Austin Improv

Episode 15 of Got Your Back is out, featuring the uber talented and funny improviser, actor, and director Adam Trabka!

Adam talks about improvising every Friday night at 8:30 with the twice B. Iden Payne Award nominated troupe, Bad Boys.

Adam also directed several recent ColdTowne Conservatory Productions: The Evente presented by Collective Alibi as well as Kaleidoscope, and we dive into triumphs and pitfalls of directing.

Bad Boys: https://www.facebook.com/badboysimprov
Collective Alibi: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Collective-Alibi/275987922554064

Featured song is "Button" by The Sleeping Giants: http://www.sleepinggiantsband.com/

All the episodes are available
here on Libsyn (for android),
or here on itunes.

Episode 16 of Got Your Back features an interview with the much loved Joshua Krilov!

Movie Riot's Facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/movieriot

Commercial By Midnight Society: http://midnightsociety.org/

Featured Musical performer Sean G. Lehe: https://soundcloud.com/sean-gandalf-lehe

All the episodes are available
here on Libsyn (for android),
or here on itunes.

Big News for fans of Got Your Back podcast.

Along with today's episode 18 interview with Jon Bolden, we're launching a new Got Your Back website, gybpodcast.com

The site will feature posts with our episodes, as well articles about improv and comedy...we'll post funny videos, music recommendations, DIY art tutorials and more.

We also made some changes to the show format. So, if you haven't listened to us in a while maybe give us a shot again, and see if you like the new changes.

Thanks so much to everyone for their support.

Here's the episode description for Episode 18:

K.C. and I have been having a tremendous time doing this show since February.

To keep both our audience and ourselves on our toes, we have decided it was time to shake things up and make some changes.

We invited improviser, teacher, performer, director, photographer and all around nicest guy Jon Bolden to join us for this very special episode.

Along with the changes we made to the show, we wanted to be sure that we did our best to really embody the spirit of the phrase “got your back”, and we thought that there was no better person to talk to about being supportive than Jon Bolden.

Jon is a rare sort of renaissance man who not only does many things, but who also does them well. We talked to Jon about his philosophies about improv, teaching, and comedy. We also hear a personal tale from Jon’s childhood about a time he lost his cool, and we introduce a couple of new segments to the show.

You can take classes with Jon at the Hideout Theatre, and you can also see the show he’s directing there , “Nothing and Everything: Original Chekov Plays” every Saturday at 8pm in Nov. & Dec.

Commercial by Midnight Society.

Featured song “Easy to Love” by The Colors.

Listen to the episode
Here on Itunes: http://goo.gl/Ws7h3h
Here for Direct Download and Android: http://traffic.libsyn.com/gybpodcast/John_Bolden-GYB_PODCAST.mp3

Inspiring improviser & insightful instructor Chrissy Shackelford stopped by Got Your Back to talk about her comedic process before she moves to New York City.

You may know Chrissy as one third of the 2014 tri-state cagematch champions, Ctrl-Alt-Delete, or perhaps you saw her in one of several ColdTowne mainstage shows including Beware of Female spies and the Bridgeport Correctional Facility Shortform impromptu skit-players.

In this episode we spoke with Chrissy about the ways in which her acting background informs her approach to improv, and also found out more about how she so quickly creates such rich and committed characters.

We got to hear about what else outside of improv Chrissy is a nerd about in our new section, “Nerd About”…and she also shares a personal story about a terrible sequence of coincidental events.

This episode also includes a commercial by Wink Planet.

And featured song by, The Dismemberment Plan! one of my all time favorite bands (A band I've seen live more times than any other band).
Please enjoy “You Are Invited” by the dismemberment plan, and visit their website to find out about show dates, and please check out their music.

Listen to the episode below or:
Here on Itunes
Here for Direct Download and Android.

The one and only Jimmy Carrane, host of the wonderfully helpful Improv Nerd podcast, was kind enough to stop by Got Your Back for a chat during the recent 2014 Out of Bounds comedy festival.

In addition to teaching highly sought after workshops, Jimmy regularly posts great advice for improvisers on his Improv Nerd Blog, and is also the author of the book Improv Therapy, and co-author of the book Improvising Better.

We had the chance to speak with Jimmy about what he means when he talks about “slow comedy”.

Throughout the conversation Jimmy’s honesty, and vulnerability are so disarming and inspiring that we decided to leave this episode mostly unedited…it culminates in a reveal that someone had been dishonest earlier in the show…

We can’t thank Jimmy enough for stopping by to share his thoughts with us, and for all the wonderful work he does teaching and spreading the word of improv through his books, classes, and shows.

This episode’s featured song is by a band that puts on an amazing live show with boundless energy, Man Man. The song is called “Head On (Hold On to Your Heart)” from their recent album On Oni Pond.
Find more music & tour dates from Man Man at their official website: http://manmanbandband.com/

Listen to the episode below or:
Here on Itunes
Here for Direct Download and Android.

