Podcasts about Mick Napier

Welcome to a special episode of Startup Dad! It's the holiday time again when the list of responsibilities, performances, potlucks and gifts goes through the roof for already busy parents. To help you navigate the chaos I've asked many of my past guests to share with me their favorite books from the past year – those they'd gift to another person and those they'd tell parents to get for their kids. I've also highlighted parent's favorite meals to make with and for their kids.I'm joined by Alex Cohen, Andrew Capland, Brian Balfour, Adam Nash, Adam Grenier, Will Rocklin, Rob Schutz, Casey Handmer, Tye DeGrange, Josh Herzig-Marx, Carla Naumburg, and Michael Perry.In this episode we discuss:- Top book recommendations from 2024 for adults- Their top book recommendations for kids of all ages- A favorite recipe to make with your kidsWhere to find Adam Fishman- Newsletter: FishmanAFNewsletter.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/- X: https://twitter.com/fishmanaf- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/Timestamps:[00:41] Favorite book to gift this holiday season?[14:27] Favorite book that you'd recommend to another parent for their kids?[28:52] What recipe do you like to get your kids involved in at the holiday time?_Show ReferencesA full list of ALL references in this show can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17eDnhGaRWvCqBl0RmM746Je7Ovpt7qL-14TNzQS4DUg/edit?tab=t.0Nick Soman's Episode: https://startupdadpod.substack.com/p/building-a-company-and-family-nick-soman-decentFounding Sales, The Founder Led Sales & Early Stage Go-to-Market Handbook by Pete Kazanjy: https://www.foundingsales.com/Decent: https://www.decent.com/Casey Handmer's Episode: https://startupdadpod.substack.com/p/astrophysics-saving-the-planet-and-three-kidsPoor Charlie's Almanack: The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Mungerby Charles T. Munger: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/poor-charlies-almanack-charles-t-munger/1142619102Eric Bahn's Episode: https://startupdadpod.substack.com/p/integration-over-balance-and-hustling-with-kidsNever Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-audiobook/dp/B01COR1GM2/Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/demon-copperhead-barbara-kingsolver/1140860121Eric Mauskopf Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOkHqWbJI1cWill Rocklin Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnPwKjSosyMA Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-swim-in-a-pond-in-the-rain-george-saunders/1137150630Michael Perry's Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP6JJhiFfK4Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/four-thousand-weeks-oliver-burkeman/1137427241Tye DeGrange Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVs8FnMNIQILonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lonesome-dove-larry-mcmurtry/1001920809Adam Nash's Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaOCL5WSzhcWhen the Heavens Went on Sale: The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reachby Ashlee Vance: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-the-heavens-went-on-sale-ashlee-vance/1142161472Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX by Eric Berger: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liftoff-eric-berger/1137428010Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets that Launched a Second Space Ageby Eric Berger: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reentry-eric-berger/1144620800Brian Balfour's Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiQ_wAwfv5s100% Unofficial AB to Jay-Z by Jessica Chiha: https://www.amazon.com/100-Unofficial-Jay-Z-Jessica-Chiha/dp/0648073912/Andrew Capland's Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p-4ir53gZcThe Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-big-leap-gay-hendricks/1102667522Rob Schutz's Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g611gCs4g0AThe Ferryman by Justin Cronin: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ferryman-justin-cronin/1141941765Carla Naumburg's Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcrzFhbeIVsCase Histories (Jackson Brodie Series #1) by Kate Atkinson: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/case-histories-kate-atkinson/1100163888Josh Herzig-Marx's Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiaE6ZmaOIQGnomon by Nick Harkaway: https://www.amazon.com/Gnomon-Nick-Harkaway/dp/0525432930The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway: https://www.amazon.com/Gone-Away-World-Nick-Harkaway-ebook/dp/B001EL6R9W/Adam Grenier's Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoOXR_3dnLUFaster Than Normal: Turbocharge Your Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain by Peter Shankman:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faster-than-normal-peter-shankman/1125456961Alex Cohen's Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOa9mS-CIuQOutlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia: https://www.amazon.com/Outlive-Longevity-Peter-Attia-MD/dp/0593236599Lloyed Lobo's Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRuVbAHaUb0Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-One-Notes-Startups-Future/dp/0804139296Masters of Scale: Surprising Truths from the World's Most Successful Entrepreneurs by Reid Hoffman: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/masters-of-scale-reid-hoffman/1138865531Penguin Problems by Jory John: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/penguin-problems-jory-john/1123199367Red Mars (Book #1) by Kim Stanley Robinson: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/red-mars-kim-stanley-robinson/1100623050The Cat Kid Comic Club Collection: From the Creator of Dog Man (Cat Kid Comic Club #1-3 Boxed Set) by Dav Pilkey: https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Kid-Comic-Club-Collection/dp/1338864394/Pig the Pug (Pig the Pug Series) by Aaron Blabey: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pig-the-pug-aaron-blabey/1123894006?Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/du-iz-tak-carson-ellis/1123161884How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Full Color Edition by Dr. Seuss: https://www.amazon.com/How-Grinch-Stole-Christmas-Jacketed/dp/0593434382The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-polar-express-chris-van-allsburg/1100303321The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-pout-pout-fish-deborah-diesen/1100935993Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tickle-monster-josie-bissett/1009267028The Hunger Games (Hunger Games Series #1) by Suzanne Collins: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-hunger-games-suzanne-collins/1100171585Teach Your Giraffe to Ski by Viviane Elbee: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/teach-your-giraffe-to-ski-viviane-elbee/1128007314Little Blue Truck Makes a Friend: A Friendship Book for Kids by Alice Schertle: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-blue-truck-makes-a-friend-alice-schertle/1142263535The Book with No Pictures by B. J. Novak: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-with-no-pictures-b-j-novak/1118663264How to Stop Freaking Out: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Cool When Life Feels Chaoticby Carla Naumburg: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-stop-freaking-out-carla-naumburg/1145065982Someday a Bird Will Poop on You: A Life Lesson by Sue Salvi: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/someday-a-bird-will-poop-on-you-sue-salvi/1128829321The Spooky Wheels on the Bus: (A Holiday Wheels on the Bus Book) by J. Elizabeth Mills: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spooky-wheels-on-the-bus-j-elizabeth-mills/1019165966From Grassroots to Greatness: 13 Rules to Build Iconic Brands with Community Led Growthby Lloyed Lobo: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-grassroots-to-greatness-lloyed-lobo/1143861087Ninja Life Hacks Mindsets 8 Book Box Set (Books 65-72: Accountable, Respectful, Flexible Thinking, Consent, Entrepreneur, Healthy, Negative, Adaptable) by Mary Nhin: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637316976Improvise. Scene from the Inside Out by Mick Napier: https://www.amazon.com/Improvise-Scene-Inside-Mick-Napier/dp/156608198X---For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.comProduction support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com

Today's guest is Jay Sukow. Jay Sukow has been performing with and without a script for over 27 years. He has trained with some of the greatest in improv, including David Razowsky, Stephen Colbert, Mick Napier, and the legendary Del Close. He was the Artistic Director/Head of Training at the Improv Comedy Copenhagen Theatre, and previously taught for Second City, ComedySportz, and iO Chicago (where he was also head of the artistic committee).  Jay has taught at improv festivals all over the world, and he also won The Golden Pineapple award for best visiting teacher at Improv Comedy Copenhagen.  Jay's directing credits include the feature film “Trubadeaux: A Restaurant Movie”, "Guilty: The Web Series", and commercials for Allstate.  He has extensive teambuilding experience, and has thrived in the corporate arena, designing interactive learning sessions for companies like McDonald's, PepsiCo, Netflix, Eli Lilly, Yahoo!, and Allstate Financial Services. In addition to all of that, Jay approaches everything he does with a big sense of excitement, which definitely comes through in this interview. Learn more about Jay Sukow by visiting his website, jaysukow.com. Help out the podcast by giving a rating and a review, and feel free to leave a comment!

