Feb 10th, 2013 by improvisednewyork
It's hard to believe we've reached the end! In our last episode, I talk with Gary Austin and Sandy Helberg from The Groundlings and beyond. Gary talks about the difference between improv and improvisation as he sees it, and that truth and allowing for discovery are all you need to do on stage. Sandy talks about his work with famous people such as Floyd Mutrux and Adolphe Menjou (trust me, you'll want to know these names!) and how he once played charades with Jeannie Berlin, Elaine May, Peter Falk, John Cassavetes, and Ben Gazarra. And of course, there's lots of discussion about the early days of The Groundlings, the social and political energy of the 1960's and 1970's, and how improvisation has changed their lives personally and creatively. After listening to this episode, you may never answer the question "How are you?" with the word "Fine" ever again.
Thank you to everyone for listening for the past 3 1/2 years! It's been an absolute pleasure to listen to these stories and to bring you some laughter and insight into the world of improvisation. "Yes, and" everyone!
Links
- Gary's website can be found here
- Links to Del Close's last night on YouTube
- And be sure to check out Unscripted New York for our second annual improvised theatre festival this June!
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Dec 17th, 2012 by improvisednewyork
Our penultimate episode of Improvised New York! Grab a cup of tea and your favorite cozy blanket and curl up to episode 49 with Rachel Hamilton. It’s a super-sized episode that will inspire you and fill you with some positive vibes. Rachel talks about her days with the Second City touring company and being the “purple sheep” of her family. She also talks about embracing imperfections, proudly being an arts nerd as a child, and a self-proclaimed Phil Jackson girl with her approach to improvisation performance and teaching. For Rachel, improv = life and life = improv. Plus: a special shout out to all the porny bits of Los Angeles! You’ll hear what we mean – just listen!
For information on what Rachel is up to, check out her website:
www.rachelhamiltonimprov.com
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Nov 19th, 2012 by improvisednewyork
We’re getting closer and closer to our final episode! But before that sad day arrives, listen to my interview with journeyman improviser Ari Voukydis. Ari talks about the early days of UCB in New York, learning to make failure your friend, and “yes and-ing” in arguments when you’re married to an improviser.
- Check out the entire Wednesday night line-up at UCB East and see Ari in “Hot For Teacher” every Wednesday at 10:00 PM.
- For more info on what Ari is up to, check out www.markandari.com
- Take a class with Ari at UCB in New York City
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Oct 30th, 2012 by improvisednewyork
In Episode 47, I speak with improv teacher, performer and author, Ben Hauck. Ben talks about the importance of finding your character's wants to discover story and how he came to write his new book, “Long Form Improv”. We also talk about his one person improv show "The Reverend Raymond Nader", message board bullies, gyro gluttony, and the benefits of turmeric juice (which I'm still feeling the effects of, people!).
All the Ben Hauck links you could want:
The Infinite Need (web series)
Ben's book Long Form Improv: Available at Barnes & Noble stores, online, and in digital formats:
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Aug 5th, 2012 by improvisednewyork
In this episode, Pat Shay (veteran of IO Chicago and The PIT) talks about his philosophies of emotionally charged improvisation and his approach to teaching and performing for his students. We also discuss the Pat Shay dancers, how to play the "Del-isms" party game and Charna's hit and run method of letting you know whether you still had a slot on the IO roster.
Find out what Pat is up to by going to the Pat Shay Central Blog.
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Jun 19th, 2012 by improvisednewyork
As part of the inaugural Unscripted New York Improvised Theatre Festival, we assembled a panel of esteemed improvisation artists, writers, and teachers to talk about improvisation as a narrative form of performance. We were joined by Dion Flynn, Michael Gellman, Rachel Hamilton, Jodi Lennon and Jeffrey Sweet. A cornucopia of ideas, experiences and philosophies that all said the same thing: the only difference between acting and improvisation is the presence or absence of text. We're all artists so enjoy!
- For information on Artistic New Directions' Improvisation retreats, click here
- Dion Flynn's Career Maps website
- Jeffrey Sweet's website
- Jodi Lennon's website
- Information on Rachel Hamilton can be found on The Magnet Theatre website
- Information on Michael Gellman can be found on the Second City website
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Feb 11th, 2012 by improvisednewyork
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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Dec 4th, 2011 by improvisednewyork
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
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