In art form that is so temporary, we have a tendancy to view aspects of it as permanent. We think an improv team will last forever, or take classes with only one person... improv is organic. It stops, and starts. If you need to take a break,

Mischief Managed Episode 46 - "Leadership"

Mar 24th, 2021 43m 54s

I did a study for fun. I looked at communities and how communities interact with one another like organisms in an ecosystem. This is a portion of that ecosystem when talking about "leadership."

Mischief Managed Episode 45 - "Rediscovering Listening"

Jan 13th, 2021 7m 40s

How many improv workshops deal with "listening?" Like a ton of them. One of the issues we have with online improv is that the skills we used to use in person (observation, peripheral vision, etc) we can't use in online improv. Online impro

Mischief Managed Episode 44 – “USP and Branding"

Nov 21st, 2020 11m 10s

What is your brand? Your unique selling point? And why is that a benefit!

Mischief Managed Episode 43 – “Just Pick Something”

Sep 14th, 2020 10m 30s

Firstly and leastly, I talk about this entire podcast and why I started it. It’s all about DOCUMENTATION!! Which made me think I want to do a whole episode on “documentation.” Then we get into the heart of the podcast which is the concept of

Mischief Managed Episode 43 - "Systematic Racism in Larger Improv Groups"

Sep 2nd, 2020 15m 33s

I have been noticing a few trends in larger improv companies when addressing their lack of BIPOC representation on stage and as teachers. Leaders tend to use the same reasons across the board - and sometimes they are reasons for past behavior,

Mischief Managed Episode 42 - "The Value of Class"

Aug 20th, 2020 11m 16s

The value of class is not always what comes from the instructors. I do my best to make my workshops and classes have value beyond what I teach. In college and when taking classes at big improv institutions, I find the connections I make one of

Mischief Managed Episode 41 – “Improv Community”

Jul 1st, 2020 8m 57s

The problem with “Improv Community” is … In this podcast about improv, I talk about the Improv Community. No, I don’t just say why it’s bad – but I talk about why it’s not the faultless gold trophy so many people champion it to be. I have lea

Mischief Managed Episode 40 – “lmdkfjne082f4rff”

Jun 29th, 2020 9m 29s

Chaos. Chaos can lead to exploration in art. Also in improv, especially long form, the most impressive shows are not laugh-laugh-laugh, they are about “how did they do that?” Comedy is only a by-product of the process. Sometimes the laughter is

Mischief Managed Episode 39 – “Most Dynamic Parts of Your Body”

Jun 25th, 2020 8m 11s

Finally feeling like I’m getting back into the swing of producing things! Let’s talk about some of the physical tools you have when performing. Your hands and face – and WHY they are some of the most dynamic parts of your body. AND BONUS con

Mischief Managed Episode 38 – “Failures”

Jun 3rd, 2020 13m 9s

I talk about my failures, and specific ones in the last few weeks. “Struggle” has always been a part of improv – either as the scene on stage or off stage as part of the company/team. We don’t talk about it too much because we avoid vulnerabili

Mischief Managed Episode 37 – “Love and Conflict”

May 26th, 2020 6m 14s

Recently inspired by opening my own book, “This Improv Book”, to a random page and reading it. It’s funny because so much has happened (covid19, beginning my PhD, moving) since I published it earlier this year, and I’ve been reading so many oth

Mischief Managed Episode 36 – “Reminded of Courage”

May 7th, 2020 7m 47s

Had an epiphany while recording this. I talk about how the first third of an improv set should have confidence and not an anxious search for the plot. Writing a contract at the beginning of the show makes it “more comfortable“ for the performer

Mischief Managed Episode 35 – “Keith Hyland”

May 2nd, 2020 39m 25s

Interview with Keith Hyland of Broken Chair Improv and Liverpool Comedy Improv. Keith has come to improv more recently, but with a plethora of acting/performing experience. He is truly a giant energy to watch on stage, and his teams love him.

Mischief Managed Episode 34 – “John Guelke”

Apr 13th, 2020 42m 38s

Since we’re not having rehearsals right now, I thought I’d do a couple interviews. I have always enjoyed working with John Guelke. He has a very unique style and an awesome perspective on improv and art. Hope you enjoy it! (I sure did)

Mischief Managed Episode 33 – “What Do I Share?”

Apr 3rd, 2020 21m 35s

Today we go surfing … … the social media waves. I walk you through my process for sharing and commenting on social media pages. I run over 20 social media pages from FB to IG to Twitter (and a small number on YouTube). How do I make efficient

Mischief Managed Episode 32 – “10% of the Whole Activity”

Mar 26th, 2020 12m 55s

I talk about how a lot of the reward is not what happens on stage. We focus so much on skills and shows that over the years the BEST thing about improv has been the people I’ve met. It’s about the experiences. It’s important for us to talk in

Mischief Managed Episode 31 – “Story Spine and Earn Your Wacky”

Mar 26th, 2020 18m 54s

Let’s talk a bit about being “plotty” and a great book I’m reading, “Do It Now” by Parallelagramophonograph in Austin, TX. The difference in narrative improv between Los Angeles and England is almost polarizing. How the community views “plot” i

Mischief Managed Episode 30 – “Jo Sarginson”

Jan 31st, 2020 39m 13s

I get to interview one of our newer cats members, Joanne Sarginson. She is a joy to work with! Her creativity and ability to justify moves is astounding. We talk a little bit about “energy” and how that affects a show.

Mischief Managed Episode 29 – “With Courage…”

Jan 30th, 2020 23m 51s

Mischief Managed Improv just performed as guests at Deacon Street Arts in Leicester. This reminded me to go over some tips of how to be a good guest team in another community. I also talk about dynamics – hitting different visual levels in a sc

Mischief Managed Episode 28 – “Liam Webber”

Jan 14th, 2020 36m 7s

Liam and I had just performed in London at Hoopla Impro. We talk a bit about that performance but also talk about: When Should People Take Big Risks in Improv What Role Does the Audience Play Teaching Knowledge vs Constructivist Thinking It w

Mischief Managed Episode 27 – “First Regular Show: What a Crowd!”

Jan 14th, 2020 22m 24s

We had our first regular show at the Lock Keeper in Chester – and what a huge response! I talk about that. But first I mention this Improv summit I’ve been working on, where we got representatives from improv teams from all over Liverpool, Man

Mischief Managed Episode 26 – “Driving in Cars with Improvisers”

Dec 21st, 2019 34m 15s

I was in San Diego, and I was fortunate enough to get to interview Vanessa Anton, again! Vanessa Anton is a teacher and performer with Cornerstone Improv in San Diego. She also travels around the world teaching workshops. This was recorded as

Mischief Managed Episode 25 – “Sarcasm, Emotion and Take the High Road”

Dec 21st, 2019 26m 2s

This episode I talk about something very vulnerable to me personally. First off, we talk about conflict in improv teams. I give the three pronged advice of Sarcasm, Emotion and Take the High Road. Don’t use sarcasm Don’t use emotion – except f

Mischief Managed Episode 24 – “Initials”

Nov 24th, 2019 24m 9s

I made a blanket fort! In the best interest to mitigate echo. I talk a bit about “lying” during improv scenes and when character try to change each other. “Initials” is a game I invented for our team, and it works really well for any genre