150 — Interview: Jill Olson of Chicago’s StoryTown and Funny Bones Improv

Improv artist making a difference in Chicago Jill is the founder of Storytown, a Chicago improv troupe that performs every Saturday morning in an interactive show for young people.  Through Storytown , she works to cultivate creativity and arts appreciation while introducing audiences to story structure and problem solving. Storytown uses the core improvisation fundamental of “yes, and” so every suggestion and idea is accepted, embraced and developed. Storytown is a interactive improvisational musical that gives children hands on ownership of the arts. Children are encouraged to take an active role in Storytown. They can chose the location, design the backdrop, give suggestions for characters and plot, become characters themselves, and aide our performers in any way they can imagine.  Storytown becomes the canvas for their imaginations. Jill is also the current Chicago Director of Funny Bones Improv.  Through this organization, she is able to bring the magic of improv and laughter to children and their care givers in Chicago hospitals.  She is Improv Professor of Merriment with The Laughing Academy and Theater Teacher for Dream Big Performing Arts Workshop.  She has served as Program Coordinator for This Is ME and Child Whisperer for  The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival.  Jill Olson is originally from Towson University where she graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Theater Arts.  She moved to Chicago and studied improvisation and is a graduate of the Second City and iO Training Programs. The Geeks met Jill Olson when she came to our theatre as a judge for our Comedy Criminals Improv Festival and Competition, and it was a blast getting to know her.  So, we couldn't wait to have her as a Theatre Geeks guest.   In this episode she talks about the power of improv and theatre for kids (and adults). Music provided by Music Alley.