Improv Touchstones

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Hosts Brenden, Colin, and Tone delve into the five universal touchstones that make a good Improv scene with talented and famous improvisers from around the world. Hear their opinions and learn how to improvise with Truth, Vulnerability, Playfulness, Positivity, and Presence.

Colin Thornton, Tone Branson, Brenden Davis


    • Jun 23, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 46m AVG DURATION
    • 25 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Improv Touchstones

    Legendary Subversive Improv Actor David Razowsky

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2023 42:25


    Sam Fisher chats with master improviser and author of "Subversive's Guide to Improvisation" David Razowski.

    Magnet Theater Performer, and Teacher, Rick Andrews

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2023 39:09


    Actor, writer, and Magnet Theater Improv Stalwart, Louis Kornfeld

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2023 53:50


    Annoyance Theater Founding Member and Bassprov Expert, Mark Sutton

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2022 36:10


    Colin Thornton speaks with improviser extraordiannaire, Mark Sutton.

    'TJ and Dave' Legend and 'Veep' Star , David Pasquesi

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 38:21


    Tone talks touchstones and improv life with one of the most experienced and famed improvisers on earth, David Pasquesi. With countless acting, writing, producing, and director credits; in addition to being a part of one of the most respected long-form improv shows, 'TJ and Dave,' Dave Pasquesi's name speaks for itself.

    'Whose Line' and 'Let's Make a Deal' Star, Jonathan Mangum

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2022 40:04


    Tatiana Godfrey interviews Jonathan Mangum, co-star of 'Let's Make a Deal,' and featured improviser on 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'

    jonathan mangum
    Media Mogul, Comedian and Author Will Hines

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2021 40:16


    Tone speaks with the legendary Will Hines.

    Emmy nominated 'Big Mouth' writer, Shantira Jackson

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2021 48:24


    New Touchstones co-host, Tatiana Godfrey, sits down with emmy nominated performer, writer, improv extraordinaire, Shantira Jackson.

    Owner and Operator of Pack Theater, Miles Stroth

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2021 65:42


    We speak with Rock Theater Owner and Operator, Miles Stroth.

    Players Workshop Owner, Best Selling Author, and TV Host, Jeff Rogers on Playfulness and Physicality

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2021 52:13


    In our Season Two Finale, Jeff Rogers and Brenden cover a myriad of improv ideals, concepts, and practices in this all-encompassing interview of 'The PlayMaker's Mindset.' Jeff Rogers is Wall Street Journal & USA Today Best-Selling Author, award-winning Television Host, Professional MC, and sought after public speaker with 25+ years of experience engaging audiences. Jeff is the owner of The Players Workshop, the oldest school of improvisation in the country, home to alumni Bill Murray, Bonnie Hunt, Harold Ramis, Matt Walsh, and many more.Find his new book, The PlayMaker's Mindset, here:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0955SP69FSPECIAL GUEST: Jeff RogersCO-HOSTS: Brenden Davis, Tone BransonINTRO TONES: Daniel ZimmerEDITING: Zak  RothPRODUCED BY: Improv CincinnatiSPONSORS: Oozebear.com, Patreon.com/improvcincinnati, Mazel Tov Cocktail Collective

    Director, Dramaturge, and Theater-Maker Tatiana Godfrey on Responsibility

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2021 40:22


    Community member, multi-hyphenate performer and teacher, and incredible improviser Tatiana Godfrey talks with Brenden about physicality, diversity, viewpoints and more.HOSTED BY: Brenden Davis, Tone Branson SPECIAL GUEST: Tatiana GodfreyEDITED BY: Zak RothINTRO AND TONAL THEME: Daniel ZimmerPRODUCED BY: Improv CincinnatiSPONSORED BY: Oozebear.com, Patreon.Com/ImprovCincinnati

    Film, TV and Narrative Improv Powerhouse, Kari Coleman, on Community

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2021 43:55


    Kari Coleman, Impro Theatre company member and narrative improv expert, talks with Brenden about the differences between comedic and narrative-centered improv. She gives great advice on taking the next step in your improv journey to transitioning to narrative improv. Tone speaks with IC community members, Brad and Claire Patterson, about how improv and marriage can go hand in hand.HOSTED BY: Brenden Davis, Tone Branson SPECIAL GUEST: Kari ColemanIMPROV CINCINNATI COMMUNITY GUEST: Brad and Claire PattersonEDITED BY: Zak RothINTRO AND TONAL THEME: Daniel ZimmerPRODUCED BY: Improv CincinnatiSPONSORED BY: Oozebear.com, Patreon.Com/ImprovCincinnati

    Fable Weaver and Revolutionary Billy Merritt on Robot, Pirate, Ninja

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2021 60:19


    Tone talks with Improv Revolutionary, Billy Merritt, on his journey and experiences while co-writing Robot, Pirate, Ninja, with Will Hines. Brenden speaks with IC  leaders, Jon Ulrich and Colin Thornton, on how the teachings in the book can incorporate into classes.

