Improvised New York

I'm so sorry for the extended hiatus everyone, but I hope to make it up to you with this incredibly awesome, extra long interview with Michael Gellman! A true luminary in the Chicago improvisation scene, Michael sat down with me while he was here in NYC to talk about his approach to creating theatre and story through improvisation. He also talks about the reactionary nature of starting an improv theatre, giving notes for Del Close, and how intuitive bartender Jimmy Johnson got him to his Second City audition.

Michael Gellman can be found on Facebook or at Second City

For information on Gellman's classes in New York and Improvisation Retreats, visit Artistic New Directions

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Hello listeners of Improvised New York. I hope this festive season is treating you well and that the year as a whole has been good to you. If it has, mazel tov and keep that good vibe going into 2012. If not, well, just know that the year is almost over and you can start fresh in January.

It was not my intention to have such a long hiatus but so many projects have come up (all good) that have taken up more time than I anticipated. Also, as you know, podcasts are soooo not lucrative so I still have to work my lovely day job (for which I am very grateful during these tough economic times). But I plan to start back up in 2012 with all new interviews with more of your favorite improvisers and teachers. I thank you for your patience and hope you will come back and visit once 2012 gets going. In the meantime, please feel free to comment here or on iTunes or email us at: improvisednewyork@gmail.com; especially if you have nice things to say or recommendations for topics and guests.

Happy holidays and may the new year be fantastic for us all!

Much love, Liz

This episode features a couple of real dollfaces who happen to be some of the most amazing improvisers! (oh brother...what an intro)*

Kimmy Gatewood and Rebekka Johnson of the famous Apple Sisters, talk to me about the physical and emotional drives of improvisation, the art of aggressively inserting yourself on a team, and creating improvised theater with your barbie dolls.

• *If you like more 1940's lingo, check out The Apple Sisters website here for everything apple!
• Kimmy Gatewood's website
• Rebekka and Kimmy are performing in the NYC Fringe Festival in the musical "Jerseyshoresical"
• Check out their site Nerds of a Feather for all of you feather hair accessory needs!
• Rebekka Johnson does not have a website, but look for rebbekkajohnson.nothing coming soon!

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During a fantastic weekend at the Del Close Marathon in NYC, Joe Bill and Mark Sutton took time to sit down with me for a truly inspiring conversation about improvisation. Joe and Mark discuss the difference between playing a character and being a character, "getting someone's back" without actually saying it, and how Scottie "No Tippin' " Pippen got his nickname.

• The Joe Bill Teaches Facebook Page
• The BASSPROV Facebook Page
• The Annoyance Theatre website
• The Improvised New York Facebook Page

Hey everyone, if you're a fan of this podcast, I would love to hear from you! Please post your comments here, on iTunes, our Facebook page, our Twitter handle (@ImprovisedNY), or you can email them to me at improvisednewyork@gmail.com. I'm hoping to use your comments to help promote the podcast and increase our fan base. And if you've already done your part to let your friends know or tell me in person how much you like what's going on here, I really appreciate it. Thanks!

-Elizabeth Quinn

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At the Providence Improv Festival this year, not only did I get to perform, but I got to see some amazing groups, like one of my personal favorites - Paralellogramophonograph! In this episode Pgraph sits down with me and guest co-host Lorie Steele to talk about the importance of "doubling down" on stage, the fun of playing really evil characters*, and why psychological sci-fi improv shows are not always crowd pleasers!

*no puppies were harmed in the recording of this podcast.

Links:

• PGraph's website
• Help them raise money for Edinburgh at their Kickstarter Fundraiser
• Check out their Edinburgh Fringe Fest Page
• Visit them on Facebook
• Special thanks to the Providence Improv Festival for making it all happen!

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My dear friend, Adam Hocherman, passed away suddenly last week. Adam was one of the kindest people I had ever met and a true lover of improvisation. He always pursued it with passion and joy and did it for the best reasons of all...for the fun of it and because he loved it. Adam was a big fan and supporter of our podcast so I dedicate the next episode, #41, to him. He was also a big part of Artistic New Directions and their summer improv retreats, which I have attended many times. In his memory, I encourage you to check them out, not just for the retreats but for all of the amazing work they do to support people who want to create improvisation and theater.

Rest in peace, Adam. You will be missed so much. xo.

Wow! It's been 40 episodes people and I'm just getting started. In this very special episode, I take it on the road and reconnect with my former co-host and podcast partner in crime Justin Zell and his lovely wife Kasey Daley. They're planting the seeds for a whole new improv scene in that other coast known as Pittsburgh. We talked about the challenges and joys of opening your own improv theater, how we forced Kasey to embrace our art form (you're welcome, Kasey) and how doing all of this will turn you into your former teachers...whether you like it or not!

• Check out the Steel City Improv Theater website or go visit them in Pittsburgh!
• Congrats to STEELE/QUINN for getting into the Providence Improv Festival!
• Don't forget to "Like" all of us on Facebook (Steel City Improv Theater, Improvised New York and STEELE/QUINN)
• And my Primanti's sandwich was DELICIOUS! I had their classic cheese steak. If you go to the 'burgh, it's a must!

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This week, guest co-host Ben Masten and I delve into the mind of improv veteran Pete LePage and the impact he's felt from great teachers and the reward of teaching others. Pete also talks to us about getting kicked out of singing plays, what makes a great improv team (and teammate) and how his dumb persistence has actually turned out to be the smartest thing he's got going for him!

• See Ben (Local 154) and Pete (The Whiskey Rebellion) on Super Free Wednesdays at The PIT
• You can also see Ben in his sketch group Audience of Two and Pete co-hosts the Comic Book Club on Tuesdays at The PIT
• Like the STEELE/QUINN Facebook page
• Check out Complaint Chorus musical improv shows (every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.) at SoHo Gallery for Digital Arts. Tickets can be purchased online here...OR...click here to print out a coupon for $5.00 off the ticket price - a special deal for listeners of Improvised New York!
• Congrats to STEELE/QUINN for getting into the Providence Improv Festival! Details to come!

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