The Improv Network Podcast

Bob and James wrap up the end of year with the last stream of the year.

The cast of PGraph joins to talk about their special brand of narrative improv, being together as a group for 15+ years, and their book 'Do It Now: Essays on Narrative Improv'. Since their premiere in November of 2005, Parallelogramophonograph has been more than just any improv troupe. Fiercely dedicated to the craft and art of improvised theatre, PGraph has held an award-winning weekly show non-stop since 2006. Early on in their time together, Kaci Beeler, Kareem Badr, Roy Janik, and Valerie Ward knew they wanted to do something different onstage. Intrigued by the challenge of telling fantastic fully-improvised stories together as an ensemble, PGraph spent years developing original formats and studying the art of theatre, improv, and storytelling. They've toured the country and the world performing and teaching their unique brand of improv with ensemble appearances in over 60 cities in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and the UK. Renowned for their theatricality, playfulness, and hive-mind-like ensemble, their goal with every show is to push both themselves and the art of improvisation to new and dizzying heights while taking the audience along for a joyous ride. The members of PGraph regularly teach, direct, and perform at The Hideout Theatre in Austin, Texas. Their book on narrative improv, "Do It Now", is for sale on their website as well as on Amazon. Check out PGraph.com for more information.

Jeffrey Thompson joins to talk about listening to your scene partner(s), give and take, and how to use what you hear. Jeffrey Thompson is an LA native and is the Secretary of the Board for The Improv Network. He's an actor and writer, but he also teaches psychology at Citrus College and does taxes for creative professionals. He's received a Master's degree in Psychology and an MBA with a marketing emphasis, both from Pepperdine University. He is also licensed by the IRS to represent taxpayers as an enrolled agent. He's been performing for over 15 years and currently performs at the Ruby LA on the sketch team, The Money Pit, and at the Westside Comedy Theater on the house improv team, Gravity. He also co-produces the Westside Comedy Festival.

Natalie and Julia join for a chat about how confidence level comes into play (cool pun) in Improv.

Sunny Atwal joins to talk about the give and take exchange between improvisers and filling in the missing pieces of a strong scene.

Tom Novik joins to talk about moments of epiphany in Improv when something about the magic and mystery of how it works just clicks. Tom has been performing, coaching, and teaching in the metro Detroit area since 2013. When he isn't doing real estate, he's either planning his next meal or thinking about the appropriate time to put up Christmas stuff. Tom is a founding member of AWOL Theater Co. and half of the long-running duo Listen Stupid. He is currently teaching classes at Go Comedy, and working on a new scripted show with Maggie O'Reilly set to open next year at Planet Ant.

Bill Binder joins to talk about the development and future of virtual Improv.

Dan O'Connor joins to talk about the 'Impro' as opposed to 'Improv', Keith Johnstone, and the Theatresoprts world of Improvisation.

Stacey Hallal joins to talk about Ruby Rocket, Private Detective; an improvised noir show, animated web series, comic book, and soon to be podcast. Stacey has been devoted to comedy in Portland and Chicago for over 22 years and has appeared and taught at more than 100 festivals across the United States and Canada. She is the founder and Managing/Artistic director of the Curious Comedy Theater in Portland, Oregon as well as the founder and Artistic Director of the All Jane Comedy Festival. While in Chicago, Stacey completed the iO, Annoyance, and Second City training centers. She went on to complete the prestigious Directing Program at Second City where she also performed, taught improv and comedy writing, and assistant directed the main stage. Stacey is the creator of Ruby Rocket, Private Detective, an improvised noir comedy live show, podcast, web cartoon, and now comic book with artist Sam Neimann. Stacey also uses improv to help blue chip corporations better understand and communicate their brand stories. Over the past 18 years, Stacey has worked with 200 brands including Fossil, Old Spice, Cheerios, Shure, Adobe, and many more. https://www.rubyrocketpi.com/

Natasha Boomer joins for this 'Show and Tell' episode to talk about her experience with her show Wheel of Improv.

PJ Jacokes joins in this episode to talk about balancing artistic goals with business needs, and building community and talent pool in tandem.

