With the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally being named, I was curious as to if religion needed to diversify? And if it current institutions need to, how can they? Because isn't religion set in stone? Also, does "religion" need anything, or is religion just an existing thing?

I had all these questions swirling in my head. So I went to ask someone I hold in high regard who may have more insight.

I went to ask my friend, Canon Dr Anthony Lees-Smith from the Chester Cathedral. I am not a religious person, you may already know that. But I LOVE what he is doing at the Cathedral. You may be like me, prone to suspicion of organized religion. But the events being held at the Cathedral lately make me so happy. The discussions on AI, the recent performance of Jay Hulme (transgender poet), the Jugalbandi (classic Indian music) concert, and the humility by which Dr Lees-Smith interacts with people ... I mean, if I were to be religious THAT is how I would want my church to be. So, not only did I feel comfortable enough to ask, I trusted the discussion to be set in logic/humility and not in missionary language. (With even an awareness of colonisation)

So I asked him. And his responses blew my mind!  Stuff I didn't know!

Maybe you have worked with Brian Armstrong at PIE - Portsmouth Improv Experience, or Southampton Improv Community. Maybe you have read Brian Armstrong's book "Disciple of the Broken God."

I have had the lovely pleasure of chatting with Brian online via the Improv Boost and his improv projects. He has always had a constructive and insightful opinion. I am so lucky to have his influence (and humor) in my life.

I hope you enjoy this episode.

To find out more about Brian Armstrong:

PIE-Portsmouth Improv Experience: https://www.facebook.com/PortsmouthImprov

Southampton Improv Community: https://www.meetup.com/southampton-improv-community 

Disciple of the Broken God (book): https://amzn.eu/d/03tYUZv

#improv 

Colin Mee is a strategic and empathetic improviser. I have had the pleasure of hearing his perspective on improv (in bits and pieces). I was so happy to be able to sit down and hear a deeper share on how he attacks improv as a practice.

I am so thankful for his time. 

You can catch Colin as part of the MissImp community in Nottingham: https://www.missimp.co.uk/

You can also catch his improv team, Enter Player 2, at festivals and in Nottingham.

#improv 

I am so happy to finally present this interview with Roderick Millar. The first time I watched Roderick perform was as part of Somewhat Theatre at the Robin Hood Improv Festival in 2024. That show was ELECTRIC.  It was so good. 

Roderick regularly comments on social media posts with such great analysis and communication of his ideas. I have been wanting to chat with Rodericl Millar for such a long time about his views on improv. 

Whit Shiller - FINALLY, I get a chance to interview and get to know Whit Shiller a bit better. Such a fascinating mind in improv. I love his angle on the practice and Whit uses improv to create points of commonality.

I met Whit through his improv podcast, Improv Comedy Connection. He has some AMAZING guests on there. Not only that, but he gets them to talk about some interesting stuff!!

Check it out here: https://improvcomedyconnection.com/category/improv/

He is also the engine behind Fish Sticks Comedy.  Which practices what they call "other-centered improv." Which means on or off stage what they practice is for someone else first. This closely mirrors my own thought on acting in general.  

Had a great chat with Whit. I'm already thinking about having him back on just to learn more!

Here is more info on Fish Sticks Comedy: https://fishstickscomedy.com/

Andel Sudik and I have some of the BEST chats abourt improv. The way she views the practice, the community and the business of improv always inspires new thought in me. Her mind is placed in centralizing the positive pursuit of improving at improv - which may be skills, content or community!  She looks at how improv shows/teams fit into an overal fabric of the practice which reached out beyond time and distance. 

I hope you enjoy this interview with Andel. I feel fortunate enough to consider her a friend. 

You can find out more about Andel at: https://www.yesandel.com/

She is an improv global leader.

Part two of my interview with Tauri Laws-Phillips, Stephanie Rae, and Deana Criess Tolliver.

MOTHERS

Part one of a two part interview.

Tauri Laws-Phillips (ColdTowne Theater), Stephanie Rae (Black Improv Alliance) & Deana Criess Tolliver (Applied Improv Specialist) gifted me with their insight about being a mom or mothers in the improv practice. I think the portion speaking on how improv communities and institutions can make adjustments that might improv the particpation of mothers in improv. 

If you would like to find out more info on Tauri Laws-Phillips: https://coldtownetheater.com/

More on Stephanie Rae: https://blackimprovalliance.com/ 

More on Deana Criess Tolliver: https://deanacriess.com/ 

#improv 

Final part of my interview with Holly Bartolo.  So greatful for this opportunity.

