The After Improv Podcast

She's been away for too long, but Heather Drunknonymous of the After Improv Podcast made an appearance at this year's Detroit Improv Festival, and she hasn't lost a stumbling step. Check it out! * What is Heather Drunknonymous? * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Heather is drunk * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

The 2017 Detroit Improv Festival is in the books, and the After Improv Podcast crew is here to share their personal highlights. J.B. sits in with the band as the gang talks about their favorites sets and the afterparties. We also interview out-of-town troupes Lisa Frankly and Laffrican Americans about their DIF experience. All this and more: * JB the champ * Marc Evan afterglow * YMCA kickoff * John denied * Jacokes everywhere * Cash and Carry * Lisa Frankly * The Whistling Brothers * MARS * Laffrican Americans * Maribreast Monroe * Mama's Boy * Pretty Much Sisters * Snooze Button * Opening Night (the troupe) * Afterparty * Workshops * Bottle of Red * Preach! * Elastic Time Cannon * Bajillion Dollar Properties * Seating sorrow * Messing with a Friend * Heather's DIF'd out * Merit Badge * No Waiting * Afterparty * Favorite Jaclynn Cherry moments * John apologizes * Fact of the week Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Marc Evan Jackson, Detroit improvisor, actor and co-founder of the Detroit Creativity Project, visits the After Improv Podcast this week. Marc, in town for the Detroit Improv Festival, talks about his early life, working on a schooner after college, how he got into improv and why the DCP and Detroit are so close to his heart. Marc also reveals he hates puns, that he and Nick Offerman often compete for the same roles, and more. Check it out on iTunes! Also available on Stitcher and Google Play.

Colony Fest 2017 is in the books, and the After Improv Podcast is here to review it all — the high and the lows, the yes-ands and the denials, the meta and the maudlin, and so much more. J.B. sits in with the gang, we talk to the winners and their director-to-be and talk about our own experiences in the competition: * J.B. loves John * Day 1 * Day 2 * Day 3 * Day 4 * The Finals * Bad sets * There will be blood * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

In Part 2 of a two-part interview on the After Improv Podcast, improvisor Scotty Myers talks about his early comedy influences, immersing himself in improv and the gay scene in Michigan, meeting The Rock before he was The Rock, his improv teaching style, the perils of putting in a privacy fence, fostering a possum and so much more: Pronto * Early influences * Corporate introduction * Self-doubt * Scotty blog * Mr. Myers * Mr. Marketing * Wrestling wrangler * The Broadway League * The heart of it all * Shakespeare in Royal Oak * Married life * A very brief engagement * Under the bus * Fence me in * Heron tracking * Possum parents * NEWSish * These dreams * It was written * Heather's adventure * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Improvisor Scotty Myers — or Scott as he's known as at work — taught the After Improv Podcast's capstone class at Go Comedy! Growing up in an evangelical christian household in a small town outside of Pittsburgh, he also spent the early part of his life running away from his sexuality. In the first of a two-part interview, Scotty talks about catching the performing bug and how his faith led him to Michigan and helped him to finally stop running: * Happy Birthday * Super sub * Bombing * Early exposure * Cat smash fever * Self discovery * House of Guys * No J.O. * Penn State * House of Guys Part II * Acceptable to be dead * God says it's OK * Colony Fest kickoff * DIF * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Homemade Bangs — Halina Matt, Charlie Matt, Ellie Warner, Brendan McCarthy, Erica Vitkin and Jake Russell — visit the After Improv Podcast this week to talk about the form that helped them win the Versus long form tournament at Planet Ant. While plugging their current eight-week run at the Ant Hall on Thursday nights, the group reveals the origins of their Duran Duran-influenced name, confesses which members have been arrested (hint: the majority), we learn how many offspring the Matts actually have, Tony refers to Erica as Krista for some reason, two members reveal they don't have middle names and so much more happens * Dubbed * Versus * Milo lower * Halina's story * Charlie likes to party * That's a woman * Warner's picture * Arresting questions * Brendan the clown * Charlie's arrest * Erica/Krista's odyssey * Charlie in motion * Erica detained * Donut holes * Jake joins * The Farnsworth * Charlie's Hovitch impression * Heather's travels * John's face * Reveiwpacalpyse Now * Jake and Jim watch wrasslin' * Fact of the week * Junk food John * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Jen Hansen, this week's guest on the After Improv Podcast, is a longtime improvisor and resident artist at Go Comedy!, a member of Human Amusements and co-stars in the upcoming Planet Ant student sketch show Maddie and Maggie's Torture Circus. She's also an example of why kindness counts and a big reason why this podcast exists at all. Tony explains why, then Jen talks about her journey to the stage, including how she never intended to be a performer, her mother pranking her and her brother at the cemetery every Halloween, working at haunted houses, sneaking into the former Second City training center in Novi for stealth rehearsals, why she took a break from improv and how improv made her a better writer. All this, and so much more: Kindness counts * Writing first * Comical beginnings * Not the performing type * The cemetery prank * Prank calls * College-go-round * One degree of Jen * Old haunts * Second City * Hayden's hand * Make it real * First * Novi! * Kevin McDonald * What a character * Better writing through improv * Breakin' * Fibromyalgia * Snapchat * Maddie and Maggie's Torture Circus * Favorite sketch * Transmissions From The Darkside * Heather's feelings * John's face * Fact of the week * Farm Team * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Jessica Loria and Tim Krzyczkowski are engaged and engaging as they visit the After Improv Podcast this week to promote their latest show, “Wet Hot American Bummer,” a sketch and comedic news show that examines life in a Trump-led America and debuts Thursday at Go Comedy! The two talk about how they got into improv, how Tim made Jessica cry when they first met, obliterating the line between work and home life, Jessica's erotic stories about *NSYNC and the U.S. presidents, what goes into producing a political-themed show, and so much more: Wet Hot American Bummer * NEWSish * Shoutout challenge * In the days of Second City * Fan fiction * Drew University * Concentrated playwriting * Going into Go! * Ghostwriter * Go! work * Potus Interruptus * Cry, baby * Stops and starts * Tim's improv journey * Sketchy times * Superdeluxe * Motor City Improv * "I'm better than these assholes" * Rock dreams * NEWSish begets... * Flak * Love and improv * Tim tells it * What We Remember * Do Bryan a solid * John got punched in the face * Fact of the week * Planet Ant Farm Team * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

