Is an inner monologue useful for improv comedy? (ft. NYC improviser Sabrina Banes)

Tired of being told to "get out of your head"? This episode of Your Improv Brain explores a different approach. Discover how your active inner voice, often seen as a distraction, can actually become a powerful tool for your improv.

Host Jen deHaan and guest Sabrina Banes discuss practical ways to understand and even harness your mental chatter for more grounded, spontaneous, and less anxious performances.

How can an inner monologue help you with a core long-form improv concept? Jen lets you know near the end of the episode.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube at the Your Improv Brain channel.

About our Guest, Sabrina:

Sabrina Banes is an improviser and Tarot reader who lives in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn with a Siamese cat named Kevin. In addition to Manifesto Update Sabrina also performs with her Improv College group The Fae Team and her Highwire troupes Dolly Lana and Jace Spam. Sabrina is also an improviser in and co-creator of Manifesto Update, produced by StereoForest.

See Sabrina's team The Fae with Improv College here: https://youtube.com/@improvcollege

And watch our show Manifesto Update on Stereoforest here: https://youtube.com/@stereoforest (first episode June 17, 2025) or listen to the podcast version here https://stereoforest.com/manifesto

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Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You"

Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads

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About

This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here.

This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com.

This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts.

Mentioned in this episode:

Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv

Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes

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