Finding your voice as an improviser can be confusing. You may have heard your improv teacher or coach talk about it and not have a clue what they mean. So what exactly does it mean when your improv teacher tells you to “find your voice” as an improviser? To me, I think you have found […]
Want to know how to become a better improviser, or at least have more fun when you’re improvising? Learn how to improvise with love. Love is the glue. It's the thing that holds a team, a show and even a scene together. It's why the audience is there, even though they don't know it. It's […]
Enjoy a night of stand-up comedy with some of the best comedians in Chicago! The comedians include: Jimmy Carrane is best known for being a host of "Studio 312" on WBEZ and for his hit one-man shows, including "I'm 27, I Still Live at Home and Sell Office Supplies" and "World's Greatest Dad(?)" Kelley Migacz […]
My approach to improv keeps changing. That’s a good thing. When I was younger, I wanted to try to do improv “right.” I wanted to follow all of the rules that my teachers taught me, and when I became the teacher, I wanted my students to “get it” as well. But today, I realize that […]
Most actors think they can't improvise. They are scared. They think can only act if they have a script in their hand. This is a lie. I have taught improv for over 30 years and some of the best improvisers are actors. What an actor brings to improv is the ability to play something straight. […]
When I started in improv, if someone would have said I would make life-long friends in improv, I wouldn’t have cared. I wasn't interested. I was too busy trying to "make it." Relationships were a distraction. I was not a good friend back then, but hopefully I am getting better. Last week, I heard there was going to […]
It doesn't matter if you are an improviser, a stand-up, an actor or a writer -- we all are looking to be more creative. And if you are looking to be more creative one of the best things you can do is find a way to collaborate with others. Thank God I have been brainwashed by […]
How many times have you wanted to give an improviser a compliment, but, out of fear, you didn't? Or have you ever been performing and one of your teammates has been glued to the backline for the entire show and you were afraid to pull them out? Or you’ve had a thought in your head to say […]
The biggest mistake standup and storytellers make is not working with a coach. They waste time. They don't get as many laughs. They fall behind people they started out with. Collaborating with a coach like Jimmy can you save time, speed up your progress and help you get the most out of each performance. You […]
I know that 2023 has just started, but before we jump too far into the new year, I wanted to give you my 5 favorite things in entertainment, including books, podcasts, shows, stand-up specials and more, from 2022. I hope you find them as entertaining and as inspiring as I did. Here we go. My […]