In Part 2 of a two-part interview, Joe regales the After Improv Podcast with more stories, like his life in the computer industry, jamming with Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers and getting beat up and guns pulled on him while working as a pool hustler. Joe also talks about quitting drinking for good seven years ago after a car accident and jail time made him confront a lifetime of imbibing that began when he was 11. All this and more: Texas bound * Newspaper man * Bank man * EDS * Michael Macdonald * Custodian * Guitar Center * Ambassador performance * Professional wino * Getting popped * Hustler * Oh yeah — improv * Standup * What's next * Cautionary tale * Tini talk * Untrimmed Jim * Yar * Fact of the week * Co-opt of the week * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

When most people say they do improv, it's probably one of the more interesting things about them. For Joe Jakubowski, this week's After Improv Podcast guest, it might not even make his top 20. Joe talks about first job shining shoes in Hamtramck bars when he was five years old, mouthing off to older kids so much that he needed a police escort to and from school in the third grade, beating Bob Seger in a battle of the bands, drumming in a house band for a motorcycle gang when he was 14, and getting fired for falling off the Boblo boat. And this is only a SAMPLING of the stories Joe shares. If this isn't enough to make you listen, you are jaded beyond all belief and should seek help: *Why improv *Hamtramck *Big band man *Shoe shine kid *On the strip *Rebellious Literature *Vigilante house band *Boblo band *Real estate *Experiments of self *Renaissance man *He doth protest *Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Eventually in improv, it's time to move on. That's the subject of this week's After Improv Podcast, as Julia Schroeder, James Quesada and Mitch Socia visit to talk about moving to New York next month to further pursue their entertainment careers. The trio talks about what success means to each of them, how they arrived at their decisions to move and their improv and professional goals in the Big Apple. James also talks about his cross-country improv teaching tour. All this and more: Schroeder *Moving on *Julia's Journey *DIII money *The decisions *Smash and grab *Network *Personal success levels *Timelines *Hello Future Mitch *Supporting cast *James on tour *Well wishes *Cat update *Surprise surprise *Buffalo John *Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

