Yes But Why Podcast

This week on Yes But Why, I chatted with Copenhagen-based improviser, Emma Borrow! Emma Borrow is an improv performer and teacher currently residing in Copenhagen, Denmark. Originally from England, Emma began her theatrical journey at the Copenhagen Theatre Circle, an English-speaking amateur theatre group, with a 55-year history of bringing people together through the love of the stage. These days, Emma can be found performing weekly on the mainstage of the Improv Comedy Copenhagen’s ‘ICC Theatre.’ She also hosts Jam nights for ICC students! Emma also helps to organize the Copenhagen International Improv Festival, which is regrouping for a triumphant return in 2024. Emma’s improv style, both when playing and teaching, is driven by curiosity and playfulness. She believes in being an advocate for the international theatre community in Copenhagen. She seeks to create a safe space for both native Danes and expats to unleash their creativity. Emma’s goal is to help building the performing arts communities of Copenhagen and to meet inspiring humans along the way. In our conversation, Emma and I discussed the ways in which we realized our own superpowers. We talked about positivity and curiosity as the keys to unlock any door. Emma has always been a very adventurous spirit, kicking off her postgraduate career working in hospitality all over Europe. She told me about some of the wild trips she took before landing in Copenhagen. Emma spoke of finding the freedom in Denmark to pursue her creativity. We got into a discussion about cultural differences and how she has made Copenhagen her home. Emma is very active in the Copenhagen performing arts community. She is passionate about supporting others on their theatrical journeys. We chatted about getting anxious taking care of people and making sure they’re having a great experience. Support Emma Borrow by checking out Improv Comedy Copenhagen, where you’ll find her teaching, performing on stage and hosting jams. Take classes, come to jams, join the community! Support Emma’s other theatrical home at Copenhagen Theatre Circle. They are hosting their annual Fringe Festival in May and they are currently taking submissions!! Sign up today! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 2/8/2023; posted on 2/27/2023)

This week on Yes But Why, I interviewed improv performer and producer, Jada Pulley. Jada Pulley is a teaching and theater artist based in Minneapolis, MN. Jada is a staple of HUGE Theater, where they regularly produce and perform in improv shows, such as “Based on a True Story.” They are a proud director of the Twin Cities Black and Funny Improv Festival and founder of the Queer and Funny Improv Festival. Jada is dedicated to making improv an art form accessible to all people, especially those who are traditionally marginalized in theater spaces. In our conversation, we discussed the different ways we receive and take in storytelling. Jada talked of their love of collaborating with other artists. We discuss how diversity among artists can open minds to different directing paths and different playing styles. Jada is really busy but they say it all “feels like fun.” We talked about how they manage a full plate of activities, from day job to producing festivals to being social with the HUGE Theater community. We kept discussing the ebb and flow of being sometimes an introvert and sometimes an extrovert. Jada told me about producing the “Strangers No More” improv show and how that created a space to connect with other performers in the Minneapolis scene. I confessed that that is why I do Yes But Why – to connect and make friends with cool improvisers active in the worldwide scene. Support Jada Pulley by joining the HUGE Theater community! And by taking part in Jada’s festivals: the Twin Cities Black and Funny Improv Festival and the Queer and Funny Improv Festival! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 2/6/2023; posted on 2/13/2023)

This week on Yes But Why, I chatted with actor, improviser, and coach Karla Dingle. Karla Dingle has spent her life on the stage. She is an actor and a voiceover artist. You can see her performing improv with Now are the Foxes Improv Comedy, Close Distance Improv, Charlotte Comedy Theater, and Background Noise Musical Improv. ​​ Karla’s passion beside performing is teaching and coaching. Currently, Karla is the Education Director and an Instructor at Queen City Comedy in Charlotte, NC in the US. She is also the Improv Director and an Acting Instructor at a local studio in Charlotte, NC. Over the last several years, Karla has instructed students from Peru, Israel, India, Canada, Japan, Europe, South Africa, the Philippines and beyond. ​In our conversation, I learned that Karla is very community focused. From the neighborhood kids she grew up with in Atlanta to the theater kids she performed with at the Trumbull Youth Association, she found her crowd and she stuck with them. And now, as an adult, Karla builds and nurtures communities in Charlotte, NC and beyond. She really knows how to bring people together. I first became aware of Karla during the pandemic when the communication amongst improvisers across the globe was at its peak. The hot spot for the international improv community was online jams hosted by Karla and the Queen City Comedy community. Everyone I was interviewing at the time was abuzz about working with Karla. And by golly, I eventually got brave enough to ask Karla to be a guest on this show. Karla was a total delight. A real dream