In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Mandy Price. She's an improv bon vivant, performer, and teacher with Jet City Improv in Seattle. Mandy has worked with Second City BoatCo, the Annoyance and iO. She's really up for anything, including carpentry! We talked about carpentry, social anxiety and the state of the world. Mandy believes that everyone should do improv or at least take a class just to find the peace onstage that it gives her. For more on Mandy and her endea...
Jul 25, 2023•33 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to John Bolger, veteran of the Second City and co-founder of Schadenfreude Theatre in Chicago. John also does work with WGN Radio; is a creative director with TPN,; and started his own production company, Man Eating Cereal. John talks about these and other endeavors, including teaching improv at the University of Chicago. John is kind to everyone and a huge Chicago White Sox fan. Give it a listen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...
Jul 25, 2023•31 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Sean Geary! Sean is an improviser in the Bay Area who is also an educator and a physical trainer. Sean has worked at Endgames Improv with Wachaa and other improv teams. He is a big fan of Camp ImprovUtopia, having traveled across the country to participate in it several times. Sean believes that we should be more empathetic as a people and that improv can help with that. Give it a listen, won't you? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
Jul 25, 2023•34 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to comedian, musician, and author Dave Hill. The Pride of Cleveland, as he's taken to calling himself, has appeared on multiple TV shows; performed at SXSW, Bonnaroo, Bumbershoot, and Sing Sing; hosts the Dave Hill Podcasting Incident and History Fluffer; and wrote "Parking the Moose," "Tasteful Nudes" and "Dave Hill Doesn't Live Here Anymore." We discussed the importance of dogs, nurses and doing what you like in life. Give it a lis...
Jul 25, 2023•31 min
In this throwback, If This Is True wishes you a Happy New Year with a conversation with Bob Kulhan of Business Improv. Bob is an iO, Second City and Annoyance alum who took improv business seriously and created Business Improv, the company! Bob is an adjunct professor at Duke University and has taught his improv curriculum around the world! He believes that "yes, and" can be more than just an improv tool. The phrase can also help to garner respect and to communicate on a higher level. Bob also t...
Jul 25, 2023•22 min
If This Is True would like to introduce you to Lulu French, owner and head instructor at Rocket Improv in NJ. Lulu teaches kids and teens the fundamentals of improv and team building. She has a laundry list of experience from the PIT and Gotham City Improv in NYC, plus years of musical theater experience, even touring nationally with My Fair Lady. We talked about the transition from musical theater to improv, innovative ways to teach and how to keep a business going in a pandemic. Give it a list...
Jul 25, 2023•39 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Abdul Williams! Abdul is an award-winning screenwriter and producer, known for the Lottery Ticket, Surf 2, The New Edition Story, The Bobby Brown Story, and Salt N' Pepa. He is currently working on The Thanksgiving Text for Netflix. We talked about these projects, what it takes to be a good writer in any media and our time as Bobcats at OU. Give it a listen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 25, 2023•29 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Kyle Siegrist! Kyle is a permanent fixture in the Columbus, OH music scene, playing in bands like Second State Butchers and doing his own solo projects. He is also the owner of Lost Weekend Records and Lost Weekend record label. Kyle got his start in the music business in the 80's and had an amazing trip to where he is today. You can find him at @lostweekendrecords on Facebook, or at www.lostweekendrecords.com. Give it a listen! H...
Jul 25, 2023•42 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Shaun Landry! Shaun is at least a quintuple threat of actor, improviser, teacher, director and theater president. This Chicago native is the artistic director of Oui Be Negroes, founder of the West Coast Improv Alliance, cofounder of the San Francisco Improv Festival and founder of the Ledge--a new non-profit theater in Los Angeles. Shaun has come a long way from her days with Second City TourCo. She has worked with prisoners and ...
Jul 25, 2023•37 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Pat Byrnes--renaissance man in every sense of the word! He is a cartoonist, first and foremost, but he has also been a rocket scientist, ad man, playwright, improviser, and comedian in his illustrious career. Currently, he is a cartoonist for the New Yorker. Pat believes that all of his adventures have the through line of cartooning and that has helped him in many ways. Regale to the tales of his first sale, his putting on a full ...
