YouTube Channel
ImprovNerdPodcast
"Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane," is a live interview show hosted by Jimmy Carrane. Jimmy interview icons in the world of improv, giving audiences a behind-the-scenes look at careers in comedy. Laugh along as Jimmy performs a totally unscripted scene with each of his guests, and then learn how they created the scene in a revealing interview and question-and-answer session. Full episodes of the podcast can be found at jimmycarrane.com or an apple podcasts, spotify, and google podcasts
Videos
Standard-length performances, demonstrations, interviews, and instructional material.
2:47How to LET GO of Mistakes on Stage | Keli Semelsberger | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which Keli Semelsberger addresses the challenge of releasing mistakes during performance. Host Jimmy Carrane and Semelsberger explore vulnerability and self-care as they relate to an improviser's work onstage.
3:45Keli Semelsberger on Staying in the Moment | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
In this segment from the Improv Nerd podcast, Keli Semelsberger discusses the concept of staying present during performance. Host Jimmy Carrane draws out Semelsberger's perspective on presence and moment-to-moment awareness, shaped by her 26-plus years of teaching, directing, and performing improv.
2:18Keli Semelsberger Talks about Chicago Improv in the '90s | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which host Jimmy Carrane speaks with Keli Semelsberger about the Chicago improv scene during the 1990s. Semelsberger, founder of Charlotte Comedy Theater and author of Improv Shaman: The Transformative Journey of Divine Play, draws on over two decades of experience as a performer, director, and teacher.
2:28Rich Sohn on Working with Del Close | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
An excerpt from the Improv Nerd podcast with host Jimmy Carrane interviewing Rich Sohn, a teacher and improviser at The Pack Theater in Los Angeles. Sohn recounts his experience working with Del Close, drawing on his years at The Annoyance Theater, iO Chicago, and Second City during the 1990s Chicago scene.
2:20Taking & Receiving Notes | Patti Stiles | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
An excerpt from the Improv Nerd podcast with host Jimmy Carrane interviewing Patti Stiles on the practice of giving and receiving notes. Stiles, a Melbourne-based improviser and author of Improvise Freely, is known for advocating a tools-over-rules approach to improv pedagogy.
2:20It's Ok to Ask Questions | Patti Stiles | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
An excerpt from the Improv Nerd podcast with host Jimmy Carrane interviewing Patti Stiles, a Melbourne-based improviser and author of Improvise Freely. The conversation touches on the value of asking questions in an improv context, connecting to Stiles's broader philosophy of replacing rigid rules with flexible tools.
1:24Patrick McCartney's Advice to Improvisers
Patrick McCartney shares pre-show advice for improvisers in this clip from Improv Nerd. McCartney is an actor, improviser, and teacher based at The PIT in New York, where he is regarded as one of the city's most experienced improv instructors.
2:20Patrick McCartney talks about Working with Del Close and Mick Napier
Patrick McCartney recalls working with Del Close and Mick Napier in this clip from Improv Nerd. Both Close and Napier are foundational figures in Chicago's long-form improv tradition, and McCartney's account offers a performer's-eye view of their respective approaches.
1:18Greg Hollimon's Advice to Improvisers | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Greg Hollimon shares advice for improvisers in this clip from Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. Hollimon is an actor and improviser known for his role as Principal Blackman on Strangers with Candy.
3:31Greg Hollimon Talks about working on Strangers with Candy | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Actor and improviser Greg Hollimon discusses his work on Comedy Central's Strangers with Candy, where he played Principal Blackman, in this interview on Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. The conversation touches on stage presence and his experience performing with Pimprov.
1:06Aretha Sills gives Advice to Improvisers | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Aretha Sills offers advice to improvisers in this short clip from Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. Sills is a teacher and writer whose perspective is shaped by growing up in the Sills-Spolin family at the center of American improv's origins.
2:33Aretha Sills talks about Viola Spolin's Approval/Disapproval Method | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Aretha Sills discusses Viola Spolin's approval/disapproval method in this clip from Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. Sills, the daughter of Paul Sills and granddaughter of Viola Spolin, draws on her direct family lineage to speak about Spolin's pedagogical philosophy.
10:39Matt Higbee Finds his Spirit Animal | SCENES | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Host Jimmy Carrane and improviser Matt Higbee perform a monoscene filmed during a live Improv Nerd show in 2015. The extended two-person scene explores a single sustained location and relationship in the monoscene format.
2:55Slow Down Your Improv | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Dan O'Connor advocates for slower pacing in improvisation in this Improv Nerd clip with host Jimmy Carrane. O'Connor, co-author of "Ensemble," addresses the tendency toward speed in improv and the benefits of a more deliberate approach to scene work.
3:35Dan O'Connor talks about Genre Improv | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Dan O'Connor discusses genre-based improvisation in this Improv Nerd clip with host Jimmy Carrane. O'Connor, co-author of "Ensemble: Using the Power of Improv and Play to Forge Connections in a Lonely World," shares his perspective on working within genre conventions as an improvisational framework.
3:40Dan O'Connor on working with Keith Johnstone | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Actor, improviser, and teacher Dan O'Connor reflects on his experience working with Keith Johnstone in this Improv Nerd clip with host Jimmy Carrane. O'Connor, co-author of "Ensemble: Using the Power of Improv and Play to Forge Connections in a Lonely World," discusses lessons drawn from Johnstone's approach to improvisation, vulnerability in performance, and the value of questioning one's teachers.
3:03What Would Viola think of Improv Today? | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Documentarian Jude Leak and host Jimmy Carrane speculate on how Viola Spolin might view the current state of improvisational theatre. The Improv Nerd conversation considers the evolution of the art form in relation to Spolin's original vision and methods.
2:36The Birth of the Improv Suggestion | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Documentarian Jude Leak traces the origin of the audience suggestion as a core convention of improvisational performance. In this Improv Nerd clip with host Jimmy Carrane, Leak explores how the practice of soliciting suggestions from the audience became a standard element of the improv form.
4:45How Viola Spolin became the "Mother of Improv" | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Documentarian Jude Leak discusses the origins of Viola Spolin's reputation as the "Mother of Improv" in this clip from the Improv Nerd podcast with host Jimmy Carrane. Leak examines how Spolin earned the title through her foundational contributions to improvisational theatre.
1:47Laura Hall talks about the Impact of "Whose Line is it Anyway?" | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Laura Hall reflects on the broader impact that Whose Line Is It Anyway? has had on the improv community in this clip from Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. Hall has served as the show's musical director and previously worked at The Second City, The Annoyance Theater, and iO Chicago.
3:42Laura Hall Created her Own Class | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Laura Hall discusses the development of her own curriculum for teaching musicians how to play for improv shows. Hall, the long-running musical director of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, has trained musicians internationally and created an online course, A Musical Guide to Improv Comedy. The clip is drawn from her appearance on Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane.
2:30Laura Hall talks about the Magic of Wayne Brady | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane.
Laura Hall discusses Wayne Brady's abilities as a musical improviser in this excerpt from Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. Hall, who has served as musical director of Whose Line Is It Anyway? throughout the show's run, offers an insider's perspective on Brady's skill at spontaneous song creation and musical scene work.
2:05Laura Hall talks about Landing "Whose Line is it Anyway" | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Laura Hall recounts how she landed her role as musical director of Whose Line Is It Anyway? in this clip from Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. Hall's background includes work at The Second City, The Annoyance Theater, and iO Chicago beginning in the 1980s.
4:36Jeff Rogers talks about Paying Improvisers | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Jeff Rogers addresses the topic of paying improvisers in this segment from Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. The conversation touches on the economics of live improvisation and what a model for compensating performers could look like. Rogers, a Second City National Touring Company alumnus who reopened The Players Workshop in Chicago, brings a practitioner's perspective to the discussion.
6:04Jeff Rogers talks about Chicago's future in Improv | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Jeff Rogers shares his perspective on the future of Chicago's improv scene in this clip from Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. Rogers, who began performing in the 1980s with The Second City's National Touring Company, reopened The Players Workshop and is the author of The PLAYMaker Mindset.
2:03Jeff Rogers talks about Winning the Audience | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
Jeff Rogers discusses the concept of winning over the audience in this excerpt from Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. Rogers performed with The Second City's National Touring Company in the 1980s, understudied for the resident company, and later reopened The Players Workshop in Chicago.
5:51Eric Acuña has an Open Conversation with Jimmy about Race in Improv | Improv Nerd
Erick Acuña and Improv Nerd host Jimmy Carrane have a candid conversation about race in the improv world. Acuña, a Peruvian-born improviser who trained at WIT and UCB New York, discusses performing in English as a non-native speaker and the value of having direct conversations when scenes risk reinforcing stereotypes.
2:41Eric Acuña on creating Inclusion in the Washington DC Improv Scene | Improv Nerd
Erick Acuña discusses efforts to foster inclusion within the Washington, D.C. improv community in this Improv Nerd segment. An improviser, teacher, and lawyer who trained at WIT and UCB New York, Acuña shares his perspective on making improv spaces more welcoming to diverse performers.
1:54Eric Acuña compares the difference of Peruvian Improv | Improv Nerd
Erick Acuña compares the improv scenes in Peru and the United States in this Improv Nerd clip. Acuña, who began improvising in Peru before training at Washington Improv Theater and UCB in New York, offers a cross-cultural perspective on how the art form differs between the two countries.
2:58Nancy Hayden talks about the Future of Improv In Chicago | Improv Nerd
Nancy Hayden reflects on Chicago's role in the broader improv landscape in this Improv Nerd interview segment. Hayden, who serves as Artistic Director of The Second City Training Center, considers the city's ongoing significance as a center for improvisation.
5:24Nancy Hayden talks about Second City Detroit vs Chicago | Improv Nerd
Nancy Hayden discusses the stylistic differences between improv in Detroit and Chicago in this Improv Nerd clip. As Artistic Director of The Second City Training Center, Hayden draws on her experience across both cities to compare their distinct approaches to the form.
5:01Nancy Hayden talks about the Future of Second City | Improv Nerd
Nancy Hayden, Artistic Director of The Second City Training Center in Chicago, speaks with Improv Nerd about the future direction of The Second City. The conversation touches on where the institution may be headed as a training program and creative organization.