guest. She tells me how the Queen City Comedy online jams came to be and what it was like to be connected to so many amazing performers across the world. We talk about her recent visit to Improvfest Ireland and meeting so many of the improvisers she met online! Such an exciting experience and I am totes jealous! Karla talks about how all of her work and all of her art is about building experiences. And I just think that that is the coolest way to look at what she does. Karla Dingle is an amazing force in our improv world and I’m glad to say now that I know her. Support Karla Dingle by staying up to date with her happenings via her linktree -- https://linktr.ee/dingledrama and her instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/DingleDrama/ Take a class with her! Hire her to coach your troupe!She has an upcoming intensive starting February 4, 2023: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coach-dingle-an-online-observation-notes-improv-intensive-wkarla-dingle-tickets-437428649867?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch You should also check out all the awesome online workshops currently being offered through Queen City Comedy: https://www.queencitycomedy.com/classes-and-workshops Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 1/23/2023; posted on 1/30/2023)

This week on Yes But Why, I was delighted to connect with UK improv leader, Chris Mead. Chris Mead is a full time performer and teacher of improv. He has performed and taught in over 25 countries worldwide. Chris lives in the Surrey Hills of England with his wife, Laura and their dog friend, Radio. A passionate lover of improv, Chris Mead is currently teaching for Hoopla Impro, the largest improv school in the UK, as well as offering numerous indie classes on his own. Chris is one third of the legendary sci-fi improv team, “Project2” and co-founder of “Unmade Theatre Co” which produces theatrical longform shows. During our conversation, Chris connected the dots on his community building superpower. It all started with Chris’s first job after school, helping to facilitate workshops and shows at the local Christian center. This was where he first developed his creative skills. But it was the closing of this center that inspired Chris and his sister to produce their own weeklong theater camp to support the community that had lost their performance home. Years later, Chris used his skills producing theater and building communities to create an online home for improvisers during the pandemic. Alongside creative partner, Katy Schutte, Chris founded the “International Improv Station” (formerly The Improv Place UK). Chris is a creative through and through. He developed characters when he was a kid and made trading cards for them. A few years back, he used his creative skills to help save the world when he worked at an NGO focused on poverty eradication. And now, he’s currently writing a book about improv! In the story of his journey, all moves Chris made were fueled by his love for theater and community. Support Chris Mead by joining his newsletter and finding out all the cool new things he’s got going on! Chris mentioned to me that he is developing a new improv community in his current hometown of Farnham so keep an eye out for that! You can also take classes with Chris Mead through Hoopla Impro in London! In our chat, he mentioned the online workshop he led recently called “Improv Cinema Club” and that one would be really cool to catch next time it comes around! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 12/15/2022; posted on 12/19/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I chatted with Reid Messerschmidt, a writer and podcaster from Fargo, ND. Reid Messerschmidt features his writings as well as his performance thereof on his show, The Irrationally Exuberant Podcast. He is a hilariously fun person to follow on social media. You can find Reid scouring thrift shops (or the river) for the best and weirdest of treasures. You can also catch him on ebay selling the wacky wares he is not allowed to keep in his house. Reid has always been a writer. He started early, writing his first book on the topic of candy vs fruit, as a school assignment. (You can guess which way baby Reid was arguing.)In my conversation with Reid, we talked a lot about how his early years drinking sapped him of his creativity. He opened up to me about his personal journey and what it took for him to regain control of his life. Reid jokingly mentioned that sobriety opened up a lot of free time so that’s why he got back into writing. And he started Irrationally Exuberant Podcast as a way to get an audience for his writing. I think that’s a really smart idea and honestly, it has worked really well. He has a strong following who appreciate his stories and the way he performs them. During our chat, we made fun of ourselves and each other throughout. Reid was funny and sarcastic. We had a good time. Support Reid by listening to The Irrationally Exuberant Podcast. You can also support Reid’s obsession with odd thrift store scores by buying some from him via ebay. I actually got an awesome (and creepy) music box from him and I love it too much. Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 11/7/2022; posted on 12/5/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I chatted with my friend Jess Lonett, an enthusiastic human who loves collaborating with other enthusiastic humans.Jess Lonett is a cat mom, a glitter enthusiast, a #swiftie, an inspiration hoarder, a playlist curator, a donut lover, and an improviser based in Austin, Texas! She is what some may call a human woman who likes attention and has been capturing the attention of friends, family and strangers alike in a variety of ways since birth. She's won silver medals as a competitive dancer, played Goldilocks as the lead in her 3rd grade class play, done kicklines in high school football halftime shows on the pom pom squad, and been knocked down as a jammer on a small town roller derby team. She performs comedy regularly at Fallout Theater and she writes a blog called “!!!” (for real though, the website is http://www.exclamationpointexclamationpointexclamationpoint.com/ )Turns out, Jess is from Pittsburgh; and, even though I didn’t know that until this chat, I should have assumed. She is as delightful and wonderfully creative as the other amazing ladies I’ve interviewed from Pittsburgh. Amazing town. Jess and I are compatriots from the Austin improv scene. I have had the pleasure of coaching Jess in improv and directing her in sketch comedy a few times over the years. In our conversation, Jess told me that she started as a performer like so many of us do – choreographing dances in her basement. We shared notes on both winning lip sync contests back in the day. And then, Jess told me she hosted a radio show in college called “Groovy Cupcakes.” Now that is pretty much the most perfectly Jess thing I’ve ever heard. Jess loves music; that’s how she got to Austin. She is a lover of mixtapes (aren’t we all) and she is a curator of some amazing Spotify playlists. Jess is an appreciator of art and the people who make art. That is something we really bond over and share. Jess has such a welcoming energy. She told me that she is community first, creativity second, when it comes to her extracurricular activities. From improv to volleyball to dance, Jess brings the joy to every scene she encounters. It’s all about connecting with people. And Jess is an amazing success at that. You can support Jess Lonett at Fallout Theater in Austin Texas where, on the last Wednesday of the month at 8PM, she will be performing in Teenage Dirtbag. You can also connect with her on Instagram by following @itsjesslonett.Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 10/24/2022; posted on 11/21/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, listen in to my conversation with Kristin Henn, the owner and director of Excused Absence Comedy and Move Your Tale. Kristin Henn began hanging out backstage while her mom stage-managed when she was 5 years old. By 6, she found her way onto the stage. Kristin’s theatrical education started with storytelling, theater history, directing and creative drama. When she discovered Improv, a switch flipped. She had found her path. She began her study of Improv at ColdTowne Theater and remains a loyal member of that community, teaching, directing, and performing regularly. Currently, Kristin's professional life revolves around teaching and producing Improv for youth as Excused Absence Comedy and Move Your Tale. In our conversation, Kristin and I chatted about confidence, listening, and making up stories. Kristin told me how her experience with a tornado early in life shaped her whole world view. We discussed improv and how much it saved us both! We talked about deal with with trauma and the healing power of a conscientious teacher. Kristin told me how she loves to create fun experiences and new adventures!If you want to support Kristin Henn and you are interested in Improv for youth, check out the Excused Absence website for class listings, show dates, festival details, and more!Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 10/5/2022; posted on 11/6/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I present to you my interview with improviser, Katy Schutte. Katy Schutte has performed and taught improvisation in 20+ countries across five continents. She is a Head Teacher and Curriculum Writer for Hoopla, the UK’s biggest improv school. Katy authored The Improviser's Way: A Longform Workbook, published by Nick Hern Books. She is also a commercial and voiceover actor. Katy is a contributing writer for Cards Against Humanity as well as an actor/writer on the web series, Sideliners. She was resident songwriter on Sean and Robot’s Comedy Circuit podcast; she was co-writer on the AR immersive game Beth's Legacy in association with StoryFutures and CreativeXR; and she was a writer/improv director/performer on The Galaxicle Implosions, a multi-platform live virtual reality show with Fandco and Flipside.Katy is currently working on a play based on her experience as an artist in residence with The Arctic Circle Project 2022 and is a recipient of the Peggy Ramsay Foundation Grant.In my conversation with Katy, she told me all the ways she has attempted to find nerdy friends. She had some really good ideas. Once a tiny child sitting in a chair up in a tree reading a book, Katy Schutte is now a successful and often sought-after improv teacher from the UK. Katy has made a name for herself in the international improv community with her online improv and writing workshops! I am currently taking a zoom workshop with her called, “The Mythic Improv Journey”!Katy has been a tour de force in the improv scene long before the pandemic. In an effort to bolster her own improv scene in Brighton, Katy studied improv in the US and then soaked up as much improv education as she could from all around her.We had a great conversation about the hard work that goes into developing and being part