Episodes
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 52 (Ian Zandi)
Ian joins Jennifer and David on a Bridge to discuss LA Improv and Standup, how he got started, and how his imdb page displays his degree status. Ian Zandi is an LA-based comedian jack-of-all-trades. With origins based in improv/sketch training, Ian uses those skills in his current pursuits as a...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 51 (Zach Atherton)
Zach joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to talk about his long journey through improv, his ideal performance style, and how he's creating a streaming platform for improvised specials! Zach Atherton is a 20-year improv comedy veteran who started his performing career with the ComedySportz High...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 50 (Jeffrey Thompson)
Jeffrey joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to talk about his journey, hecklers and video games in relation to improv. Jeffrey Thompson, MA, MBA, EA, is a writer, actor, magician, psychology professor, and tax professional from Los Angeles and currently serves as one of the four artistic…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 49 (Stacey Hanlon)
Stacey joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to talk about her first improv experience in NYC, the source of her creativity, and how improv has greatly affected her life. Stacey Reed Hanlon is originally from Akron, Ohio. She began her improvisational career in New York City in 1999, where she...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 48 (Michelle Gilliam)
Michelle joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to talk about her improv start, mono scenes, and her move to LA. Michelle Gilliam, is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and recently relocated to Los Angeles, CA. Michelle has over 20 years of expertise and experience in improv, and is the Owner…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 47 (Ally Tanzillo)
Ally joins Jen and David on a bridge to discuss their improv journey, improv in Tucson, and who exactly Uncle Roger is. Ally Tanzillo ( She/They) is the Creative Director of Etcetera, the Late Night Series of Live Theatre Workshop in Tucson. She is an actor, director, and improvisor, formerly of...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 46 (Shaun Landry)
Shaun joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to talk about her journey through improv, performing with her husband, and what starting a new theatre was like. Shaun Landry is the Founder of Los Angeles' new theatre The Ledge Theatre. She also co-created the first African American Improv Ensemble in...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 45 (Lavender Lashay)
Lavender joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss her mom tricking her into an improv audition, what she likes about long form improv, and the rich history of the Flaming Hot Cheetos brand. Lavender has been doing improv for about 7 years. She started when she was 13 in middle school.…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 44 (Carla Cackowski)
Carla joins Jen and David on a bridge to discuss how she got started doing improv, her duo with her husband Craig, and how much the pandemic has affected improv in general. www.instagram.com/carlacackowski/ twitter.com/carlacackowski
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 43 (Paul Vaillancourt)
Paul joins Jen and David on a bridge to talk about his tenure in improv, moving west, and his absolute pure joy and love for the craft. Paul Vaillancourt is the co-founder of the iO West and the Revolution Theater and has been teaching and performing improv for close to 30 years. As a teacher, he...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 42 (Dave Specht)
Dave joins David and Jennifer on a Bridge to discuss ImprovMANIA's new location, wrestling, and what he loves teaching about improv. David & Colleen Specht own and operate ImprovMANIA Comedy Club in Historic Downtown Chandler, Arizona. Colleen is a Chandler native and David moved to Chandler from...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 41 (TVunscripted)
Gabe and Ryder join Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss the move from Denver to LA, what's important for their duo, and how insanely strong Gabe is. = = = Links: = = = www.YouTube.com/TVunscripted www.TVunscripted.com = = = TVunscripted Bio: = = = Based out of Los Angeles, TVunscripted is…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 40 (Taylor Moschetti)
Taylor joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss how improv is now Dungeons and Dragons, Laughing Pig Theatre, as well as her work with the Bridge Initiative. @borntoeatcupcakes Theatres to check-out laughingpigtheatre.org bridgeinit.org
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 39 (Charlie James)
Charlie joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss improv during the pandemic, where they got their start, and why large improv teams are not their favorite. Charlie James is a comedian from Los Angeles. They're known for their TikTok sketches (@nonbinarycowboy) and comedy tweets for…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 38 (David Raftery)