Part 2 of my interview with Holly. 

I believe that the only thing more important than all the efforts of improv teachers and institutions, could be in the documentation of the practice.  Recording shows, interviewing teachers, debriefing after shows ... it is an overlooked value in improv.

Holly Bartolo runs the Phoenix Remix, a fantastic resource for improv documentation, information and trends.  I highly regard the cannon of her work. You can check out the Phoenix Remix here:  https://thephoenixremix.com 

I am so honored to have shared the space with Holly to find out more about her experience and history in improv.

Part 2 of my interview with Timothy Killilea

Jason Hader!! (brrrr brr brr BRRRR!!!)

I have been wanting to talk to Jason for a while now. I chat with him all the time on social media, but this was the first time having a conversation. At the end of this episode you can hear his new single he has titled "David is Curious." I am so honoured.

You can hear more of his music on his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonHader

Enjoy!

I finally get to meet Timothy Killilea. I find his comments on the Improv Boost insightful and building. I really admire Timothy a lot.  

You can find out more about Timothy by following the pig.  Did I say "pig?"  Yes.  The Providence Improv Guild: www.improvpig.com

He also has a podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/youreheartofallasleep

Timothy also has a great instagram where he explores everything potato: https://www.instagram.com/potatobasedeconomy

He is such a creative and inspiring human being.

final part of the Jack and Jorin episode. I LOVED recording this. They inspire me so much.

You know it's a good episode when I can't wait to listen to it!  And I was there when it was recorded!

Joring Garguilo and Jack Greenwood (both with initials J.G.) join me and we talk improv. We get so into the discussion (which is what I wanted) that we don't even get into the questions this episode!  We chat about movies, intaking information and I get to know my guests a little better.

If you want to find out more about Jorin Garguilo you can check out: https://www.facebook.com/cictheater  

To find out more about Jack Greenwood you can look at: https://www.facebook.com/bristollongform 

Liz Allen Improv Interview, Part 2!  If you ever get the chance to take a class with Liz, or just chat with her she is so lovely. A kind spirit and human being. 

Liz Allen is one of my favorite improv teachers of all time. And in my humble opinion, may go down as one of the most influential people in all of improv. I hold her in such high regard. 

Liz was iO's Training Center Director for three years and they renamed their Teacher of the Year Award to the "Liz Allen Excellence in Teaching Award."

To find out more about Liz: https://www.lizallenimprov.com/

And be sure to catch her one-woman show "Tonight I am my Mother."  It is fantastic.

Part 2 of my inteview with Oliver Senton. 

Oliver Senton performed in "Shall We Shog?" in 2005 under the guidence of Ken Campbell.  The show became whan Campbell called a thing. This lead to Senton's work in the School of Night. This work also lead to two other significant improv things: Showstoppers and the Improvathon. 

Currently he is working alongside Lucy Trodd and developing the new Folkestone Improv Theatre.

I always love my chats with Oliver. He is brilliant and inspirational.

For more info

The School of Night: https://www.theschoolofnight.com

Folkestone Improv Theatre: https://lucytrodd.com/folkestone-improv-theatre 

#improv

Debriefing after improv sets is one of my favorite things about improv.

Thank you again to Ange and Stu!  I already want to do this again.

I was blessed with the presence of Ange Lanley and Stu Hughes.  Both are improvisers from the North West of England, and some people I love improvising with. I give them space to identify themselves during the course of this episde.  The format is:

• We introduce ourselves.
• Do an improv set (not recorded)
• Chat
• Do an improv set (not recorded)
• Chat

Part of my love of improv is just connecting with people. I am naturally curious about people - as individuals and as a collective. 

Hope you enjoy it!

I have been wanting to interview Jill Eickman for a long time! I am so happy she made time for this.  It was very interesting to hear about Leela Improv and their holistic approach to improv training. I enjoyed hearing Jill's views on community and I finally was able to compliment her on something I have admired for years now.

Give it a listen!

If you want to find out more about Leela Improv check out this link: https://leela-sf.com/

#improv

The finaly part of my interview of Remy Bertrand of Imprology. I am so impressed with his curiousity.

Remy Bertrand joined me today on this podcast. Remy runs Imprology, an improv company in London. Remy also does these short videos on FB and TikTok where he talks about a virtue in improv. I have always liked his perspective on improv as it differs from most institutions. He focuses on the individual and their intersection with connection, communication and improv. He has fantastic insight on "being full of yourself", flow and more.

Enjoyed getting to know him in this event.  This is Part 1 of 2.