Today I get to talk to another improv legend, Mick Napier. Mick is known both nationally and internationally as an innovator and creative force in comedy, improvisation, and theater. His belief in the element of risk-taking is what influences his work and his direction.  He is one of the founders of the world-famous Annoyance Theater in Chicago, where Mick has spent more than 20 years developing and cultivating a style of work and production that has been both acclaimed and imitated.  Mick Napier is also a Director and Artistic Consultant for the internationally renowned Second City, and has made his mark having directed more than 10 revues there.  He's written 2 acclaimed books called “Improvise: Scene from the Inside Out” and “Behind the Scenes: Improvising Long Form”, both of which are considered some of the best books on the craft of improvisation. In addition, Mick Napier is also a magician!  He and his wife Jennifer have been performing mentalism for over 20 years, and he's also a regular performer at The Chicago Magic Lounge. If you love improv and if you love magic, then this gentleman is definitely someone you'll want to hear from. You can learn more about him by visiting his website, micknapier.com.  You can also learn all about The Annoyance Theater by visiting their website, theannoyance.com, and The Chicago Magic Lounge at their website chicagomagiclounge.com. Don't forget to rate and review!

My guest today is someone who also holds a special place in my heart, Mark Sutton. Mark has performed, directed, and taught improv for over 30 years.  He's one of the founding members of The Annoyance Theater, he's performed and taught improv at Second City, both in Chicago and Toronto, and has performed at numerous venues and festivals all over the world.  Mark also teaches improv to people in the academic and business world, and his clients include major companies like GE Healthcare, Major League Baseball, McDonalds and Yahoo.  He's also one half of the world renowned show Bassprov, which he performs alongside improv legend Joe Bill. In this conversation, you'll hear about his love for the craft and his joy in sharing this with others, as well as the creation of Bassprov, the time he first meet Mick Napier… and his great love for baseball!

Mick Napier is the Artistic Director and founder of the Annoyance Theatre. He is the author of the two books Improvise scene from the inside out and Behind the Scenes Improvising long form. Mick and I talk about deals and why you should be selfish on stage. We talk about the importance of being kind and humble, Del Close and different school of thoughts. We talk about why Mick wrote his two books, about product vs process and to be funny on stage doesn't make you an asshole. We are also talking about improvising for money, differences between Europe and American improv and why ordering a hamburger at McDonalds can be the most important task of the day.

We talk about Big Friendly Improv Collective, Michael Chekhov, Rudolf Laban, running a jam, TBC, introversion in improv, sleeping on Steve Roe's living room floor, Hoopla Impro, Pan Left, a more personal way of playing 8 Things, Hitchhiker, A to Z, playing the Edinburgh festival, accessibility, diversity, organising improv, Welcome to your Nightmare, Crickle Creek, Amy Cooke-Hodgson, Pippa Evans, corporate training, word association with data engineers, Half Life, puppets, Annoyance Theatre, Mick Napier, Susan Messing, puppets, Mara Joy Craig, and slowing down.

The UK Government forcibly sent 150,000 kids abroad between 1920 and 1967 to 'whiten' Australia and Canada.Gordon Brown made a formal apology to the British children affected, many of whom faced abuse and a regime of unpaid labour.Brown only made the formal apology after the Australian government issued their own. He called the programme 'misguided'. It did not stop until 1967.The vulnerable working class children were cut off from their families or even falsely informed that they were orphans.No UK government officials were ever charged, let alone convicted, for this crime against humanity.Resistance TV is a weekly show hosted by Chris Williamson the former Labour MP, Derby Council Leader and the founder of Resist Movement for a People's Party. With a socialist take on things we look at areas of concern for the left wing, Anti Racism, Anti Imperialism, MMT, Injustice, Britain's role in foreign affairs, 21st century Socialism, Alternative Media and more…Live Wednesday's on all our Social Media at 7pm and audio Podcast on Friday'sJoin Resist here: www.resistmovement.org.ukFollow Chris on Twitter @DerbyChrisW

Hoja Lopez is a Venezuelan comedian, producer, and writer in the Chicago area. This former Houstonian is the co-host of Lemonada Media's I'm Sorry, a podcast about apologies and creator of Gay News, a monthly satirical web-series focusing on queer stories. She is a graduate of the Annoyance Theater Improv program and recipient of the 2021 DIOversity Scholarship! Hoja is currently performing in Annoyance Theater's mainstage solo sketch review, directed by Mick Napier.Follow her on IG and Twitter at @alohahojaTopics:- Things to be preachy about- Kissing in Improv- PDAScenes:- Church of Calm Down- The Intimacy Coordinator- Off-Season WeddingWe have opinions and you're gonna hear them! Follow our characters down rabbit holes in our fast-paced improv shows.Hosted by Amechi Ngwe, Antoine W.B, Jon Myles, and Tandiwe Kone.Edited by Antoine W.BHosted on Mocking Bird Network

This week, James and Rob are joined by director, theatre owner, and improv legend: Mick Napier!   They talk with Mick about the beginning of the Annoyance, improv "rules", video games, directing, and what's going on with the new iO.    Follow Mick on instagram @ mickjnapier   Check out his books Improvise: Scenes from the Inside Out and Behind the Scenes: Improvising Long Form   Also, go see shows and take classes at The Annoyance Theatre   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

Patrick McCartney and Jodi Lennon discuss starting scenes in the middle, coming up with characters and her time studying with Del Close and Mick Napier. Jodi Lennon is an Emmy-nominated writer, producer and a director. She is an alumnae of Chicago's Second City, IO and The Annoyance Theater. Shes worked on many TV shows including It's Personal with Amy Hoggart, At Home with Amy Sedaris, Difficult People and Exit 57 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kevin-scott2/support

Brian Stack, Writer and Performer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss A Thousand Clowns, a 1965 comedy. Brian shares what it's like having a career as a writer and performer in late night TV. He discusses working for Conan O'Brien and Stephen Colbert, getting into improv after meeting Mick Napier at Indiana University, performing with Chris Farley at the Arc in Madison, WI, how a sketch moves and changes from the writers room to what is shown on TV, working through his own melancholy through the characters he's developed, meeting Walter Cronkite while dressed as a 7-foot-tall Frankenstein, and opening for Slipknot as the Slipnutz at the Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey. We also feature a special question from one of our patrons, Ben Konowitz! Brian plays our “Late Night Guess It Right“ game. Follow Brian on Instagram, Twitter, or IMDB. Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help us reach more listeners. Find out about our guests and upcoming events by following us at Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, contribute to our Patreon, or shop at lifeinthecredits.com. Life in Our Credits Hosts: Susan Swarner and Ben Blohm Executive Producer: Michelle Levin Logo Art: Melissa Durkin Music Composer and Performer: Steve Trowbridge

