improvThunderbolt ComedySquirrel Comedy TheaterEmotion Wheel for ClassroomsThe ComebackQuarterback Thanks Historical JesusSupport the show

Today, my guest is Amey Goerlich.  Amey is at Chaos Bloom theater in Denver, Colorado, where she is training center director, co-creative director, co-owner.Amey has directed or coached more than 500 improvisation groups, sketch teams. and off-broadway productions.  She produced & hosted Indie Cage Match at UCB East for 6 glorious years. Amey is a pioneer of virtual improv as the artistic director of e-mprov.com, the first online-only improv theater. She co-created the improv card game Humans Being, and you can see some of her work on UCBcomedy, Funny or Die, The Food Network, and IFC.Check out Amey’s shows at Chaos Bloom in Denver. You can find info on Chaos Bloom’s upcoming classes, including a sketch class with with Kevin McDonald from Kids in the Hall at chaosbloom.comWe are sponsored by Pineappl, a video app designed for virtual improv. If you want effortless movement and a sense of connection in your virtual classes and shows, Pineappl is the platform for you. Try Pineappl (no final e) for free at get.pineappl.studio.Our theme music is Earth’s Assault on the Central AI by Tettix, courtesy of Tettix, You can find more of their music at tettix.bandcamp.comImprov Discussion and Resources, as always, is produced by me, Chris Griswold, for Thunderbolt Comedy. Virtual and in-person classes in improv and sketch comedy at thunderboltcomedy.comIf you’d like to discuss this episode, visit the Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook group or the ID&R Discord. The links for both will be in the show notes.Links:Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook groupImprov Discussion & Resources DiscordPineappl, the video app for virtual improvThunderbolt ComedyChaosBloom.comFind Your Why, by Simon SinekSupport the show

Today my guest is Karla O’Bryant Dingle.  Karla is the Improv Director and Acting Instructor at Acting Out Studio in Charlotte, NC. She is also a faculty member with Queen City Comedy’s Global Improv Project. She has been performing improv in Charlotte since 2009 and has taken classes at Second City, Hoopla, and The Groundlings.  I wanted to chat with her because Queen City seemed to figure out producing and marketing virtual classes and shows in a way other organizations have struggled to do. And Queen City is dedicated to community and forming partnerships, which I think is pretty great. Karla does a ton of teaching, and she was lovely to chat with.You can see Karla performing with Now are the Foxes Improv Comedy, Don’t Mess Improv, Close Distance Improv, Charlotte Comedy Theater, Background Noise Musical Improv and the duo Judkins and Dingle.We are sponsored by Pineappl, a video app designed for virtual improv. If you want effortless movement and a sense of connection in your virtual classes and shows, Pineappl is the platform for you. Try Pineappl (no final e) for free at get.pineappl.studio.Our theme music is Earth’s Assault on the Central AI by Tettix, courtesy of Tettix, You can find more of their music at tettix.bandcamp.comImprov Discussion and Resources, as always, is produced by me, Chris Griswold, for Thunderbolt Comedy. Virtual and in-person classes in improv and sketch comedy at thunderboltcomedy.comIf you’d like to discuss this episode, visit the Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook group or the ID&R Discord. The links for both will be in the show notes.Links:Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook groupImprov Discussion & Resources DiscordPineappl, the video app for virtual improvThunderbolt ComedyStory Structure 101: Super Basic Shit by Dan HarmonPV Improv on YoutubeKarla:Dingle DramaQueen City ComedySupport the show

Today's guest is Velvet Wells. Velvet is the outreach and inclusion manager for The Nursery Theatre in London, as well as the Director of Operations for the Black Improv Alliance. Velvet describes himself as Black, autistic, queer, and velvet-voiced.We discussed the need for more Black people in improv, taking space for yourself, and the allure of Europe.We are sponsored by Pineappl, a video app designed for virtual improv. If you want effortless movement and a sense of connection in your virtual classes and shows, Pineappl is the platform for you. Try Pineappl (no final e) for free at get.pineappl.studio.Our theme music is Earth’s Assault on the Central AI by Tettix, courtesy of Tettix, You can find more of their music at tettix.bandcamp.comImprov Discussion and Resources, as always, is produced by me, Chris Griswold, for Thunderbolt Comedy. Virtual and in-person classes in improv and sketch comedy at thunderboltcomedy.comIf you’d like to discuss this episode, visit the Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook group or the ID&R Discord. The links for both will be in the show notes.Links:Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook groupImprov Discussion & Resources DiscordVirtual Harry Potter Improv Class with Kaivalya PlaysPineappl, the video app for virtual improvThunderbolt ComedyThe Like Switch by Jack SchaferVelvet:The Velvet Duke on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thevelvetdukeSupport the show

In this very first episode, I had a great conversation with Joe Bill. Joe is perhaps best known as half of the duo BASSPROV, but he’s also a founding member of The Annoyance Theater in Chicago, where he performed and directed more than 60 shows. He served as the Director of Corporate Training at iO as well as a teacher & guest artist in residence at The Second City Conservatory & Training Center, both for well over a decade. Joe tours the world, teaching and performing. During the Pandemic, his Story Chain sessions are a chance for participants to be vulnerable and share their stories in a safe environment.We discussed audacity, improv tactics and just being human. It’s always fun to talk to Joe, and I think you will really get into the conversation, which veers between improv and therapy.As Joe and I discuss in this episode, there’s no replacement for experience in learning improv; however, with this series, I want to bring together performers, teachers, writers, actors, directors, and producers to discuss our craft and share our experiences with you.Links:Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/improvtalk/Improv Discussion & Resources Discord:  https://discord.gg/GRvtacUh7ZVirtual Harry Potter Improv Class with Kaivalya Plays: bit.ly/wizardimprovPineappl, the video app for virtual improv: https://get.pineappl.studioThunderbolt Comedy: thunderboltcomedy.comJoe Bill:Joe Bill Teaches! on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/182602909978 Joe Bill's Integrated Improvisation: https://www.integratedimprovisation.com/Support the show