2:57Brad Sherwood talks about being "Second Banana" to Colin Mochrie | Improv Nerd Podcast
In this Improv Nerd Podcast clip, Brad Sherwood reflects on his performing dynamic with Colin Mochrie, addressing the perception of playing a supporting role alongside his longtime stage partner. The two perform together as a touring two-person improv act. Sherwood is a regular cast member on Whose Line Is It Anyway? with credits spanning both the American and British versions of the show.
2:53Brad Sherwood talks about filming "Whose Line is it Anyway" | Improv Nerd Podcast
A segment from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which Brad Sherwood discusses the production process behind Whose Line Is It Anyway?. Sherwood appeared on both the American and British editions of the show across multiple seasons. The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on filming the long-running improvisational television series.
2:22Brad Sherwood talks about his first introduction to Improv | Improv Nerd Podcast
In this Improv Nerd Podcast clip, Brad Sherwood recalls his earliest exposure to improvisation. Sherwood is known for his regular appearances on both the American and British versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, as well as extensive television credits including The Tonight Show. The interview was conducted before a two-person improv show with Colin Mochrie at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois.
2:28Brendan Sullivan talks about Dealing with Grief | Improv Nerd Podcast
A clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which Brendan Sullivan discusses processing grief following the death of his 24-year-old son, Charlie. Sullivan, a longtime Chicago improviser and former member of the iO Chicago Harold team Blue Velveeta, reflects on coping with loss as a performer.
2:58Brendan Sullivan talks about Improvising with the Younger Generation | Improv Nerd Podcast
In this Improv Nerd Podcast clip, Brendan Sullivan discusses performing alongside younger improvisers. Sullivan is a Chicago-based actor and corporate improv trainer who was a member of the Harold team Blue Velveeta at iO Chicago. The conversation touches on navigating generational differences in ensemble work.
5:12Brendan Sullivan talks about the Death of his Son | Improv Nerd Podcast
A segment from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which Brendan Sullivan speaks openly about the death of his son. Sullivan, a Chicago-based improviser with nearly three decades of experience, shares a personal warning directed at parents and fellow performers.
3:00Michelle Gilliam talks about Always Checking In with Yourself | Improv Nerd Podcast
In this Improv Nerd Podcast clip, host Jimmy Carrane and Michelle Gilliam discuss the importance of self-awareness and continuous personal evolution as an improviser. Gilliam, owner and artistic director of ImprovMKE in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, draws on her acting background in the conversation.
2:41Michelle Gilliam talks about Discrimination in Improv | Improv Nerd Podcast
A clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which host Jimmy Carrane speaks with Michelle Gilliam about experiences of discrimination in improvisation. Gilliam is the owner and artistic director of ImprovMKE in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and brings a background in acting to her improv practice.
2:09Michelle Gilliam talks about Creating a Diverse Environment | Improv Nerd Podcast
Michelle Gilliam, owner and artistic director of ImprovMKE in Milwaukee, discusses approaches to fostering diversity within improv theatres and training programs. The clip, drawn from a longer Improv Nerd episode hosted by Jimmy Carrane, focuses on systemic strategies beyond scholarship offerings.
2:56Marcus Sams loves the potential of Online Improv | Improv Nerd Podcast
Marcus Sams, founder of Moment Improv Theater and artistic director of The San Francisco Improv Festival, discusses the creative potential of online improv and how the form may evolve through digital performance. The clip is drawn from a longer Improv Nerd episode hosted by Jimmy Carrane.
5:01Marcus Sams talks about the Importance of Diversity | Improv Nerd Podcast
Marcus Sams, founder of Moment Improv Theater and artistic director of The San Francisco Improv Festival, discusses representation and diversity in the improv community. The clip is drawn from a longer Improv Nerd episode hosted by Jimmy Carrane.
2:16Marcus Sams Talks about the Future of Improv | Improv Nerd Podcast
Marcus Sams, founder of Moment Improv Theater in San Francisco and artistic director of The San Francisco Improv Festival, discusses the future direction of improvisation. The clip, drawn from a longer Improv Nerd episode hosted by Jimmy Carrane, touches on the adaptation to online improv and where the form may be headed.
2:17Pete Holmes Gives One Piece of Advice to Comedians Starting Today
A short interview clip with comedian and actor Pete Holmes, known for the HBO series Crashing and the podcast You Made It Weird. Holmes discusses his introduction to improv in sixth grade, his move to Chicago in 2001 to study the art form, and his thoughts on bringing joy to stage performance.
2:34Pete Holmes talks about Breaking into Comedy
Comedian Pete Holmes, creator and star of the HBO series Crashing and host of the You Made It Weird podcast, discusses his path into comedy. The Improv Nerd interview covers his early discovery of improv in sixth grade and his move to Chicago in 2001 to pursue performance.
2:29Pete Holmes talks about Finding Joy
In this Improv Nerd interview segment, Pete Holmes reflects on the role of joy in performance. Holmes, who began improvising as a teenager before moving to Chicago's comedy scene, discusses bringing a sense of play and delight to work on stage.
2:17Improv Nerd Patreon Video
A promotional segment for the Improv Nerd Patreon campaign, produced as the podcast entered its sixth year. The video outlines plans for expanded educational content aimed at improvisers and teachers.
2:41Rachel Dratch explains how Improv has changed her life
Rachel Dratch discusses the broader impact of improvisation on her life and career in this segment from a live Improv Nerd recording at the Second City Main Stage during the Chicago Improv Festival. The conversation covers how improv training shaped her confidence as a performer and how quieter periods in her career led to unexpected creative opportunities.
1:51Rachel Dratch gives one piece of advice to Improvisers starting today
A clip from a live Improv Nerd episode recorded at the Second City Main Stage during the Chicago Improv Festival. Rachel Dratch, known for seven seasons on Saturday Night Live, offers a single piece of advice to newer improvisers drawn from her own experience building confidence on stage.
2:49Rachel Dratch talks about Debbie Downer
In this excerpt from a live Improv Nerd episode at the Second City Main Stage, Rachel Dratch discusses the origins and impact of her recurring SNL character Debbie Downer. The conversation was recorded during the Chicago Improv Festival.
2:57Rachel Dratch talks about her Favorite SNL Moment
Rachel Dratch recalls a favorite moment from her seven seasons on Saturday Night Live in this clip from a live Improv Nerd podcast episode recorded on the Second City Main Stage during the Chicago Improv Festival. Dratch, a Second City alumna, reflects on a highlight from her tenure on the sketch and live comedy institution.
2:42Rachel Dratch talks about transitioning from Second City to SNL
Rachel Dratch recounts her transition from the Second City Main Stage to Saturday Night Live in this Improv Nerd podcast clip recorded live at Second City during the Chicago Improv Festival. The segment explores the path between Chicago's improv institutions and the SNL cast, a pipeline that has defined much of American sketch comedy's talent development.
1:40Colin Mochrie doesn't like singing
A short clip from Colin Mochrie's Improv Nerd podcast interview in which he addresses his well-known reluctance toward musical improv games. Recorded at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois, the conversation touches on the singing elements that are a recurring feature of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and short-form improv more broadly.
2:54Colin Mochrie talks about Improvising in the 80's
A clip from Jimmy Carrane's Improv Nerd podcast, recorded at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois. Colin Mochrie discusses his early years performing Theatresports in Canada during the 1980s, before his long tenure on both the British and American editions of Whose Line Is It Anyway? The conversation touches on the landscape of competitive improv formats in that era.
1:35Colin Mochrie talks about Short Form Improv in Chicago
In this segment from his Improv Nerd podcast interview at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois, Colin Mochrie shares his perspective on short-form improv as practiced in Chicago. Mochrie, who came up through Theatresports in Canada before joining both versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, offers a cross-cultural view of short-form traditions.
1:57Colin Mochrie talks about the difference between the British and American "Whose Line"
Colin Mochrie discusses the differences between the British and American editions of Whose Line Is It Anyway? in this clip from his Improv Nerd podcast appearance at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois. Having performed as a regular cast member on both versions of the show, Mochrie is uniquely positioned to compare the two productions.
1:36Colin Mochrie talks about what's still fun with "Whose Line"
A clip from Colin Mochrie's appearance on the Improv Nerd podcast, recorded live at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois. Mochrie discusses what continues to engage him about performing on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the long-running short-form improv television series on which he has been a mainstay across both its British and American runs.
1:45Jane Lynch Isn't In Therapy
A short excerpt from Jimmy Carrane's Improv Nerd podcast interview with Jane Lynch. Lynch, whose comedy training began at The Annoyance Theater and Second City in Chicago, discusses her personal approach to self-reflection and creative process.
3:59Jane Lynch gives one piece of advice to New Comedians
A clip from Jimmy Carrane's Improv Nerd podcast in which Jane Lynch offers advice to comedians starting out. Lynch, who trained at The Annoyance Theater and Second City in Chicago during the 1990s, reflects on her early career path and the lessons she carried forward into film and television work with Christopher Guest and beyond.
2:36Jane Lynch talks about dealing with Nerves
An Improv Nerd podcast excerpt in which Jane Lynch discusses the experience of performance anxiety. Lynch, who came up through The Annoyance Theater and Second City in Chicago, addresses how nerves factor into her work across live and filmed performance.
2:13Jane Lynch talks about the difference between Judd Apatow & Christopher Guest
In this Improv Nerd podcast clip, Jane Lynch compares the working methods of directors Judd Apatow and Christopher Guest. Lynch appeared in several of Guest's improvised ensemble films, including Best in Show and A Mighty Wind, giving her a firsthand perspective on how different directors approach improvised performance on set.
3:57Jane Lynch talks about working on "Afternoon Delight"
Jane Lynch discusses her work on the improvised film "Afternoon Delight" in conversation with Jimmy Carrane. Lynch, who trained at The Annoyance Theater and Second City in Chicago, reflects on preparing for improvised filmmaking.
2:07Tj Miller doesn't want an Emmy
A short segment from TJ Miller's interview with Jimmy Carrane at The Annoyance Theater in Chicago, in which Miller discusses his perspective on awards and recognition in comedy.
5:28Tj Miller gives advice to Improvisers starting out today
TJ Miller speaks with Jimmy Carrane at The Annoyance Theater in Chicago about advice for improvisers starting out. The conversation touches on physicality in comedy, work ethic, and Miller's approach to acting and auditioning.
