David is Curious

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I will discover this podcast as it goes a long. Lack of control and imperfection does not mean lack of value. At least, I hope!

David Escobedo


    • May 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 25m AVG DURATION
    • 57 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from David is Curious

    Luana Proenca

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2025 61:04


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 67:35


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 53:08


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 55:37


    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 

    Roderick Millar

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2025 60:11


    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.   

    Whit Shiller

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2024 60:14


    Whit Shiller - FINALLY, I get a chance to interview and get to know Whit Shiller a bit better. Such a fascinating mind in improv. I love his angle on the practice and Whit uses improv to create points of commonality. I met Whit through his improv podcast, Improv Comedy Connection. He has some AMAZING guests on there. Not only that, but he gets them to talk about some interesting stuff!! Check it out here: https://improvcomedyconnection.com/category/improv/ He is also the engine behind Fish Sticks Comedy.  Which practices what they call "other-centered improv." Which means on or off stage what they practice is for someone else first. This closely mirrors my own thought on acting in general.   Had a great chat with Whit. I'm already thinking about having him back on just to learn more! Here is more info on Fish Sticks Comedy: https://fishstickscomedy.com/

    Andel Sudik - a brilliant and empathetic improv practioner

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 58:53


    Andel Sudik and I have some of the BEST chats abourt improv. The way she views the practice, the community and the business of improv always inspires new thought in me. Her mind is placed in centralizing the positive pursuit of improving at improv - which may be skills, content or community!  She looks at how improv shows/teams fit into an overal fabric of the practice which reached out beyond time and distance.  I hope you enjoy this interview with Andel. I feel fortunate enough to consider her a friend.  You can find out more about Andel at: https://www.yesandel.com/ She is an improv global leader.

    DiC - Mothers: Laws-Phillips, Rae, and Tolliver, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 18:31


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

    MOTHERS - Tauri Laws-Phillips, Stephanie Rae & Deana Criess Tolliver

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 26:30


    MOTHERS Part one of a two part interview. Tauri Laws-Phillips (ColdTowne Theater), Stephanie Rae (Black Improv Alliance) & Deana Criess Tolliver (Applied Improv Specialist) gifted me with their insight about being a mom or mothers in the improv practice. I think the portion speaking on how improv communities and institutions can make adjustments that might improv the particpation of mothers in improv.  If you would like to find out more info on Tauri Laws-Phillips: https://coldtownetheater.com/ More on Stephanie Rae: https://blackimprovalliance.com/  More on Deana Criess Tolliver: https://deanacriess.com/    #improv 

    laws mothers phillips improv impro tolliver improvisational theatre stephanie rae
    DiC - Holly, Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024 16:38


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

    DiC - Holly, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 18:32


    Part 2 of my interview with Holly. 

    Holly Bartolo - improv journalist and enthusiast

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 17:29


    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.

    DiC - Timothy, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 33:50


    Part 2 of my interview with Timothy Killilea

    Timothy Killilea - such a positive influence

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2024 34:11


    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.

    DiC - Jack & Jorin, Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2024 25:55


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

    DiC- Jack & Jorn, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 25:32


    You know it's a good episode when I can't wait to listen to it!  And I was there when it was recorded!

    Jorin Garguilo and Jack Greenwood - Improv Panel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 30:03


    Joring Garguilo and Jack Greenwood (both with initials J.G.) join me and we talk improv. We get so into the discussion (which is what I wanted) that we don't even get into the questions this episode!  We chat about movies, intaking information and I get to know my guests a little better. If you want to find out more about Jorin Garguilo you can check out: https://www.facebook.com/cictheater   To find out more about Jack Greenwood you can look at: https://www.facebook.com/bristollongform   

    DiC - Liz, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 39:00


    Liz Allen Improv Interview, Part 2!  If you ever get the chance to take a class with Liz, or just chat with her she is so lovely. A kind spirit and human being. 

    Liz Allen, So Good They Named an Award After Her

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 20:40


    Liz Allen is one of my favorite improv teachers of all time. And in my humble opinion, may go down as one of the most influential people in all of improv. I hold her in such high regard.  Liz was iO's Training Center Director for three years and they renamed their Teacher of the Year Award to the "Liz Allen Excellence in Teaching Award." To find out more about Liz: https://www.lizallenimprov.com/ And be sure to catch her one-woman show "Tonight I am my Mother."  It is fantastic.

    DiC - Oliver, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 27:36


    Part 2 of my inteview with Oliver Senton. 