Shannon Stott joins once again to talk about some tips for dealing with a "bad" student in Improv classes. Shannon Stott is the Creator and Director At Improv| On and Off the Stage, an Improv Studio offering live and virtual classes, workshops, events and content for performers and non-performers. Based in Austin, TX, Shannon has been performing and teaching Improv since 2000. She utilizes Improv as a tool to help people connect to themselves and others both on and off the stage. She encourages her students to carry Improv out of their theaters and into their workplaces, homes and lives. Check out Shannon's website https://www.shannonstott.com/ to learn more about Shannon's Workshops and Classes

Shawn Golden joins to talk about what it takes to have an idea for a project and bring it to fruition; and why so many good ideas never become more than just an idea. He Also talking about how a simple idea can accidently turn into a business Subscribe to Ugly Magazine at uglygoofs.com Also Check out Shawn's Project Plan Template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bjdTXS7PPIJtA_8T8H74nitHRTYFbKn3MVtr9UAdRgc/edit?usp=sharing

It's the first episode of our brand new season and we're delighted to have special guest Adam Peacock ( My Neighbors are Dead podcast) join us to talk about playing with subtleties in Improv. Check out “My neighbors are Dead” wherever you get your pods! You can also follow them on instagram at Myneighborsaredead

Rachael Mason joins to talk about the concept of 'Head, Heart, and X-Factor' on our 100th episode of the podcast. Rachael Mason is a Director, Writer, Teacher schooled in the famed Chicago improv scene. While at The Second City, iO, Annoyance she developed and now teaches her philosophy of not “yes and” but “Yes And Because" where scenes that are rich and sustainable are inevitable and infinite in number. She has toured and taught all over the world, headlining festivals with her comedy partner Susan Messing as The Boys. She's worked with theater novices, MFAs, CEOs and VIPS both in and outside of the entertainment industry. Candor is her love language. She passionately believes that putting art where there was none before is an act of revolution. Follow Rachael on IG - @missrachaelmason and the Social Justice Improv Project - @socialjusticeimprovproject

Bob and James compiled a bunch of their favorite moments from past conversations to celebrate their 99th episode

Improvisor/Comedian Tam White joins us today to talk about her show Hip-Prov Tam White is a stand-up comic and improv actor from Detroit, MI. She is currently a resident cast member at the Go Comedy Improv Theatre in Ferndale and producer/host of the improv game show 'Hip-Prov', which streams live on Facebook. Social Media : @tamwhitecomedy on Instagram

Marcus Sams joins as the newest board member of The Improv Network to talk about tech in Improv, namely in the virtual platform. Marcus is the Founder and Artistic Director of Moment Improv Theatre and he has been a pioneer of virtual shows and classes which you can check out here: https://momentimprov.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MomentImprov https://www.instagram.com/momentimprovsf/ https://twitter.com/momentimprov

Our good friend Shannon Stott is back! This time we'll talk about Tension in Improv, different ways to create it, how to use it, and what happens without it. Shannon Stott is the Creator and Director At Improv| On and Off the Stage, an Improv Studio offering live and virtual classes, workshops, events and content for performers and non-performers. Based in Austin, TX, Shannon has been performing and teaching Improv since 2000. She utilizes Improv as a tool to help people connect to themselves and others both on and off the stage. She encourages her students to carry Improv out of their theaters and into their workplaces, homes and lives. Check out Shannon's website https://www.shannonstott.com/ to learn more about Shannon's Workshops and Classes

Ken Hall joins to talk about mindfulness in Improv.

Jeff Rogers joins to talk about the return of the historied Players Workshop and the outlook of the Improv industry moving forward. Check out more from Jeff and the Players Workshop at these links: Players Workshop Online https://www.playersworkshoponline.com/ Playmaker Mindset https://www.amazon.com/Playmaker-Mindset-Radically-Teamwork-Innovation-ebook/dp/B0955SP69F Profitable Improv https://www.profitableimprov.com/

Paige Fockler joins to talk about various show styles and forms, the difference between being on a team vs a duo vs a solo show, and when Improv skills can help or hurt a scripted show. Check out info on Paige's upcoming show "I'm Fine": Paige Fockler is returning after her initial debut at The Second City Hollywood, a long, long year and a half ago, with, “I'm Fine.” A Dramedy about a woman with a mental illness that is just dying for some help, any help, please someone help this woman! Paige has written, directed, and produced this show and it has been hailed as “Consistent deep belly laughs. Flawless character portrayal.” and “she gave a truly beautiful gift to everyone there.” -Rich Baker, Director at Second City I'm Fine will be playing at: The Broadwater Studio 1078 Lillian WAy Los Angeles, CA 90038 8/10 @ 8:00 pm ( pay what you can! ) 8/14 @ 5:00 pm 8/19 @ 8:00 pm 8/22 @ 7:00 pm 8/28 @ 10:00 pm Tickets are $10 and can be purchased with this link. http://hff20.co/6468

James and Bob talk about 'bulldozing' in Improv. How to respond to players with abrasive energy and how to avoid being that person.