To learn more about the Enabled Disabled Podcast and share your story, please visit https://www.enableddisabled.com/ Bob Kulhan is a co-founder of Baby Wants Candy and has been performing, teaching & studying improv and sketch comedy since 1994 in Chicago and since 2009 in NYC. Bob was trained in improvisation by Del Close, Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Susan Messing and others at Chicago's ImprovOlympic theater, Mick Napier at The Annoyance Theater, and taught and mentored by Martin de Maat at The Second City (among so many other greats in all 3 fantastic schools!). Bob currently performs in NYC with Baby Wants Candy (Soho Playhouse), The Scene (The PIT), Dos Experimento! (The PIT), Mystic Improv (The PIT) and The Windy Pendejos? (The PIT and… really wherever the heck else we can play!). Bob's has created more than a dozen one-man and sketch comedy shows. You can find his characters on YouTube videos (“The BonVivant Gourmet” “SafetyMen” & the hit Holiday song “Christmas Hot Pants”) For the last 24 years Bob has performed and taught improvisation internationally. His teaching and performing credits include Chicago's famed The Second City, Improv Olympic, The Annoyance Theater, The PIT, Columbia College, London TheaterSports, The Banff Centre, The Australian Graduate School of Management, and Koç University in Istanbul, University of South Carolina's The Darla Moore School of Business, UCLA Anderson School of Management, Columbia University Business School, and Duke University's The Fuqua School of Business. In addition to all things improv, Bob is passionate about cooking, SCUBA diving, and Brazilian Jju-Jitsu. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/enableddisabled/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/enableddisabled/support

In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie dissect a page from Mick Napier's book, Improvise.

For this episode, Whit has a conversation with Jay Sukow — a US improviser based in LA, but in New Zealand traveling for this recording. After catching up a bit, we jumped into an amazing conversation about his favorite (by far) of over 300 10-minute scenes that he's been doing since early on in the pandemic. This is all the more impressive given that his online series “10 Minutes with…” where he improvises a 10 minute scene with someone from anywhere on the planet, has over 100,000 views. Jay is very much about positivity towards improv and saying yes within your improv. This has led to a continued desire and enthusiasm for improv and improv community online – something that we also spend some time talking about in this episode. As far as Jay's background, he's been improvising for nearly 30 years. A few of those he has trained with include Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, David Razowsky, Keith Johnstone, Del Close, Charna Halpern, Jeff Michalski and Mick Napier. He is a graduate of training centers of The Second City, The Second City NW, iO Chicago, and ComedySportz Chicago and the founder of Today Improv. He also served as the Artistic Director/Head of Training at the Improv Comedy Copenhagen Theatre, where he taught improv and sketch comedy to expats from all around the world. He previously taught for Second City Chicago, Second City Hollywood, Westside Comedy Theater, iO Chicago (where he was also head of its artistic committee), iO West and ComedySportz Chicago, and has taught at many improv festivals around the world, including the Oslo Impro Festival, the Copenhagen International Improv Festival, the Barcelona Improv Festival and the Chicago Improv Festival. He is the winner of The Golden Pineapple, awarded to the best visiting teacher at Improv Comedy Copenhagen. At the Westside Comedy Theater, Jay is in the cast of Mission Improvable and Improv Famous, an Armando-style show featuring some of the best improvisors on the planet. He is also part of the duo Zer0 H0ur with Bill Chott and was an ensemble member of ComedySportz Chicago, several weekend “house” improv teams at iO Chicago and many other improv and sketch comedy groups. At least, that's the in person stuff! Also, Jay is the co-host of ImprovCast with Jay and Landon. Follow Jay and Jay-related stuff at: JaySukow.com Today Improv Facebook Twitter Instagram Jay also appeared as a panelist on the first session of the Covid-19 Improv Summit and both sessions related to online improv in the Summit.