You can find out more about Imprology here: https://imprology.com/home

The final part of my episode with Kat Kenny.  This has only made me more curious about her style and teaching. I have been a fan of her pedagogy for long time now, and this interview only further entrenches it.

Enjoy!

If you feel like donating to this project and future projects, I have  Ko-Fi page! 

https://ko-fi.com/improvboost

I am so happy I got the chance to talk to Kat. Enjoy.

Kat Kenny is one of those people who brighten my day every time I chat with them or see their posts. She is all about building others up and bringing joy to the world. To me, it is obvious.  It is obvious because her actions show it. She is not someone who passes out bubble gum philosophy then create selfish motion. Kat Kenny has regard for others and takes action to make the world a better place.

The world needs more people like her.

Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatKennyImprov

Or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katkennyimprov 

Stu and I went for a walk and had some sandwiches by the River Dee in Chester. Loved chatting improv with him in this casual setting.

Stuart Hughes is on my team "The Spirit of Improv." I love his improv style of discovery and play.  When he finds something that brings him joy he has such an effortless way of playing with it. He and I went for a walk in Chester and I got a chance to talk to him about improv.  Enjoy!

You can also catch Stu on the Oickers, a short form improv team.

THIS IS WHEN SHE MAKES HER ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Hellena Jang is inspirational by activity and by personality. She lifts the spirits of others around her. And she makes magic happen on a global scale (and on an individual scale). I am so impressed and amazed by Hellena. 

She is the kind of person I would collaborate with WAY MORE if we lived closer to one another.

You can find out more about her on her website: www.hellenajang.com

I like to connect with her on Facebook. https://www.hellenajang.com/improv

She has a team called ImFROG. And in this interview she announces another improv project that will ROCK. THIS. WORLD.  So excited for her.

I am also extremely flattered that she chose this interview to officially announce it.

#improv.

This is the final episod of my interview with Jorin - but not my final conversation with him. I feel like I have one of the most "improv perfect" relationships with him. I learn from him, I want to perform with him and yet I don't feel like there is a hierarch between us - there is a mutual cycle of respect.

I look forward to having more conversations with him. I encourage anyone who is passionate about improv to take a class from him or hire him as a coach.  I am fantastically inspired by Jorin.

Tess Hills is an amazing performer - both street performance/immersive theatre and puppeteer. I had the sheer honor of working with Tess on Brainland as puppeteers.  She is the kind of person that elevates the whole quality of the project. Tess is fun to be on set with (we kept trying to hide stage clips on each other when the other one wasn't paying attention) and she also brings professional guidance to the project. I learned SO MUCH just by being around her. It was incredible.

Tess owns and runs a company called Curious Cargo which has some fun shows for festivals and live events. They have a sketh/show called The Temperance Society described as, "Then never fear, the Victorians are here to help you mend your ways. They're frightfully proper, sombre and stern, with a terribly stiff upper lip."

Truly an incredible performer. And one of those incredibly talented people who is also so so so humble. Her backbone is in play and always connecting.

I loved doing this interview. 

Hope you enjoy it!

... this may be one of the biggest moments where he blows my mind.  Talking about how you don't go to see a group because they do improv (or a specific format) but because of the chemistry of the team. Their unique voice.

I still think about this moment. 

We also talk about the value of imagination, from every single person. How it is a process. And how that process is valuable to the endproduct of the improv show. Not just their references, but an improviser's imagination is super valuable.

Jorin Garguilo interviewed regarding improv. I asked him about how some teachers/institutions call improv "silly" or light hearted. His thoughts on improv are enthralling. I agree with him. Jorin is an eloquent, brilliant mind.  This whole interview he drops gems that just shatter my worldview of improv.  I hope you enjoy.

Jorin was in 5 episodes of Hello from the Magic Tavern and performs with Revolver, Felt and the Scene at iO Chicago. He was also a part of the legendary group Rainbow Deli and teaches at the CIC training center.

#Give this a #Listen

We start talking about codes and community building found in the improv process.

Had the pleasure of this conversation about how improv sits in the field of sociology with Vanja Sekic.  Vanja performs with None Direction Improv as part of Inconspicuous Comedy.  Vanja's passion about improv and the way she views it is so interesting.  She sees it as having greater ramifications in the larger community and in identifying smaller communities. 

Part 2 is coming soon!

Paul Quinn is a fantastic improviser. His ability quickly generate quircky characters, draw others into scenes and find the through line of a set is one of the best I've ever seen in the UK. I have the great fortune of being able to improvise with him.

