Gettin' Biggie With It

**Recorded via Zoom as a Live Stream 3/25/2020 on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdzT45ve78S6SYOk-bPDG4Q?view_as=subscriber** Meet Justin Eifert- from a social distance! Justin's tall, and he moved to Baltimore for love, baby. He's got a quick wit cultivated from parents who were able to read, private school, and late night infomercials with that Sham-Wow! guy. He's got the internet improv medium down pat, and if you're safe in a house right now, it's because of architectural engineers like him.  Join us and Sheila McMenamin, Kim Scarfe, and Patrick Hampton in one time socially distant troupe: Giblet-ted Poultry Monger Join us live for the foreseeable future on YouTube Wednesday nights at 8 PM!

**Recorded BEFORE social distancing** Meet Lisa Perrin! From a family of Frasier, Frogs, and flawless Outlander cosplay, Lisa is a creative force both onstage and on the page as an illustrator. Come hear about theater camp, teaching at MICA, familial museums, and how to get that famous actor you're obsessed with to really notice you. Joined by Allison Gross, Robyn Stegman, and Annie Bobbett in one time troupe: Didactic Streak. 

Meet Danny Hughes! Anniversary fun continues for Gettin Biggie With It as Danny dives deep to tell us how he went from playing a sheep in a school variety show to being the heart and soul of this podcast, as well as a talented and dedicated teacher, voiceover artist, improviser, and creative professional. In an episode many artists will relate to, we get into how lifelong anxiety can turn into your biggest motivator - and Danny would know, as he basically rescued his high school theater program. Get to know the person who is so good at bringing out the best from all of us! You’ll also hear the continuation of our fondue feast of champions, as we devour the chocolate course of our delicious Melting Pot dinner. Joined by wonderful Akimbo pals Kim Scarfe, Michael Hartwell, and Nate Tyson, with improv from one-time troupe Pythagoras’ Theum.

Meet Kerri Shannon, LIVE from the Melting Pot! Though Kerri did not begin her time in performance comedy until she was an adult, it's clear she was always destined to "make things up on stage," as she says at the end of every Gettin' Biggie With It episode. Her time writing existential songs and fart-themed, ground-breaking sketches as a child prepared her to be the superstar writer, badass comedian, and fun, supportive podcast co-host she is today. Celebrate the one year anniversary of Getting Biggie With It and learn about her roots in fourth grade insult comedy and hear some of her original songs, all while we clink fondue forks and haltingly order chocolate sauce in the background.  We're join the members of Akimbo (Nate Tyson, Kim Scarfe, Michael Hartwell, Scott Lichtor, and a SPECIAL APPEARANCE from an original Akimbo member!) in our one time troupe: Banana's Foster Child. 

Meet Sheree Frank! Sheree has LIVED. She’s followed romance to new cities, hosted musicians, and swing danced. She’s our first guest to boldly defy the 30-second “how’d you get into improv” clock. By the end, the podcast was taken over by our guests. Catch Sheree‘s story here, with improv from one-time troupe Movin’ for a Boy. Guests Allison Gross and Brian Young.

Meet Hannah Jeffrey! Hannah may be hooked on Keeping up with the Kardashians, but we’d prefer to tune in to Keeping Up with Hannah every week. Between Chicago visits, funemployment, a virtual pal named Austin, and visits to a well-connected dentist, we’re lucky she had time to stop in and talk to us. Keep up with Hannah here, with improv by one-time troupe Divided Nations. Guest improvisers Liz McKenna, Renee Ross, and Julia Gerhardt.

Meet Frankie Daniels! We get nostalgic for the 90s today as we remember summer reading programs, the joys of going to Pizza Hut, and shows about kids with superpowers! But wait, there’s more - find out Frankie’s trick for being able to imitate any accent he hears, and get the library dirt you never knew you needed! Joined by one-time troupe James Patterson. Guest improvisers Maggie Phenicie, Jason Herbert, Jared Boze, and Michael Quinn.

Meet Brian Leonard! Woah, you guys, we get deep today. Brian studies psycholinguistics, cracking the code of how humans learn language. He’s trying to use it for good not evil - but is all science just a manipulative puzzle handed to us by the government? We discuss! Hear Brian’s inside scoop, hear him talk about the importance of a little arrogance, hear us try to give each other nicknames. Joined by guest improvisers Jacob Joseph, Sheila McMenamin, Devin McKay, and Nate Tyson. Improv by one-time troupe Marmot Milk.

