The Inner Game of Improv (PDF) If you are anything like me and you suffer any kind of disappointment in your improv career, you want to quit. Immediately. Change your phone number. Move out of state. Go into the witness protection program. I am there right now. I suffered a big blow to my ego last week, and now I am […]
Improv can be a lot like being on the playground in 3rd grade waiting to be picked for the kick ball team. Today it is much the same: When you audition to get on a Harold team at one of the many improv theaters or hope to be asked by a classmate who is forming […]
Last Sunday was the three-year anniversary of the death of Mary Scruggs. Mary was head of the writing program at Second City. She was a brilliant improv teacher and a gifted writer. I remember when I heard that she had died, I was floored. I was in the suburbs about to teach a workshop for […]
Today more than ever the opportunities for improvisers are abundant. There are so many classes to choose take, groups to be a part of and places to perform -- which can be a blessing and a curse. That’s why it’s important to map out a vision for your career before you get in too deep. Do you want be […]
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Bill Arnett is pillar of Chicago improv; he's a beloved teacher and performer with legendary groups People of Earth, 3033 and the Armando. Bill sat down with Jimmy and discussed his approach to scenework, sketch writing, and his very popular improv blog. Listen in!
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Michael McCarthy is a veteran comedy writer, having written for SNL, The Drew Carey Show, According to Jim, Sesame Street, and more and teaches writing at iO Chicago. Michael joins Jimmy for some improv and discussion and shines some light on writing for television. If writing for television is your goal, you won't want to […]
I am burnt out, fried, my creative reservoir is dry, and the weather man is saying there's no chance of rain in the seven-day forecast. I have gone way past the point of exhaustion. Instead of pulling over to take a break, I passed every rest stop along the way and kept speeding across the […]
What I've Learned After 50 Episodes of Improv Nerd Next week we will be airing our 50th episode of Improv Nerd. It’s been less than two years since we started Improv Nerd, and recently I’ve been reflecting on how it all came about. For more than ten years I was a contributor for WBEZ, a […]
3 Tips for Letting Go of Jealousy Jealousy exists, especially among improvisers and actors, though no one really wants to talk about it. It's part of the human experience, much like anger or sadness. But we think it’s too ugly of an emotion to talk about, something we’re not “supposed” to feel, so instead, we […]
Acting As If I'm A Success I am leaving this Sunday to go to LA with my wife. I’m going to be doing three live Improv Nerd shows with three amazing guests: Andy Richter, Matt Besser and Beer Shark Mice. I am also teaching a workshop next Saturday, which shockingly sold out in about 24 […]