The latest Planet Ant process show, “Annamals,” is playing RIGHT NOW, and the cast and director visit the After Improv Podcast this week to discuss the show they wrote and staged in just five weeks. Fun fact: Host Tony Augusty is in the cast. Join him, Jaclynn Cherry, Annelyse Miller, Maggie O'Reilly, Jim Rimmel, Dan Tice, stage manager Nick Boulahanis and director Dave Davies as we talk about the process of “the process,” from auditions to opening night. No spoilers, so listen, then buy your ticket for “Annamals” today at planetant.com! *Meet the cast *History of the process *Auditioning and casting *Improvising *Trust the process *Jaclynn is here! *Recording and transcribing *Beating up the script *Kill your darlings *Bringing it all together *Does this make sense? *Higher authority *Blocking and book *Italian *Bad meaning bad *Opening night *Silent night *Cardboard star *Farmer Tim *Catsanova *Shameless plugs *Tangerine *Car accident *John might quit *Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

After interminable delays, Go Comedy! and League of Pointless Improvisers cast member Chris Fortin stops by the After Improv Podcast this week to show off his soft skills. Chris talks (eventually) about why he got into improv, being an engineer, why he hates singing, growing up with a speech impediment, his quiet childhood, his spiteful family's olive boat, his start-and-stop improv education, his deep and abiding love of dinosaurs, brooches and so much more: Tony's troubles *By the booking *Crocs *Unsung *Speech, speech *Classic education *School and more school *Spite *Olive boat *Wolverine hell *Against type *Why improv *Bury me at Go Comedy! *Dropping in *Harsh Butt judge *Dinophile *Inside joke *Shaggy *Europe *Teaching *Brooch Cooch *Soft skills *Chris gifts *Heather has seen stuff *Almost equal *Mystery fans *Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

We kick off Season 10 with an all-around fascinating guest, Dame Andi Maziarz. Andi talks about getting knighted, how her first language is Polish despite being born in America, almost losing two toes in high school, the time she appeared in a hair metal video, the time Beavis and Butthead called her a slut, her law career, her struggles with drug addiction and how improv comforted her in a dark hour * The pronunciation game * Lego Batman review * Half-lies * Toeing the line * Hair metal heaven * Early improv intro * Law of non-attraction * West coast wild times * San Fran, crystal meth, cocaine and ecstasy * L.A., cocaine and heroin * SMART Recovery® * Spiritual psychology * Starting over * A very tough year * Back to improv * Krav Maga * Flip or flop * Jim is clueless * Launch Cast * Sketch and auditioning * Voiceover * Miss Michigan * Comedy Sportz * IO * Dame Andi * Check-in * R.I.P. Pearl * Honda hate

We wrap up the season with Friendsgiving II, our annual live episode where we bring back guests from past seasons and see what they're up to. Coming to you from the Ghost Light Hamtramck, we talk to its proprietor, Darren Shelton and talk about his family's history with Planet Ant, and how he got involved with the group buying renovating the Ant Hall and his journey to owning his own business. Then we catch up with our guests of seasons past — and book a guest we never thought would say yes. All this, and more: Heather-Tony tiff * Darren Shelton * Bryan counterpoint * Ghost plans * AquaDarren * Audra Jantz * Ashley Davis * Tom Schultz and Amber Barker * Mitch Haba * Mike McGettigan * Jim's tuxedo * Jason Petterson * Emily Englehart, Chris Fortin and Sarah Rose * Adrian Johnston * Rapiversary * Scott Icenogle * Tim Lally * Grand Andy finale * The Hal-y Grail * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

It's a history-making week on the After Improv Podcast, as we are visited by the improvising duo of Mitch Socia and Matt Penridge. This is Matt's second time on the podcast, not including his numerous Heather Drunknonymous appearances, so we get to know Mitch a little better first, talking about his years trying to make it as a musician and how SNL led him to improv. Then Mitch and Matt talk about how they met and, in an After Improv exclusive, settle on their troupe name once and for all and debate who came up with the bit that grew into their one-act show, “Hamilton: Fully Loaded.” All this and more: Improv best friends * A Peter Griffin-looking motherfucker * Second City * Hawk & Son * Breakups to make-em-ups * Shirt tales * When Mitch met Matt * Reclassify Pluto * Match or Mitch and Matt? * Come together right now * Style choices * Fart choices * Adventures in podcasting * Hamilton: Fully Loaded * Hair today… * Variations on a scene * Launch cast, resident cast * It was written * Rock the vote * India * Job updates! * The bet * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