This week on Yes But Why, I had the pleasure of chatting with Velvet Duke, Toronto-based entertainer and improv instructor. Velvet Duke is a world-beloved Black, autistic, queer, velvet voiced, multi-faceted creator, facilitator, and community leader. As an entertainer, Velvet engages with audiences as a musical improviser, a storyteller, a stand-up, and a host. Velvet studied at and graduated from The Improv Place (Masterclass in Teaching) as well as Second City Toronto Training Centre (Musical Improvisation Conservatory). He has also taken master classes in improvisation with Jill Bernard, Stephen Davison, John Gebretatose, Natasha Boomer, Ken Hall, Mick Napier, Katy Schutte and Chris Mead. Velvet is also an improv workshop facilitator. Based in Canada with a strong internet connection, Velvet is available to lead workshops virtually to groups around the world. Velvet facilitates virtual classes through international improvisational theatres such as Edinburgh International Improv Festival, The Nursery Theatre, Vintage Improv Festival, and Highwire Improv. He also runs online improv workshops through Guelph Black Heritage Society and Black Improv Alliance. Velvet has facilitated in-person workshops at the Black and Funny Festival, Theatre on the Edge, and with the original Toronto Theatresports. In our conversation, Velvet and I talk about how much we miss performing in front of an audience and how much we crave big crowds. We are kindred spirits and we talk about a superpower we both have connecting with and comforting strangers. Velvet tells me about his Star Trek fandom improv troupe, “The Dandies,” and about his deeply personal solo show series, “Personal Demon Hunter.” We were excited to chat with each other and we can't wait for you to listen to it now! Support Velvet Duke by watching his online improv shows including: “Y'Up”, “Crooner,” and “Crushin It.” Hire Velvet Duke to facilitate an improv workshop at your theatre! Highly skilled and extremely motivated, Velvet is the improv teacher you have been looking for! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I had the pleasure of chatting with Velvet Duke, Toronto-based entertainer and improv instructor. Velvet Duke is a world-beloved Black, autistic, queer, velvet voiced, multi-faceted creator, facilitator, and community leader. As an entertainer, Velvet engages with audiences as a musical improviser, a storyteller, a stand-up, and a host. Velvet studied at and graduated from The Improv Place (Masterclass in Teaching) as well as Second City Toronto Training Centre (Musical Improvisation Conservatory). He has also taken master classes in improvisation with Jill Bernard, Stephen Davison, John Gebretatose, Natasha Boomer, Ken Hall, Mick Napier, Katy Schutte and Chris Mead. Velvet is also an improv workshop facilitator. Based in Canada with a strong internet connection, Velvet is available to lead workshops virtually to groups around the world. Velvet facilitates virtual classes through international improvisational theatres such as Edinburgh International Improv Festival, The Nursery Theatre, Vintage Improv Festival, and Highwire Improv. He also runs online improv workshops through Guelph Black Heritage Society and Black Improv Alliance. Velvet has facilitated in-person workshops at the Black and Funny Festival, Theatre on the Edge, and with the original Toronto Theatresports. In our conversation, Velvet and I talk about how much we miss performing in front of an audience and how much we crave big crowds. We are kindred spirits and we talk about a superpower we both have connecting with and comforting strangers. Velvet tells me about his Star Trek fandom improv troupe, “The Dandies,” and about his deeply personal solo show series, “Personal Demon Hunter.” We were excited to chat with each other and we can’t wait for you to listen to it now! Support Velvet Duke by watching his online improv shows including: “Y’Up”, “Crooner,” and “Crushin It.” Hire Velvet Duke to facilitate an improv workshop at your theatre! Highly skilled and extremely motivated, Velvet is the improv teacher you have been looking for! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I had the pleasure of chatting with Velvet Duke, Toronto-based entertainer and improv instructor. Velvet Duke is a world-beloved Black, autistic, queer, velvet voiced, multi-faceted creator, facilitator, and community leader. As an entertainer, Velvet engages with audiences as a musical improviser, a storyteller, a stand-up, and a host. Velvet studied at and graduated from The Improv Place (Masterclass in Teaching) as well as Second City Toronto Training Centre (Musical Improvisation Conservatory). He has also taken master classes in improvisation with Jill Bernard, Stephen Davison, John Gebretatose, Natasha Boomer, Ken Hall, Mick Napier, Katy Schutte and Chris Mead. Velvet is also an improv workshop facilitator. Based in Canada with a strong internet connection, Velvet is available to lead workshops virtually to groups around the world. Velvet facilitates virtual classes through international improvisational theatres such as Edinburgh International Improv Festival, The Nursery Theatre, Vintage Improv Festival, and Highwire Improv. He also runs online improv workshops through Guelph Black Heritage Society and Black Improv Alliance. Velvet has facilitated in-person workshops at the Black and Funny Festival, Theatre on the Edge, and with the original Toronto Theatresports. In our conversation, Velvet and I talk about how much we miss performing in front of an audience and how much we crave big crowds. We are kindred spirits and we talk about a superpower we both have connecting with and comforting strangers. Velvet tells me about his Star Trek fandom improv troupe, “The Dandies,” and about his deeply personal solo show series, “Personal Demon Hunter.” We were excited to chat with each other and we can’t wait for you to listen to it now! Support Velvet Duke by watching his online improv shows including: “Y’Up”, “Crooner,” and “Crushin It.” Hire Velvet Duke to facilitate an improv workshop at your theatre! Highly skilled and extremely motivated, Velvet is the improv teacher you have been looking for! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I had the pleasure of chatting with Velvet Duke, Toronto-based entertainer and improv instructor.Velvet Duke is a world-beloved Black, autistic, queer, velvet voiced, multi-faceted creator, facilitator, and community leader. As an entertainer, Velvet engages with audiences as a musical improviser, a storyteller, a stand-up, and a host. Velvet studied at and graduated from The Improv Place (Masterclass in Teaching) as well as Second City Toronto Training Centre (Musical Improvisation Conservatory). He has also taken master classes in improvisation with Jill Bernard, Stephen Davison, John Gebretatose, Natasha Boomer, Ken Hall, Mick Napier, Katy Schutte and Chris Mead.Velvet is also an improv workshop facilitator. Based in Canada with a strong internet connection, Velvet is available to lead workshops virtually to groups around the world. Velvet facilitates virtual classes through international improvisational theatres such as Edinburgh International Improv Festival, The Nursery Theatre, Vintage Improv Festival, and Highwire Improv. He also runs online improv workshops through Guelph Black Heritage Society and Black Improv Alliance. Velvet has facilitated in-person workshops at the Black and Funny Festival, Theatre on the Edge, and with the original Toronto Theatresports.In our conversation, Velvet and I talk about how much we miss performing in front of an audience and how much we crave big crowds. We are kindred spirits and we talk about a superpower we both have connecting with and comforting strangers. Velvet tells me about his Star Trek fandom improv troupe, “The Dandies,” and about his deeply personal solo show series, “Personal Demon Hunter.” We were excited to chat with each other and we can’t wait for you to listen to it now!Support Velvet Duke by watching his online improv shows including: “Y’Up”, “Crooner,” and “Crushin It.” Hire Velvet Duke to facilitate an improv workshop at your theatre! Highly skilled and extremely motivated, Velvet is the improv teacher you have been looking for!Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I interview actor and comedian, Tom Booker. Tom Booker is an actor, improv comedian, writer, voice actor, and director. Tom is the owner of The Institution Theater, an improv comedy theater located in Austin, Texas. Along with voice acting, Tom has appeared in several television shows, a few movies and nearly a hundred commercials. In our chat, Tom and I talk about his journey. Tom tells me about growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He talks about playing Top Dog, the mascot for University of Oklahoma. Tom learned improv in the heyday of Chicago theater, under the tutelage of such improv greats as Del Close and Mick Napier. He is a founding member of Chicago's Annoyance Theatre. I picked his brain for lots of stories about this time. Think of the genius he soaked up! Tom talks about the amazing experience of performing in The Annoyance Theatre's Off-Broadway production of "The Real Live Brady Bunch", a show known for all the great comedians that were in the cast. So many wild little details! Later, in his stories of his Los Angeles adventures, Tom talks about Theatre-A-Go-Go!, the L.A. theater company he founded and the wild sketch comedy shows he wrote and directed there: "Patty, Patty, BANG! BANG! – The Patty Hearst Musical!" as well as a stage production of Valley Of The Dolls. I met Tom after he had moved to Austin and started The Institution Theater with Asaf Ronen. Tom is an important member of the Austin Improv Community as it currently stands. It was an honor to have him on the podcast. Support Tom by listening to his podcast "The Good Morning! I Love You! Show with Tom Booker" and by checking out his blog, "The Recovering Bohemian." There are also awesome online courses available through Tom's theater, The Institution Theater! Check those out as well! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun. This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I interview actor and comedian, Tom Booker. Tom Booker is an actor, improv comedian, writer, voice actor, and director. Tom is the owner of The Institution Theater, an improv comedy theater located in Austin, Texas. Along with voice acting, Tom has appeared in several television shows, a few movies and nearly a hundred commercials.In our chat, Tom and I talk about his journey. Tom tells me about growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He talks about playing Top Dog, the mascot for University of Oklahoma. Tom learned improv in the heyday of Chicago theater, under the tutelage of such improv greats as Del Close and Mick Napier. He is a founding member of Chicago's Annoyance Theatre. I picked his brain for lots of stories about this time. Think of the genius he soaked up!Tom talks about the amazing experience of performing in The Annoyance Theatre's Off-Broadway production of "The Real Live Brady Bunch", a show known for all the great comedians that were in the cast. So many wild little details!Later, in his stories of his Los Angeles adventures, Tom talks about Theatre-A-Go-Go!, the L.A. theater company he founded and the wild sketch comedy shows he wrote and directed there: "Patty, Patty, BANG! BANG! – The Patty Hearst Musical!" as well as a stage production of Valley Of The Dolls.I met Tom after he had moved to Austin and started The Institution Theater with Asaf Ronen. Tom is an important member of the Austin Improv Community as it currently stands. It was an honor to have him on the podcast. Support Tom by listening to his podcast "The Good Morning! I Love You! Show with Tom Booker" and by checking out his blog, "The Recovering Bohemian." There are also awesome online courses available through Tom’s theater, The Institution Theater! Check those out as well!Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I interview actor and comedian, Tom Booker. Tom Booker is an actor, improv comedian, writer, voice actor, and director. Tom is the owner of The Institution Theater, an improv comedy theater located in Austin, Texas. Along with voice acting, Tom has appeared in several television shows, a few movies and nearly a hundred commercials. In our chat, Tom and I talk about his journey. Tom tells me about growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He talks about playing Top Dog, the mascot for University of Oklahoma. Tom learned improv in the heyday of Chicago theater, under the tutelage of such improv greats as Del Close and Mick Napier. He is a founding member of Chicago's Annoyance Theatre. I picked his brain for lots of stories about this time. Think of the genius he soaked up! Tom talks about the amazing experience of performing in The Annoyance Theatre's Off-Broadway production of "The Real Live Brady Bunch", a show known for all the great comedians that were in the cast. So many wild little details! Later, in his stories of his Los Angeles adventures, Tom talks about Theatre-A-Go-Go!, the L.A. theater company he founded and the wild sketch comedy shows he wrote and directed there: "Patty, Patty, BANG! BANG! – The Patty Hearst Musical!" as well as a stage production of Valley Of The Dolls. I met Tom after he had moved to Austin and started The Institution Theater with Asaf Ronen. Tom is an important member of the Austin Improv Community as it currently stands. It was an honor to have him on the podcast. Support Tom by listening to his podcast "The Good Morning! I Love You! Show with Tom Booker" and by checking out his blog, "The Recovering Bohemian." There are also awesome online courses available through Tom’s theater, The Institution Theater! Check those out as well! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun. This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I interview actor and comedian, Tom Booker. Tom Booker is an actor, improv comedian, writer, voice actor, and director. Tom is the owner of The Institution Theater, an improv comedy theater located in Austin, Texas. Along with voice acting, Tom has appeared in several television shows, a few movies and nearly a hundred commercials. In our chat, Tom and I talk about his journey. Tom tells me about growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He talks about playing Top Dog, the mascot for University of Oklahoma. Tom learned improv in the heyday of Chicago theater, under the tutelage of such improv greats as Del Close and Mick Napier. He is a founding member of Chicago's Annoyance Theatre. I picked his brain for lots of stories about this time. Think of the genius he soaked up! Tom talks about the amazing experience of performing in The Annoyance Theatre's Off-Broadway production of "The Real Live Brady Bunch", a show known for all the great comedians that were in the cast. So many wild little details! Later, in his stories of his Los Angeles adventures, Tom talks about Theatre-A-Go-Go!, the L.A. theater company he founded and the wild sketch comedy shows he wrote and directed there: "Patty, Patty, BANG! BANG! – The Patty Hearst Musical!" as well as a stage production of Valley Of The Dolls. I met Tom after he had moved to Austin and started The Institution Theater with Asaf Ronen. Tom is an important member of the Austin Improv Community as it currently stands. It was an honor to have him on the podcast. Support Tom by listening to his podcast "The Good Morning! I Love You! Show with Tom Booker" and by checking out his blog, "The Recovering Bohemian." There are also awesome online courses available through Tom’s theater, The Institution Theater! Check those out as well! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun. This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I interview actor and comedian, Tom Booker. Tom Booker is an actor, improv comedian, writer, voice actor, and director. Tom is the owner of The Institution Theater, an improv comedy theater located in Austin, Texas. Along with voice acting, Tom has appeared in several television shows, a few movies and nearly a hundred commercials.In our chat, Tom and I talk about his journey. Tom tells me about growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He talks about playing Top Dog, the mascot for University of Oklahoma. Tom learned improv in the heyday of Chicago theater, under the tutelage of such improv greats as Del Close and Mick Napier. He is a founding member of Chicago's Annoyance Theatre. I picked his brain for lots of stories about this time. Think of the genius he soaked up!Tom talks about the amazing experience of performing in The Annoyance Theatre's Off-Broadway production of "The Real Live Brady Bunch", a show known for all the great comedians that were in the cast. So many wild little details!Later, in his stories of his Los Angeles adventures, Tom talks about Theatre-A-Go-Go!, the L.A. theater company he founded and the wild sketch comedy shows he wrote and directed there: "Patty, Patty, BANG! BANG! – The Patty Hearst Musical!" as well as a stage production of Valley Of The Dolls.I met Tom after he had moved to Austin and started The Institution Theater with Asaf Ronen. Tom is an important member of the Austin Improv Community as it currently stands. It was an honor to have him on the podcast. Support Tom by listening to his podcast "The Good Morning! I Love You! Show with Tom Booker" and by checking out his blog, "The Recovering Bohemian." There are also awesome online courses available through Tom’s theater, The Institution Theater! Check those out as well!Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

