Improv Nerd With Jimmy Carrane

4.7 (153)
IMPROV

Well-known improv teacher and former Studio 312 host Jimmy Carrane explores the creative processes used to make great comedy.

07/05/2022

Keli Semelsberger

Keli Semelsberger has been teaching, directing and performing improv for more than 26 years. She founded the award-winning Charlotte Comedy Theater and she is the author of her new book, Improv Shaman: The Transformative Journey of Divine Play. We talked to her about being enough, taking care of yourself and how to be more vulnerable.

49 min
05/31/2022

Rich Sohn

Rich Sohn is a master teacher and improviser at The Pack Theater in Los Angeles. He's worked at The Annoyance Theater, iO-Chicago and Second City. We talked to him about how he found his voice as a teacher and improviser at The Annoyance, how the Annoyance style brings such freedom on stage, and what he learned from working with Del and Mick in Chicago in the '90s.

38 min
05/17/2022

Patti Stiles

Patti Stiles is a world-renowned teacher and improviser who lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is the author of Improvise Freely: Throw away the rule book and unleash your creativity. We talk to her about why she doesn't like rules in improv, how we can shift from rules to tools, how to enjoy making mistakes more. Photo credit James Penlidis

52 min
05/03/2022

Patrick McCartney

Patrick McCarthy is an actor, improviser and one of New York's most respected improv teachers. He teaches and performs at The PIT in New York. We talked to him about what truth in comedy means to him, why it's important to take an acting class, and his journey from addiction to sobriety.

44 min
04/18/2022

Greg Hollimon

Greg Hollimon is an actor and improviser who is best known for his work on Comedy Central's "Strangers with Candy" as Principal Blackman. We talked to him about how to have a great stage presence, why he likes performing with Pimprov and how he got cast in "Strangers With Candy."

38 min
04/11/2022

Aretha Sills

Aretha Sills is a legendary improv teacher and writer. She is also the daughter of Paul Sills and the granddaughter of Viola Spolin. If you really want to get a sense of the origins of improv and what it was like to grow up in an improv family and the huge contribution that Viola made to improv, then you will want to listen to this episode.

42 min
04/04/2022

Marz Timms

Marz Timms is an improviser, stand up, teacher and actor. He is the creator of Pimprov, one of Chicago's longest running improv shows. We talked to him about the Annoyance's style of improv, how to be bigger than the stage, how you can get paid in improv, and the difference between stand up and improv.

50 min
12/20/2021

Dan O'Connor

Dan O'Connor is an actor, improviser, teacher and co-author the new book Ensemble: Using Power of Improv and Play to Forge Connections in a Lonely World. In this episode we talk to Dan about what he learned from Keith Johnstone, how to be more vulnerable in improv, and why it's important to challenge your teachers.

51 min

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4.7

out of 5

153 Ratings

So much to learn..

May 2

Dolli Llama

Jimmy is the best. He has great guests and asks the questions to help you prep your next show or just focus on yourself. Top notch. Take a class if you are able.
New improviser

09/03/2023

Lost David

I am a new improviser - listening to Jimmy and this podcast has really helped to give me an understanding of the history and development of improv. It has made improv much more fun.
Great episode with Keli S

07/07/2022

Dr Improv

Loved Keli’s attitude and her talk of being an Inside to Out person. Great interview by Jimmy!
I Listen to EVERY Episode

07/06/2022

on1ychild

This show has been such a great resource over the past couple years. Getting to listen to all of these wonderful improvisers has really broadened my understand of improv. I love hearing from teachers and getting a piece of their philosophy and sometimes a game that I can take with me. I’ve coached high school improv and now run semi regular improv nights with friends and a lot of what I end up practicing are new games and techniques I learn from this show. I’ve also taken one of Jimmy’s classes on zoom and it was honestly one of the most beneficial classes I’ve taken. He is very patient and definitely knows what he’s talking about. He creates an environment that feels very safe and his notes are always concise and palatable. To any improviser that’s reading this, and doesn’t feel like they have their tribe. I hear you and I see you. I am in the same boat, and I listen to this podcast to feel a sense of community. I hope we find each other some day.