Improv Nerd With Jimmy Carrane

R. Kevin Doyle has been involved in improv in Hawaii since 1989. He is a member of On the Spot and a founding member of Loose Screws. In this episode, which was recorded at The Actor's Workshop, owned by Wayne Ward, Jimmy talks to R. Kevin about what it was like improvising in Hawaii back in the day, his unique approach to improv, and how he dealt with depression.

Ali Farahnakian is the founder of the Peoples Improv Theater (PIT) in New York City. An improv legend, Ali studied at iO-Chicago and Second City, was a founding member of the Upright Citizens Brigade and wrote for Saturday Night Live. Here, he sits down with Jimmy at The New York Improv Festival to talk about his amazing career in improv.

Centralia is an improv group from New York that has developed its own unique style of improv. Jimmy sat down with this legendary group at The New York Improv Festival at The PIT Theater and talked to them about the evolution of the group, their influences and what the New York improv scene was like when the were starting out back in the '90s. You are going to love this one!

Jordan Klepper is a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He has taught and performed at The UCB New York, where he is a member of legendary group The Stepfathers, as well as at iO-Chicago, where he in the the original cast of World News Tonight and a member of Carl and The Passions. In this episode, which was recorded at the Peoples Improv Theater during the New York Improv Festival, Jimmy talks to him about how he got a job on The Daily Show, why he moved from Chicago to New York, and the realities of the comedy world.

Kelly Leonard is the Vice President of The Second City, and President of The Second City Theatricals. He's also co-author of a new book with Tom Yorton, "Yes, And." (How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration--Lessons from The Second City) Jimmy talks with Kelly about how he got started at Second City back in 1988, stepping in as the producer at a young age for the legendary Joyce Sloan, and of course- his new book. If you want to get inside the mind of an accomplished producer at one of the most successful comedy theaters in the world, you are going love this episode!

Joe Canale has done it all in the improv world. He's an alumni of The Second City Main Stage in Chicago, and has performed too many shows to list at iO and Boom Chicago. Jimmy talks with Joe about why he's so comfortable being "a lighting rod," what he learned from hosting an improv jam when he was just starting out, and why he wishes he would've stayed at Boom Chicago and Second City for just one more year. Joe Canale is always honest and always insightful.

Dana Quercioli is from Cleveland, where she was the second youngest person to be on a Main Stage at Second City. She is a hugely respected improviser and teacher performing at iO-Chicago and Second City. Jimmy sat down with her and talked to her experience on the Main Stage in Cleveland, driving from Ohio to Chicago on Sundays to take classes at iO, and what she wants to do next in her career.

Brad Morris is a writer/actor/improviser. He wrote for three seasons on Cougar Town, he is an alumni of The Second City Mainstage and a member of the legendary iO Harold team The Reckoning. Jimmy sat down with Brad and talked to him about his journey from iO to Second City to LA as writer, actor and everything in between.

Jill Soloway is the creator of the hit show Transparent. Jimmy sat down with The Golden Globe winner and talked to her about starting out at The Annoyance Theater back in the early 90's, how she is dealing with her success, and the creative process. You will not want to miss this honest and insightful interview!

Noah Gregoropoulos is an amazing teacher, director and improviser at iO-Chicago. He is one of the oldest members of iO, where he has been teaching and improvising for close to 25 years. Jimmy sits down with his old friend to talk about stepping in for Del Close when he died, what "truth in comedy" means to him and where he developed his artistic approach to improv.

Amey Goerlich is a hugely respected teacher, director, coach, producer and improviser in New York City. She has directed or coached more than 300 teams and off-Broadway productions. She hosts and produces the Indie Cage Match at the UCB and improvises all around the city. Jimmy talked to her her about starting out at the UCB, teaching improv seven days a week and the famous people she has been fortunate enough to work with over the years.

The UCB Touring company consists of Marshall Stratton, Mike Kelton, Jenny St. Angelo, and James Smith. Jimmy caught up with them at The Steel Stacks Improv Comedy Festival and talked to them up about how they got into the touring company and what they've learned from doing gigs on the road. Take a listen!