Join me and meet my friend, Patrick McCartney, as we talk about the many related gifts of studying and teaching improv. Patrick McCartney is an actor, improviser and teacher who has studied with and taught some of the most respected names in the entertainment industry. His improv journey began in Chicago in the late 1990s where he studied with the legendary Del Close and Mick Napier. He spent two years in Chicago’s Second City Touring Company Blue Co where he toured the country with Ali Farahnakian, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey. Currently, Patrick teaches all advanced levels of improv, as well as Acting for Scripted Comedy at the People's Improv Theater in NYC. Some of Patrick's former students include Eric Stonestreet, Julie Klausner, and Ed Helms.  Click here to read more: https://margotescott.com/podcast/patrick-mccartney/

Join me today to meet Jay Sukow, who has been performing scripted and improvised work professionally for over 20 years. Jay has trained with improv legends that include Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Jon Favreau, David Razowsky, Keith Johnstone, Dick Schaal, Del Close and Mick Napier. Jay is a faculty member of The Second City and has performed regularly as part of their “Those Who Can’t” Faculty Jam. He taught and coached teams at iO Chicago, where he was also head of its artistic committee, ComedySportz Chicago, Club Med International, Illinois State University, the New Orleans Improv Festival, the Phoenix Long Form Improv Festival, the C-U Improv Festival, and The Chicago Improv Festival, among others. Jay teaches improv to people from every walk of life, from beginning students to executives at Fortune 100 companies. He was an ensemble member of ComedySportz Chicago and several teams at iO Chicago and has performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Del Close Marathon, the C/U Improv Festival and the New Orleans Improv Festival. Jay has been a guest performer at Boom Chicago, the Second City, the Second City ETC, the Second City Northwest and Messing with a Friend. Jay has written, produced and been a cast member of the narrative features “American Legacy” and directed “Trubadeuax: A Restaurant Movie,” both of which feature improvised dialogue within a scripted storyline.