Lane Ingram is an improviser and licensed professional counselor who recently moved back to Austin after graduating from the IO and Second City training centers in Chicago. He also holds a masters in counseling from the University of North Texas.

Since returning to Austin Lane has opened a new business called Upside Wellness where he is doing exciting work combining the tenants and tools of improv with therapy services for adults, adolescents, couples, and families struggling with a wide variety of mental health issues.

We spoke at length with Lane about the ways in which his improv training informed his work as a mental health professional, and vice versa.

Also, we gave Lane a chance to tease a possible future podcast where he offers his diagnosis of a character from a popular TV show.

Things wrap up with a personal story from Lane’s life about an embarrassing mistake he made while working in the 5th largest radio market in the country (Dallas).
Find out more about Upside Wellness at their website: upsidewellness.com

This episode’s featured song is by an immensely talented musician and comic artist, Jeffrey Lewis. The song is called “Anxiety Attack” from the album City & Eastern Songs.
Find more music and comics by Jeffrey Lewis at his official website: http://www.thejeffreylewissite.com

Listen to the episode below or:
Here on Itunes
Here for Direct Download and Android.

Carlos LaRotta is an Austin improviser who brings a certain magic to everything he touches. He exudes a genuine love of comedy, and is a joy to watch on stage. He performs regularly with Movie Riot every Friday at 7pm at ColdTowne Theater.

In this episode we talk with Carlos about a host of issue from how improv helped unlock his natural comedic ability, the importance of confidence and trust in improv, and the balance of one’s pursuit of comedy with personal relationships and family.

We also took a chance to make some predictions about shows we might see in 2015 in the AIC…and beyond…

Carlos indulged us in utilizing his movie skills to help pitch the ultimate film in a much loved genre, and he ends the show by sharing a shocking story about a tragic accident during his childhood.

The featured song at the end of this episode is Interstellar Hardrive by Earth’s greatest surf rock band Man or Astro-Man?

Check their website for more music and tour dates: http://astroman.com/

Listen to the episode below or:
Here on Itunes
Here for for direct download and android.

Roy Janik wears oh so many hats at the Hideout Theatre in Austin, TX. He is simultaneously co-owner, operator, artistic director, teacher, show director, performer, and more.

Which is why we were so pleased that Roy was kind enough to find time to stop by GYB studios to answer some in depth questions about his approach to improv, acting, and much much more.

We talked about Keith Johnstone, narrative improv, labels, fear…too much to name here, and even more was left on the table that we weren’t able to get to (for now?).

Also in this episode, we played a round of Name That Novelty Tune to draw on Roy’s early days running a novelty music college radio show.

For more info about shows, classes, or to see Roy performing in groups like the long running and international touring Parallelogramophonograph visit the Hideout Theatre’s Website.

This episode’s featured song is “Half Time At The Proper Name Spelling Bee” by Fish Boy.

Listen to the episode below:
Here on Itunes
Here for Direct Download and Android.

“The AIC Potluck Sessions” Part 1 of 3-

In this episode, we brought the GYB studio to the AIC (Austin Improv Community) annual potluck. We sat down with various groups of talented improvisers throughout the day and we picked their brains about some of their favorite moments of last year.Plus, we got to play games and give some shout outs and love notes! Throughout the three episodes we speak with performers, teachers, students, and more from: ColdTowne Theater, The Hideout Theatre , The The Institution Theater, Merlin Works Improv at the Zach Theatre, and The New Movement.

In this Episode we spoke with:

Scott Hearne
Matt Needles
Chaz Formichella
Kenny Madison
Alex Baia
Ella Gale
Nicole Beckley
Bryan ‘Lubu’ Roberts
Quinn Buckner
Victoria Vlach
Arthur Simone
Brian Boyko

Listen to the episode below:
Here on Itunes
Here for Direct Download and Android

In this episode, we brought the GYB studio to the AIC (Austin Improv Community) annual potluck. We sat down with various groups of talented improvisers throughout the day and we picked their brains about some of their favorite moments of last year. Plus, we got to play games and give some shout outs and love notes!

Throughout the three episodes we speak with performers, teachers, students, and more from: ColdTowne Theater, The Hideout Theatre , The Institution Theater, Merlin Works Improv at the Zach Theatre, and The New Movement.

In this Episode we spoke with:
Joseph Dailey
Will Cleveland
Brandon Martin
Ted Meredith
Alejandro Garcia
Clifton Highfield
Nathan Sowell
Kevin Miller
Frank Netscher
Chelsea Bunn
Kim Lowery
Justin Soileau
Kareem Badr

Listen to the episode below or:
Here on Itunes
Here for Direct Download and Android.
Here on our gyb podcast website.