Bob and James talk about staying inspired in the art of Improv and Comedy.

Gary Ware joins to talk about his 'Breakthrough Play' strategy, emotional intelligence, and all the ways Improv can keep life fun Learn more about Gary and Breakthrough Play at http://www.breakthroughplay.com/ and Follow Breakthrough Play on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/breakthroughplay

Today Bob and James are actually in the same room! and we're talking about openers and also taking your improv questions LIVE

Bob talks to Joe Rapp: one of the founding members of The Bearded Company. For years the Minneapolis/LA based troupe have been taking sold out audiences on fully improvised adventures. Today we're going to talk about the formation of the group and their new hit podcast, BREAKING THE DICE: The Improvised Campaign. Find out more about The Bearded Company and their new podcast Breaking the Dice at beardedcompany.org or btdpod.com

Today Bob talks to Yael Schy from the Zoomers to Boomers Improv about Intergenerational Improv Check out Zoomers to Boomers Improv: https://zoomerstoboomersimprov.com or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/zoomerstoboomersimprov/

Shannon Stott joins to talk about using silence in Improv and Rick and Morty

Laurel James joins to talk about various ways to interpret and apply the concept of 'Yes, And'.

Molly Alampi joins to talk about destructive humor and the difference between making a joke and being a total a-hole. Check out https://uglygoofs.com/ and subscribe to Ugly Magazine Additional Links: HARVARD ONLINE HIDDEN BIAS TEST https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/user/agg/blindspot/indexrk.htm?fbclid=IwAR3XzwRjNhoShGWsRoO4ao5PTIan11EXPCF1LZNMXDuvqpWhAdgUo47Uztw HOW HOLLYWOOD IS COMPLICIT IN THE VIOLENCE AGAINST ASIANS IN AMERICA https://variety.com/2021/tv/opinion/hollywood-complicit-violence-against-asians-in-america-1234932858/?fbclid=IwAR3JAsPP2KIkRu_MrvA_2DkTew5AEFo_WViQ0TZ3c01IqfGJkfA05zXQ13I DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) https://dei.extension.org/

Mel Leon joins to talk about using Improv in training exercises and occupational role play.

Bob and James talk about group scene dynamics in Improv.

Shannon Stott returns once again to talk about improv and how we can create an inclusive environment.

Shannon joins for a follow up conversation on beats of a scene and show! Check out more from Shannon on her website www.shannonstott.com/

Shannon Stott joins to talk about the beats of a story and scenes.

This week we talk about how much we play for ourselves or the audience in an Improv show.

Bob and James discuss the special dynamics of 3 person improv scenes.

Julia Schroeder joins for a conversation about... conversations. We'll talk about how Improv relates to hosting a podcast, what makes a good conversation, and why putting together a podcast is easier said than done.

Bob Wieck and James Quesada have their first episode of improv shop talk as an official program of The Improv Network!

Today Bob and Oliver discuss "Getting into trouble". They will also be answering Improv questions about any improv related topic

Bob and James talk about various ways of initiating and Improv scene.

Pete Jacokes joins to talk about directing Improv Shows, short form and long form and everything in between and beyond, in this third installation of our conversation about Directing.

Bob and James are joined by their best bud and frequent directing partner Pete Jacokes to talk about Directing shows!

Melanie Leon joins to talk about her immersive virtual show, 'Posthumous'.

Melanie Leon joins to talk about her immersive virtual show, 'Posthumous'.

Bob and James provide useless speculations on what it's gonna be like to have theaters closed for another six months.

Oliver Georgiou joins for a live stream episode where we'll talk about truth in Improv. Check out more from Oliver: Syncing Ships - A competion to make the best lip sync music video to a different song every week ranging from Chance The Rapper, Kesha, Run The Jewels, Alanis Morissette, and more. Every Friday @ 10pm ET, on Instagram stories. Voting is open for 24 hours. @o_georgiou Real True Facts "Guardian Demons and the Angels Who Prey" https://realtruefactspodcast.com The Pen Is Mightier - Ep7 (Coming Soon) https://thepenismightier.libsyn.com/website

Jen Hansen and Pete Jacokes join to talk about the Halloween one act show - Stage Fright. A zombie outbreak takes over a community theater production of Dracula, but the show must go on! It was a show that Jen and Pete directed, with Bob as assistant director and James as Dracula.