First Draft Episode #224: Tim Baltz Tim Baltz, comedian and actor, co-created, co-wrote, and starred in Shrink, and can now be seen on HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones. He has also appeared in Bajillion Dollar Propertie$, The Opposition with Jordan Klepper, and Drunk History. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Tim’s dad was a professional actor and he toured in one production starring Bill Daly, an actor who was in Newhart and I Dream of Jeanie Other early comedy influences for Tim were W.C. Fields, Fawlty Towers, and Monty Python’s Flying Circus The poet Robert Service The hubs of Chicago improv that Tim is familiar with: Improv Olympic, now known as iO, started by Del Close and Cherna Halpern; Second City, which featured some groundbreaking American comedians like the cast of Pinata Full of Bees, which was made up of Adam McKay (co-writer and director of Anchorman and Talladega Nights, writer and director of The Big Short and Vice, creator of Succession, and much more) Rachel Dratch (comedian and actress from Saturday Night Live, Sisters, and Wanda Jo from Last Week Tonight with John Oliver), John Glaser (comedian and actor from Parks and Recreation and Inside Amy Schumer), Scott Adsit (comedian known for 30 Rock, Veep, and The Goldbergs), Jenna Jolovitz (comedian known for MadTV and Greetings from Tucson) as well as Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris; and The Annoyance theater, founded by Mick Napier  “Breakups” was a web series created by Ted Tremper, who went on to co-create Shrink with Tim Sue Gillan, (actress from Shrink) and Claudia Wallace (actress from Shrink, Fred Claus, and The Oath) The Sopranos (TV Show) Seinfeld (TV Show) Michael Scott (portrayed by Steve Carrell) from the television show The Office I want to hear from you! Have a question about writing or creativity for Sarah Enni or her guests to answer? To leave a voicemail, call (818) 533-1998. Subscribe To First Draft with Sarah Enni Every Tuesday, I speak to storytellers like Veronica Roth, author of Divergent; Linda Holmes, author and host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast; Jonny Sun, internet superstar, illustrator of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Gmorning, Gnight! and author and illustrator of Everyone’s an Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too;  Michael Dante  DiMartino, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender; John August, screenwriter of Big Fish, Charlie’s Angels, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; or Rhett Miller, musician and frontman for The Old 97s. Together, we take deep dives on their careers and creative works. Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. It’s free! Rate, Review, and Recommend How do you like the show? Please take a moment to rate and review First Draft with Sarah Enni in Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Your honest and positive review helps others discover the show -- so thank you! Is there someone you think would love this podcast as much as you do? Please share this episode on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or via carrier pigeon (maybe try a text or e-mail, come to think of it). Just click the Share button at the bottom of this post! Thanks again!

[1:15] Megan's path to from Conan O'Brien to improv training at Second City[3:45] How comedy writing and improv reinforce each other[4:45] How an improv mindset helps Megan as a producer and occasional host of Connections on WXXI (Tune in on AM 1370 in Rochester on weekdays from 12-2 or listen to the podcast "Connections with Evan Dawson")https://www.wxxinews.org/programs/connections[7:00] Practicing improv as a way to be a better listener[11:00] What does it mean to "Yes, And..."[13:20] Bringing "Yes, And" to leadership, life and business[17:00] Using improv to build trust, vulnerability and emotional intelligence on a team - "Just have fun and the funny comes."[26:00] Developing an interest in becoming a teacher[28:00] Megan's current performing groups and how to build chemistry as a team[37:30] Building trust in yourself through improv - "It's the art form. When you're preaching 'Yes, And' you're preaching acceptance. When you practice that in scenes, it carries on into life."[40:50] The "Don't Think" principleAlan Alda's book "If I Understood You, Would I Have this Look on My Face"https://www.amazon.com/Understood-Would-Have-This-Look/dp/1524781924Alda Center for Communicating Science:https://www.aldacenter.org/Improvise by Mick Napier with at home exercises:https://www.amazon.com/Improvise-Scene-Inside-Mick-Napier/dp/156608198X[43:00] The intersection of the Improv and Mindfulness movements[44:45] Building emotional intelligence and "group mind"[47:00] Being intentional about creating physical space for trust Contact Megan at mack.megan01@gmail.com or on twitter at @mmackmedia, see her upcoming classes at the Rochester Brainery here: https://rochesterbrainery.com/collections/theatrical-classes/Learn more about Second City Improv here: https://www.secondcity.com/  

What's it like to work in a professional improv theatre? Plus, illusions, an American Idol moment, pugs, an emotional press conference, performer relationships on and off stage, Boston vs. New York, and nostalgic TV. Vicki Hanes and Cavan Rogers, MainStage cast members of Improv Asylum in NYC, join Marc Raco, Danielle Beckmann, and producer Elsie. In this episode: Danielle shares some book nerd facts for the readers out there Marc shares his experiences at the Museum of Illusions, and how we live in our own illusions day to day How American Idol has fueled people’s illusions and evolved over time Danielle’s experience meeting Donna Summer and Paula Abdul The upcoming The Jeffersons and All In The Family remake specials, and the tendency to bring back familiar franchises that shook things up in their time, but seem to be nostalgia vehicles Danielle and Vicki share their love for pugs A plea to the Comedy Gods to get Tina Fey on the show A round of “Emotional Press Conference,” where we shout out a question with an emotion and the improvisor has to answer with that emotion How Cavan and Vicki met, discovered improv, and how they came to be a part of Improv Asylum Cavan and Vicki's partnership as improvisors, and why their relationship on stage isn’t too different to how they interact offstage Finding structure in an improv environment that utilizes audience participation and other variables How Improv Asylum is structured, from the improv classes, to the house teams up to the NXT shows The experience of doing improv at Improv Asylum in New York compares to improv in Boston or Chicago Cavan and Vicki’s career highlights as performers Plus, Elsie brings in some smoky End of Show Food!

First Draft Episode #187: Will Hines Will Hines, improviser and actor, host of the podcast, “Screw It: We’re Just Going to Talk About the Beatles,” and author of How to be the Greatest Improviser on Earth joins me to talk about using his Tumblr to test audience engagement; the delicate nature of writing about a community you are a part of; his thorough approach to making the self-publication process as professional as possible; and his next (fictional) book about improv, co-written with fellow improviser Billy Merritt, Pirate Robot Ninja.   Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Josh Simpson, an improviser and teacher at the Upright Citizens Brigade training school in Los Angeles, and co-host of The Meat, an improv podcast Jimmy Breslin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and journalist, who wrote The Good Rat, The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight, and The World According to Breslin, and more The Upright Citizen’s Brigade, the improv group and school founded by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, and Ian Roberts. Will’s Tumblr, Improv Nonsense, which gained traction and has been featured on Vulture and elsewhere   Truth in Comedy by Charna Halpern, Del Close, and Kim “Howard” Johnson, considered one of the premiere books about long-form improvised comedy Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual, the UCB training manual Improvise: Scene From the Inside Out by Mick Napier     Bird by Bird: Some Instructions of Writing and Life by Anne Lamott, a writing advice book that Will read as a young computer programmer Andrew Sullivan, a conservative author, editor, and blogger who featured Will’s post, “Improv as religion,” on his site, garnering lots of attention     The Life Changing Art of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron Repetition exercises as a part of the Meisner Technique study of acting     Tenth of December: Stories by George Saunders “A Lack of Order in the Floating Object Room,” by George Saunders, a silly and slightly sci-fi short story that typifies his early writing and is the kind of humor writing that inspires Will John Hodgman, author of Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beaches In writing, Will is concerned about what he calls “The Kevin Smith Problem,” where every character sounds the same (a la Clerks, Mallrats, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back) Jason Mantzoukas, an actor, writer, and seasoned improviser who Will saw constantly improving his craft Offset printing, a style of printing on the page that is “the way to make your book look beautiful,” according to Will, but it is more expensive, and requires a minimum print run Artist Maëlle Doliveux, who drew the cover of Will’s book Chip Kidd, a well-known book designer of Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton; Dry by Augusten Borroughs; and Naked by David Sedaris (he also has a hugely popular Ted Talk!). Daniel Clowes, a cartoonist, graphic novelist, illustrator, and screenwriter. His work is collected in the solo Eightball project. The Pirates, Robots, Ninjas theory, coined by Billy Merritt, a fellow UCB alum and teacher     The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho; and   “Carry On, Jeeves,” by P.G. Wodehouse; and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams are some of the funny books Will recommends Without Feathers by Woody Allen, a collection of his writing which Will read and enjoyed as a masterclass on comedy before we knew all that awful stuff about Woody Allen Out of Sheer Rage: Wrestling with D.H. Lawrence by Geoff Dyre, a meta novel about a man who wants to write about D.H. Lawrence but finds himself wanting to focus on anything else Steve Martin, who blurbed Geoff Dyre’s book and has written his own, Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life (nonfiction) and Shopgirl: A Novella (fiction) Subscribe To First Draft with Sarah Enni Every Tuesday, I speak to storytellers like Veronica Roth, author of Divergent; Michael Dante  DiMartino, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender; John August, screenwriter of Big Fish, Charlie’s Angels, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; or Rhett Miller, musician and frontman for The Old 97s. Together, we take deep dives on their careers and creative works. Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. It’s free!   Rate, Review, and Recommend How do you like the show? Please take a moment to rate and review First Draft with Sarah Enni in Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Your honest and positive review helps others discover the show -- so thank you! Is there someone you think would love this podcast as much as you do? Please share this episode on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or via carrier pigeon (maybe try a text or e-mail, come to think of it). Just click the Share button at the bottom of this post! Thanks again!