Meet Hallie Herz! Hallie inspired us to get in touch with nature as she’s fresh off a summer of woods livin’. When Hallie’s not teaching, she truly unplugs from the real world and daily BS to hike, canoe, and live outside of the clutches of social media. Besides marveling at the beauty of the outdoors, we hear about Hallie’s theatrical background, and get into how Thoreau was full of it. Improv from one-time troupe Dripping Residue. Guest improvisers Sheila McMenamin, Gillian Parent, and Nate Tyson.

Meet Kristen McKenzie! She's dabbled in a wide range of creative pursuits, from drumming to film editing to costume design on movie sets. Nowhere else can you get the scoop on how a fake pelvis made its way into your fave low-budget horror film... joined by one-time troupe House of Dogs. Guest improvisers Annie Bobbitt, Michael Hartwell, Allison Gross, and Justin Eifert.

Meet Annie Bobbitt! We caught up with Annie in her first few weeks of “funemployment.” Yes, after smartly prepping, she quit her job to find the creative life she’s looking to live. This is a must-listen episode for anyone needing the inspiration to make a bold choice like today’s guest did! Plus some improv from one-time troupe Murder Mystery Dinner. Guest improvisers Allison Gross, Robyn Stegman, Michael Hartwell, Nate Tyson.

Meet Kate Zelensky! This episode was a freakin’ dream, recorded live onstage at this year’s Baltimore Improv Festival. Kate spent many prolific years at The Upright Citizens Brigade before Baltimore Improv Group was lucky to work with her. She tells us how she went from a music theater performer to an in-demand UCB improv teacher - plus serves up some celebrity dish. Let’s just say she and a famous Gossip Girl actress are living parallel lives. She also brought fellow UCB performers Don Fanelli, Dru Johnston, and Tim Martin to join us. And we finally got BIG Artistic Director and former UCB-er Jenn Withers on the show! It gets better with BIG guests Michael Quinn and Brian Leonard. Improv by one-time troupe: Balls: A Balls Class.

Meet Bobby Gross! Bobby did what many only dream of - left the chaos of Manhattan to grow tomatoes on a farm. Find out how that led him to a Kombucha company in Baltimore, the big creative goal he aims to do before 30, and how we all feel about living on a world that can be, well, so stupid... Joined by one-time troupe Sous Chef. Guest improvisers Brian Shea and Maggie Phenicie.

Meet Tashika Campbell! She’s cool, calm, and collected and by far our most prepared guest. And her inspiring ways don’t stop there. In this family-focused episode, Tashika opens up about giving birth, being a parent, and surviving life when it’s full of twists and turns - and we truly all leave a little wiser and a little more wonderful. Joined by one-time troupe: Birth Certificate. Guest improvisers Brian Shea and Annie Bobbitt.

Meet Jason Herbert! This may be the only time a story that starts with brass knuckles on a basketball court ends with a prolific improv life. Jason’s one of the most supportive troupemates an improviser can have, and it shows in today’s episode. Hear more on his adventures on and off-stage, joined by one-time troupe Brass Knuckles. Guest improvisers Maggie Phenicie, AJ McCombs, Michael Quinn, Grant Chang.

Meet Maggie Phenicie! She might be in summer mode as she gets a break from teaching middle school, but she’s coming in hot! In today’s delightful talk she tells us why magic is terrifying -complete with our first real live debate! - and tells us her secret to getting a loyal listener base as a radio DJ. But her most charming trait - as a “map head,” she knows more Baltimore sub neighborhoods than anyone who’s ever lived! Joined by one-time troupe Awful Sounds; My Retching. Guest improvisers Kim Le and Michael Quinn.

Meet Andy McIntyre! He teaches history? He also teaches improv at the Baltimore Improv Group! A former college DJ and long time improviser, be sure to listen for his teacher voice in his upcoming streaming service: Andy Plus. If you like what you hear, be sure to check out the Baltimore Improv Festival later this month, which Andy organizes! Or, just check out his hot-out-the-oven-no-corners-cut limericks on Ledo's Pizza Facebook page every week! Join us and one time troupe: Thick Cut Pepperoni. Cast of Improvisers: Harold Young and Nate Tyson

Meet Heather Moyer! Sure, you all enjoy BIG now, but know how it ever came to be? As one of the few founding members, Heather gives us the scoop on how flyers and Craigslist built the BIG magic of today. She’s also the only BIG member to improvise in her own comedy marathon for 17 straight hours. Oh, and she spends her day job actually saving the world. Joined by one time troupe: Bird Eating Spider.