In this episode, Jimmy interviews Judy Fabjance, a well-known improv teacher at Second City, who recently created a two-person sketch show called "Tales Of A Stage 4 Cancer" with her wife, Kelly Beeman. The show is based on Judy's struggles with cancer and Kelly's experiences as a caregiver to Judy. In this very moving episode of Improv Nerd, they discuss how they created the show and how they turned something so painful into something so funny.

Will Hines is a legendary teacher and improviser at the UCB. He has been performing there since 2000 and he headed up the training center in New York for years. Jimmy talked to him about how he was first exposed to improv in New York back in the late '90s, what the UCB was like when he first started, and what "the game of the scene" means to him. Will is both thoughtful and articulate about improv, so you won't want to miss this episode!

Danny Balel is not someone you may know. He is in the improv trenches doing the un-glamorous work of teaching improv to kids. He is a member of Improv Boston's Touring Company who also teaches improv to a diverse bunch of high school kids in the working class city of Worcester, Mass., as well as at Clark University. In this episode, Jimmy talks to him about his rough teenage years, how theater saved his life and how he's making a difference teaching improv.

Jack Bronis is a teacher at The Second City Training Center in Chicago and he is easily one of the best ones out there today. Jack is also a well respected improviser and actor in the city. Jimmy talks to him about why there should be in gurus in improv, how he brings joy into his performing and why he improvises in his socks. Take a listen!

Sand is an amazing three-man independent improv group, consisting of Mike Brunlieb, Thomas Kelly and Scott Nelson. They are easily one of the best group performing improv in the city of Chicago today. Jimmy talks to them about their wild and unstructured rehearsal process, their unique long form, developing characters and what make the chemistry work in their group. If you are on an improv group or team, you've got to listen!

In this episode, Jimmy interviews Kevin Reome, a well-known teacher at Second City, about coming up at iO with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, his experience of dropping out of improv to sell insurance and then coming back to the scene, and why he loves teaching beginning improvisers. Take a listen!

Antoine McKay is a former member of the Second City Mainstage, a teacher, actor, and is appearing in the new show Empire on Fox. In this episode, Antoine talks about coming up through Second City Detroit, his faith, and not making acting a priority. Don't miss this one!

In this episode, Jimmy brings in a whole bunch of the Improv Nerd team to discuss their favorite moments from 2014. Listen as some of the behind-the-scenes folks talk about exciting times, embarrassing encounters, and what they really think about your host Jimmy Carrane.

Rachael Mason is the Head of Advanced Improvisation at Second City, a phenomenal improviser, and a beloved improv teacher in Chicago. In this episode, Rachael talks about the responsibility women have in creating comedy's future, her new role at Second City, and she and Jimmy perform a scene in the dark like an old timey radio play. Don't miss it!

In this episode, Jimmy talks Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson, creators of the new show, "Broad City," on Comedy Central, about starting out at UCB in New York, setting goals, investing their own money into their careers, and turning their web series into a hit show. Take a listen!

Best known for creating the HBO sketch series Mr. Show ,playing criminal lawyer Saul Goodman on Breaking Bad, and writing the famous ''Matt Foley'' sketch on SNL, Bob Odenkirk is a comedy legend. He took some time out from his busy tour schedule to chat with Jimmy about his many new projects, including his new book, "A Load of Hooey" and his new show Better Call Saul. They also talked about his reputation as a comedy mentor, working at Second City, and growing up with an angry, alcoholic father. Anyone who considers themselves a comedy nerd won't want to miss this episode.

Jack Newell is a writer/producer/actor/director. He is the head of the brand new TV, Film and Digital Department at The Second City Training Center in Chicago. He's a comedy director who uses improvisation in his videos and his two feature length films: Close Quarters and Open Tables. He talks about directing using improvisation, how he gets his projects produced and how improv has taught him to roll with the punches on a film set. This episode is a must for any improviser who want to do their own film,TV and digital shorts.

Stephanie McCullough, musical improv virtuoso, has been the piano player for Music Improv since 1997, on the Second City faculty (music director, teacher, and composer) since 2002, and is the founder of MCL (Musical Comedy Live) in Chicago. Stephanie talked about her mother's depression, her interactions with Wayne Brady, and helped Jimmy overcome his fear/judgement of musical improv. If you don't wanna miss Jimmy's singing voice, don't miss this episode!