2:14Tj Miller is an Improviser by trade
TJ Miller discusses his identity as an improviser in conversation with Jimmy Carrane at The Annoyance Theater in Chicago. The segment focuses on improv as a foundational discipline in Miller's comedy career.
3:51Tj Miller talks about getting over failure
A clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast recorded at The Annoyance Theater in Chicago, in which comedian and actor TJ Miller discusses processing failure and moving past it. Miller also touches on the role of physicality in his comedy and his approach to developing a strong work ethic as a performer.
3:09Tj Miller talks about putting himself in a confident space
In this Improv Nerd Podcast segment recorded at The Annoyance Theater in Chicago, TJ Miller discusses cultivating a confident mental space before performing. The conversation touches on his broader approach to acting and auditioning, including the value of physicality in comedic performance.
2:55Mike Birbiglia created his own Success
A clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which Mike Birbiglia reflects on the importance of creating your own projects rather than waiting for opportunities. The interview coincides with the release of "Don't Think Twice," Birbiglia's 2016 independent film about a New York improv group, which he wrote, directed, and starred in.
2:14Mike Birbiglia gets emotional when watching "Don't Think Twice"
In this Improv Nerd Podcast segment, Mike Birbiglia shares an emotional response to watching his own film "Don't Think Twice" (2016). The film follows a New York improv ensemble dealing with questions of success, loyalty, and what happens when one member's career trajectory diverges from the group's.
3:07Mike Birbiglia talks about Jealousy
In this Improv Nerd Podcast segment, Mike Birbiglia examines jealousy as a force within collaborative creative ensembles. The conversation draws on themes from his 2016 film "Don't Think Twice," which dramatizes the friction that can emerge in an improv troupe when individual ambition collides with group loyalty.
2:36Mike Birbiglia talks about Self Sabotage
A clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast featuring Mike Birbiglia exploring the theme of self-sabotage in creative careers. The discussion connects to his 2016 film "Don't Think Twice," which examines the interpersonal tensions that arise within an improv group when one member breaks through to mainstream success.
1:44Mike Birbiglia talks about using life experiences in Comedy
In this Improv Nerd Podcast segment, comedian and filmmaker Mike Birbiglia discusses drawing on personal life experiences as raw material for comedy. The conversation takes place around the release of his 2016 film "Don't Think Twice," which centers on a fictional New York improv ensemble navigating questions of ambition and creative fulfillment.
2:32Rashawn Scott knew you were stealing from Old Navy
A clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which host Jimmy Carrane interviews Rashawn Nadine Scott, then performing with The Second City e.t.c.'s 39th revue, "Soul Brother, Where Art Thou?" Scott discusses her path to confidence as a performer, her experience as a recipient of the Bob Curry Fellowship, and how her background in singing and musical theatre informs her work at Second City.
2:47Rashawn Scott talks about The Dead Parrots Society
Rashawn Nadine Scott discusses The Dead Parrots Society in this Improv Nerd Podcast clip. Scott performed with The Second City e.t.c. as part of the 39th revue cast and is a recipient of the Bob Curry Fellowship.
3:21Rashawn Scott talks about being confident
In this Improv Nerd Podcast interview, Rashawn Nadine Scott talks about confidence as a performer. Scott is a Bob Curry Fellowship recipient who performed in The Second City e.t.c.'s 39th revue and in The Art of Falling, a collaboration between Second City and Hubbard Street Dance.
2:23Rashawn Scott talks about connecting with Music vs Improv
A segment from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which Rashawn Nadine Scott explores the differences between connecting with music and connecting with improvisation. Scott's background spans musical theatre, dance, and sketch comedy at The Second City.
2:59Rashawn Scott talks about the importance of Theatre & Musical training
Rashawn Nadine Scott discusses the value of theatre and musical training for improvisers in this Improv Nerd Podcast segment. Scott, a recipient of the Bob Curry Fellowship, was a cast member of The Second City e.t.c.'s 39th revue, "Soul Brother Where Art Thou?" and performed in The Art of Falling with Second City and Hubbard Street Dance.
3:15Jorin Garguilo talks about awkwardness and Introversion
In this segment of the Improv Nerd Podcast, Jorin Garguilo reflects on the relationship between awkwardness, introversion, and improvisation. Garguilo performs with Revolver, Felt, and The Scene at iO Chicago and previously performed with Rainbow Deli at CIC.
2:01Jorin Garguilo talks about his 1st Improv experience
A brief Improv Nerd Podcast clip in which Jorin Garguilo recounts his first experience with improvisation. Garguilo started performing at age seventeen in North Carolina and went on to work with ensembles including Revolver at iO Chicago and Rainbow Deli at CIC.
4:41Jorin Garguilo talks about never being too old for Improv
Jorin Garguilo speaks with the Improv Nerd Podcast about the idea that performers are never too old to pursue improvisation. Garguilo began improvising at seventeen in North Carolina before relocating to Chicago, where he has performed at iO Chicago and CIC.
2:50Jorin Garguilo talks about the "medium" of Improv
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast featuring Chicago improviser and teacher Jorin Garguilo. Garguilo, who performs with Revolver, Felt, and The Scene at iO Chicago and was a member of the group Rainbow Deli at CIC, discusses his perspective on improvisation as a creative medium.
2:33Jorin Garguilo talks about the influences of Short Form Improv
A clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which Jorin Garguilo discusses the influences of short form improvisation on his development. Garguilo, a Chicago-based performer and teacher, has performed with Revolver, Felt, and The Scene at iO Chicago, and was a member of Rainbow Deli at CIC.
3:45Kelsie Huff made her own Comedy Studies program
A segment from the Improv Nerd podcast in which Kelsie Huff describes creating her own comedy studies program. Huff, a graduate of iO Chicago and Second City training programs, teaches the Feminine Comique stand-up class for women.
4:19Kelsie Huff talks about How Women have progressed in Comedy
An Improv Nerd podcast clip recorded at the Chicago Women's Funny Festival in which Kelsie Huff discusses the progress women have made in comedy. Huff trained at iO Chicago and Second City and is known for teaching Feminine Comique, a stand-up class geared toward women performers.
2:19Kelsie Huff talks about Teaching Failure
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast featuring Chicago comedian and teacher Kelsie Huff, recorded at the Chicago Women's Funny Festival. Huff, who trained at iO Chicago and Second City, discusses the role of failure in her teaching practice.
3:21Kelsie Huff talks about being yourself
An Improv Nerd podcast segment with Chicago comedian Kelsie Huff, recorded at the Chicago Women's Funny Festival. Huff reflects on the importance of authenticity in performance and the process of finding one's own comedic voice.
3:49Kelsie Huff talks about transitioning from Storytelling to Stand Up
In this Improv Nerd podcast clip from the Chicago Women's Funny Festival, Kelsie Huff discusses how she made the transition from storytelling to stand-up comedy. Huff trained at iO Chicago and Second City and teaches Feminine Comique, a stand-up class focused on women performers.
1:15Joseph Dailey performs the Improv Nerd theme
Austin-based performer Joseph Dailey opens an Improv Nerd live show with a performance of the podcast's theme song, recorded in summer 2015.
3:05Scott Morehead doesn't attribute Success to a Building
In this Improv Nerd Podcast clip, Scott Morehead discusses the idea that professional success in improv is not defined by any single institution or venue. Morehead performed with The Second City e.t.c. cast and the Late '90s at iO Chicago.
2:53Scott Morehead doesn't worry about SNL
Scott Morehead talks with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd Podcast about his attitude toward Saturday Night Live as a career goal. At the time of this interview, Morehead was a member of The Second City e.t.c. cast and performed with the Late '90s at iO Chicago.
2:47Scott Morehead talks about being comfortable
Scott Morehead speaks with the Improv Nerd Podcast about finding comfort in his career path. At the time of the interview, Morehead was performing with The Second City e.t.c. cast and the Late '90s at iO Chicago.
3:49Scott Morehead talks about discovering Improv
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which host Jimmy Carrane interviews Scott Morehead, a member of the Second City e.t.c. cast and the Late '90s at iO Chicago. Morehead discusses his path to joining a resident company at Second City, the value of asking for what you want in the industry, and the experience of becoming a father.
5:00Scott Morehead was an Angry Kid
A longer segment from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which Scott Morehead discusses his temperament as a young person and how that energy shaped his trajectory into improvisation. Morehead went on to perform with The Second City e.t.c. cast and the Late '90s at iO Chicago.
2:12Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto talk about being confident VS being nervous
Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto discuss the relationship between confidence and nervousness in performance. The two are known for their touring two-person musical improv show HERE, which blends comedic and emotional storytelling.
3:32Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto talk about being successful
Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto speak with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd Podcast about their perspectives on success. Both performers are recognized for "Here," their two-person musical improvisation show that has toured internationally.
3:04Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto talk about falling in love with Musical Improv
Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto trace how they each discovered musical improvisation and what drew them to the form. The pair tour internationally with HERE, a two-person musical improv show that aims to move audiences through both laughter and genuine emotion.
3:28Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto talk about pre-show rituals
A clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto discuss their pre-show rituals. The duo are known for their two-person musical improvisation show "Here," which they have toured internationally.
4:57Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto talk about the response to "Here"
In this segment from the Improv Nerd Podcast, Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto reflect on audience responses to their touring two-person musical improv show "Here." The conversation touches on the emotional range of the show and the reactions it draws from audiences.
2:31Mike O'Brien likes uncomfortable Comedy
Mike O'Brien discusses his attraction to uncomfortable comedy and how that sensibility has shaped his work. O'Brien's career spans The Second City Main Stage in Chicago, the iO Chicago Harold team The Reckoning, and Saturday Night Live, where he was a writer and featured player.
1:40Mike O'Brien talks about being comfortable with Lorne Michaels
Mike O'Brien discusses his working relationship with Lorne Michaels during his time at Saturday Night Live, where he served as both a writer and featured player. O'Brien's background includes performing on The Second City Main Stage and with the iO Chicago Harold team The Reckoning.
2:05Mike O'Brien talks about focusing on work
Mike O'Brien talks about the role of sustained focus and work ethic in building a career in comedy. His path moved from The Second City Main Stage and the iO Chicago Harold team The Reckoning to Saturday Night Live, where he worked as a writer and featured player.
2:54Mike O'Brien talks about starting the "Anti Daily"
Mike O'Brien describes the origins of the "Anti Daily," a project he initiated. O'Brien's improv career includes The Second City Main Stage in Chicago and the iO Chicago Harold team The Reckoning, and he went on to work at Saturday Night Live as a writer and performer.
