51 episodes

The Improv Comedy Connection podcast explores how to more deeply connect with audiences and co-performers in improv, stand up, sketch, and communication through comedy.

Improv Comedy Connection Whit Shiller

    • Comedy
    • 5.0 • 7 Ratings

The Improv Comedy Connection podcast explores how to more deeply connect with audiences and co-performers in improv, stand up, sketch, and communication through comedy.

    Patti Stiles - Improvise Freely

    Patti Stiles - Improvise Freely

    We're back with Patti Stiles in our first episode of Season 5.  Listeners know Patti from episode 2 of Season Three as well as panelist in the first, fourth, fifth and last sessions of the COVID-19 Summit. Our focus in this episode, though, is her wonderful book - Improvise Freely.  It's a timely book, as well as an encouragement and challenge to improvisers - no matter how seasoned.

    Patti has an infectious enthusiasm for improvisation that comes through in everything she does. You'll no doubt be encouraged to pick up a copy of the book after this interview, but you'll also likely want to find out more and follow Patti.  You can do so at pattistiles.com and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.






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    • 1 hr 8 min
    Rachael Mason

    Rachael Mason

    In this, our 50th episode!, Whit has a conversation with Rachael Mason.  Rachael has been a mainstay of the Chicago improv scene for many years.  She has been a central figure in the Second City’s curriculum and performance and has moved to iO which is set to re-launch under new ownership in Fall of 2022.  There, she is the Director of Education and is involved in both the design of the theater’s improv curriculum and performance structures – and as you might guess, we spend some time discussing what is to come at iO.

    Rachael’s teaching also extends to coursework at DePaul University and Columbia Chicago, as well as her own workshops that she has delivered all around the world.  Her performance credits are many, with many credits at Secondy City, iO, Annoyance, Baby Wants Candy, as well as regularly performing with her good friend and improv beshert, Susan Messing.

    You can get access to drop in classes and more through ioimprov.com, which certainly will develop more fully in the months and years following the release of this episode.


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    • 1 hr 10 min
    David Escobedo

    David Escobedo

    Our guest on this episode of the Improv Comedy Connection is David Escobedo. David has been coaching and performing improv since 1994. In fact, he coached his first improv team, as there weren't any improv schools around! Later he took classes at iOwest, Second City and other improv schools around Los Angeles. He is quick to acknowledge the impact of his improv teachers during this time, including Jay Sukow (Jay was part of the COVID-19 Improv Summit and was interviewed as part of Season 4), Paul Vaillancourt (Paul was interviewed in Season 1), Liz Allen, Steve Green, Duncan Cameron, Vanessa Anton, and more that he would view as particularly inspirational.

    One of the philosophies he firmly believes in is that the improv ecosystem is much more flat than we're led to believe. He rejects the notion that there is a dynamic hierarchy of "good improvisers" or teachers, and firmly wants to see people and institutions being put on pedestals. His goal as a teacher is to make you a peer, not a constant student (cash cow). That way there are more people to do good improv with!

    David is pursuing his PhD in Chester, UK. He lives there with his super talented and creative partner Monica Escobedo and their adorable new child, Q.

    You can find David and one of his most important projects at: www.facebook.com/BoostImprov.


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    • 1 hr 35 min
    Hellena Jang

    Hellena Jang

    Our guest for this episode is Hellena Jang.  Hellena is an improviser, instructor and agile coach in Seoul, Korea, as well as the founder of Imfrog - likely the first Korean language improv troupe on the Korean peninsula.  She was introduced to improv through Seoul City Improv, an English language troupe established by ex-pats in the city.  That experience led to perhaps one of the most intense deep dives into improv - a couple of extended, immersive journeys that Hellena took to learn about a great many of the North American improv schools, traditions and communities - that helped shape the force of improv that is Hellena Jang.

    In this episode, we talk about that journey, a bit about the European and Asian festival scene, leading in improv, her pioneering work, and the Korean language and culture and improv.  And Hellena is just fun to talk with!

    You may recall Hellena from her contributions to the Covid-19 Improv Summit in the following two episodes:

       COVID-19 Improv Summit — The Globalization of Improv Part 1

       COVID-19 Improv Summit — The Globalization of Improv Part 2

    You can connect with Hellena in a number of ways:

       hellenajang.com

       Facebook

       Instagram


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    • 1 hr 14 min
    Tanine Dunais

    Tanine Dunais

    Our guest for this episode is Tanine Dunais.  Tanine grew up in Iran, but discovered improv in the United Arab Emirates.  She later moved to Europe, and now resides in the Netherlands, where she pursues improv, bouffon, clowning, and more.  This episode features an interesting discussion on the theater traditions of  Tanine's homeland, and as well as an fascinating consideration of performing in a context of difference backgrounds and intersectionalities in an ensemble.

    You can connect with Tanine in a number of ways:

    Tanine Dunais is her website with many links to her varied work.

    @tanindunais • Instagram

    @tannin | Facebook

    Episode webpage: https://wp.me/paJcZS-Eg


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    • 1 hr 16 min
    Patrick Rowland

    Patrick Rowland

    In this episode, we talk with Patrick Rowland.  Patrick is a writer, comedian, and actor from Chicago, now residing in Los Angeles. He’s studied and taught at The Second City and iO Theater. His solo character work was featured in Alone, Chicago’s Best Solo Comedy at The TBS Just For Laughs Festival in 2013. Austin Comedy Short Film Festival nominated Patrick as Best Supporting Actor for his work in Mr. Mainframe.

    He is the creator of The Patrick Rowland Sketch Show, a web series he writes produces, directs, and films himself on an iPhone. He is also a founding member of 3Peat, a critically acclaimed, award-winning sketch/improv troupe, who has several sketches with Comedy Central's Digital platform, their most successful, The Blackening, garnered over 15 million views, and is currently being made into a feature.

    Patrick hosted a late-night talk show as former President Barack Obama called Barack All Night. Most recently, he participated in a virtual roundtable for Sony Pictures, which was led by Girls Trip producer and writer Tracy Oliver. Patrick currently writes for The Amber Ruffin Show.

    Links:

    PatrickRowland.net

    The Patrick Rowland Sketch Show

    Instagram

    Twitter

    The Amber Ruffin Show - YouTube


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    • 1 hr 9 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
7 Ratings

7 Ratings

illy Graham ,

Super Star Guests!

I'm super impressed with the line up of guests Whit has managed to chat with. Huge insight into the world of improv comedy both current thoughts as well as very interesting historical perspectives...this is really worth your time, peoples!

LaLunaLi ,

Inspiring and Refreshing

Whit makes me excited to continue to explore the craft of Improv. The guests he brings and the questions he asks provides me informative and practical feedback.

jdevevo ,

Connecting with Connections

Whit has a great approach to Improv that comes through in the podcast. Valuable and interesting to listen to.

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