Improv - The Joy of Yes!

In this episode, I chat to Mike, Quinn, Nikki and Sam, four of the five members of Marv N Berry, a sketch troupe from Edmonton, Alberta. We talk about how they got their name, favourite moments and a possible future TV show. Kind of.

In this last episode with Christopher Borger, we talk about his experiences with NAIL as a participant, a teacher and a judge. We also find out exactly why he does sketch comedy! This is the last episode of 2019. The Joy of Yes will return in February 2020.

In this episode, special guest Christopher Borger discusses his personal improv goals. We also have a long conversation about how Marv n Berry got started, the festivals they've been invited to and I learn what a cat bear is.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Christopher Borger, we discuss the importance of failing, how paying attention to the audience's perception can help get a laugh and learning how to be better at rhyming and rapping.

In this episode, Christopher Borger and I discuss how improv gave him focus during Junior High and the importance of learning to share the stage.

In this episode, you are the one who has to do all the work! Try making up songs and lyrics using the 3 background tracks I created on my keyboard. Song 1: 00:59 4-bar intro Same 16-bar chord progression 5 times, with a key change for the 4th and 5th time Song 2: 04:01 8-bar intro 8-bar chord progression 2 times, 16-bar chorus. Repeat 8-bar chord progression Song 3: 07:03 4-bar intro 8-bar chord progression 2 times, 8-bar chorus 4-bar break 8-bar chord progression 2 times, 8-bar chorus 8-bar chorus 4-bar outro (ending)

In Part 2 of my conversation, Karen Brown-Fournell talks about how "Yes and…" impacts on her in her professional role as General Manager and a rapid-fire history of Rapid Fire Theatre.

In this episode, I chat with Karen Brown Fournell, the General Manager of Rapid Fire Theatre, Edmonton's longest-running improv theatre. Join us as she drops a huge surprise, talks about her role, her proudest moments and what disturbing plans she has for me when she retires!

In this episode, I talk about playing for improvised musicals and what I've learned to make things easier! There are even some musical examples!

In this last podcast with guest Paul Blinov, we chat about the time 3 teachers taught a workshop while playing the game one word at a time and where Paul thinks he may be improv-wise 5 years in the future. Part 4 of 4.

In this episode, Paul and I discuss short-form improv vs long-form improv. We also chat about Paul's favourite and not-so-favourite Theatresports™ games. I also challenge Paul to try the "Just A Minute" challenge (based on a well-known and long-running British radio show).

In this episode, Paul talks about how he got started with improv and why he sill loves it. We also chat about finding inspiration in others, who we are on stage and the importance of emotion.

In this episode, special guest Paul Blinov and I discuss sketch comedy and high school vs 'professional' improv. Part 1 of 4.

In this episode, special guest Bob l'Heureux and I chat about the games we like and don't particularly like. We also talk about silence and how it can impact a scene.

In this episode, special guest Bob l'Heureux and I chat about how improv is helpful at work. We also play the British radio game show "Just a Minute". Just a Minute is a BBC radio show which launched in 1967 and is currently in its 8rd season! Below is a link if you'd like to hear the 'real' version. BBC - Just a Minute

In this episode, special guest Bob l'Heureux and I talk about being in the moment, I learn about fuh and we discuss the similarities between improv, cooking and self-help.

Special guest Bob l'Heureux and I talk about chaos, potato chips, how he got involved in improv and how Southeast Asia can change your improv. www.rapidfiretheatre.com

Lee Boyes and I discuss getting told by an audience member that they had 'fun', being a tech on an improv show, the importance of discovery and running on the fine line of appropriateness.

Special guest Lee Boyes and I discuss giving notes and reflect on expectations of ourselves and the audience during an improv show.

Lee discusses how he got into solo improv and where he sees his solo improv going in the future.

Lee Boyes and I discuss vulnerability when performing solo improvisation, his solo show "LEEgion", and giving credence to our own imagination. We also talk about how you don't have to die when you're killed on stage and being mischievous.