1:31Mike O'Brien talks about what he has learned from TJ Jagadowski
Mike O'Brien reflects on the influence of TJ Jagodowski on his own approach to improvisation. O'Brien performed on The Second City Main Stage in Chicago and was a member of the Harold team The Reckoning at iO Chicago before joining Saturday Night Live as a writer and featured player.
3:42Joe Canale doesn't like Authority
Joe Canale discusses his complicated relationship with authority in this Improv Nerd Podcast interview. Canale, who performed on The Second City Mainstage and at both iO and Boom Chicago, is known for his outspoken and candid perspective on the improv world.
3:58Joe Canale played a prank on Charna Halpern
Joe Canale tells the story of a prank he pulled on iO founder Charna Halpern in this Improv Nerd Podcast clip. The anecdote comes from a longer conversation about Canale's years performing at iO and The Second City Mainstage in Chicago.
3:37Joe Canale saw Del Close kick someone out of Class
Joe Canale recalls witnessing Del Close eject a student from class in this Improv Nerd Podcast interview. Canale, an alumnus of The Second City Mainstage in Chicago with extensive credits at iO and Boom Chicago, shares a firsthand account of Close's teaching temperament.
3:43Joe Canale talks about Hosting the Improv Jam
Joe Canale discusses the value of hosting an improv jam as a development tool for newer performers. A veteran of The Second City Main Stage in Chicago, iO, and Boom Chicago in Amsterdam, Canale reflects on what he gained from the experience early in his career and his willingness to serve as a focal point onstage. The conversation also touches on Canale's time at Boom Chicago and The Second City, and what he might have done differently in hindsight.
2:22Joe Canale talks about Studying with Del Close
In this Improv Nerd Podcast segment, Joe Canale reflects on his experience studying under Del Close. Canale performed on The Second City Mainstage in Chicago and at iO, where Close was a central figure in training performers.
2:53Adam Mckay almost quit Second City
In this Improv Nerd Podcast segment, Adam McKay recounts a period when he nearly quit The Second City. The conversation is part of a longer interview covering McKay's years in the Chicago improv community during the 1990s and the lessons he carried into his film career.
2:52Adam Mckay talks about Directing with Improv
Adam McKay discusses how improvisation informs his approach to directing films in this Improv Nerd Podcast clip. McKay, who came up through the Chicago improv scene before becoming head writer at Saturday Night Live, describes the role of improv techniques on set.
3:49Adam Mckay talks about working with Del Close
Adam McKay recalls working with Del Close during his time in the Chicago improv scene in the 1990s. McKay, who went on to write and direct films including Anchorman and The Big Short, discusses what he took from Close's teaching in this segment from the Improv Nerd Podcast.
2:15Adam Mckay talks about working with Will Ferrell
A clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which Adam McKay talks about his working relationship with Will Ferrell. Both McKay and Ferrell have roots in Chicago improvisation and have collaborated on several comedy films.
3:20Dana Quercioli assembles her Improv Dream Team
Dana Quercioli, a teacher and performer at The Second City and iO, shares her picks for an improv dream team in conversation with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
2:58Dana Quercioli gives advice to Improvisers starting out today
Dana Quercioli offers guidance for improvisers who are just starting out. A teacher and performer at The Second City and iO, Quercioli draws on her experience in the Chicago scene to share practical advice.
2:58Dana Quercioli has a great support system
Dana Quercioli discusses the importance of having a strong support system as an improviser. Quercioli is a teacher and performer at The Second City and iO in Chicago.
2:50Dana Quercioli talks about being treated differently in Chicago
Dana Quercioli reflects on her experiences navigating the Chicago improv community and being treated differently within it. Quercioli is a teacher and performer at The Second City and iO.
3:17Dana Quercioli talks about why she likes teaching Improv
Dana Quercioli discusses her motivations for teaching improvisation. A teacher and performer at The Second City and iO, Quercioli reflects on what draws her to the instructional side of the art form in this segment from the Improv Nerd Podcast.
3:38The Cast of Hello from the Magic Tavern talk about Continuity of the Story
The Hello from the Magic Tavern cast discusses maintaining story continuity across episodes of their fully improvised podcast. Recorded at the Chicago Improv Festival for the Improv Nerd podcast, the segment features Arnie Niekamp, Adal Rifai, and Matt Young explaining how they track and build on narrative threads without scripts.
4:53The Cast of Hello from the Magic Tavern talk about how they prepare for the podcast
The cast of Hello from the Magic Tavern, a fully improvised comedy podcast, discusses their preparation process in this Improv Nerd interview recorded at the Chicago Improv Festival. Creators Arnie Niekamp, Adal Rifai, and Matt Young describe how they approach building their improvised fantasy world episode to episode.
5:02The Cast of Hello from the Magic Tavern talk about the Creation of the Podcast
Arnie Niekamp, Adal Rifai, and Matt Young discuss the origins of Hello from the Magic Tavern, a fully improvised comedy podcast set in a fantasy world. Recorded at the Chicago Improv Festival, the conversation covers how the three met, developed their ensemble chemistry, and built the collaborative worldbuilding process behind the show.
3:34The Cast of Hello from the Magic Tavern talk about their chemistry
In this Improv Nerd podcast segment recorded at the Chicago Improv Festival, the Hello from the Magic Tavern cast discusses the chemistry between performers Arnie Niekamp, Adal Rifai, and Matt Young. The conversation explores how the trio developed their collaborative dynamic and what sustains it across their long-running improvised podcast.
2:34The Cast of Hello from the Magic Tavern talk about their roles
Arnie Niekamp, Adal Rifai, and Matt Young of Hello from the Magic Tavern discuss their respective roles within the fully improvised podcast. The clip, from an Improv Nerd interview at the Chicago Improv Festival, touches on how each performer's function contributes to the show's structure.
2:15Noah Gregoropoulos talks about Del Close
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which Noah Gregoropoulos discusses Del Close. Gregoropoulos, a longtime teacher, director, and performer at iO Chicago, reflects on stepping into a leadership role after Close's death and the legacy Close left behind.
3:05Noah Gregoropoulos talks about breaking up the Monotony
In this segment of the Improv Nerd podcast, Noah Gregoropoulos discusses the importance of breaking up monotony in improvisation. Gregoropoulos draws on nearly 25 years of teaching and performing at iO Chicago to share his perspective on keeping work fresh.
2:53Noah Gregoropoulos talks about the early days at iO Chicago
Noah Gregoropoulos recalls the early days of iO Chicago in this Improv Nerd podcast clip. As one of the theater's longest-tenured members, Gregoropoulos offers a firsthand account of the environment and culture that shaped iO in its formative period.
3:03Noah Gregoropoulos talks about the meaning of "Truth in Comedy"
Noah Gregoropoulos discusses his interpretation of "truth in comedy," the phrase most associated with the foundational iO text by Del Close, Charna Halpern, and Kim "Howard" Johnson. Gregoropoulos, one of the longest-tenured members of iO Chicago with close to 25 years at the theater, also reflects on stepping into a teaching role after Del Close's death. From an interview with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
4:10Noah Gregoropoulos talks about what Improv has lost
In this Improv Nerd podcast segment, Noah Gregoropoulos reflects on what he believes improvisation has lost over time. Drawing on his roughly 25-year tenure at iO Chicago as a teacher, director, and performer, Gregoropoulos considers shifts in the art form and its values.
4:52Judy Fabjance and Kelly Beeman perform a sketch from "Tales of a Stage 4 Cancer"
Judy Fabjance and Kelly Beeman perform a sketch from their two-person show "Tales of a Stage 4 Cancer," recorded during their appearance on the Improv Nerd Podcast. The show draws on Fabjance's personal experience with a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis.
3:28Judy Fabjance and Kelly Beeman talk about death and dying
In this segment from the Improv Nerd Podcast, Judy Fabjance and Kelly Beeman discuss how their show "Tales of a Stage 4 Cancer" addresses themes of death and dying. Fabjance, a well-known teacher at The Second City, and Beeman explore the intersection of serious subject matter and comedic performance.
4:15Judy Fabjance and Kelly Beeman talk about learning from Steven Colbert and Steve Carrell
Judy Fabjance and Kelly Beeman recall lessons learned from working alongside Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell during their time at The Second City. From an interview with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
2:44Judy Fabjance and Kelly Beeman talk about playing it serious on stage
Judy Fabjance and Kelly Beeman discuss the discipline of playing scenes seriously on stage, drawing on their experience creating the sketch show "Tales of a Stage 4 Cancer." From the Improv Nerd Podcast with Jimmy Carrane.
3:15Judy Fabjance and Kelly Beeman talk about playing the "Cancer Card"
Judy Fabjance and Kelly Beeman discuss using personal experience with cancer as material for their two-person sketch show "Tales of a Stage 4 Cancer." Fabjance, a longtime improv teacher at The Second City, describes the creative decision to address her diagnosis through comedy. From an interview with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
4:03Zach Bartz & Kevin Gerrity talk about The Shithole being a "Secret Society"
A clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which Zach Bartz and Kevin Gerrity discuss the deliberately secretive, word-of-mouth culture surrounding The Shithole. They reflect on how their anti-marketing approach fostered a loyal following and a sense of exclusivity around their Chicago underground comedy show.
3:04Zach Bartz & Kevin Gerrity talk about The Shithole's name
A clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which Zach Bartz and Kevin Gerrity discuss the story behind naming their Chicago underground comedy show The Shithole.
2:48Zach Bartz & Kevin Gerrity talk about being less judgemental
A segment from the Improv Nerd Podcast featuring Zach Bartz and Kevin Gerrity of The Shithole. The conversation focuses on cultivating a less judgmental environment within their show and the broader improv community.
3:21Zach Bartz & Kevin Gerrity talk about performing together for the first time
A segment from the Improv Nerd Podcast featuring Zach Bartz and Kevin Gerrity, creators of The Shithole, a Chicago underground comedy show. In this clip, they discuss performing together for the first time.
3:50Zach Bartz & Kevin Gerrity talk about the start of The Shithole
A segment from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which Zach Bartz and Kevin Gerrity recount the origins of The Shithole, their underground comedy show in Chicago. The conversation covers how the show came into existence and the community-driven ethos behind it.