Jul 25, 2023•39 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to Introduce you to Dana Quercioli! Dana is a long-time veteran of the Second City in Cleveland (RIP) and in Chicago, who now lives in Los Angeles. She is working on a pilot, Gumshoes, which she will film in Cleveland later this year. We talked about Cleveland, humility, and doing good works. Give it a listen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 25, 2023•33 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to R. Kevin Garcia Doyle! Kevin is a theater and improvisation teacher, practitioner and actor who currently teaches at Le Jardin Academy in Honolulu, HI. He is the co-founder of the Hawaii Shakespeare Festival, a front man for the improvisational rock band Oil In The Alley, among many other accolades. We discussed musical improv and why it is important; Shakespeare and why it is important; and the joys of teaching. Give it a listen!...
Jul 25, 2023•39 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Deena Nyer Mendlowitz, an improviser, festival producer, playwright, and one of Ohio's Funniest Women, according to Cleveland.com. She has been recognized for her work in using comedy to promote mental health awareness and to destigmatize mental illness. Deena is the creator of This Improvised Life and Mental Illness and Friends. She is also the co-creator of a kind, funny, awesome 15 year-old boy. Give it a listen! Hosted on Acas...
Jul 25, 2023•27 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jimmy Carrane, the master of the art of slow comedy. Jimmy has worked and taught at the Second City, iO, and is a founding member of the Annoyance. He was also in the original cast of the Armando at iO! He has written two books, Improv Therapy, and Improvising Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser with Liz Allen. Jimmy also hosts the Improv Nerd podcast. He teaches the art of slow comedy nationwide. We talked about improvisin...
Jul 25, 2023•30 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jo Rou and Ryan Santa of Imposters Theater. Jo is a veteran of the NYC improv scene, having studied and performed at the Magnet Theater, the Pit and the Upright Citizens Brigade. Ryan is a veteran of the Chicago improv scene, having studied and performed through iO Theater and the Second City Conservatory. How are their styles different? How are they similar? Give it a listen and find out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
Jul 25, 2023•29 min
In this throwback, If This Is True is proud to introduce you to John Fugelsang! John is a Drama League nominated actor, comedian & broadcaster who hosts the acclaimed "Tell Me Everything" series on SiriusXM Progress #127. He's been murdered on CSI, picketed by Westboro Baptist Church, interviewed 2 Beatles on 2 different continents in the same week, and once got Mitt Romney's advisor to call Romney an 'etch a sketch' on CNN. He's been a regular on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News and hosted "Viewpoint" ...
Jul 25, 2023•36 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to the Sohns! Rich and Rebecca Sohn are improvisers/actors/directors living in Los Angeles. They are both veterans of the Second City and Annoyance Theatre. Rebecca has also performed with Steppenwolf, Remy Bumppo and About Face Theatres. She is also an ensemble member of the No Stakes Theater Project. Rich is teaching at the Pack Theater and at Second City, We talked about being married improvisers, working with each other and their...
Jul 25, 2023•29 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Brad Barton! Brad is an NYC based actor, entertainment journalist, host, and producer. Plus, he's a content writer for Marvel! Brad also works with and for his wife, Lulu French (Friend of the show!) at Rocket Improv, an improv school for youth, in NJ. We talked about Marvel vs. DC (guess which won?), Harrison Ford, Oprah and so much more. Give it a listen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 25, 2023•39 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Neal Dandade! Neal is an actor, improviser and writer based out of Chicago. He has acted on TNT's Sirens, ABC Family's Kevin From Work, and NBC's Shrink. Neal was featured in the 2016 CBS Diversity Showcase. He was also a member of the Second City National Touring Company and a regular writer/performer/improviser at the iO and Annoyance theaters in Chicago. We talked about educating the underserved, Los Angeles vs. Chicago improv ...
Jul 25, 2023•27 min
In this throwback, If This is True would like to introduce you to Siddharth Venkatesh! He is our first guest from outside the continent. Siddharth performs with Improv Comedy Bangalore in Bangalore, India. He recently performed at the ImprovIsAsian festival and works as an engineer when he is not entertaining people. Siddharth believes in connection with others, so he wanted me to share these links with you: www.facebook.com/ICBangalore www.facebook.com/zmackcomedy www.facebook.com/ImprovisAsian...