In this last episode with guest Quinn Contini, we chat about LooseMoose Theatre's version of "The Christmas Carol'. I also get a practical lesson about the importance of silence. We also talk about committing to a scene even when you've done something really dumb. www.loosemoose.com https://www.quinncontini.com

Part 4 of 5. In this episode, Quinn and I discuss: • doing improv during a sketch comedy where everything is rehearsed; • the difference between being reckless on stage and being dangerous; • where the character of Lucien came from and how Lucien takes over on stage. www.marvnberry.com www.quinncontini.com

Part 3 of 5. In this episode, guest Quinn Contini and I chat about how he got started with Offbook, our favourite Offbook shows, moving beyond just being funny, favourite improv scenes and personal improv goals. www.rapidfiretheatre.com/cast/troupes/off-book/ www.quinncontini.com

Part 2 of 5. In this scene, Quinn Contini and I discuss the joy of playing the bad guy, what happens if you don't fully commit in a scene and the importance of giving critical notes to others. www.quinncontini.com

Part 1 of 5. In this episode, Quinn Contini and I chat about how he got started in improv, what he enjoys most about it, the speed of fun, playing characters & accents and how 'oops' may be the perfect mainframe for improv. www.loosemoose.com www.rapidfiretheatre.com www.grindstonetheatre.ca www.marvnberry.com www.quinncontini.com

Part 4 of 4. Joleen Ballendine and I talk about how improv is made to be 'in the moment', our favourite (and not-so-favourite improv games) and advice to new improvisers.

Part 3 of 4. Guest star Joleen Ballendine talks about her proudest improv moments, “Rå Power”, the changes she's seen in improv regarding gender roles and gender balance and the importance of diversity and inclusion. https://rapidfiretheatre.com/cast/troupes/ra-power/ www.rapidfiretheatre.com

Part 2 of 4. Guest star Joleen Ballendine talks about OffBook: The Improvised Musical, feeling lost in a scene, not worrying about whether the potatoes get to the client and keeping it fresh,

Part 1 of 4. Joleen Ballendine talks about how she got started in improv, how embracing 'yes…and" led to being on the TV show "Caution: May Contain Nuts", chasing the fear and how being nervous on stage is a good thing.

Latest episode of Improv - The Joy of Yes!

Part 4 of 4. In this last episode with guest Nikki Hulowski, we chat about working in a male-dominated industry and attitudes which result in missed opportunities. www.thesundayservice.ca www.rapidfiretheatre.com

Part 3 of 4. Guest Nikki Hulowski (RapidFire Theatre, Marv 'n Berry) talks about getting notes from other improvisers, using fallbacks, making the scene real and expressing serious issues in improv. WARNING: Explicit language and mature subject matter www.rapidfiretheatre.com www.marvnberry.com

Part 2 of 4. Nikki Hulowski (RapidFire Theatre, Marv 'n Berry) talks about being committed in a scene, succeeding by failing and her own opinions about head, heart and fist improv. WARNING: Some strong, sexual language. www.rapidfiretheatre.com www.marvnberry.com

Part 1 of 4. Nikki Hulowski talks about comedy sketch Marv 'n Berry, what makes her laugh and learning to share ideas and let them go. WARNING: Some strong language. www.marvnberry.com

Part 6 of 6. Special guests Sam Stralak and Steven Hurst (RapidFire Theatre, Edmonton, Alberta) share what they admire in other improvisers.

Part 5 of 6. Sam Stralak and Steven Hurst (RapidFire Theatre, Edmonton, Alberta) provide some suggestions about what to do when you're uncomfortable in an improv scene.

Part 4 of 6. Sam and Steven (RapidFire Theatre, Edmonton, Alberta) discuss aspects of their own improvisational skills they want to improve.

Part 3 of 6: Sam Stralak and Steven Hurst (RapidFire Theatre, Edmonton, Alberta) talk about the importance of failing in order to succeed in improv.

Part 2 of 6: Sam Stralak and Steven Hurst (RapidFire Theatre, Edmonton, Alberta) discuss their favourite improv games and memorable improv experiences. www.rapidfiretheatre.com

Part 1 of 6: Sam Stralak and Steven Hurst (RapidFire Theatre, Edmonton, Alberta) chat about the head, heart and fist of improvising. www.marvnberry.com www.rapidfiretheatre.com

It's that time of the year when the weather gets worse and Christmas is still over a month away. So let's think differently about November using "Yes…and".

Listen to this episode to learn how a DRESS can have a positive impact on your skills as an improviser. It doesn't have to be a real green dress; that's cruel.

The very first episode of “The Joy of Yes!” - just to make sure things are tickety-boo and working properly!