of an improv scene. We talked about how to handle conflict and how to make career decisions. Katy spoke on using your own values to navigate big decisions. She made it sound really easy. Katy is such an inspiration to me. She is a stalwart educator in the international improv community and the effort she puts in to all of her theatrical endeavors is just plain awesome. In my time taking class with her, Katy has created a safe space and taught us some really amazing things about myth! I’ve enjoyed every bit of my time spent with her and I am happy she is out there for all of you to hopefully experience as well. Support Katy Schutte by joining her newsletter – you’ll then receive information from her about all the workshops she is teaching and any shows she is participating in! Katy is teaching an upcoming “Write your Own Solo Show” workshop that starts soon and it is available ONLINE! Sign up now! You should also buy her book, The Improviser’s Way: A Longform Workbook, to add to your theatre education library. Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 10/3/2022; posted on 10/24/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I had a lovely time chatting with Maddie Cordovano, the newest Conservatory Director at Fallout Theater in Austin. Maddie Cordovano has been an improviser for a little over 14 years. She trained at iO and The Second City in Chicago before moving to Austin where she signed with her first agent and wrote her first solo show. She is now the new Conservatory Director at Fallout Theater and is working to pursue a career in voice over acting. You can catch her going wild on stage (and off) all over the city but mostly at her show “Pioneers” on Saturday nights at Fallout.In our conversation, Maddie talked about having lots of diverse interests and dipping her toes into lots. She definitely has a creative thread throughout them all but deciding on one course of study was hard. Maddie was always doing theater growing up and at college but she, like so many of us, didn’t think of it as a career option. After an amazing experience writing and acting in a play in Spain, Maddie decided that she should put some effort into creative pursuits. She moved to Chicago and immersed herself in the improv scene. She learned a lot from that experience, not only about her own creative skills but also about her administrative abilities. Maddie is a welcoming soul and she really loves bringing people together and organizing communities. She shared how excited she is to have joined the Fallout staff. We bond over holding the same job in the same space, many years apart, and how special it is to be the first person to connect with incoming artists. Support Maddie by taking classes at Fallout Theater and by attending (or performing in) her weekly improv show, Pioneers. Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 9/26/2022; posted on 10/10/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I chatted with Joe Thompson, an improv performer and teacher based out of Sheffield, UK. Joe Thompson started his improv career 9 years ago at the University of Sheffield, where he joined and later became Artistic Director of the university improv society ‘The Shrimps’. Since then, he has been featured in the Leicester Comedy Award nominated long form group ‘Scriptless in Seattle’ and performed at the Y-Not Festival with Sturike Comedy. Joe’s interest in improv is academic as well – he got his Masters in Arts and Cultural Management and his thesis examined hierarchies within improv communities! (I’ve got to read that paper!) These days, you can find Joe running monthly nights with his production company Little Chicago as well as teaching and performing at various venues throughout the UK. Joe Thompson currently co-runs and teaches improv with the Spontaneity and Sheffield Steel (SASS Improv) theater group alongside improv colleague, Owen Scrivens.In our conversation, we first explored different styles of storytelling. We did a particular deep dive on JJ Abrams, who I really love! (oh hey, watch out because there are How I Met Your Mother spoilers in the opening discussion). Joe told me how the Pokemon shows he watched as a kid inspired him to create his own storylines at home when playing with his toys. We talk about immersive games and “playing narratively not competitively.” Joe and I connected on so many levels; this was a great conversation about creating art in our current cultural landscape. A big topic that came up multiple times was how sometimes making money with your art can affect the art that you create. We discussed how to find your own voice as an artist. If you live close to Sheffield, you can support Joe Thompson by performing with or attending the shows of Spontaneity and Sheffield Steel (SASS Improv)! Connect with them on Facebook at facebook.com/sassimprov !Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 9/22/2022; posted on 9/26/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to improviser and producer, Wendy Salome. Wendy Salome serves Austin’s creative community through the Coldtowne Theater. She was the Chief of Staff for ColdTowne Theater from 2018-2020. She improvised with the ColdTowne House Troupe, “Porch Cat” as well as the all-mom troupe, “My Secret Friend.” Wendy produced the B. Iden Payne-nominated show Junior Year Abroad and co-produced My Own Worst Enemy. After a long stretch of pandemic-induced hibernation from creative projects, she emerged in May 2022 to co-produce and play in The Emma Dilemma.When she's not dabbling in the improv world, Wendy works as an Election Clerk for Travis County Elections and serves as the president of the board for Griffin School.In our conversation, Wendy and I talked about how hard it can be to ALLOW yourself to be creative. There is such a strong pull to “have a solid foundation” and “take care of your family” that many of us with creative aspirations have held ourselves back. Still, the pull to be creative is strong. We keep going back to creative projects even though we’re working elsewhere. But it’s so hard! Why can’t we just enjoy ourselves? Why can’t we allow ourselves to have this joy?Wendy got introduced to improv when she put her kids into classes with Kristen Henn. Watching her children have so much fun, she got the improv bug. Wendy also found a love of stage management and producing. She thrives on helping others build a show. Wendy talked about being inspired by Nathan Sowell. When he asked her to be involved with The Emma Dilemma, he helped reignite her passion for the arts after the pandemic.We had a great deep dive on how the pandemic affected our creative output. It deflated us. We were sad. We were burnt out. Wendy and I discussed how we clawed our way out of that hole and came back to being the artists that we naturally are. To support Wendy Salome, go to your local elections office and verify that you are registered to vote, then show up and make your voice heard in the 2022 midterms on November 8th (or whenever the next election is in your country!) https://www.rockthevote.org/Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 9/7/2022; posted on 9/12/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I chat with Fiona Howat. Fiona Howat is a podcaster who loves improv, storytelling and roleplaying games. As well as doing as much improv as possible (both online and in person), she runs two RPG-related podcasts, 'What I am Rolling?': a twice-monthly RPG one-shot podcast, and 'The DM's Bookclub': where each week the hosts take a topic from Dungeons and Dragons and discuss how they might include it in their roleplaying campaigns!Fiona and I met in a workshop led by the amazing Katy Schutte and had had a little creative interaction before we met via zoom to create this podcast episode together. We hit it off and had a great old time getting to know each other for about an hour before we started the official episode. Safe to say, we are both excitedly chatting throughout so enjoy the enthusiasm!In our conversation, Fiona told me of her love for world building. When she was a child, she derived creative inspiration from Tomb Raider and Japanese RPGs. She loved to explore the worlds she was presented with and create her own stories within it. Later, her storytelling itch was scratched with communities that love Doctor Who and Harry Potter. (Plus, she got to play Quidditch and that was really fun.) After college, Fiona’s effort to make new friends was to play sports – dodgeball, basketball, rugby, all sorts of roughhousing fun. A sports friend suggested she do DND. A DND friend suggested she do podcasting. And a podcast guest suggested she take an improv class. So the lesson here is get out there and have fun. Fiona has so many interests and she just gets involved. It’s truly admirable. Fiona Howat was such a fun guest. Support her by listening to her two RPG-related podcasts, 'What I am Rolling?' and 'The DM's Bookclub'!Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 8/4/2022; posted on 9/5/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I explore the world of artist Ti Malik Coleman. Ti Malik Coleman is a Baltimore based comedian, teacher, storyteller, improviser, and writer. A Black trans performer, he is dedicated to building spaces for black queer and trans folks to come together and share stories as a mechanism of healing and celebration. Ti Malik tells stories to heal, gather and entertain. Ti Malik is an experienced and sought-after Improv teacher and coach. He has taught core and advanced classes with Baltimore Improv Group and Maryland Improv Group. He is a frequent guest instructor for Bad Dog Theater, winning Favorite Guest Instructor in 2020. He started teaching improv in 2015 with the Baltimore Improv teacher training program, and since then has taught over 50 classes and workshops. He was a founding member of an all-Black improv group, Casually Dope, and has been featured as a performer and teacher at improv festivals in Toronto, Chicago, New York, DC, and Philadelphia. As a community artist, Ti Malik teaches students and organizations how to use art to facilitate change. He has led Applied Improv workshops and series in a variety of corporate settings. Applied Improv uses the foundations, concepts and exercises used in improvisational comedy and applies them to business, relationships, healing, and life. Ti Malik’s deepest love is working with young people, he has taught improv in many schools and works with organizations to bring improv to youth of all access levels. As a youth organizer and facilitator, Ti Malik created the first youth team at Baltimore Improv Group, he previously served as a site manager for Creative Alliance After School, and he is currently a teaching artist with Arts for Learning Maryland. “Coach Ti” teaches improvisational comedy and theater to all ages. As an arts integration specialist, he uses theater and improv as a vehicle to academic success, in particular ELA and math.In our conversation, Ti Malik shared with me the metaphorical branches of his creative tree: improv, storytelling, community building, teaching, connecting. First, we talked about the divinity in creativity. We laughed about the Artist’s Way and how we haven’t quite finished it yet! LOL. Ti Malik shared the meditative state of melting into a character. We discussed acting for a bit. Then Ti Malik explained his experience of falling in love with improv. And he mentioned that his plan B to being an artist was to become President.! Thankfully for us, his intelligence and ability to juggle many projects was instead better invested into the arts world. Ti Malik told me about the amazing arts organizations he was a part of in Baltimore: Baltimore Improv Group, Creative Alliance, Arts for Learning Maryland. These groups gave him a place to showcase his talents while helping his community. I think that it’s absolutely great that the city of Baltimore has so many artistic opportunities!“Who we are is endless, you know, and I think that being able to show someone that is beautiful; And being able to show myself that is The Thing.”We mused about the never-ending process of getting to know ourselves. Ti Malik credited his artistic community and friends for helping him to become more himself. This was a really lovely, warm episode and I hope you all enjoy it!Support Ti Malik Coleman by hiring him to teach at your school or workplace! Check out ticoleman.com to get connected!Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 7/13/2022; posted on 8/29/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I present my interview with Patti Stiles. Patti Stiles is an actor, director, author, playwright and teacher who specializes in improvisational theatre. She has been working professionally in theatre since 1983. Patti has taught and performed in North and South America, Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, UAE and the Oceania region for numerous improv companies, festivals, and theatre schools as well as the corporate arena.Patti is a member of the ITI Artistic Committee (CA), a founding member of the award-winning Die Nasty – improvised soap opera (CA) and former Artistic Director of Rapid Fire Theatre (CA), Dream Kitchen Theatre (CA) and Impro Melbourne (AU). In 2021, she released her first book, Improvise Freely.In our interview, Patti and I chatted about connecting with an audience, the trappings of success, and the creative processes involved with writing a book. Patti mused about her time spent at the Loose Moose Theater company. She told me that it was inside this theater space that she felt “at home.”Patti discussed her time working with children and how that informed her entire career as a storyteller. She told me about building a career as a performer and a teacher in this industry. Patti shared her experience of writing her book, Improvise Freely, and talked excitedly about how much she can’t wait to write her next book. This was an absolutely lovely conversation. It was such an honor to speak to Patti Stiles. You can find Patti Stiles out in the world at Trondheim International Impro Festival, the first international impro festival in Trondheim Norway, from August 28 to September 3.Then later (September 5-12), she’ll be in Helsinki, Finland, doing workshops. Check out Patti’s schedule on her website and connect with her when she travels near to you or goes to a festival you are also going to!Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 6/27/2022; posted on 8/22/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I present my interview with Kasia Chmara. Kasia Chmara is an improviser, an actress and a theater teacher in Bydgoszcz, Poland. She completed her studies at the International Film, Theatre and TV School in Lodz. She has been performing improv for almost a decade, but she’s been teaching theatre since 1998. Kasia is an artistic coordinator of “Improdrom,” the International Improv Festival in Bydgoszcz, Poland. She regularly leads theatre and improvisation workshops in Bydgoszcz, Gdańsk, Dublin, Bengaluru, Strasburg, Lubljana, Riga, and Athens. Kasia performs with numerous improv groups, such as “wymyWammy,” “Which is Which,” and “The Allnighters.” She is also a member of the European improv collective, Ohana. Currently, she is also an actress with the Kameralny Theatre in Bydgoszcz, Poland.In our interview, Kasia tells me about her lifelong pursuit to be an actress.Kasia dedicated her life to acting when she was only 6 years old. We discuss all the hard work that has gone into her schooling – all the effort it took to get into the International Film, Theatre and TV School and all the work she put in while she was there. She shares with me the uphill battle of auditions and busking that followed.Kasia continues to work on her craft! She is currently working on her PhD in Creating Character on script play through improvisation techniques. We talk of our mutual love for improv and how Kasia connected to the artform through musical improv. There was no theater in her city, so Kasia decided to start her own community called Improvart Katarzyna Chmara. She now hosts theatre and improvisation workshops in Bydgoszcz and beyond. We talk about connecting with the larger international improv community over Zoom during the pandemic and how much that opened our eyes to the larger world of improv. Support Kasia Chmara by taking workshops with Improvart Katarzyna Chmara and by keeping up with her work through the European improv collective, Ohana. Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 6/15/2022; posted on 8/15/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I interviewed improviser and creative, Lisa Michelle Jackson. Lisa Michelle Jackson is an improv comedian, visual artist, dancer, and writer based in Austin, Texas. Lisa has been improvising since 2007 and has worked as a performer, teacher, coach and director. With B. Iden Payne awards and nominations, she has performed in an array of shows and troupes and has traveled to perform across the U.S. As a visual artist, Lisa is a naturalist and uses organic processes and materials to create her artwork. As a dancer, her primary dance modalities are hip hop, contemporary, and Afro-Caribbean styles. She also writes long form fiction, short stories, poetry, and essay.In our conversation, we started off discussing prisons and our culture of competition (like, immediately, we got deep…I started the track at like 5 minutes in). Then we get into improv and how better the world would be if we obeyed improv rules in the real world. Lisa shared some valuable advice she received about how “life is a series of changing relationships” and how she regularly uses that perspective to navigate the world. We talk about some rough times we’ve been through and how improv performance as well as the support of our community got us through. Lisa talks about mistakes as gifts and turning a bad situation into something good. Support Lisa Michelle Jackson by seeing her perform at The Hideout Theater as well as various international online improv jams!Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 5/25/2022; posted on 5/30/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I interviewed writer and actor, Pete Parsons. Pete Parsons is an entertainer who currently lives in Austin Texas. A graduate of The Theater School at DePaul University, Pete learned the most about what it takes to be an artist from the Chicago improv theaters and their classes and communities. These days, you can catch him at the Fallout Theater in downtown Austin. Every Saturday night there, you can see Pete hosting Pioneers, an improv show that features a new cast of improvisers each week. In our conversation, we talk about how living a theatrical life was a forgone conclusion in Pete’s mind. Even from a very young age, he knew that he would be a performer. And luckily, he grew up in a town with a pretty amazing children’s theater. So Pete has been onstage for his whole life. We talk about the pandemic and how all the chaos really sapped Pete’s creativity. There was just so much going on. Some people really dug into online content creation but that’s not Pete’s thing. (That is not to say that he doesn’t curate some pretty fun Instagram accounts: @littlehighbear and @wowsecretmountain.) But onstage is the place to be and so when Fallout reopened, Pete jumped at the chance to host Pioneers. I know how it can be. Hosting a show is just enough action to keep your mind busy. Pete expressed to me that he's still very much in the midst of figuring out where his career will take him. We talk about options. We discuss ideas. Pete is a great artist and he has reinvented himself before and when he decides what his next big thing will be, I am sure it will be glorious. Pete is a really cool dude. In the press kit he sent me, this is what he sent about supporting him: “If you would like to support Pete Parsons, check out Pioneers or his comic "Little High Bear" but if you want to have a bigger impact, donate to The Innocence Project.” Awesome. Pete also sent links to his upcoming shows and you should check them out because he is MAGIC onstage!What A CharacterA Character Showcase Featuring Austin's Funniest SketchFourth Wednesdays at 8pm at Fallout Theater.Next show: Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 9:30 pmhttps://falloutcomedy.com/shows/what-a-character-2/PioneersNew world. New Cast. New Laughs.Every Saturday at 8:30pm at Fallout Theater.Next Show: Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 8:30 pmhttps://falloutcomedy.com/shows/the-pioneers-2/ Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 5/16/2022; posted on 5/23/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I interviewed emcee/beatboxer, David “BS” Bradshaw about his love for performing freestyle rap and teaching workshops. David "BS" Bradshaw has been emceeing and beatboxing in NYC for the past decade. His primary focus the last five years has been refining his craft as an artist- educator and programming specialist.He has toured regionally, performed at the Apollo, been featured on BET's 106&Park, and The Today Show. He’s collaborated on hip-hop based team-building and professional development seminars with entities like Facebook, Nikon, Toyota, the Museum of Street Art, BMW Foundation, Carnegie Hall, and Lavelle School for the Blind.BS is a BEAT Global T3 certified instructor with background as a Spanish Dual Language teacher. He currently facilitates workshops for learners of all ages and abilities in freestyle rhyming, songwriting, and beatboxing, including incarcerated youth and special needs populations. You can find BS teaching at Freestyle Love Supreme’s Rap Academy, his own Freestyle Fitness and Beatbox Express workshops, or at a place of warm gathering in your community.This was such a lovely conversation with BS. He is such a joyful person. We talked about becoming creative out of defiance. BS shared moments in his life when he was forced to face his individualism and when he decided to embrace it rather than give in to the bullies. David “BS” Bradshaw is an artist that has the