Jul 17, 2023•26 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Asaf Ronen, recently, of the Institution Theater and currently the Austin Creative Alliance. Asaf is an author (Directing Improv: Show The Way By Getting Out Of The Way), producer (Trust Us, This Is All Made Up) and the founder of www.yesand.com. You can also learn about the Alliance at www.austincreativealliance.org. We discussed the TJ and Dave documentary, the wonders of Austin, TX and the need for humanism in art. Give it a li...
Jul 17, 2023•36 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Vik Pandya! Vik is a nationally touring comedian and one-third of Team Us Comedy in Chicago. Vik trained at the Second City, recorded a #1 iTunes comedy album "Friends with (401k) Benefits" with Team Us in 2019. He waxes poetic on this episode on whiskey knowledge, living by his schedule and taking on acting. Give it a listen, won't you? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 17, 2023•27 min
In this 2021 throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to David Whitehouse and Jimmy Mak of Shadowbox Live. Dave and Jimmy are old friends and sketch comedy creators and innovators who make live sketches great. They discuss what makes a sketch great and how comedy has kept food on the table for them for more than 25 years. Give it a listen, won't you? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 17, 2023•25 min
In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto of the Nest Theatre in Columbus! Tara and Rance have been engaging audiences all over the globe, whether with iO, the Second City, or with their two-person improvised musical, "Here." These 20+ year veterans of improv have done it all. They opened their theatre, the Nest, in Columbus, OH--with a new location at 2643 N. High St., just north of OSU's campus. Speaking of campuses, Tara and Rance ar...
Jul 17, 2023•34 min
Welcome to the first city panel on If This Is True! We have Abdul Williams, David Razowsky, Mary Hynes and Rich Baker talking about all the goings on in the City of Angels and in Hollywood from the writer's strike to AI and everything in between! For those of us interested in the entertainment industry, it's a great listen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 15, 2023•52 min•Season 3Ep. 14
In honor of Susan visiting Cleveland this weekend, I'm dropping this flashback to late 2021. I would like to introduce you the indomitable Susan Messing! Susan is an improvisation and comedy legend, who has performed and taught at iO, iO West, the Annoyance, The Second City Chicago and around the globe. Susan is also an instructor at DePaul University, the University of Chicago and the School at Steppenwolf. We talked about taking risks and how to move forward as improvisers, comedians and as pe...
Jul 13, 2023•40 min
Let me introduce you to Bill Chott! He of the Dana Carvey Show/Second City/Improv Olympic kind of fame. Bill has been improvising and acting since he left St. Louis for Chicago back in the early nineties. He was one of the cast members of the cult favorite Dana Carvey Show in 1996. Bill is also known for his role as the Mailman in 'This Is Us.' Bill performs and teaches in Los Angeles with his corporate gig, the Improv Trick; he is also a proud father to a daughter. We talked about his role as F...
Jul 01, 2023•44 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Let me introduce you to my pal, LeeAnn Marie Webster! She is an attorney turned international Keynote speaker, Moth Story Slam winner, and entrepreneur with 20 years’ experience in marketing and business development in a range of industries. LeeAnn has a substantial event background, having successfully produced 130+ virtual summits and founding the largest speed dating company in Southern California. Her entrepreneurial journey started when she became the first person to host a speed dating eve...
Jun 15, 2023•25 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Tommy Hough is a media/activist/political powerhouse! Based in San Diego, he's worked as an on-air personality at FM 94/9, KPRI, and 91X. He's also had the good fortune of working for several outstanding environmental organizations, including Surfrider chapter and San Diego Audubon , helping with leadership and coordination of the ReWild Mission Bay campaign, and managing communications and media for Oregon Wild during his time in Portland. He is the co-founder and original president of San Dieg...
Jun 01, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Give a listen to this one with Mr. Improv DIY, Rich Baker! Not only has he written a book, Improv Made Easier , he has performed all over the US with Second City, Mission Improvable, ComedySportz and his duo with Rolland Lopez, Rollin in Riches. Rich is also a teacher on his YouTube show Improv Breakdown and through his corporate business, Play Like a Team. He's written and performed for Epic Rap Battles of History! Do I need to say more? Check out this episode! --- Send in a voice message: http...
May 15, 2023•33 min