4:07Jack Bronis explains the difference between parody and satire
Jack Bronis, a teacher at The Second City Training Center in Chicago, breaks down the distinction between parody and satire in this Improv Nerd podcast segment. The conversation touches on how these two comedic modes function differently, a subject central to Second City's tradition of sketch and improv comedy.
4:37Jack Bronis talks about being different characters
A segment from the Improv Nerd podcast in which Jack Bronis, a teacher at The Second City Training Center in Chicago, discusses his approach to inhabiting different characters onstage. Bronis, also an active improviser and actor in the Chicago scene, shares his perspective on the performer's relationship to character work.
3:55Jack Bronis talks about the rules of Improv
In this Improv Nerd podcast clip, Jack Bronis offers his perspective on the so-called rules of improv. Bronis, a teacher at The Second City Training Center and a respected Chicago improviser, discusses how he thinks about the guidelines and principles that shape the art form.
3:26Jack Bronis talks about working at Second City
A clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which host Jimmy Carrane interviews Jack Bronis, a teacher at The Second City Training Center in Chicago. Bronis discusses his philosophy on avoiding guru culture in improv, finding joy in performance, and his habit of performing in socks.
2:24Kevin Reome talks about "Teaching Funny"
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which host Jimmy Carrane interviews Kevin Reome, a teacher at The Second City. Reome discusses his philosophy around teaching comedy and what draws him to working with students on the craft of being funny.
4:35Kevin Reome talks about Passion for Improv
Kevin Reome speaks with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd podcast about his enduring passion for improvisation. Reome, a Second City teacher who once left the scene entirely to sell insurance before returning, reflects on what keeps him committed to the art form.
3:46Kevin Reome talks about Repressing Negativity
In this Improv Nerd podcast segment, Kevin Reome discusses the topic of repressing negativity in improv. Reome, a teacher at The Second City who trained at iO Chicago, explores how performers handle negative impulses in their scene work.
4:46Kevin Reome talks about working with Amy Poehler
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast featuring Kevin Reome discussing his time training at iO Chicago, where he came up alongside Amy Poehler. Reome, now a teacher at The Second City, shares recollections from that period of the Chicago improv scene.
3:47Kevin Reome talks about working with New Improvisers
In this segment of the Improv Nerd podcast, Kevin Reome, a teacher at The Second City, talks about his approach to working with beginning improvisers. Reome reflects on what he finds rewarding about guiding newer performers through the early stages of their training.
4:01Members of SAND talk about Playing Characters
Members of SAND discuss their approach to character work in long-form improvisation. The Chicago-based trio of Mike Brunlieb, Thomas Kelly, and Scott Nelson explore how they develop and commit to characters within their performances.
3:07Members of SAND talk about The Approval/Disapproval Theory
Members of SAND discuss what they call the approval/disapproval theory and its role in their improvisational approach. Mike Brunlieb, Thomas Kelly, and Scott Nelson explore this concept as part of a broader conversation about the group's creative philosophy.
4:49Members of SAND talk about being Independent
Members of SAND discuss the experience of operating as an independent improv group in Chicago. The trio of Mike Brunlieb, Thomas Kelly, and Scott Nelson reflect on working outside established theatre institutions and building a creative identity on their own terms.
3:32Members of SAND talk about how they're influenced by Wrestling
Members of SAND, a Chicago-based independent improv trio consisting of Mike Brunlieb, Thomas Kelly, and Scott Nelson, discuss how professional wrestling has influenced their approach to long-form improvisation.
3:40Members of SAND talk about playing it Serious and Sad
Members of SAND discuss their willingness to explore serious and emotionally grounded material in long-form improvisation. Mike Brunlieb, Thomas Kelly, and Scott Nelson reflect on playing scenes with genuine sadness and dramatic weight rather than defaulting to comedy.
2:57Antoine Mckay explains how Improv helps Acting
Antoine McKay discusses the relationship between improv training and acting craft. A former member of The Second City Mainstage in Detroit, McKay reflects on how improvisational skills translate to scripted performance work.
2:24Antoine Mckay talks about Being on The Second City MainStage
Antoine McKay reflects on his time performing on the Second City Mainstage in this Improv Nerd interview clip. McKay, who trained at Second City Detroit before moving to Chicago, discusses the experience of working on one of improv's most prominent stages.
3:41Antoine Mckay talks about Religion
Antoine McKay discusses the role of faith and religion in his life and career. McKay is a former member of The Second City Mainstage in Detroit, a teacher, and an actor known for his work on the Fox series Empire.
2:56Antoine Mckay talks about Spirituality and Acting
Antoine McKay discusses the role of spirituality in his acting practice. McKay, a former Second City Mainstage cast member who came up through Second City Detroit, explores how faith has shaped his approach to performance.
3:48Antoine Mckay talks about moving to Chicago from Detroit
Antoine McKay recounts his transition from Second City Detroit to the Chicago improv scene. This Improv Nerd interview segment traces McKay's path from the Detroit training center to the Second City Mainstage.
9:21OPENERS: Polar Pig
Chicago improv group Polar Pig performs an opening set for the Season 7 premiere of the Improv Nerd podcast with host Mark Beltzman.
2:24Rachael Mason Talks about Classes with Del Close
Rachael Mason recalls studying under Del Close in this Improv Nerd interview segment. Mason, who went on to become Head of Advanced Improvisation at Second City, shares firsthand recollections of Close's teaching.
4:03Rachael Mason talks about Misogyny and Sexism in Comedy
Rachael Mason, Head of Advanced Improvisation at Second City, discusses misogyny and sexism in comedy. The conversation, part of a longer Improv Nerd interview, addresses the experiences of women in the improv and comedy landscape.
3:02Rachael Mason talks about Women and Race in Improv
In this segment from her Improv Nerd interview, Rachael Mason addresses the intersections of gender and race in improvisation. Mason, who served as Head of Advanced Improvisation at Second City, reflects on the dynamics women and performers of color navigate in the improv community.
5:04Rachael Mason talks about Women at iO
Rachael Mason reflects on the experience of women at iO Theater in this excerpt from her Improv Nerd interview. Mason, a veteran Chicago improviser and Head of Advanced Improvisation at Second City, offers perspective on gender dynamics at one of longform improv's foundational institutions.
3:06Rachael Mason talks about learning from failures
Rachael Mason discusses the value of learning from failure in this clip from her Improv Nerd appearance. Mason, Head of Advanced Improvisation at Second City, reflects on how setbacks have informed her growth as a performer and teacher.
3:59Jack Newell talks about "going viral"
Jack Newell discusses the phenomenon of viral content on the Improv Nerd Podcast, reflecting on how online distribution has intersected with his comedy and filmmaking work. Newell is a Chicago-based director known for incorporating improvisation into his productions.
3:24Jack Newell talks about Improvising and Acting for film
Writer and director Jack Newell discusses the intersection of improvisation and filmmaking on the Improv Nerd Podcast. Newell, who headed the TV, Film and Digital Department at The Second City Training Center in Chicago, describes his approach to using improv techniques on set, drawing from his experience directing the feature films Close Quarters and Open Tables.
3:56Jack Newell talks about directing "Maximum Party Zone"
Jack Newell talks about directing Maximum Party Zone in this Improv Nerd Podcast segment. The conversation covers his directorial process and how improvisational techniques informed the project's production.
3:30Jack Newell talks about getting into Acting
In this Improv Nerd Podcast segment, Jack Newell recounts his path into acting. Newell, a multi-hyphenate filmmaker based in Chicago, went on to lead The Second City Training Center's TV, Film and Digital Department.
2:43Jack Newell talks more about Improvising and Acting for film
Jack Newell continues his conversation on the Improv Nerd Podcast about applying improvisational methods to film production. He explores how improv training prepares directors and actors to adapt to the unpredictable demands of a film set.
4:13Stephanie McCullough talks about discovering Musical Improv
Stephanie McCullough recalls how she first encountered musical improvisation in this Improv Nerd Podcast interview. McCullough has served as a pianist for musical improv since 1997, joined the Second City faculty in 2002 as music director, teacher, and composer, and founded Musical Comedy Live (MCL) in Chicago.
3:31Stephanie McCullough talks about how Improv has transformed her
Stephanie McCullough reflects on the personal impact of her career in improvisation during this Improv Nerd Podcast segment. McCullough, a Second City faculty member and founder of Musical Comedy Live in Chicago, describes how the practice of improv has shaped her life beyond the stage.
3:33Stephanie McCullough talks about the Evolution of the Musical Director
In this segment of her Improv Nerd Podcast appearance, Stephanie McCullough discusses how the role of the musical director in improvisation has changed over time. McCullough has served as a music director, teacher, and composer on the Second City faculty since 2002 and has played piano for musical improv since 1997.
3:11Stephanie McCullough talks about working with Wayne Brady
Stephanie McCullough shares her experiences working with Wayne Brady in this Improv Nerd Podcast clip. McCullough, a longtime musical improv accompanist and Second City faculty member, discusses their collaboration and the demands of supporting high-level musical improvisation.
4:35Stephanie McCullough teaches Jimmy Musical Improv
Stephanie McCullough, a longtime musical improv pianist and Second City faculty member since 2002, joins the Improv Nerd Podcast to teach host Jimmy Carrane the basics of musical improvisation. McCullough, who founded Musical Comedy Live (MCL) in Chicago, walks through techniques for overcoming hesitation and self-judgment in sung scenes.
3:59Chris Redd talks about Growing Up
Chris Redd talks with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd Podcast about his upbringing and formative years. The conversation touches on growing up in Chicago and the personal experiences that informed his development as a performer.
4:07Chris Redd talks about how he started getting into comedy
Chris Redd recounts his entry into comedy in this Improv Nerd Podcast interview. Redd, who went on to perform with The Second City's e.t.c. cast and build a career in stand-up, describes how he first found his way to the stage.
7:46Chris Redd talks about leaving Second City
In this extended interview clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast, Chris Redd discusses his departure from The Second City's e.t.c. cast. Redd reflects on the experience of performing in Chicago and the factors that shaped his decision to move on from the resident stage.
4:22Chris Redd talks about performing for different Audiences
Chris Redd discusses the differences between performing for various audiences in this Improv Nerd Podcast clip. Drawing on his experience working in different Chicago comedy scenes, Redd reflects on how audience composition shapes performance dynamics.