Paul is also a writer, podcaster, gamer and works in radio.  His creativity is impressive.  Improv is only one of many things he excels at.

So, I was curious.

What are his top 10 favorite things in improv?  And he answers.  

...his first, and most favorite, surprised me!

Find his page on Facebook under Quinnprov.

I always love my talks with Steve.  In this last episode we talk about everything in improv that isn't mental or physical. What is left in improv that isn't thought about or physical?  We talk about that.

He is such an inspirational fountain of knowledge.

Steve Green is an inspirational improv teacher. I love talking to him about improv. 

This episode we talk about the constant nature of change and coming at the art of improv with some small sheers, or a GIANT CHAINSAW (BRRRRRRRKKKKKTT!!).

#improv 

We find out more about Steve. At one point the coffee shop gets really loud, sorry about that. I edited right after that.  We'll find a quieter spot to chat next time, because I will bring Steve back.

Steve Green always has such insightful and gentle ways of expressing complex improv concepts. I love working with him in scenes, or being coached by in him classes. He is somsone who I believe should be running his own improv school. He is not only great at progressing information, but he cares about the people he is teaching.  

He's one of improv performers that you wonder "why aren't they a famous actor? Getting paid the big bucks. Being alongside Scarlett Johansson and Benecio Del Toro in the latest Marvel movie ... "

I have a lot of admiration for Steve. 

As does anyone who has worked with him.

This interview takes place as a casual conversation in Bean & Cole in Chester. Lovely backdrop. We always meet there for a chat. This time, I just recorded it!

Initially, I wanted to interview Emily regarding her views on tradition, ritual and movement inside a church. Her personal story of being the first person to go to college, and her interest in musicology (which I had never heard of before!) was so interesting.

I will probably interview Emily again!

If you get the chance to take an improv class with Maria Peters - DO IT.  She is an incredible mind in improv and has worked with legends. Her empathy and creativity in improv is some of the best I have ever seen. 

I have always enjoyed seeing Maria Peter improvise. There was one time I was in an improv class with her and the whole class did a group scene. During the scene, I could tell she literally listened to me.  She literally heard me and supported me.  So many others were trying to impress the influential teacher. They were trying to do big bold moves or funny bits. Maria was in the space with me, at that time.  And as a scene partner I felt so much trust.

I cannot recommend her enough. If you would like to find out more about this amaxing improv performer, you can find out more at: https://www.mariapeters.co.uk/

You can also follow her on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/mariapetersimprov/ 

Shout out to the Tower Tour at Chester Cathedral.  It is so neat to see the imperfections in the cathedral while at the same time seeing such beauty.  The Chester Cathedral is one of the top tourist attraction to Chester - an already gorgeous city.

To book a Tower Tour check out the Cathedral website: https://chestercathedral.com/

Now we start getting into the cool stuff!  Emily works at the Chester Cathedral - built in 1093 but at that time was a benedict abbey. It is this big beautiful building that is a tourist magnet.  When I saw Gaia there it was breathtaking. Gaia was this massive rotating earth that was internally lit. I've also done the Tower Tour there and it is SO INTERESTING.

She works there!

It's like working at Hogwarts - except more progressive.  YES.

I'm not a religous person, but I love the stuff the cathedral is doing.

We get into in the podcast ... so listen ... 

Continuing our conversation, we talk about the history of religion in England. And I catch Emily off guard and ask her about something in the room - which looks like a wood knife about the size of my forearm. 

We start to get into the "choreography of church" and how you move around any old church or cathedral.

This will get us into Liturgy in the next part, which I find so fascinating. Could liturgy exist in other fields?  Does theatre have liturgy in a sense?  Does a casual tradition like "watching a game at the pub" in a sense have social roles, movement, and rituals?

So fortunate to have Emily lend her intelligence and time. 

Emily Lanigan-Palotai interview is different than the past episodes. This one is good for people who want to talk about music and "what is music?" Emily did her Masters in Medieval musicology, focusing on chant (music). CHANTING. Like, it's effect, where it comes from .. and how prevalent it is in rituals. We talk about the history of traditions and rituals and "what is a church?" She is currently helps to care for the artefacts at Chester Cathedral, and we discuss how her job interacts with something called 'liturgy'. Emily is fascinating and brilliant. Her story is such a beautiful story.

In later episodes with Emily, we also discuss the BIPOC (or BAME) representation of Jesus Christ or the imperfections within religious spaces. God may be perfect, but that church door needs some oil!  

This whole series is about my curiosity, and Emily was a super interesting interview.