Meet Blue! Our most famous guest yet! She started her performance career as part of a popular rap group discovered in the inner harbor - and now she’s in talks to direct an incredibly important production. Find out what it’s like to successfully live the art life. You’ll also get the answer to everyone’s burning question: Where did the nickname “Blue” come from?! Tease: it has nothing to do with the color blue... Join us and one time troupe: Bundies Crossed Cast of Improvisers: Devin McKay, Jenni Van Ausdall

Meet Jessica Henkin! She boomeranged back to Baltimore from the Bacchanalia of her New York youth, and now, she knows almost everyone in Charm City as one of the city's "Hip Baltimore Power Couples" (phrase coined by Kerri). A member of BIG since near its inception, Jess has a lot to say about improv...which is why she was our first guest to go over the 30 second time limit. Find out if we forgive her, more about the Stoop Storytelling Series, and how to strong-arm your way onto a podcast with one time troupe: Tendrils in the Asphalt. Cast of Improvisers: Sean Latta, Roy Taff, Barry Wright, Kristen McKenzie

Meet Julia Gerhardt! Big Magic Prophet. BIG Improv Teacher. Big time writer in the making. She's started improv clubs at high schools and college from LA to Baltimore and will talk to an Uber driver any time. Join us and one time troupe: Lice on Pubes, Crab on Back. Cast of Improvisers: Devin McKay, Allison Gross, Jenni Van Ausdall

Meet Allison Gross! She tells us about her botched college improv audition, gives us the scoop on what really happens on a Birthright Israel trip, and invites us all to explore our haunting anxieties... all while half of us are on spring break. Joined by one-time troupe The Data Scientists. Guest improvisers Brian Leonard, Julia Gerhardt, Devin McKay, Jenni Vanausdall.

Meet Nate Tyson! Nate is at the theater pretty much every day - but it’s on THIS podcast where he gets super honest and super open about the life changes that brought him here. Whether you’re trying to find your way to more art or spending a lot of time in your head or thinking about making some life changes, you’ll relate to something he says. Joined by ALL-the-time-troupe Old City!

Meet Sam Brunner! She Is one of the few people with the discipline to journal every single day, she writes a kick ass cover letter, and she made an important declaration to her sixth grade class... Plus she couch surfed around the world! Get her story here, and enjoy some improv from one-time troupe Suburban Time Capsule. Cast of Improvisers Brian Young, Michelle Faulkner, David Richman.

Meet Pam Hugi! She was part of a Chicago high school superlative rebellion, she can speak Russian, and if she looks familiar, it’s because of the standout roles she’s played on many a stage. Find out which ones, and hear about Pam’s journey to “enlightenment,” in today’s episode. Improv by one-time troupe Daddy Warlocks (or The Yogis, or Mr Bundles) Cast of Improvisers: Michael Hartwell, Nate Tyson, Jen Diamond

Meet Harold Young! The Fourth! He's tried everything once. He only needs 20 seconds to tell you an origin story. He stuck with BIG, even though people made jokes about his name being a format. We had a blast learning more, and you will, too! Join us, and one time troupe: Big Jims. Cast of Improvisers: Michael Hartwell, Nate Tyson, Jason Herbert

Meet Pat Hampton! This well-traveled New Yorker came back to Charm City for a special visit to explore how improv can help you be more of yourself - and also better at your day job. Plus he flatters the heck out of us with BIG praise. With one-time troupe Prisoners of Comedy. Cast of Improvisers: Bobby Gross, Julia Hall, Sam Brunner, and Nate Tyson

Meet Morris Kraicer! Morris might not have started his theatrical career until late in high school, but that didn't stop him from becoming one eighth of Richard Dreyfuss. We discuss what it's like to play a dog onstage, the intricacies of last names, and why comedy people are the best people. Join us and our one time troupe: Dog Stuff. Cast of Improvisers: Pam Hugi and Devin McKay

Meet Devin McKay! He’s a creative genius who makes trailers for plays! His college pal’s face was on a campus flag! And he does a killer Pee Wee Herman impression! Hear it all here and find out how he tells a compelling story and connects to his audience in limited time. He’s a delight and you’ll find yourself smiling as you listen. Joined by our one-time only troupe: Friends on Flags. Cast of improvisers- Morris Kracier, Nate Tyson