I have always liked what St. Louis improviser Ben Noble has had to say about improv in his weekly blog. Ben found improv only three years ago. He thought it would be great way to make friends and give him a creative outlet after a break up. Of course, like most of us who fall […]
Every couple of days, we like to ask our social media followers a question with #ImprovNerdAsks. Often the question is serious or thoughtful, but occasionally it’s decidedly silly. This one was definitely the latter. We loved the weird stories of improvised shenanigans that you shared with us so much that we thought it deserved a […]
It has been so much fun to watch Stephen Colbert go from the character of Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report to talk show host Stephen Colbert on Late Night. In his new role as host he is so smart, playful, silly, political, and funny you almost forget the old character. If you have watched […]
There’s been some buzz about Improv Nerd and The Art of Slow Comedy classes in the press lately as our fall season starts up this Sunday. Here’s what people have been saying: Improv Nerd made the cut for Chicago Now’s October Comedy Calendar. (October 5, 2015) Time Out Chicago just listed Improv Nerd as one […]
Last month I was at DSI Comedy Theatre in beautiful Chapel Hill, NC, teaching three workshop and doing a live recording of Improv Nerd. At the end of the first day of workshops, we got into a lengthy discussion about the issues of "stage hogs" in improv classes and in shows. You know, those improvisers […]
Improv Nerd will celebrate its fourth anniversary in September 2015, and this fall, the hit comedy podcast hosted by Jimmy Carrane is back with another season of amazing guests. The show will run on Sundays from Oct. 11-Dec. 6 (no show Nov. 8). All shows will be held at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont […]
As artists, improvisers and human beings we all get jealous, some of us worse than others. Saying you never get jealous is like saying you never get angry or you never get sad or afraid. It's part of the human condition. With jealousy, the only thing we can hope for is that the duration doesn't […]
If you’re an improviser who thinks you don’t need to really know anything about acting, I have news for you: You do. While most actors also train in improv, many improvisers are hesitant to try their hand at acting classes. The problem is, when you’re finally cast in a sketch show or other (semi) rehearsed […]
You would think as an improviser I would like to play in my everyday life. You would think I would at least know how to have fun and be silly. I am sorry to disappoint, but I don't. A couple of weekends ago it became very clear that this might be becoming a problem. On Saturday afternoon, my […]
I’ve been doing improv for more than 30 years, so I’ve had lots of time to think about it. And I’ve come to realize there are lots of great pieces of improv wisdom that can help people on stage and in their lives. So about a year ago, I started jotting down these little gems […]