    Oliver Senton of The School of Night and Folkestone Improv Theatre

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2024 19:43


    Oliver Senton performed in "Shall We Shog?" in 2005 under the guidence of Ken Campbell.  The show became whan Campbell called a thing. This lead to Senton's work in the School of Night. This work also lead to two other significant improv things: Showstoppers and the Improvathon.  Currently he is working alongside Lucy Trodd and developing the new Folkestone Improv Theatre. I always love my chats with Oliver. He is brilliant and inspirational.   For more info The School of Night: https://www.theschoolofnight.com Folkestone Improv Theatre: https://lucytrodd.com/folkestone-improv-theatre    #improv

    DiC - Improv Chat, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 19:08


    Debriefing after improv sets is one of my favorite things about improv.   Thank you again to Ange and Stu!  I already want to do this again.

    improv improvisation debriefings improvisational theatre
    Improv Chat - with Ange Langley and Stu Hughes

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 19:12


    I was blessed with the presence of Ange Lanley and Stu Hughes.  Both are improvisers from the North West of England, and some people I love improvising with. I give them space to identify themselves during the course of this episde.  The format is: We introduce ourselves. Do an improv set (not recorded) Chat Do an improv set (not recorded) Chat   Part of my love of improv is just connecting with people. I am naturally curious about people - as individuals and as a collective.  Hope you enjoy it!

    DiC - Remy, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 22:10


    The finaly part of my interview of Remy Bertrand of Imprology. I am so impressed with his curiousity.

    improv improvisation improv podcast improv tips improvisational theatre
    Remy Bertrand of Imprology in London

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 19:26


    Remy Bertrand joined me today on this podcast. Remy runs Imprology, an improv company in London. Remy also does these short videos on FB and TikTok where he talks about a virtue in improv. I have always liked his perspective on improv as it differs from most institutions. He focuses on the individual and their intersection with connection, communication and improv. He has fantastic insight on "being full of yourself", flow and more. Enjoyed getting to know him in this event.  This is Part 1 of 2.   You can find out more about Imprology here: https://imprology.com/home

    tiktok fb improv improvisation bertrand improv tips improvisational theatre
    DiC - Kat, Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2024 18:26


    The final part of my episode with Kat Kenny.  This has only made me more curious about her style and teaching. I have been a fan of her pedagogy for long time now, and this interview only further entrenches it. Enjoy!   If you feel like donating to this project and future projects, I have  Ko-Fi page!  https://ko-fi.com/improvboost

    DiC - Kat, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2024 21:42


    I am so happy I got the chance to talk to Kat. Enjoy.

    Kat Kenny of Kat Kenny Improv, an inspiration

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 20:31


    Kat Kenny is one of those people who brighten my day every time I chat with them or see their posts. She is all about building others up and bringing joy to the world. To me, it is obvious.  It is obvious because her actions show it. She is not someone who passes out bubble gum philosophy then create selfish motion. Kat Kenny has regard for others and takes action to make the world a better place. The world needs more people like her. Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatKennyImprov Or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katkennyimprov   

    inspiration theater improv performing improv class improv tips improvisational theatre
    DiC - Stu, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 22:37


    Stu and I went for a walk and had some sandwiches by the River Dee in Chester. Loved chatting improv with him in this casual setting.

    Stu Hughes, one of my favorite people to improvise with

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 16:12


    Stuart Hughes is on my team "The Spirit of Improv." I love his improv style of discovery and play.  When he finds something that brings him joy he has such an effortless way of playing with it. He and I went for a walk in Chester and I got a chance to talk to him about improv.  Enjoy! You can also catch Stu on the Oickers, a short form improv team.

    DiC - Hellena Jang, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2024 26:30


    THIS IS WHEN SHE MAKES HER ANNOUNCEMENT!!

    DiC - Hellena Jang, of Imfrog and the Korean Improv Scene

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2024 17:26


    Hellena Jang is inspirational by activity and by personality. She lifts the spirits of others around her. And she makes magic happen on a global scale (and on an individual scale). I am so impressed and amazed by Hellena.  She is the kind of person I would collaborate with WAY MORE if we lived closer to one another. You can find out more about her on her website: www.hellenajang.com   I like to connect with her on Facebook. https://www.hellenajang.com/improv She has a team called ImFROG. And in this interview she announces another improv project that will ROCK. THIS. WORLD.  So excited for her. I am also extremely flattered that she chose this interview to officially announce it. #improv.