3:59Chris Redd talks about wanting to be a rapper
Chris Redd speaks with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd Podcast about his early ambitions in rap and the path that eventually brought him to comedy. Redd, a stand-up comedian and former cast member of The Second City e.t.c. stage in Chicago, traces the personal turning points that redirected his creative energy toward performance.
3:44Mike Delaney talks about The Game
Michael Delaney, a UCB member since 1998 and longtime teacher of improv and sketch writing, discusses the concept of "the game of the scene" in this interview clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast. Delaney, known for his work with UCB house teams The Swarm and Stepfathers, reflects on what game means to him and offers perspective on why UCB has produced so many notable performers.
4:19Mike Delaney talks about UCB's expansion and playing it real
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which Michael Delaney discusses the growth of the Upright Citizens Brigade and the importance of playing it real in scene work. Delaney, who has taught and performed at UCB since 1998, addresses both the institutional expansion and the artistic principles he values.
4:23Mike Delaney talks about growing up outside of theatre
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which Michael Delaney discusses his background growing up outside the world of theatre. Delaney, a longtime member of the Upright Citizens Brigade who has taught improv and sketch writing there since 1998, reflects on the path that eventually brought him to performance.
2:30Mike Delaney talks about his philosophy on success
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which UCB teacher and performer Michael Delaney shares his personal philosophy on success. Delaney, a member of teams including The Swarm and Stepfathers, offers his perspective on what success means within the improv community.
3:45Mike Delaney talks about the success of UCB alumni
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which Michael Delaney reflects on why so many successful comedic voices have emerged from the Upright Citizens Brigade. Delaney, a UCB member since 1998 and performer on teams such as The Swarm and Stepfathers, considers the factors behind the theatre's outsized influence on the comedy landscape.
2:15Jimmy can't get a read on Tim Paul.
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which host Jimmy Carrane admits difficulty getting a read on his guest, Tim Paul. The exchange offers a candid moment between interviewer and subject, touching on Paul's elusive persona offstage.
2:58Tim Paul doesn't care what you think about him
Tim Paul discusses creative fearlessness and indifference to audience judgment. An actor, writer, and director associated with The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago, Paul has created numerous original productions there. In this Improv Nerd segment, he talks about drawing on personal experience in writing and performing, and maintaining artistic honesty regardless of outside opinion.
2:51Tim Paul talks about His Process
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which Tim Paul discusses his creative process. Paul, an actor, writer, and director associated with The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago, describes how he approaches generating and developing material for his original productions.
2:58Tim Paul talks about Moving out of Chicago
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which Tim Paul discusses his decision to leave Chicago. Paul, a writer, actor, and director known for his work at The Annoyance Theatre, reflects on relocating westward from the city that shaped much of his creative career.
3:54Tim Paul talks about the Different Shows He's Done
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which Tim Paul surveys the range of original shows he has created. Paul's body of work at The Annoyance Theatre spans a variety of productions, and he walks through the different projects and what distinguished them from one another.
2:25Jay Sukow talks about Drinking
Jay Sukow discusses the decision to stop drinking and its effect on his creative work. In this Improv Nerd clip, the Chicago improviser and Second City faculty member reflects on how removing alcohol changed his approach to performance and art.
2:43Jay Sukow talks about Stage Fright
Jay Sukow discusses stage fright and performance anxiety. In this Improv Nerd clip, the longtime Chicago improviser and Second City faculty member addresses the experience of fear before and during performance.
3:23Jay Sukow talks about Teaching Improv and learning from Steven Colbert
Jay Sukow discusses his approach to teaching improvisation and the teachers who shaped his own development. In this Improv Nerd segment, the Second City faculty member reflects on what he has learned from other instructors over his career, including observations from working alongside Stephen Colbert in the Chicago scene.
3:51Jay Sukow talks about depression in Improv
Jay Sukow reflects on navigating depression through improvisation. In this Improv Nerd segment, the Chicago-based teacher and performer discusses the difficult period of his late twenties and how improv served as a resource for working through it.
3:14Jay Sukow talks about Short Form Improv
Jay Sukow offers a defense and elaboration of short form improvisation. A Chicago improviser since 1992, Sukow has taught and directed at The Second City and co-founded the production company Group Mind Films. In this Improv Nerd clip, he addresses the perceived hierarchy between short form and long form, arguing for the artistic legitimacy of short form work.
3:12Mark Beltzman Talks about Technology's effect on Comedy
Mark Beltzman examines how technology has influenced the pacing and rhythm of comedy. A founding member of iO Chicago and Baron's Barracudas with experience performing and directing at The Second City, Beltzman considers the broader cultural shifts that have reshaped audience expectations and comedic timing. From an episode of the Improv Nerd Podcast recorded in October 2014.
3:24Mark Beltzman talks about Agreement
Mark Beltzman discusses the principle of agreement in improvisation. A founding member of ImprovOlympic in Chicago and a performer on the Harold team Baron's Barracudas, Beltzman draws on decades of experience as a teacher, performer, and director at The Second City. The clip is drawn from a longer Improv Nerd interview covering his early encounters with Del Close, the evolution of the Harold, and the role of spirituality in his improv practice.
2:09Mark Beltzman talks about changing a character's Point of View
Mark Beltzman discusses the permissibility of shifting a character's point of view during a scene. A founding member of iO Chicago and Baron's Barracudas who performed and directed at The Second City, Beltzman argues that rigidly locking a character into a single perspective is not always necessary or desirable. From an episode of the Improv Nerd Podcast recorded in October 2014.
3:02Mark Beltzman Talks about Being in the moment
Mark Beltzman explores the concept of being in the moment as it applies to improvisation. Drawing on his background as a founding member of iO Chicago and Baron's Barracudas, as well as his work at The Second City, Beltzman connects presence onstage to his broader philosophy of performance and spirituality. From an episode of the Improv Nerd Podcast recorded in October 2014.
3:51Mark Beltzman Talks about The Harold
Mark Beltzman discusses the origins and evolution of the Harold. A founding member of iO Chicago (then Improv Olympic) and the Harold team Baron's Barracudas, Beltzman performed and directed at The Second City in Chicago and worked directly with Del Close during the foundational period of long-form improvisation. From an episode of the Improv Nerd Podcast recorded in October 2014.
2:02Punam Patel talks about Women and Sexuality in Comedy
Punam Patel discusses the intersection of women, sexuality, and comedy, touching on how these dynamics play out in the improv world. From an episode of the Improv Nerd Podcast recorded in August 2014.
2:27Punam Patel talks about her process when creating big characters
Punam Patel discusses her approach to building distinct characters in improvisation, outlining the internal process she uses to differentiate one character from another onstage. From an episode of the Improv Nerd Podcast recorded in August 2014.
3:06Punam Patel talks about judging your own Improv work
Punam Patel reflects on the tendency to judge one's own improv work and the pitfalls of overanalysis. She addresses how self-criticism can interfere with performance and the value of letting go of excessive evaluation. From an episode of the Improv Nerd Podcast recorded in August 2014.
2:27Punam Patel talks about subtly playing big characters
Punam Patel discusses techniques for playing heightened characters with subtlety, avoiding the trap of crossing into stereotype. The clip is from the Improv Nerd Podcast.
2:20Punam Patel talks explains how Success has affected her work
Punam Patel reflects on how achieving success at The Second City has shaped her work over the years, exploring the ways sustained professional recognition changes an improviser's relationship to the craft. From an episode of the Improv Nerd Podcast recorded in August 2014.
2:21George Wendt talks about Del Close
George Wendt shares recollections of Del Close in this Improv Nerd Podcast clip. The conversation is part of a broader discussion of Wendt's time at The Second City and his relationships with figures in the Chicago improv community.
3:27George Wendt talks about Improvising & Second City
George Wendt discusses his complicated relationship with improvisation and his time at The Second City in this Improv Nerd Podcast clip. Wendt describes his discomfort with improvising, offering a candid perspective from a performer whose career was shaped by the Chicago improv scene despite his stated ambivalence toward the form.
3:01George Wendt talks about fame
George Wendt reflects on the experience of fame in this Improv Nerd Podcast clip. Wendt is best known for portraying Norm Peterson on Cheers and for his recurring Super Fan character on Saturday Night Live.
2:42George Wendt talks about getting onto Cheers
George Wendt recounts how he landed the role of Norm Peterson on the sitcom Cheers. The clip is drawn from a longer Improv Nerd Podcast conversation covering Wendt's history at The Second City, including being fired from the Mainstage and later earning his place back.
2:32George Wendt talks about his Comedic Voice
George Wendt, widely known for his role as Norm Peterson on "Cheers" and his recurring Super Fans sketches on Saturday Night Live, talks with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd podcast about finding and developing his comedic voice. Wendt's career in comedy began at The Second City, where he performed alongside improv figures including Del Close.
3:15Paul Grondy Reminisces about iO
Paul Grondy reminisces about his time at iO Chicago during the 1990s in this Improv Nerd podcast clip recorded shortly before the theater's move from its longtime Clark Street home. Grondy performed with the iO Road Show, Frank Booth, and Carl and the Passions over a career spanning more than two decades.
3:29Paul Grondy talks about Overconfidence
Paul Grondy reflects on overconfidence early in his improv career in this Improv Nerd Podcast clip. The discussion is part of a broader conversation about regrets and lessons learned over more than twenty years of performing and teaching.
3:19Paul Grondy talks about getting stuck in Improv
Veteran improviser and teacher Paul Grondy reflects on the experience of feeling stuck in an improv career and the process of deciding what direction to take. Grondy, who had been improvising for over 20 years at the time of this conversation, performed with the iO Road Show, Frank Booth, and Carl and the Passions. The interview was recorded for the Improv Nerd podcast on the eve of iO Chicago's relocation from its historic Clark Street location.
2:28Paul Grondy talks about his performance style
Paul Grondy discusses the evolution of his performance style in this clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast. A veteran of over two decades in improvisation, Grondy performed with the iO Road Show, Frank Booth, and Carl and the Passions. The conversation took place as iO prepared to leave its historic Clark Street location.
3:24Paul Grondy talks about the "Golden Age" of Improv
Paul Grondy discusses what he considers the golden age of improvisation in this Improv Nerd Podcast clip. The conversation centers on iO in the 1990s, recorded as the theatre prepared to relocate from its longtime Clark Street home. Grondy's credits include the iO Road Show, Frank Booth, and Carl and the Passions.