kind of charm and determination that will keep him afloat through this creative life. He told me his mother’s mantra, “You win some, you learn some.” And I couldn’t agree more! Having a good attitude through tough times can make all the difference. BS told me of his recent development as an artist. He had been active in the performing all the time / producing albums lifestyle before the pandemic. But when major changes disrupted this path, BS pivoted and used his skills to develop online classes spreading the joy of freestyle rap to the world. He spoke of his workshop attendees as his friends, his community. BS is building a strong, supportive community with Freestyle Fitness!Support David “BS” Bradshaw by listening to his music or by taking a workshop with him! Join the party at: trustBS.com/classes Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 4/27/2022; posted on 5/16/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I chatted with improviser and theater techperson, Charlotte Brown. Charlotte Brown (they/them) is a Chicago-based multipotentialite that enjoys many creative endeavors such as improv, filmmaking, photography, and teching virtual improvised shows! Charlotte got their start during the pandemic doing tech for online improv shows through the Hideout Theater in Austin, Texas (you know the one). Charlotte has enjoyed virtual theater because they have gotten to learn and collaborate with people from all over the world. (Shoutout to Kenzie and Braden). One of Charlotte's favorite credits includes doing tech for The Assembly Mexico’s, The Walking Sketch show, which was performed entirely in Spanish. Charlotte is not remotely fluent in Spanish but they did an excellent job with the show. Other credits include technical direction for The World’s Greatest Improv School (WGIS) and sound design for the B. Iden Payne award-winning online original musical, “Human Resources the Musical.”Charlotte recently moved from Florida to Chicago to pursue their MFA in Comedic Screenwriting from DePaul University in 2021. They are currently stage managing (in real life) at CSz Chicago and The Second City Training Center. Charlotte is also the admin of the Facebook group Tech Alliance of Distributed Artists (TADA!) which is geared towards fostering collaboration and sharing best practices for both not only zoomprov but virtual theater. When we first started our conversation, Charlotte mentioned to me how they are anxious and shy and how that created some tough barriers to creativity. But I challenged that theory - Charlotte must not as shy as they used to be, as they are a loud and proud fixture in the online improv communities. In fact, Charlotte was so bubbly and full of stories during our chat that I was as delighted to be with them via Zoom as I have been chatting with them on Facebook groups for the past few years. Charlotte mused about their love for classic video games like Oregon Trail and Putt Putt Goes to the Moon. They told me about working at Universal Orlando and the beginnings of the path to improv. Charlotte talked about how they read ALL of the improv books before actually dipping a toe in the water and the ups and downs of that decision. Charlotte shared how happenstance got them into teching for online improv shows and how much they are totally in love with it now. We discussed Charlotte’s recent move to Chicago and all the goals they are working on presently. Support Charlotte Brown by following them on Instagram (@charlottebreanne19). That is how you can keep up with their creative shenanigans! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 4/18/2022; posted on 5/9/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I had the pleasure of speaking with Arizona-based stand-up comedian, Zack Lyman. Zack Lyman has been performing stand-up comedy for over 13 years. In that time, he has been written about by such publications as Vulture Magazine, Phoenix New Times, and Comedy Hype Magazine. His live shows are unique and full of energy. Zack recently filmed his own soon-to-be-streaming comedy special, The Big Laugh. Recently Zack became a TikTok Partner, tasked with creating funny videos to teach people how to use TikTok. He also makes his own videos, tinkering with electronics and fixing arcade games via @thriftingwithzack. His podcast, an interview show which is aptly named “Zack Lyman Podcast” has been featured in the Top 80 on Apple Podcast charts. Zack was such a fun guest to talk to! He had great stories and he was so amiable. In our conversation, Zack told me how he went from barista to open mic host to stand-up comedian. He imparted his joke writing process and the ways his own style has changed over the years. Zack discussed how great it was to have his TikTok projects during the pandemic and how it helped him to feel creatively fulfilled even when there was no stage to tell jokes from. Zack is a great guy and is clearly working to lift up all the comedians around him. He has organized a tour of his fellow comics and got a lot of his friends out on the road. Zack also produced, The Big Laugh, a streaming comedy special he made to showcase his comedy community. Support Zack Lyman by watching his TikTok @thriftingwithzack and listening to “Zack Lyman Podcast” on Apple Podcasts. Support Zack’s recently filmed comedy special, The Big Laugh, by going to biglaughshow.com and filling out the contact form to be alerted when it is available on streaming services. Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 3/28/2022; posted on 5/2/2022)