    DiC - Jorin, Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 21:58


    This is the final episod of my interview with Jorin - but not my final conversation with him. I feel like I have one of the most "improv perfect" relationships with him. I learn from him, I want to perform with him and yet I don't feel like there is a hierarch between us - there is a mutual cycle of respect. I look forward to having more conversations with him. I encourage anyone who is passionate about improv to take a class from him or hire him as a coach.  I am fantastically inspired by Jorin.

    improv improvisation improviser improv class improv tips improvisational theatre
    DiC - Jorin Garguilo, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2024 17:15


    ... this may be one of the biggest moments where he blows my mind.  Talking about how you don't go to see a group because they do improv (or a specific format) but because of the chemistry of the team. Their unique voice. I still think about this moment.  We also talk about the value of imagination, from every single person. How it is a process. And how that process is valuable to the endproduct of the improv show. Not just their references, but an improviser's imagination is super valuable.

    improv improvisation improv class improvisational theatre jorin garguilo
    DiC - Jorin Garguilo blows my mind this whole interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2024 17:04


    Jorin Garguilo interviewed regarding improv. I asked him about how some teachers/institutions call improv "silly" or light hearted. His thoughts on improv are enthralling. I agree with him. Jorin is an eloquent, brilliant mind.  This whole interview he drops gems that just shatter my worldview of improv.  I hope you enjoy. Jorin was in 5 episodes of Hello from the Magic Tavern and performs with Revolver, Felt and the Scene at iO Chicago. He was also a part of the legendary group Rainbow Deli and teaches at the CIC training center. #Give this a #Listen

    DiC - Vanja, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2024 32:35


    We start talking about codes and community building found in the improv process.

    improv sociology copenhagen vanja improv tips improvisational theatre
    Vanja Sekic, a sociology researcher from Copenhagen

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2023 9:52


    Had the pleasure of this conversation about how improv sits in the field of sociology with Vanja Sekic.  Vanja performs with None Direction Improv as part of Inconspicuous Comedy.  Vanja's passion about improv and the way she views it is so interesting.  She sees it as having greater ramifications in the larger community and in identifying smaller communities.  Part 2 is coming soon!

    DiC - Paul Quinn's Top 10

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 38:51


    Paul Quinn is a fantastic improviser. His ability quickly generate quircky characters, draw others into scenes and find the through line of a set is one of the best I've ever seen in the UK. I have the great fortune of being able to improvise with him. Paul is also a writer, podcaster, gamer and works in radio.  His creativity is impressive.  Improv is only one of many things he excels at. So, I was curious. What are his top 10 favorite things in improv?  And he answers.     ...his first, and most favorite, surprised me!   Find his page on Facebook under Quinnprov.  

    DiC - Steve Green, Part 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2023 13:55


    I always love my talks with Steve.  In this last episode we talk about everything in improv that isn't mental or physical. What is left in improv that isn't thought about or physical?  We talk about that. He is such an inspirational fountain of knowledge.    

    DiC - Steve Green, Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 14:25


    Steve Green is an inspirational improv teacher. I love talking to him about improv.  This episode we talk about the constant nature of change and coming at the art of improv with some small sheers, or a GIANT CHAINSAW (BRRRRRRRKKKKKTT!!).   #improv 

    DiC - Steve Green, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 15:34


    We find out more about Steve. At one point the coffee shop gets really loud, sorry about that. I edited right after that.  We'll find a quieter spot to chat next time, because I will bring Steve back.  

    DiC - Steve Green, one of the best improv teachers in North West of England

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2023 15:20


    Steve Green always has such insightful and gentle ways of expressing complex improv concepts. I love working with him in scenes, or being coached by in him classes. He is somsone who I believe should be running his own improv school. He is not only great at progressing information, but he cares about the people he is teaching.   He's one of improv performers that you wonder "why aren't they a famous actor? Getting paid the big bucks. Being alongside Scarlett Johansson and Benecio Del Toro in the latest Marvel movie ... " I have a lot of admiration for Steve.  As does anyone who has worked with him. This interview takes place as a casual conversation in Bean & Cole in Chester. Lovely backdrop. We always meet there for a chat. This time, I just recorded it!

    DiC - Emily Lanigan-Palotai, Part 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2023 17:04


    Initially, I wanted to interview Emily regarding her views on tradition, ritual and movement inside a church. Her personal story of being the first person to go to college, and her interest in musicology (which I had never heard of before!) was so interesting. I will probably interview Emily again!