4:28Mike Kosinski Talks about Auditioning for SNL
Mike Kosinski, then a cast member on The Second City's Mainstage revue "Depraved New World," discusses his experience auditioning for Saturday Night Live. The conversation is drawn from his appearance on the Improv Nerd podcast with host Jimmy Carrane.
2:36Mike Kosinski Talks about Creative Freedom at Second City
In this Improv Nerd podcast clip, Mike Kosinski discusses the creative freedom afforded to performers at The Second City. Kosinski was then a cast member in the Mainstage revue "Depraved New World."
2:19Mike Kosinski Talks about Politics in Comedy
Mike Kosinski joins Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd podcast to discuss the role of politics in comedy. Kosinski was a cast member on The Second City's Mainstage revue "Depraved New World" at the time of the interview.
3:30Mike Kosinski Talks about being Openly Gay in Improv
Mike Kosinski speaks with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd podcast about his experience as an openly gay performer in the improv community and at The Second City. At the time of the interview, Kosinski was performing in the Mainstage revue "Depraved New World."
1:48Mike Kosinski Talks about his awkward moment with Lorne Michaels
A brief clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which Mike Kosinski, then performing in The Second City's Mainstage revue "Depraved New World," recounts an awkward encounter with Lorne Michaels during his SNL audition process.
1:51Improv Nerd Season 6
A compiled highlight reel from Season 6 of the Improv Nerd Podcast, showcasing guests from the 2013-2014 run of the series.
3:52Beth Stelling talks about starting in Chicago and trying out Improv
Beth Stelling discusses her move to Chicago and her transition from stand-up comedy to improvisation in this Improv Nerd Podcast segment. Stelling describes growing restless with stand-up and eventually exploring improv as a different creative outlet.
3:41Caitlin & Alex give advice to those who want to open their own space
The Upstairs Gallery founders Caitlin Stephan and Alex Honnet share practical advice for anyone considering opening an independent performance space. Speaking on the Improv Nerd Podcast, they discuss the challenges they encountered when launching their venue in Chicago.
3:22Caitlin & Alex talk about The Upstairs Gallery's donation only shows
Caitlin Stephan and Alex Honnet, founders of The Upstairs Gallery in Chicago, discuss their decision to operate the independent improv performance space on a donation-only basis. The clip is drawn from their conversation with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
3:26Caitlin & Alex talk about the beginning of The Upstairs Gallery
Caitlin Stephan and Alex Honnet describe the origins of The Upstairs Gallery, their independent improv venue in Chicago, in this segment from the Improv Nerd Podcast. The founders outline how the space came into being.
3:56Caitlin & Alex talk about the initial reaction to opening The Upstairs Gallery
In this Improv Nerd Podcast clip, Upstairs Gallery founders Caitlin Stephan and Alex Honnet recall how the Chicago improv community responded when they first opened their independent performance space.
4:32Caitlin & Alex talk about why they decided to close The Upstairs Gallery
Caitlin Stephan and Alex Honnet explain the reasoning behind their decision to close The Upstairs Gallery, the independent improv venue they founded in Chicago. The conversation, part of their Improv Nerd Podcast interview, covers the factors that led to shutting down the space.
2:38Beth Stelling talks about different crowds and reactions
Comedian Beth Stelling compares the experience of performing for television audiences versus live crowds. She notes the differences in energy and audience response between the two settings, a distinction relevant to any performer navigating both recorded and in-person formats.
1:32Beth Stelling talks about doing Improv after being a Standup Comedian
Beth Stelling discusses her experience transitioning from standup comedy into improv performance. She addresses the impulse to insert prepared jokes into improvised scenes, a common tension for standups working in an unscripted format.
3:12Beth Stelling talks about her first open mic set
Comedian Beth Stelling recounts her first open mic experience in this clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast. Stelling, whose credits include appearances on Chelsea Lately and Conan, reflects on what it was like to perform in front of an audience for the first time.
3:14Beth Stelling talks about getting attention growing up
Comedian Beth Stelling reflects on her childhood personality and early drive for attention. The conversation offers a glimpse into the formative instincts that preceded her standup career, including television appearances on Chelsea Lately and Conan.
2:26Jeff Hoover Stalls before Improvising with Jimmy
WGN Morning News executive producer Jeff Hoover reveals that he agreed to appear on the Improv Nerd podcast without realizing it included a live improv scene. The clip captures his attempts to delay the performance, providing an unscripted look at a non-performer confronting the prospect of improvising on stage.
2:44Jeff Hoover talks about Success and the WGN Morning News
Jeff Hoover discusses his career trajectory and what success has meant to him as executive producer of the WGN Morning News in Chicago. He touches on his role in shaping the show's distinctive personality.
2:00Jeff Hoover talks about being voted "Most Likely to Succeed"
Jeff Hoover recalls being voted "Most Likely to Succeed" early in life and reflects on the weight of that expectation. The clip explores how external validation shaped his perspective on ambition and professional identity.
2:47Jeff Hoover talks about his fear of Improvising (and stalls some more)
Continuing his appearance on Improv Nerd, Jeff Hoover articulates what he finds intimidating about performing improv. As the executive producer of WGN's Morning News, Hoover is accustomed to working behind the camera, and the conversation highlights the gap between producing comedic content and performing it live.
3:52Jeff Hoover talks about the process at WGN
Jeff Hoover, executive producer of the WGN TV Morning News in Chicago, discusses the creative process behind the show. He describes the degree of freedom he has in shaping the broadcast, which became known for its comedic sensibility and loose, improvisational tone on air.
2:05Nnamdi Ngwe talks about being an action star
Nnamdi Ngwe talks with Jimmy Carrane about his aspirations as an action star. From the Improv Nerd podcast.
2:55Nnamdi Ngwe talks about how he's perceived on stage
Nnamdi Ngwe responds to an audience question about how he is perceived on stage, touching on the relationship between a performer's offstage identity and their stage presence. From the Improv Nerd podcast.
1:54Nnamdi Ngwe talks about playing it slow
Nnamdi Ngwe discusses the value of slowing down in scene work, drawing on his experience performing at iO. From the Improv Nerd podcast.
2:30Nnamdi Ngwe talks about using Silence in Improv
Nnamdi Ngwe explores his appreciation for silence as a performance tool in improvisation, discussing how pauses and quiet moments can strengthen scene work. From the Improv Nerd podcast.
2:14Nnamdi Ngwe talks about Diversity in Improv
Nnamdi Ngwe joins Jimmy Carrane to discuss the state of diversity in the improv community. From the Improv Nerd podcast.
11:43Jimmy Carrane and Susan Messing perform a short set
Jimmy Carrane and Susan Messing perform a two-person improvised scene during a live taping of the Improv Nerd podcast. The set runs just under twelve minutes.
3:55Jimmy Carrane taks about his vision of success
Jimmy Carrane reflects on how his personal definition of success has evolved over the course of his career in improvisation. From the Improv Nerd podcast.
2:15Jimmy Carrane talks about Joy in his life.
Jimmy Carrane speaks with Susan Messing about the role of joy in his life and his ongoing effort to cultivate it. From the Improv Nerd podcast.
5:10Jimmy Carrane talks about his Interview Style
Jimmy Carrane speaks with Susan Messing about the inspirations behind his interviewing style on the Improv Nerd podcast. From the ImprovNerdPodcast.
3:52Jimmy Carrane talks about Facebook
Susan Messing interviews Jimmy Carrane about his use of Facebook and social media presence. From the ImprovNerdPodcast.
11:30OPENERS: Smith & I
The improv duo Smith & I perform an opening set ahead of Susan Messing's interview with Jimmy Carrane on the ImprovNerdPodcast.
2:38Candy Lawrence talks about Confidence on stage
Comedian Candy Lawrence discusses building stage confidence, describing how she developed her presence as a performer. Lawrence has performed at Chicago venues including Zanies, The Laugh Factory, and UP Comedy Club.
1:50Candy Lawrence talks about changing material
Candy Lawrence discusses whether and how she adapts her material based on the audience she is performing for. From the ImprovNerdPodcast.
1:25Candy Lawrence talks about her Standup Comedy Process
Candy Lawrence describes her process for preparing and performing a standup comedy set. From the ImprovNerdPodcast.
3:08Candy Lawrence talks about how she started doing Comedy
Candy Lawrence recounts her entry into standup comedy on the Chicago scene, where she has performed at venues including Zanies, The Laugh Factory, and UP Comedy Club. From the ImprovNerdPodcast.
1:57Candy Lawrence talks about how she's influenced by life experiences
Chicago comedian Candy Lawrence discusses how her personal life experiences inform and shape her comedy work. From the ImprovNerdPodcast.
3:30Kevin Mullaney compares NYC to Chicago
Kevin Mullaney compares the improv scenes in New York City and Chicago, noting differences in culture and performance style between the two cities. Mullaney draws on his experience working in both markets, including teaching at iO Chicago and serving as artistic director at UCB in New York.
2:49Kevin Mullaney talks about the Success of UCB and their Alumni
Kevin Mullaney reflects on the growth of the Upright Citizens Brigade and the careers of notable alumni who emerged from the program. Mullaney speaks from his experience as Artistic Director at Under The Gun Theater and The Chicago Improv Festival, having previously taught at iO Chicago and served as artistic director at UCB.
3:12Kevin Mullaney talks about the evolution of Chicago Improv and the history of "The Game"
Kevin Mullaney traces the development of Chicago improv and the origins of "The Game" as a foundational concept in longform performance. At the time of recording, Mullaney was Artistic Director at Under The Gun Theater and The Chicago Improv Festival, with prior teaching experience at iO Chicago and an artistic director tenure at UCB.
3:39Kevin Mullaney Talks about taking Meisner classes
Kevin Mullaney discusses his experience studying Meisner technique in Chicago and how it influenced his approach to improvisation. At the time of recording, Mullaney served as Artistic Director of Under The Gun Theater and The Chicago Improv Festival, having previously taught at iO Chicago and held the artistic director role at UCB.
2:30Kevin Mullaney talks about teaching at UCB
Kevin Mullaney recalls the early days of the UCB Theatre in New York and how he began teaching there. Mullaney, who served as Artistic Director at Under The Gun Theater and The Chicago Improv Festival, had also taught at iO Chicago and held the artistic director position at UCB.