Michael Delaney has been a member of the UCB since 1998, where he teaches improv and sketch writing. He’s been part of legendary teams like “The Swarm” and “Stepfathers.” We talked to him about why he thinks so many talented people have come out of the UCB, what the game of the scene means to him and how he has accepted living in pain. Take a listen!

Chris Redd is a comedy triple threat: a hilarious stand-up, a great improviser, and a former member of Second City's e.t.c. cast. In this episode, he talks with Jimmy about the difference between preforming on the Southside and the Northside of Chicago, how comedy taught him to dig deep into himself, and how he changed from almost running with a gang to getting involved in comedy.

Tim Paul is an actor, writer, and director living in Chicago. He's created numerous shows along with The Annoyance Theatre including “Bear Force One,” “An Aerosmith Christmas,” “Fisting: A Period Piece” and more recently his solo shows. He sat down to chat with Jimmy about using life experience in his writing and performing and why he'd never let his parents see one of his shows.

Cameron Esposito is a rising star stand-up comic who started out in Chicago and is now the host of the podcast Put Your Hands Together on Feral Audio (home of Improv Nerd!), and the author of the A.V. Club column “Who In the World Is Carmeron Esposito?” In this episode, she takes a break from her busy touring schedule promoting her second comedy album, “Same Sex Symbol,” to chat with Jimmy about engaging with hecklers, the influence of a religious upbringing, comedy's role in her coming out story, and how five years of professional improv impacted her stand-up. Enjoy!

In this episode, which was recorded at the Improv Festival Oklahoma, Jimmy sits down with Tim Marks who runs Kansas Improv Comedy and heads up the Kansas City Improv Festival. Tim talks about some of the personality issues you have to deal with running an improv theater, losing improvisers to bigger markets, and playing politically incorrect characters. If you are improvising in a smaller market or you are running an improv theater, you are going to love this episode.

Jay Sukow, a fixture in the Chicago improv scene, has been improvising since 1992. He’s a wonderful teacher, director and faculty member at Second City, a co-founder of the production company Group Mind Films and has been a guest performer at Boom Chicago, the Second City, and “Messing with a Friend.” He spoke with Jimmy about their early days together in Chicago improv, how he got through the depression of his late 20s, his favorite parts of teaching, and why short-form shouldn't get the short end of the stick.

Mark Beltzman is a legendary improv teacher, actor and improviser. He was a founding member of iO in Chicago and of the legendary Harold team, Barons Barracudas. He performed and directed at The Second City in Chicago. Jimmy sat down with him to talk to him about the first time he meet Del Close, how the Harold has evolved and how his spirituality influences his improvisation.

Todd Stashwick is an improviser and actor who started out at Second City and now frequently appears in TV and films. (Please, imdb him.) Jimmy sat down Todd with at the Out of Bounds Comedy Festival to talk to him about how he works so much in TV, his physical approach to improv and how getting mugged in Chicago changed his life.

Tom Booker is the owner and artistic director at The Institution Theater in Austin. Jimmy sits down with his old pal and talks to him about the vibrant Austin improv scene, his desire to be famous, and why he likes to name drop. In this very candid and very funny episode you will hear a side of Tom Booker you never heard before. Enjoy.

During the Out of Bounds Comedy Festival in Austin, TX, Paul Brittain, a former cast member of Saturday Night Live, sat down with Jimmy and talked about how he got started in comedy; his uncle, Bob Newhart; and how he develops characters like "Sex Ed Vincent." You'll love this episode, especially the improv!

During the Out of Bounds Comedy Festival in Austin, TX, the delightful Lauren Lapkus of Orange Is The New Black and Comedy Bang Bang fame sat down with Jimmy to talk about her already impressive career as a young improvisor. Lauren talked about starting improv at a very young age, the differences between training at iO and at UCB,and more

Jimmy celebrates his 100th episode! For the big occasion, Jimmy interviews Brian McCann, the Emmy-winning writer for Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He is now creating his own show, The Brian McCann Leasure Hour. The former roommates talk about Brian's path from cartooning to improv to stand-up to sketch, his relationship with Conan O'Brien and getting back into improv. It's an episode filled with lots of laughs, great stories, and thoughtful advice for improvisers.