    Author and Co-Host of 'The Backline' Rob Norman on Presence

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2021 56:11


    A name synonymous with Toronto Improv, and author of the cool book, Improvising Now: A Guide to Modern Improv, Rob Norman helps crack the code on what presence could mean to an improviser. They continue to chat about conflict in scenes, walk-ons, and a multitude of helpful ideas for any improviser to take to their next performance.  ICNCommunity guest is Gauravi Shah, who speaks on the Toronto improv scene and how the transition into the Cincinnati community was so beneficial.Special guest: Rob NormanIC Community Guest: Garuavi ShahGuest Co-Host:  Colin ThorntonStinger Notes by Daniel ZimmerEditing and Sound Deisgn by Brenden DavisSponsored by: Oozebear.com, Patreon.com/improvcincinnatiProduced by: Improv Cincinnati

    Annoyance Co-founder and Improv Sage Joe Bill on Playfulness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2021 58:41


    Annoyance Theater Co-Founder and Superstar Improv performer and teacher, Joe Bill, talks with Tone about his experiences working abroad, how his life has formed his career and shares valuable knowledge on consistently learning and pushing yourself as an improviser. IC community star, Joe DiSalvo, speaks with Brenden about cerebral improv and Joe's performance with Joe Bill. HOSTED BY: Brenden Davis, Tone Branson SPECIAL GUEST:Joe BillIMPROV CINCINNATI COMMUNITY GUEST: Joe DiSalvoEDITED BY: Tone Branson, Brenden DavisINTRO AND TONAL THEME: Daniel ZimmerPRODUCED BY: Improv CincinnatiSPONSORED BY: Oozebear.com

    Author and Chicago Improv Stalwart Bill Arnett on Truth

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2020 42:04


    Chicago Improv Studio and author of "The Complete Improviser" speaks with Brenden about a variety of topics based on the touchstone of truth. The two go over how to stay grounded, great approaches to initiations, and one of the assumptions in Bill's book. Improv Cincinnati community guest, Patricia Mullins, gives her take on Truth and Vulnerability. HOSTED BY: Brenden Davis, Tone Branson SPECIAL GUEST: Bill ArnettIMPROV CINCINNATI COMMUNITY GUEST: Madison Hoffpauir EDITED BY: Tone Branson, Brenden DavisINTRO AND TONAL THEME: Daniel ZimmerPRODUCED BY: Improv CincinnatiSPONSORED BY: Oozebear.com

    truth vulnerability brenden stalwart chicago improv bill arnett
    Television Star Greg Proops on Presence

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 57:30


    Season Two opens with improv legend Greg Proops having an honest, juicy detail-filled conversation with Touchstones' new co-host, Tone Branson. Greg talks about his incredible start and journey with Whose Line Is It Anyway? and his career, centered around our touchstone of Presence. HOSTED BY: Brenden Davis, Tone Branson SPECIAL GUEST: Greg ProopsIMPROV CINCINNATI COMMUNITY GUEST: Madison Hoffpauir EDITED BY: Tone Branson, Brenden DavisINTRO AND TONAL THEME: Daniel ZimmerPRODUCED BY: Improv CincinnatiSPONSORED BY: Oozebear.com

    Legendary Performer and Host Jimmy Carrane on Truth and Vulnerability

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2020 42:50


    Produced By: Improv CincinnatiSpecial Guest: Jimmy CarraneHosts: Brenden Davis, Colin ThorntonEditing: Brenden DavisIntro Theme and Bumper Music: Daniel ZimmerLogo and Artwork: Tone BransonSponsored By: Oozebear

    Improv Trailblazer Susan Messing on Presence and Tenacity

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2020 60:38


    Produced By: Improv CincinnatiSpecial Guest: Susan MessingHosts: Brenden Davis, Colin ThorntonEditing: Brenden DavisIntro Theme and Bumper Music: Daniel ZimmerLogo and Artwork: Tone BransonSponsored By: Oozebear

    Three Time Canadian Comedy Award Winner Adam Cawley on Truth and Variety

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2020 41:26


    Produced By: Improv CincinnatiSpecial Guest: Adam CawleyHosts: Brenden Davis, Colin ThorntonEditing: Brenden DavisIntro Theme and Bumper Music: Daniel ZimmerLogo and Artwork: Tone BransonSponsored By: Oozebear

    Magnet Theater Founder Armando Diaz on Vulnerability

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2020 49:16


    Produced By: Improv CincinnatiSpecial Guest: Armando DiazHosts: Brenden Davis, Colin ThorntonEditing: Brenden DavisIntro Theme and Bumper Music: Daniel ZimmerLogo and Artwork: Tone BransonSponsored By: Oozebear

    Whose Live Is It Anyway?'s Jeff B. Davis on Playfulness

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2020 48:25


    Produced By: Improv CincinnatiSpecial Guest: Jeff B. DavisHosts: Brenden Davis, Colin ThorntonEditing: Brenden DavisIntro Theme and Bumper Music: Daniel ZimmerLogo and Artwork: Tone BransonSponsored By: Oozebear

    Improv Legend Colin Mochrie on Vulnerability

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2020 23:42


    Produced By: Improv CincinnatiSpecial Guest: Colin MochrieHosts: Brenden Davis, Colin ThorntonEditing: Brenden DavisIntro Theme and Bumper Music: Daniel ZimmerLogo and Artwork: Tone BransonSponsored By: Oozebear

    The Drew Carey Show's Kathy Kinney on Truthability

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2020 37:55


    Guest, Kathy Kinney, (The Drew Carey Show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Improv All Stars) gives her take on the importance of 'Truthability' in improv and life. She delves into how she landed the role of Mimi Boebeck on The Drew Carey Show, and made a career out of improvising. Produced By: Improv CincinnatiSpecial Guest: Kathy KinneyHosts: Brenden Davis, Colin ThorntonEditing: Brenden DavisIntro Theme and Bumper Music: Daniel ZimmerLogo and Artwork: Tone Branson

    Whose Line Is It Anyway?'s Brad Sherwood on Playfulness

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2020 31:30


    Our first guest, Brad Sherwood, (Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Scared Scriptless) delves into the touchstone of Playfullness, with Colin. Produced By: Improv CincinnatiSpecial Guest: Brad SherwoodHosts: Colin Thornton, Brenden DavisEditing: Brenden DavisIntro Theme and Bumper Music: Daniel ZimmerLogo and Artwork: Tone Branson

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