This week, improvisor, writer, Go Comedy! resident cast member and noted smiler Jennifer Bloomer visits. Jennifer talks about how depression led to her to dropping out of college, managing a storage facility and living in a secret apartment there, the phobia that makes her vomit, becoming a computer programmer and hosting a nu metal podcast. All this and more: All names welcome * Funny games * Just sort of a weirdo * Lawbreaker * Goon * Great depressions * Stately Wayne State * In storage * Jen's yes-and moment * It was written * Check me out * Learning to deal * Trypophobia * Role model * Get with the program * Roach Koach * Rush * Unruly Women * Futurist * Job updates * Jennifer Denim Underpants * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

In Part II of a two-part interview, Planet Ant Artistic Director Shawn Handlon talks about life back on land, how his brother's cancer led to one of the most satisfying moments of his career, his passion for Detroit and being a tour guide in the city, and his lauded teaching method. All this and more: Land ho! * Cancer strikes * Cancer! The Musical * Herr director * Really Really regretful * ExpANTion * House beautiful * Teaching style * Upon further review * Formalities * Intro 101 * Sexy time * Sketch stuff * Factory worker * Onward? * The horizon beckons * Views on the scene * Job updates! * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

This week, Planet Ant Artistic Director, home team member, and former Second City Mainstage cast member Shawn Handlon visits the After Improv Podcast. In Part I of a two-part interview, Shawn talks about his 20 years of improvising, why he changed his last name, growing up with seven siblings, stepping down as vice president of a bank to pursue improv, how “Star Wars” inspired him to write, what it was like living on a cruise ship for almost three years. All this and more: 20 years * Not his given name * The only child * A man of business * Steve and Stephen * The first days of improv * Touching moments * Funkytown * Genital Ben * TourCo * Bad bank breakup * Mad mom, mad dad * Mainstage * Written in the Star * Power battles * Novi * Cruisin' * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

This week, Planet Ant home team member, writer, teacher, director and actor Lauren Bickers visits the After Improv Podcast. Lauren, a recent Wilde Award and ham winner, talks about how an interest in sketch comedy led her to improv. She also recounts traveling the country selling magazines, dislocating her knee trying to be funny, the writing and directing processes and how she develops her memorable characters. All this, and more: Debt update * Wilde times * Ham fisted * Cincinnati kid * Fitting in * Barely collegiate * Acting * Mags * Dislocated * Jam bombing * On time * Writing * Teaching * Dicky students * Jammin' * Getting direct * DCP * Character development * Little dreams * Heather's plugs * Job updates * Tony and Jake review “The Magic Negro and Other Blackness” * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Itunes summary

This week, Ashley Davis, best friend of Heather Anonymous and a budding improvisor in her own right, visits the After Improv Podcast. Ashley talks about meeting Heather, how she got into improv, working in the Little Peeps program at Pointless, being married to a rapper, why her and Heather didn't speak for an entire year, her battle with agoraphobia and more: First meeting * Ashley's yes-and moment * Playback Theatre * Birth to five * Test Batch * Heather's secret * “Our tongues have touched” * A year apart * Agoraphobia * Miles * Irritants * Celebrants * Improv to the future * The Princess of Bedtime * Hopes and dreams * House update * Job updates * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

In Part II of a two-part interview with the After Improv Podcast, Go Comedy! co-founder Pj Jacokes shares his feelings about the up-and-coming generation of improvisors, his deep commitment to the jinx rule, why he likes teaching first-time improvisors, his writing process, plus a certain series of commercials you might have seen. Also, broccoli does in fact contain Niacin. * Sick of watching * Broccoli facts * Rehearsal vs. stage time * Short form, long form * The Proving Grounds Jinx * First-time charm * Kill the editor * Don't hate; participate * Hungry Howie's * The ethics of theater * DIF * Go! to the future * Heather's feelings * John hates his neighbors * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Go Comedy! co-founder Pj Jacokes visits the After Improv Podcast this week. In Part I of a two-part interview, Pj talks about the origin of Go Comedy!, how he first studied improv to help his music career, how he deals with complaints about Go, why he lowercases the j in Pj and what it's like improvising with his brother. All this and more * Go Comedy! * Loyolaty * Naming day * Pj's yes-and moment * Teaching * Novi * The producer * The j is down * Word freak * Fatherhood Part II * Brother Jacokes * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