During a trip to our nation's capitol, Jimmy sat down with Travis Ploeger, former longtime member of New York's renowned Chicago City Limits and current founder of iMusical in Washington, D.C. Travis talked about his approach to musical improv and Jimmy faced his fear of and small bias against musical improv. It's an episode you don't want to miss!

Here's one from the vault! Live from Chicago's Sketch Fest at Stage 773, Jimmy interviews the members of Sad On Vacation. The guys talk about their writing process, the importance of a group's natural chemistry, and the influence of distance and fame on their creativity. Enjoy!

In this episode, Jimmy interviews Punam Patel, a current member of Second City's e.t.c. cast. A native of Florida and an Indian-American, Punam talks about the rising influence of South Asian comedians, her experience understudying for Aidy Bryant, and how she deals with her own imperfections. Take a listen!

Paul Grondy has been improvising for over 20 years and has been a beloved teacher and a member of the iO Road Show, Frank Booth, and Carl and the Passions. On the eve of iO’s relocation from of its historic Clark Street location, Jimmy and Paul reminisced about iO in the '90s, confronted each other on perceptions of their relationship, revealed some regrets and wisdom about their careers. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

George Wendt is best known as Norm Peterson from the hit sitcom "Cheers" and for his stint as a Super Fan on SNL. In this episode, Jimmy talks to George about being fired from The Second City's Mainstage and then earning it back, his relationships with improv legends like Del Close and his apprehension about improvising. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

Mike Kosinski has written and performed in three revues at Second City and is currently in the cast of "Depraved New World" on The Main Stage. He and Jimmy sat down and talked about his unique path to Main Stage, auditioning for SNL twice, and what makes comedy the perfect platform to explore what makes us uncomfortable.

Alex Honnet and Caitlin Stephan are two of the founders of The Upstairs Gallery, on of Chicago's hottest indie improv venues. In this episode, Jimmy talks to them about what it takes to start your own improv theater, how to make it popular, and how not making a team at io turned into a good thing. Enjoy!

Beth Stelling is a stand-up who has appeared on Conan, @midnight and Chelsey Lately. In this episode, recorded at the Chicago Women's Funny Festival, she talks with Jimmy about how she started doing open mikes, how taking improv classes at The Annoyance Theater helped her stand-up, and her thoughts on women in comedy. Enjoy!

Jeff Hoover is the executive producer of the WGN TV Morning News in Chicago, a show known for its hilarious bits and constant joking around. In this episode, Jimmy talks to Jeff about his improv training at Second City, his love of impressions, and his years working in morning radio. Jeff also takes the plunge into improvising again after not having done it in 20 years. Take a listen!

Jimmy sits down with Nnamdi Ngwe live from Stage 773. Nnamdi has performed all over Chicago at the Annoyance, and the iO Theatre.

Candy Lawrence is a rising star in the Chicago comedy scene, having opened for such comedians as Maria Bamford, Todd Barry, Judah Friedlander, and Kurt Braunohler and twice performing at the TBS Just For Laughs festival. In this episode, Candy discusses how she turns pain into comedy, her sketch group with Lauren Lapkus and where she finds her quirky stage energy. Please enjoy!

Kevin Mullaney is a well loved improviser and improv teacher in Chicago who previously served as the Artistic Director of the UCB in New York and ran its training center. Kevin discusses playing the game of the scene, the excitement of being with the UCB at the very beginning and taking the first class that Matt Besser ever taught. This episode is like an improv class unto itself. Don't miss it!

This is the episode of Improv Nerd you've been demanding! Improv legend Susan Messing turns the tables and interviews Jimmy Carrane. Susan pulls no punches and asks Jimmy about his aggressive interview style, the roadblocks to his own happiness, and what the deal is with his Facebook page. Listen in as Susan gets inside the complicated mind of Jimmy Carrane like only she can. Thanks for listening!