1:03Improv Therapy by Jimmy Carrane
Jimmy Carrane, host of the Improv Nerd podcast, announces his book Improv Therapy, discussing its upcoming release in this brief promotional clip from April 2014.
10:08OPENERS: Snack Boys
The Snack Boys, a Chicago sketch group, perform their material as guests on the Improv Nerd podcast before host Jimmy Carrane sits down for an interview segment with Kevin Mullaney.
2:19David Koechner Talks about returning to SNL and singing "Afternoon Delight"
In this Improv Nerd podcast clip, David Koechner recounts his experience returning to Saturday Night Live after his time on the show. The conversation, recorded at Columbia College, touches on what that return felt like and includes a reference to the musical number "Afternoon Delight."
2:41David Koechner talks about Judgement
David Koechner discusses the concept of judgment in improvisation during an Improv Nerd podcast interview recorded at Columbia College. Koechner reflects on how self-judgment and judgment of others can hinder a performer's work onstage.
2:19David Koechner talks about laughing and breaking in scenes
David Koechner talks with Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd podcast about breaking character by laughing during scenes. Recorded at Columbia College, the clip addresses how performers handle moments when laughter disrupts a scene in progress.
1:21David Koechner talks about the Improv process in Anchorman
David Koechner speaks with Jimmy Carrane for the Improv Nerd podcast about the use of improvisation during the production of Anchorman. Koechner, interviewed at Columbia College, offers a brief account of how improv factored into the filmmaking process.
2:45David Koechner talks about using properties of objects in Improv Scenes
In this Improv Nerd podcast segment, David Koechner explores the technique of drawing character inspiration from the physical properties of objects in a scene. The discussion, recorded at Columbia College, addresses how object work can serve as a generative tool for building characters during improvised performance.
2:03The Reckoning Talks about Relationships and the group dynamic.
A clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which members of The Reckoning discuss interpersonal relationships within their ensemble and how dating dynamics affect group cohesion. The Reckoning performed as a house team at iO Chicago for roughly a decade before expanding to iO West.
2:05The Reckoning Talks about individual Success in a group dynamic
The Reckoning discusses how individual members' successes outside the group have affected the ensemble dynamic. The team performed at iO Chicago for approximately a decade and later added a second roster at iO West. From an interview on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
3:05The Reckoning Talks about the longevity of the group
Members of The Reckoning, a longform ensemble that performed at iO Chicago for roughly a decade and later expanded to iO West, discuss creative differences and what has sustained the group over the years. From an interview on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
3:09The Reckoning talks about having fun in Improv
Members of The Reckoning join Jimmy Carrane on the Improv Nerd podcast to discuss the role of enjoyment in longform improvisation. The conversation includes an anecdote about performing for Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels. The Reckoning spent roughly a decade as a house team at iO Chicago before expanding to iO West.
2:46The Reckoning talks about what they think when prompted
In this Improv Nerd podcast segment, members of The Reckoning each share their individual thought process when receiving an audience suggestion, using the word "Rainbow" as an example. The exercise illustrates how different performers in a long-running ensemble interpret the same prompt in distinct ways. The Reckoning was a house team at iO Chicago for approximately ten years and later added a second team at iO West.
12:23OPENERS: Sophomore Album
The improv group Sophomore Album performs a short opening set before host Jimmy Carrane's interview with The Reckoning. Produced for the Improv Nerd Podcast.
1:21Maribeth Monroe talks about Being Prepared
Maribeth Monroe talks about the importance of preparation, both on set for television and within improv scenes. Recorded as part of a special live taping for the Chicago Improv Festival on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
2:56Maribeth Monroe talks about Comfort in Success
Maribeth Monroe, known for her role on Comedy Central's Workaholics, discusses finding comfort with success. Recorded as part of a special live taping for the Chicago Improv Festival on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
1:28Maribeth Monroe talks about Obstacles in Comedy
Maribeth Monroe reflects on obstacles she has encountered in the comedy scene. Recorded as part of a special live taping for the Chicago Improv Festival on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
1:37Maribeth Monroe talks about being patient with Auditions
Maribeth Monroe fields an audience question about patience in the audition process and the breadth of available work. Recorded as part of a special live taping for the Chicago Improv Festival on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
1:50Maribeth Monroe talks about making Character choices
Maribeth Monroe discusses her approach to making character choices. Recorded as part of a special live taping for the Chicago Improv Festival on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
1:42Jeff Garlin Talks about Improvising in Stand-up Comedy
Jeff Garlin describes how he incorporates improvisation into his stand-up comedy work. The clip comes from his return appearance on Improv Nerd with host Jimmy Carrane.
1:11Jeff Garlin gives Jimmy a gift.
A brief moment from Jeff Garlin's return appearance on Improv Nerd in which Garlin presents host Jimmy Carrane with a gift during the interview.
2:38Jeff Garlin on Anger & Emotion in Improv.
Jeff Garlin discusses the role of anger and emotion in improvisation, with particular attention to playing scenes truthfully. The clip is drawn from Garlin's return appearance on Improv Nerd with host Jimmy Carrane.
1:05Jeff Garlin on Not Caring What People Think
Jeff Garlin reflects on the importance of not being preoccupied with audience perception, drawn from his return interview on Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane.
2:11Jeff Garlin talks about what's next for him
Jeff Garlin discusses upcoming projects in this clip from his return visit to Improv Nerd with host Jimmy Carrane.
1:28Barry Hite on Touring and Having Fun in Improv
Barry Hite talks about touring and maintaining a sense of fun in improvisation. Hite is a founding member of the iO Chicago house team Bullet Lounge and a teacher at iO, with performance credits at The Chicago Improv Festival, The Del Close Marathon, The Toronto Improv Festival, and Chicago Sketchfest.
1:26Barry Hite on Jealousy and Social Media
Barry Hite talks about jealousy and social media in the improv community in this brief Improv Nerd Podcast segment. Hite is a founding member of the iO Chicago house team Bullet Lounge and a teacher at iO.
8:04OPENERS: Peter Kim
Peter Kim performs an opening set for Jimmy Carrane's Improv Nerd episode featuring Jeff Garlin, recorded April 6, 2014.
2:47Barry Hite on Cynism in Improv
Barry Hite discusses cynicism in improv and reflects on his time touring with The Second City in this Improv Nerd Podcast interview. Hite is a founding member of the iO Chicago house team Bullet Lounge and a teacher at iO.
2:53Barry Hite on Improv in College
Barry Hite speaks with the Improv Nerd Podcast about his early experiences with improvisation in college. Hite is a founding member of the iO Chicago house team Bullet Lounge and a teacher at iO, with performance credits at the Chicago Improv Festival, the Del Close Marathon, and the Toronto Improv Festival.
Shorts
Vertical and short-form entries grouped separately for easier browsing.
1:00Anthony Leblanc stole the scene. #improvcomedy #improvisation #shorts
A short clip from the Improv Nerd podcast channel featuring improviser Anthony Leblanc in a notable moment onstage.
0:54Rich Sohn's Advice to Improvisers | Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane
A short clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which Rich Sohn offers advice to improvisers. Sohn teaches and performs at The Pack Theater in Los Angeles, with roots at The Annoyance Theater, iO Chicago, and Second City.
0:37Mike Birbiglia talks about jealousy 2/2 #shorts
A short clip from the Improv Nerd podcast continuing Mike Birbiglia's conversation about jealousy. Part two of a two-part excerpt.
0:18Jeff Garlin doesn’t care what you think of him #shorts
A short clip from the Improv Nerd podcast featuring comedian and actor Jeff Garlin speaking about indifference to outside opinion.
0:36American vs British “Whose Line” differences #shorts
A short clip from the Improv Nerd podcast examining differences between the American and British versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway?
0:33Mike Birbiglia talks about jealousy. 1/2 #shorts
A short clip from the Improv Nerd podcast in which comedian and filmmaker Mike Birbiglia discusses the experience of jealousy. Part one of a two-part excerpt.
0:24Good Advice. #shorts
A short advice clip from Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane.
0:15Jimmy asks the tough questions. #shorts
A short clip from Improv Nerd with host Jimmy Carrane.
0:14Couldn’t have timed this better
A brief moment of comedic timing captured from the Improv Nerd podcast with Jimmy Carrane.
0:13Abby McEnany Promo
A brief promotional clip for Abby McEnany's appearance on the Improv Nerd Podcast. McEnany was voted Improviser of the Year at iO Chicago in 2016 and performs with the ensemble Virgin Daiquiri.
0:23Dan Bakkedahl Promo
A short promotional clip announcing a full-length interview episode with actor and improviser Dan Bakkedahl on the Improv Nerd Podcast.
0:19Lesson 5: The Feedback Circle (Promo)
A brief promotional clip for a lesson from Jimmy Carrane's teaching series. The full lesson covers the Feedback Circle, an exercise designed to involve the entire class in exchanging constructive notes within a supportive framework.
0:31Lesson Three Promo
A short promotional clip for the third Improv Nerd Patreon lesson, focused on object work. The lesson frames object work as a tool for getting out of one's head and encourages players to approach the discipline as a source of play rather than a technical burden.
0:31Lesson One Promo
A short promotional clip for the first installment of the Improv Nerd Patreon lesson series, launched in August 2017.
0:43Jane Lynch Promo
A promotional clip for Jane Lynch's appearance on the Improv Nerd Podcast with Jimmy Carrane.
0:42Tj Miller Promo
A promotional clip for TJ Miller's full-length interview on the Improv Nerd Podcast with Jimmy Carrane.
0:59Adam Mckay gives advice to Improvisers starting out today
A short clip from the Improv Nerd Podcast in which writer-director Adam McKay offers advice to improvisers starting out. McKay, known for films such as Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and Step Brothers, draws on his background performing in the Chicago improv scene during the 1990s.
0:45What is The Art of Slow Comedy about?
Jimmy Carrane offers a brief explanation of The Art of Slow Comedy, his approach to improvisation that he teaches alongside hosting the Improv Nerd podcast.
0:54Barry Hite on "The Secret" to creating a Web Series
Barry Hite discusses the process of creating a web series in this short clip from Improv Nerd. Hite is a founding member of the iO Chicago house team Bullet Lounge and a teacher at iO, with festival credits including The Chicago Improv Festival, The Del Close Marathon, and The Toronto Improv Festival.