In this episode, we brought the GYB studio to the AIC (Austin Improv Community) annual potluck. We sat down with various groups of talented improvisers throughout the day and we picked their brains about some of their favorite moments of last year.Plus, we got to play games and give some shout outs and love notes!

Throughout the three episodes we speak with performers, teachers, students, and more from: ColdTowne Theater, The Hideout Theatre , The Institution Theater, Merlin Works Improv at the Zach Theatre, and The New Movement.

In this Episode we spoke with:

Jericho Thorp
Lance Gilstrap
Addison J. Billingsley
Camille Euritt
Marc Majcher
Kathleen McFerren
Sarah Hutchins
Jillian Besemer
Chris R McKeever
Drew Wesely
Seth Johnson
Emma Holder
Douglas Alan Eaton-Landis

Listen to the episode:
Here on Itunes
Here for Direct Download and Android.

We’re blowing the doors off of this show, and starting 2015 with a bang by interviewing one of Austin’s great improvisers, teachers, & directors, Mr.John Ratliff.

One of the things I most admire about Ratliff is how deeply thoughtful and passionate he is about improv. I think more than anyone else he has changed how I think about performing.

Full disclosure, I will often have moments of uncertainty in which I will do a test where I imagine what Ratliff’s reaction to my choice might be because I so highly regard his opinion of improv to be “pure” in a way that it gives me reassurance to think he might agree with me.

So, that is all to say when we started this show we couldn’t wait to conduct this interview with Ratliff.

In the initial portion of the show we spoke at length about the project he is currently directing, The Church of Indeterminate Divinity, that is an incredible and loving mash-up of religious services with the (often alluded to) religion of improv. We also discuss his reputation as a teacher who doesn’t bullshit his students, along with a discussion on some of the challenges, perceived challenges, and benefits of starting improv at an older age.

After the break we have a deep dive conversation into process vs. product in improv. We’ll dig further into this topic throughout January, but Ratliff had some very thought provoking points on the balance between the process of improvising vs the end product of the show.

In our final segment we hear and deconstruct a story from John about an ill-fated series of dates.

Ratliff teaches and performs regularly at ColdTowne Theater in Austin, TX.

Featured song at the end of this episode: Ever Since the Turn by The Paper Chase.

Listen to the episode:
Here on Itunes
Here for Direct Download and Android

On this episode of Got Your Back we were joined by Kareem Badr.

Kareem is a co-owner of the Hideout Theater in Austin, TX where he also teaches and performs regularly in a number of shows including the Big Bash on Friday evenings as well as with his long running and world touring group of 9 years, Parallelogramophonograph.

Kareem was kind enough to stop by the studio and spend some time talking with KC and myself about a number of topics ranging from the nitty gritty of his approach to narrative improv to the parallels between improv and the way of the samurai.

Also in this episode we continue our conversation from the previous episode regarding process vs. product in improv. Again, Kareem had a tremendous amount of thoughtful insight to offer on the subject, and ultimately left me questioning where the boundaries of each are.

In the final part of this episode we do our best to help out the community at large and “let go” of some characters we feel may be showing up too frequently in recent improv scenes.

Kareem can be seem performing weekly with his group P-graph on Fridays at 10pm at The Hideout Theatre.

Featured song in this episode Joshua Tree by local artist and recent ColdTowne graduate, Leah Nobel. Visit her websiteand follow her on facebook.

Listen to the episode below or:
Here on Itunes
Here for Direct Download and Android.

Got Your Back podcast has put together a comprehensive guide to teach people who are new to improv or new to Austin how the groups and shows you see on stage come together, as well as how they acquire that stage time at the various theaters in Austin.

Though the details are specific to Austin the general concepts discussed in this episode apply to many other cities as well.

Check out the full post on our website GYBPodcast.com for all of the links and details on how to start performing in Austin.

Listen to the 20 minute episode
Here on itunes
Here (at the bottom of the post) for streaming & direct download

On this episode of Got Your Back we interviewed Rachel Madorsky.

Rachel is an original ColdTowne faculty member who I personally am particularly thankful for because of how overwhelmingly supportive she has been to myself and others in the community. I have also been lucky enough to travel with Rachel while teaching improv corporate training for Whole Foods, and I can attest to the all around greatness of her character.

In addition to teaching and performing Rachel works as a licensed psychotherapist, and was kind enough to engage us in a conversation about a number of topics including the intersections between therapy and improv.

In the second part of this episode we dove deep into talking about the importance of vulnerability in improv, and did our best to break down and better understand what I believe can sometimes be a scary and misunderstood topic for improvisers.

Finally, we played a round of a new guessing game called “Lifetime Original Movie, Young Adult Novel, or Porno Film?”.

Featured song at the end of this episode “Nostalgic For Nowhere” by local Austin comedian & musician, Justin Soileau.
Listen to more of Justin’s music on his website.

Listen to the episode here on Itunes
or here for streaming & direct download