This week, Go Comedy! resident company member and co-host of the Roach Koach podcast Lorin Kozlowski visits the After Improv Podcast. Lorin talks about why his reputation for hating everything is unfair, his career in radio, the start of his improv career in Pittsburgh and why he proposed to his now-wife after the series finale of “Lost.” And so much more: Love and hate *Criterion critic *Superior education *Classroom humorist *Radio radio *89X *Specs Howard *Port Huron *Fired *Steel City Improv Theatre *Bob Wieck *Grand finale *Beginnings and firings *Man of the house *When Jake met Lorin *Drop the Fist *When Lorin met Jake *Herald the Harold *Ronin *The Host *Roach Koach *Flockaveli *Heather's feelings *Job update! *Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

It's that time of year, or maybe just the weekend, when Heather Anonymous enjoys a beverage or several, and does drunken interviews with improvisors from the Detroit community. DIF is where Heather Drunknonymous was born, and she returns home with sharper interview skills, new interviewees and a familiar amount of inebriation. Enjoy!

DIF 2016 is in the books, and the After Improv Podcast provides its annual rundown. We cover it all (except for the sets we missed): The shows, the after parties, the after after parties, the intrigue and our newfound love of Canadian improv. Plus, actor and improvisor Marc Evan Jackson blows our collective minds. All this and more: * Wednesday * Thursday * Friday * Saturday * Marc Evan Jackson blows our minds * Workshop reviews * Heather's feelings * Job update! * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

In the second part of a two-episode chat with Planet Ant Managing Director and home team member Michael Hovitch, the After Improv Podcast talks with Michael about why his teaching method is unlike any other improv instructor in Detroit, how he feels about getting teased, hearing his name chanted and being the son of a life coach. We also finally answer the question of whether Michael and Tony worked together at Borders 18 years ago without realizing it. All this and more: Unique teacher * Respect * Ho-vi! Hovi! * Jetting from the Jam * Video nights * Expanding Planet * Planet Ant West * Receptive parents * The stuff of life * Quiet engagement * Over the county line * All a board * Exit head left * Is he awkward? * Heather's feelings * Fact of the week * Job update! * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Planet Ant Managing Director and home team member Michael Hovitch visits the After Improv Podcast this week in the first of a two-part talk with one of improv's most private performers. Michael talks about his renowned social anxiety, why he originally went to school to be an engineer, smashing cans for a living, playing pranks on customers at his various jobs, recording an emo album and the worst job he's ever had. Plus Michael and Tony formulate a stunning theory about their past. All that and more: * Questions answered * Anxiety * Great grandpa * Family matters * Borders * Velo parade * Posterized * Second City * The music man * Go! Comedy * License plate holdup * Direct duties * Happy days? * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Heather Sejnowski, a member of the Go! Comedy resident cast and the League of Pointless Improvisers, moved from Detroit to Chicago this week. But before she left, Heather visited the After Improv Podcast. Heather opened up in a way no guest, and perhaps she herself, ever has. By the time this episode is over, you might want to give her a hug. She would rather you didn't. Instead, if you still can, call your mom.

Colony Fest 2016 is in books, and the After Improv Podcast crew is here to give you the complete rundown. Special guests Audra Jantz, Joe Jakubowski and Mitch Haba sit in as we talk to some of the finalists of Planet Ant's annual improv tournament, play clips from the finals, address behind-the-scenes controversies and interview the winners. Plus we talk about the closing of 7 Brothers and the roast of its owner, George. And more: * Mitch-haps * Tuesday * Wednesday * It's Brother and Son * Missing brother? * Thursday * Friday * Breaking the third wall * The finals * Donate! * The roast * Heather's feelings * Don't Think Twice movie review * Fact of the week * Job update * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Joe Jakubowski, Mitch Haba and Audra Jantz, three-fourths of the writing team behind “With Extra Onions,” the latest Planet Ant student sketch show, visit the After Improv Podcast this week. The trio talks about the process of writing and producing the show and how it differed from what we went through doing the same thing. Best part — you still have time to check out the show this weekend. But listen to this first! * Variations on a theme * Meet the writers * Audra plays * An onion by any other name * The process * An established municipality * Jell-O wrestling * Dirextor * The actors * Auditions * Casting

Emily Engelhart, Pointless League of Improvisers member, Go! Comedy launch cast member and certified genuinely nice person, visits the After Improv Podcast this week. Emily talks about how improv helped her come out of her shell, her love of elephants, being a part of a launch cast and a home team, improv camp, her love of foreign candy, selling dirt, and more: * Noice * Queen of gifts * Emily's Yes-And moment * Loyola * Public to private * Friends from summer * Augie * Elephants * Improv blue * Wilderness Girls * Auditioning * Pointless * Camping * DCP * The family business * Kindness counts * Heather's feelings * Candy crush * Job updates * Fact of the week