Hi and welcome to what I hope is the first of many episodes! I'm your host Lauren Morris. I am also the founder and director of AdLib Theatre. Just like with the Improv Teachers podcast, I wanted to take a closer look into the world of artistic directors. What do we look for when performers take to the stage? How can we give clear notes? What goes on behind the scenes? These are some of the questions we will be examining in these short episodes. Every week or so, I will give you a recap of our show, what the expectation was, how it turned out, and some tips and tricks on bringing your improv to life on stage! I hope you enjoy this new experiment and I look forward to this adventure with you. About Me (Lauren Morris): Lauren Morris is the founder and director of AdLib Theatre Company as well as the Executive Producer for the Central Florida Improv Festival. Lauren studied improv at The Annoyance Theatre & Bar with Mick Napier and with Paul Vaillancourt (co-Founder of iO West) at iO West. She has taken workshops and classes with such improv notables as Kevin Mullaney, Jill Bernard, Rebecca and Rich Sohn, Adal Rifai, Susan Messing, and Mark Sutton and members of the UCB Theater in New York City. Lauren hosts The Improv Teachers (winner of Best of Improv Podcasts, 2017, PlayerFM). A podcast dedicated to discussing the art of teaching improv. Additionally, she is a veteran of numerous improv festivals where she has been invited to perform and teach. As a writer, Lauren has been featured in publications such as Weekly Humorist, Slackjaw, Belladonna, MockMom, Points in Case, and Robot Butt. She honed her satire skills via Second City. To learn more you can visit www.adlibcomedy.com or www.laurenhasthree.com

Vernon Mina teaches and performs at The Annoyance Theater in Chicago where he is currently in Trigger Happy directed by Mick Napier. He also performs with the Second City Touring Company and has previously understudied for Second City’s ETC. We talked to him about the Annoyance style of improv, diversity in improv in Chicago and auditioning for Saturday Night Live.

Writer / Producer / Director Tamara Federici is one funny lady. Join us for a delightful conversation that weaves us through her North Carolina performance based childhood, her Chicago training with improv gurus Del Close at iO & Mick Napier at the Annoyance, how she infiltrated the comedy boys clubs of Comedy Central, writing and / or producing on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Chappelle's Show, & Demetri Martin in New York City, and how all that work for others has expanded into directing & writing her own screenplays & films, most recently her short film Layla featuring Dan Mintz (Tina from Bob’s Burgers on FOX).

We take two-person scenes for granted. But most of our training, and time onstage is within two-person scenes. We think that’s improv. We assume what works in a two-person scene, will work in scenes with 3 or more people. But group scenes have an entirely different set of techniques. In this episode, Rob and Adam breakdown group scenes and how to make them work. Shout-outs to Christian Capozzoli, Mick Napier, A Tribe Called Quest, and Rob’s new cat Mr. Knife Cutz. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

We take two-person scenes for granted. But most of our training, and time onstage is within two-person scenes. We think that’s improv. We assume what works in a two-person scene, will work in scenes with 3 or more people. But group scenes have an entirely different set of techniques. In this episode, Rob and Adam breakdown group scenes and how to make them work. Shout-outs to Christian Capozzoli, Mick Napier, A Tribe Called Quest, and Rob’s new cat Mr. Knife Cutz. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

We take two-person scenes for granted.  But most of our training, and time onstage is within two-person scenes.  We think that's improv.  We assume what works in a two-person scene, will work in scenes with 3 or more people.  But group scenes have an entirely different set of techniques.  In this episode, Rob and Adam breakdown group scenes and how to make them work.  Shout-outs to  Christian Capozzoli, Mick Napier, A Tribe Called Quest, and Rob's new cat Mr. Knife Cutz.

Today’s guest on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky” is Brett Paesel. Brett’s an actress, having just wrapped season 3 of Amazon’s Emmy-winning “Transparent,” she’s the author of the Los Angeles Times Bestseller “Mommies Who Drink,” and she’s a teacher. I know Brett from our days at The Annoyance Theater in Chicago, where we performed in “Splatter Theatre,” directed by Mick Napier. Brett’s draw is her passion, her focus, her energy, her clarity, and her truth. We spoke at the apartment she shares with her husband, actor and director Pat Towne, a former guest on ADD, and their two sons. Oh, this is a great podchat, and, spoiler alert, we talk about her “Transparent” character’s arc. You’ve been warned.

Jay Sukow will gladly talk endlessly about how much better the world would be if everyone took just one improv class. He has trained with, among others, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Jon Favreau, Keith Johnstone, Del Close and Mick Napier. He is the founder of Today Improv, where he teaches improv to actors, business, and everybody else. He is currently on faculty at The Second City Hollywood and M.i.'s Westside Comedy Theater and has taught and performed at theaters and festivals throughout the world. https://www.yelp.com/biz/today-improv-with-jay-sukow-los-angeles https://www.facebook.com/todayimprov/

Mick Napier and Jennifer Estlin and a couple that are the owners and managers of the Annoyance Theater in Chicago. We talk about starting over agin 7 times in 28 years, how they met, Micks awkward marriage proposal three years ago (and they still haven't talked about it), being raised religious but now are atheists, mentalism and magic, writing improv books, directing at Second City, starting an Annoyance theater in Brooklyn, NY and the challenges of that, and so much more!! My website www.ejscott.com Twitter @ejscott @EJPodcast Instagram @ejscott1106 The Choroideremia Research Foundation www.curechm.org

Mick Napier co-founded the Annoyance Theatre and is a successful director, performer and producer in Chicago. He sat down for a Q&A session with the visiting cast of Zmack Shanghai. Questions asked: 1 Why did you choose to have your own theatre? 2 What’s your improv training? 3 What improvisers’ habits do you find annoying? 4 What to do in a scene? 5 Where does “Skinprov” come from? 6 What challenges do you face while running your theatre? 7 What advice would you give to people who want to do improv for a living? 8 Do you ever get tired of improv? 9 Is there anything that you have difficulty enjoying in improv? 10 How would you introduce a long-form performance at the beginning of a show? 11 How do you get out of your head (in a seemingly lame scene)? 12 What’s your philosophy as a teacher? 13 How would you define improv as a legitimate art form? 14 What about improv festivals? 15 What’s next for Mick Napier?

