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!

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(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 4/18/2022; posted on 5/9/2022)