Improvisor, teacher, writer, stage manager and Go! Comedy head chef (really) Pete Jacokes visits the After Improv Podcast this week. Pete talks about how getting unaccepted from college led him to improv, nagging his way onto the Planet Ant home team, being fired multiple times -- sometimes from the same business -- getting fired from seven jobs at once, dancing with his wife at her first wedding, why he hates watching improv, sleepwalking and if he's really as grumpy as he sometimes appears. Check it out! * Bad knees * The Family Jacokes * Son of a referee * Unaccepted * Improv nerd * Planet nag * Stealing Suzie * The Inferno * Teaching * Hate-love * Boo-ha ha * Go! Comedy * Head chef * “Who is that?” * The horrors of barprov * Worst show ever * Stage managing 101 * Hate to watch * The write stuff * Pete hates the gang * Gruff enough * Go! sketch vs. Ant sketch * PJ * Human Amusements * The future * Jimmy John's * Heather's feelings * Fact of the week * Play us in * Attack of the anxiety * Sleepwalk with me * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

In the second part of a two-part interview, improvisors Travis Pelto and Joe Hingelberg get real about what it's like when your best friend has more success than you, how their improv has predicted today's hottest trends, why if you work at Quicken Loans you might have seen videos of Travis, the time Joe got real with the group's Intro II class and why it's important to have a life outside of improv. Also, possibly the worst mashup ever. And so much more: * Go! Comedy * Joe Versus The Travis * Bryan Lark * Futurists * Getting produced * Green-eyed monsters * Different styles * Telemarketing Travis * Travis the teacher * Joe the teacher * Kindness counts * Move or pull back * Monster Noises mention * FOMO * Inside man * Heather's feelings * Joe loves babies * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Joe Hingelberg and Travis Pelto met in their improv club in high school and have been best friends ever since. Both members of the Go! Comedy resident cast and the Planet Ant home team, the duo visits the After Improv Podcast this week in the first of a two-part interview. Joe and Travis set a podcast record for shout-outs and talk about how their high school improv experience built up their egos a little too much, how they were humbled, pretending to be long-lost pals in Kohl's, how they support each other's successes without getting jealous, and so much more: Mr. Brun's Improv Club * Forever 15 (and 14) * Because we can * In the style of commedia dell'arte * The young ones * The educator acid school aide test * Man of the cloth * Go Broncos! * Mr. Natural's * Mongolian Barbecue * Well, look who it is * Competition * Novi! * Bombing in the Inferno * Meeting Pete Jacokes and Mike McGettigan * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Planet Ant founding member Margaret Edwartowski comes even more correct in Part II of our two-part interview. Margaret talks about her work with Y Arts and the Detroit Creativity Project, bad habits in improv students that drive her crazy, her biggest epiphany in improv, what it takes to make the Planet Ant home team, why the home team has changed up their sets lately and what it's like teaching improv in kid jail. * I'm not improv-ing * Stoppers vs. Watchers * Bad Habits * Character lesson * Her call * J.B. Interrupts * Rut of course * The Detroit Creativity Project * Novi * Mama Cass * The future of the Planet * Face the music * Heather's look * J.B. is outside? * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Planet Ant founding member and home team leader Margaret Edwartowski visits the After Improv Podcast this week and comes correct like you wouldn't believe. Margaret reveals she's never taken an improv class and talks about her Second City days, doing improv on a cruise ship, the origin of Bill Murray's “Caddyshack” character, losing her temper during improv sets, playing racquetball with Keegan-Michael Key, how improv brought her and her then-future husband together and so much more in the first of a two-part interview: * In the beginning * Never has she ever * Thespian * Strike up the band * Favorite child * 7 Brothers * Second City * Boyfriend material * Come correct * Cruisin' * Bottle of Red * Accents * Saint McGettigan * Surprisingly straight * Rock stars * Joel Murray * The kid * Temper, temper * Garrett and Mark * Fear of an Ant Planet * Teaching * Alexander Technique * Racquetball * Katt Williams * “Fabulous” host * Writing * Working with Mike McGettigan