Improv London - Episode 12 - Emily Murphy Weekly podcast documenting and developing the London improv scene. In every episode we speak to a different improviser about their improv origin story and what they love about the artform. The Nursery @nurserytheatre A home for improv and other theatre near London Bridge. Workshops, rehearsal space, community. Drop by, the kettle's on! http://www.facebook.com/TheNursery London, UK thenurserytheatre.com Max Dickins @maxdickins Comedian/ Writer. My first book 'My Groupon Adventure' coming June 2016. http://www.maxdickins.com Next book: https://unbound.co.uk/books/champion-of-the-world … London, England maxdickins.com Friend of the Show Chris Mead @MrChrisMead Improviser. Podcaster. Writer. Not really. London, England spiritofthestairwell.com MonkeyToastUK Improv @MonkeyToastUK We are the UK version of the 6-Time Canadian Award Winning Improv/Chat Show. We run Chicago Style Long-Form Improv classes and shows. London, UK monkeytoast.co.uk The Free Association @FAimprov Your destination for the finest improv in London. Classes, Shows, Good Times @COGARTS. London TheFreeAssociation.co.uk The Coaterie @The_Coaterie Writing comedy through improvisation. London, England thecoaterie.weebly.com mick barnfather @mickbarnfather Theatre director and teacher. Dr Brown https://www.facebook.com/drbrowncomedy/ Rhys Collier @MrRhysCollier Improviser with @dnayscomedy and solo as @powerhouseimpro. Nothing special. London DoNotAdjustYourStage @dnayscomedy FOLLOWS YOU London improv team ★★★★★ (Everything Theatre) ★★★★★ (LondonTheatre1) ★★★★ (RemoteGoat) Recommended by Metro, Londonist & ToDo List. Creators of the Wunderkammer London, England dnays.com Hoopla @hooplaimpro FOLLOWS YOU Improv comedy courses, classes, shows and club in London, UK. London HooplaImpro.com Mick Napier https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mick_Napier

Mick Napier is the founder and artistic director of the acclaimed Annoyance Theater in Chicago, an artistic consultant at Second City and the author of the new book, Behind The Scenes: Improvising Long Form. Jimmy sat down with him to talk about some of the concepts in the book such as giving yourself permission to be funny, how to appeal to a non-improv audience and how to get in the right frame of mind when improvising.

Philip Markle is the Executive Director of Annoyance Theater NY, and a professional actor, improviser, and teacher. In Chicago, Philip trained, produced and performed with theaters such as The Annoyance, iO, Second City Theatricals, Baby Wants Candy and studied with teachers such as Mick Napier, Susan Messing, Rich Sohn, and Joe Bill. He works in NY now as the NY Director of Education for the Annoyance’s improv classes in Brooklyn. He is a proud member of the Story Pirates. Philip loves musical improv and is the Creator/Producer of the show Happy Karaoke Fun Time! which currently runs on the 3rd and 4th Friday of every month at 11 PM at the PIT. Philip also performs on the PIT music improv house team Royals every Friday at 8. Philip wrote and performed his one-man show Sparkle Hour! in the 2013 International NY Fringe Festival and at The Annoyance.

Have you ever wondered what it would take to start your own Improv Theater? In our first compilation episode, you'll hear clips from previous interviews from successful theater owners such as Mick Napier, Tom Booker, Dianah Dulaney, and more! Take a listen as they discuss how to manage actors efficiently, where to find the perfect location, and what their philosophies were when creating their new space.

Mick Napier, the Artistic Director of the Annoyance Theatre is our guest. We talk about nudging students to get better, breaking out of your habits, playing without making sense, presenting long form, improv auditions and Martin de Maat. To support the IRC podcast, visit patreon.com.To find out more about Mick Napier, visit The Annoyance Theatre.You can subscribe to this podcast in iTunes. We have two new $10 an episode supporters: Bearded Men Improv & Bob Mann who'd like you to know about OKC Improv in Oklahoma City.

Jeffrey Sweet. Jeffrey is a playwright whose works have been produced around the world, and have featured such actors as Nathan Lane, Jack Klugman, William Peterson, Shelley Berman, and scores more. His classic book Something Wonderful Right Away is an oral history of Second City and The Compass Players, and has been mentioned by Charna Halpern and Mick Napier as inspiring them to open up their theaters. On location in New York City.

On today's episode Dave interviews actor Mick Napier. Mick is the co-owner of Chicago’s Annoyance Theater, a director at Second City, and author of Improvise. Scene From The Inside Out.

Jimmy sits down for a candid conversation with legendary improviser and director Mick Napier. Mick discusses his formation of the Annoyance Theater, his work with Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert, and how he came to deconstruct the rules of improvisation.

The final episode of Poor Choices.  Mick Napier is the guest and we talk about The Annoyance 25th, directing at Second City, Fatty Drives the Bus, Exit 57, and more.  The Poor Choices Podcast was an interview show hosted by Mark Colomb in Chicago.  It featured interviews with Chicago based writers and performers.  Mark Colomb was the host.  Thank you very much for listening and supporting the show.  Look for something new right here in January.  I will do my best to keep the feed up an running but if you would like to donate through paypal that would be great.

Rebecca Sohn stops by The Poor Choices Podcast to talk about ballet, The Annoyance Theater, Mick Napier, Second City, Acting, and more.  The Poor Choices Podcast is a Chicago based interview show hosted by Mark Colomb

Here's a brief Perl of Wisdom from our last guest Dan Oster. He highly recommends the Mick Napier book, Improvise: Scene from the Inside Out. Subscribe. Rate. Comment. Enjoy. Thanks for listening guys.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Amber Alert! Amber Alert! Robert Kelly is near the Comical Radio Studio. No real danger it is just his new iPhone alerting us where his comedy is taking place. Now if only there was an app to protect us from Pedophile Santa. Besides stopping by to discuss his app, Kelly also talked about his show on FX Louie and ghosts of a white race only, which turned Chris a little spiritual. Along with his confession of his belief in ghosts, Chris also confided his aspirations to become a corporate comedian. Yes, folks Chris is about to put down the flannel and put on a suit and tie. Our next guest, Annoyance Theater founder and a Second City director, Mick Napier, prefers at times to not wear any clothes at all during his comedy. An exhibitionist, Napier  talked about the typical Naked Comedy scene. With crowds consisting of bachelorette parties, gays and reluctant boyfriends. In true Comical Radio fashion, Kasten found the opportunity to make fun of natural disaster, when New Orleans born comedian Neal Stasney came into the studio. After moving off the topic of Hurricane Katrina, Kasten questioned whether Anne Rice was dead or alive or just pissed off about Twilight?   The last interview was deemed the “easiest interview ever” by our guest Kid Rock, as Danny fondly recounted how they met without letting Rock put a word in. Kid Rock called in to talk about his new album Born Free, how his sound has developed into country. Rock revealed his old Vegas concert demands which included goldfish in bathtub and old people scooters. Oh, to live the life of a Kid Rock n Rolla.