    DiC - Ep - SHOUT OUT

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 3:42


    Shout out to the Tower Tour at Chester Cathedral.  It is so neat to see the imperfections in the cathedral while at the same time seeing such beauty.  The Chester Cathedral is one of the top tourist attraction to Chester - an already gorgeous city. To book a Tower Tour check out the Cathedral website: https://chestercathedral.com/

    DiC - Emily Lanigan-Palotai, Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2023 18:08


    Now we start getting into the cool stuff!  Emily works at the Chester Cathedral - built in 1093 but at that time was a benedict abbey. It is this big beautiful building that is a tourist magnet.  When I saw Gaia there it was breathtaking. Gaia was this massive rotating earth that was internally lit. I've also done the Tower Tour there and it is SO INTERESTING. She works there! It's like working at Hogwarts - except more progressive.  YES. I'm not a religous person, but I love the stuff the cathedral is doing. We get into in the podcast ... so listen ... 

    DiC - Emily Lanigan-Palotai, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 14:48


    Continuing our conversation, we talk about the history of religion in England. And I catch Emily off guard and ask her about something in the room - which looks like a wood knife about the size of my forearm.  We start to get into the "choreography of church" and how you move around any old church or cathedral. This will get us into Liturgy in the next part, which I find so fascinating. Could liturgy exist in other fields?  Does theatre have liturgy in a sense?  Does a casual tradition like "watching a game at the pub" in a sense have social roles, movement, and rituals? So fortunate to have Emily lend her intelligence and time. 

    DiC - Emily Lanigan-Palotai in Music & Musiscology

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 15:09


    Emily Lanigan-Palotai interview is different than the past episodes. This one is good for people who want to talk about music and "what is music?" Emily did her Masters in Medieval musicology, focusing on chant (music). CHANTING. Like, it's effect, where it comes from .. and how prevalent it is in rituals. We talk about the history of traditions and rituals and "what is a church?" She is currently helps to care for the artefacts at Chester Cathedral, and we discuss how her job interacts with something called ‘liturgy'. Emily is fascinating and brilliant. Her story is such a beautiful story. In later episodes with Emily, we also discuss the BIPOC (or BAME) representation of Jesus Christ or the imperfections within religious spaces. God may be perfect, but that church door needs some oil!   This whole series is about my curiosity, and Emily was a super interesting interview.        

    DiC - Jay Sukow, Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2023 40:43


    The finale of my conversation with Jay Sukow.  I always like talking to Jay.  He as experience, kindness and one thing I greatly value in friends - he is honest. I always aim to reward that economy of honesty. Highly recommend Jay Sukow as a teacher and to see his shows.  He is commonly teaching in-person improv classes in Los Angeles.  To stay upto date follow him at Today Improv, in fact he is teaching an improv intensive at the end of this year! (2023) https://www.facebook.com/todayimprov

    DiC - Ep 8 - SHOUT OUT

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2023 1:33


    PV Tips are a fantastic free resource for improviser. Paul Vaillancourt is a brilliant mind in improv with lots of experience.  He not only provides tips from his own experience but the absolute ARMY of guest improvisers is so engaging.  Super valuable. Here is a link to the playlist: https://youtu.be/WDtmp110cj4 You can find him on YouTube at PVImprov.

    army improv improvisation impro del close paul vaillancourt improv tips improvisational theatre
    DiC - Jay Sukow, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2023 20:05


    We keep going about improv and it's community.  I feel like Jay should be the AD at an improv school somewhere. LITERALLY, if he set up roots at an improv school somewhere I would consider moving my whole family there and helping him start up a school.  I've taken Jay for two courses, and had him coach some teams.  I believe he has such an amazing view on improv, that brings the best out in people.  His teaching style is inspired by famous coaches and spiritual leaders ... but he is not lofty. He is grounded and real. He cusses, he loves the Beastie Boys and stands up for what's right.    You can find out more about Jay here: https://www.jaysukow.com/

    DiC - Jay Sukow of Today Improv and "10 Mins with"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2023 18:50


    I love Jay Sukow. I had the opportunity to interview Jay about "control" in improv and more. I could talk to Jay forever. He has been one of the biggest inspirations in improv.  He has such a soft touch when teaching. Jay says stuff so simple but also so profound - and I think that is genius.  You can find out more about Jay at:   https://todayimprov.com/   His goal is to have everyone take at least one improv class.    

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