One of the gang's favorite improvisors, Planet Ant home team member Garrett Fuller, visits the After Improv Podcast this week. Garrett talks about the high school teacher who changed his life, crying on the way home from bad improv sets, why he loves Novi, missing a big moment in his best friend's life to do an improv set, bringing his 5-year-old twins to watch him perform, his Wayne County Lyfe video series and so much more: Garrett gets scouted * In Living Color * Second City * Garrett gets humbled * No jams, ma'am * Bombing * Novi! * Love and Improv * Twins at the Fjord Twins * Growing up Garrett * Wayne County Lyfe * Character studies * Moving on * Teaching * Heather's feelings * Job update * 400 subs! * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Improvisor, programmer and star of the recently closed “Monster Noises” Jason Petterson visits the After Improv podcast this week. Jason talks about fantasies of being a drifter, firing people in his first job out of college, feeling good when his high school bully died, how standup comedy led him to improv, learning to fake kiss another guy on stage and more. Jacob Russell also sits in and talk about performing with Jason and shares an interesting aspect of the creative process: What it's like when the audience likes your performance but you hate it. All this and more: * The programmer * Tata turmoil in Cincinnati * Firing people * Disappearing * From improv to standup * Auditioning * Dude kissing * Quitting * Broken Shotgun * Writing * Physicality * Goals * Acting * Jake bombs in his mind * Heather's feelings * Keanu * Job progress * Void Where Prohibited * Special delivery * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Improvisor, middle school teacher and Planet Ant home team member Mark Sobolewski visits the After Improv Podcast this week. Mark talks about his face-altering plastic surgery, being sent to a gay conversion camp, and why he thinks his multiple masters degrees are all junk. Mark also doesn't hold back when talking about casting agencies and the Harold and reveals what part of his body he doesn't want you to touch. And more: * The Handsome Jim Harper * Our patron * Cruisin' * Stumps * Starting out * Plastic surgery * Camp Pray the Gay Away * School's in -- and in and in * Instagram and students * Mark's Yes-And moment * Career philosophy * Hands-off * Man head * Grounded and chairy * Hovitch pitch * The burrito of character * The theory of nothing * Mark's favorite improv * Stop pushing * Teach the children * Lightning round * Fact of the week • Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Improvisor and Planet Ant home team member Sean McGettigan visits the After Improv Podcast this week. Sean, known for his character work, talks about that, why he and his brother Mike are afraid to mess with their muscly middle brother Brendan, how Sean acted in a production with Jaimie Moyer when he was five and neither of them realized it, what famous actor he sounds like, what “abreact” means, and more! Check it out, and stick around at the end for a very special performance! * Jim and Heather are drunk, John is buzzed * Third of three * Don't mess with Brendan * Backyard improv * Mike McGettigan, evil tyrant * Sean McGettigan and Jamie Moyer, child stars * Krystal's Motor Town Cafe * Characters * Jim and Heather are drunk * Brendan is The Witcher * The Home Team * Growing up in Dearborn * Love is good * Bartender * Novi! * The Ed and Moe Show * No dishwashing in heaven * The Abreact * Who's Johnny? * Writing * Feel the Bern * Exclusive! * Gun control * Heather's feelings * Fact of the week * Bonus fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Improvisor James Quesada, who happens to be Tony's first improv teacher, drops by the After Improv Podcast this week. James talks about acting in “Batman vs. Superman,” his love of improv, the “Head, Heart and X-Factor” theory, and why you might want to catch him while you can.

Improvisor, teacher and multiple-cat owner Chris Petersen stops by the After Improv Podcast this week. Chris talks about being a member of Human Amusements and their upcoming sketch show, how losing a close friend changed how he viewed improv, the difference between Robots, Pirates, Ninjas, and more. Check it out! * The last days of Second City Novi * Spacewalks * Toastmasters * The birth of Human Amusements * Almost a librarian * Life in the Labs * People who don't understand comedy * Cat tangent! * Let's get serious * Student becomes teacher * In the company of geniuses * Black magic * Robots, Pirates and Ninjas * Pushing yourself * Thinking about quitting * Jammin' * Sketch show * Never let go * Teacher evaluations * Snapchat fever * Heather's feelings * John's rage * Job update! * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Local actress and perpetual energy source Brittany Michael visits the After Improv Podcast this week, fresh off her co-starring role in the “Monster Noises” Writing 5 sketch show at Planet Ant. Brittany talks about being 4 foot 10, getting kidnapped, being functionally illiterate until she was 13, fighting her way out of the special education system, and of course, why Middle Eastern restaurant owners give “bomb ass” Christmas presents. It's a wild ride, folks. Strap in. * Wayne State * To Catch a Brittany * Ethnic makeup * The quitting waitress * Great Christmas presents * Little package * Roma Cafe * Getting short shrift * Second City Chicago * The roommate * Acting spiteful * Jerry Springer * Improv is so scary * Is this live? * Probation * Tour guide at The Motown Museum * Ghost stories * Kidnapped! * Special ed * The student becomes the master * Illiteracy * Being Derrick May * Nudity * Monster Noises recap * Bittany's view of the group * The kiss scene * Job updates * Fact of the week * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

