Aaren Lasky

This week I sit down with the amazing Aaren Lasky — actress, singer, experienced improviser, and one of my dearest friends in the Atlanta scene. Aaren has a love of imagination and storytelling that goes all the way back to childhood, and we trace how that spark carried her through theater, voice training, and eventually improv.We get into the limits that show business tries to put on women and how improv became a tool to circumvent the gatekeepers and decide for herself who she gets to be on stage. Aaren also breaks down the differences between doing improv in New York versus Atlanta, why she thrives on structure, and what "grounded" really means to her, including the underrated generosity of saying no in a scene.From there we talk about her winding road home to Atlanta by way of a concussion and law school, her return to performing, and the projects lighting her up now — Heightened Improv (improvised Shakespeare and beyond), Poultry In Motion, musical improv, and more. We close on some of the deeper stuff: perfectionism, mental health, safety and accountability in comedy spaces, and why kindness is the true foundation of good art.Oh, and we burst into random songs a few times along the way. You've been warned. Enjoy this delightful conversation with the lovely Aaren Laskey.Send us a message, question, or topic!Support the showFollow us on Instagram - @thejoyofimprovpodSupport the podcast with a small tip - https://ko-fi.com/thejoyofimprovEmail any questions or ideas to [email protected]: Joel Camargo - Insta - @joelc1225Audio Editor: Matt Issacs - Insta - @mattisaacs20