In the conclusion of our two-part interview with Matt Naas, he talks about starting and ending a musical improv act and graces us with an ode to Mr. Miyagi. He also discusses his goals for Human Amusements, meeting Bill Clinton and overcoming the sometimes-icky feeling of marketing yourself. Do yourself (and your career if you're an improvisor) a favor and go listen to it. If you haven't heard Part I, listen to that first on iTunes or Stitcher! * The end of Matt Naas and the Singalong Singers * The music man * Reggie Watts * King of compliments * The highs and lows of teaching * Making your less experienced partner look good * Working the craft * The Matt Naas Variety Show * Finding talent * John's pitch * Meeting Bill Clinton * The Matters Podcast * Knockoff * The new dreams * Snapchat and marketing yourself * Fact of the week * Heather gets mad at Tony * What makes the gang laugh * You better bring it * The last thing * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Matt Naas, improvisor, teacher, and the man behind the Matt Naas Variety Show, visits the After Improv Podcast this week in the first of a two-part series on improvising and his life. In Part I, Matt talks about the podcast he co-hosts with his best friend since high school, how he dug out of $45,000 of credit card debt, why he decided to move on from performing with the resident company at Go! Comedy, and more: * Matt makes history by introducing himself. * Proud improvisor since 2013 * Call and response * Matters * Matt's yes-and moment * Tony loves Novi * Not up to snuff * Matt's improv philosophy * Quit improv? * Debt becomes him * Matt and Tony love flat pop * Laughing at God * No mo ResCo * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

This week the After Improv Podcast goes behind the scenes of the Planet Ant Writing 5 sketch show, aka “Monster Noises.” Learn about the backstage battles, the shifting alliances, the torrid affairs and the outright lying to get people to listen to your podcast. The gang also talks about the intense work that goes into producing a sketch show and what they've learned as budding directors. Most important: You still have two chances to see “Monster Noises,” Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. — for only $5! * Dress rehearsal * Surgery * Tranzos * It's a good thing J.B. wasn't there * The trouble with J.B.'s props * The trouble with J.B.'s sound effects * Kissing a dude * Oil check * Boss is scared of thunder * J.B. breaks his prop * Fact of the week * Peanut butter face * Blackouts * Jim calls 911 * Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

Ending a long, bitter and completely made-up feud, improvisor and journalist Andy Reid finally makes peace with the After Improv Podcast gang this week. After getting our ugly past behind us, Andy talks about his meteoric rise in improv, his first dramatic acting role, his deadly serious allergy and his deep, abiding love of haiku. Plus, he explains what “soaking” is. All that and more! Check it out! * Soaking * Ending the fake feud * John's rage * Eyes like puppies * Muskegon * A fellow journalist * Moving to Detroit * Andy's yes-and moment * Working at Planet Ant * “Unscene” * Jim interrupts * Get physical * One-way or two-way? * Too physical * Kid of the future * Haiku a Day * Net Brutality * The Aliens * Tony's parents call from India * Fact of the week * Aw nuts! * Jim Harper, almond butter assassin * The sketch show * Jim Harper, accent master • Comments or whatever: @tonyaugusty

The After Improv Podcast is proud(?) to present our second installment of Heather Drunknonymous, in which Heather Anonymous gets drunk and interviews improv people in bars. It's as simple as that, folks, and yet so much more. Enjoy! Featuring: Jim Harper, Josh Campos, John Yar, Audra Jantz, George Cvetanobski, Jerry the Karaoke Guy, Stevie Hendershot, Steve Sienkowski, J.R., Lauren Bickers, Andy Gaitens, Maggie O'Reilly, Katie McGraw, Jade Fearn, Matt Penridge, Scott Sanford, Brian the bartender, Jessica Femminineo, Santa Claus and more!