David joins Jen on a bridge to discuss his start in improv, doing improv at an art show, and now what it means to own and operate a theater. David found his love for improv, like many, in high school. Pursuing it after graduating he ran a few troupes, most notably Names From a Hat in Tempe. He…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 37 (Brandi Bigley)
Brandi joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss their first ever experience doing improv, their new adventure in stand up comedy, and what doing better comedy means to them. Brandi (they/them/she/her) started doing musicals when they were 14 and became addicted to theatre. Improv has…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 36(Anthony Thornton)
Anthony joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss the sounds of animals dying, his improv start, and his beautiful singing voice. Anthony Thornton is a stand-up comedian, turned improvisor, turned stand up comedian (who does improv). He started his comedy journey at 18 and found some minor...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 35 (Justin Lukasewicz)
Justin joins David and Jennifer on a Bridge to discuss The Tucson Improv Movement, his improv journey, and what is important to him on stage. Justin has loved comedy since seeing Ghostbusters for the first time in the late 80s. In college Justin produced Misericordia University's first live…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 34 (Zahra Noorbakhsh)
Zahra joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss the state of comedy, her improv background, and how we can work towards a better overall comedy community. Zahra Noorbakhsh is a writer, director, and comedian. Her podcast #GoodMuslimBadMuslim was deemed a "must listen" by O, The Oprah…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 33 (Jason Davids Scott)
Jason joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss storytelling in improv, the parallels between acting and improv, and how they got started in the world of improv. Dr. Jason Davids Scott (they/them) is an associate professor and currently associate director at the Sidney Poitier New American...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 32 (Jose Gonzalez)
Jose joins Jennifer on a bridge to discuss his early improv career at ASU, his involvement with the Torch Theatre, and what his future holds. Jose Gonzalez [he/him] is a Phoenix native who teaches and performs improv comedy at The Torch Theatre, a nonprofit theatre that he helped co-found in…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 31 (Brian James O'Connell)
Brian joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss the art of improv, Pack Theater in L.A., and what BOC has been up to during the pandemic. Brian James O'Connell is a working actor, writer, director, filmmaker and teacher in Los Angeles. After selling his feature film debut as a...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 30 (Nick Armstrong)
Nick joins David and Jennifer on a bridge to discuss chicken suits, his favorite sandwich, and how he's involved in so much improv. Nick is an Actor, Improvisor, Director and Writer. On TV Nick has been on the Emmy-Award winning shows The Office and Grey's Anatomy. He has also made appearances on...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 29 (Josh Nicols)
Josh joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss Rise Comedy, doing improv in Cali and Denver, and what makes his improv brain tick. Josh is serving as the Artistic Director of Rise Comedy in Denver. Josh served as the Training Center Director for M.i.'s Westside Comedy Theater. He is a…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 28 (Nancy Yeamans)
Nancy joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss her improv/stand up background, Louis Anthony Russo, and why she prefers doing cleaner comedy. "Dr. Nancy" Yeamans is a fun combination of Psychologist, comic and cartoon book author. Dr. Nancy believes that "when you're laughing, you're...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 27 (Joey Shope)
Joey joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss his improv influences, show polish, and talk about his upcoming weekend with us. Joey Shope is an improviser with over 14 years experience performing and 6 years experience coaching and teaching. Joey has taken and taught classes all over…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 26 (Krissy Lenz)
Krissy joins David and Jennifer on a bridge to discuss the success of Circuit City, NCT, and her storied improv past. Krissy Lenz is the Director & Most Enthusiastic Person at the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre, Downtown Mesa's home for hilarious, spontaneous and interactive improv comedy! Krissy...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 25 (Meghan Ramos)
Meghan joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss her dream of opening a theatre one day, wearing different hats in improv, and her cat Red chips in every now and then. Meghan (est. 1997) has been doing improv for over 10 years and is the proud co founder and director of Ordered Chaos (est....
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 24 (Pat Finn)
Pat joins David and Jennifer on a bridge to discuss going on Family Feud, moving to Chicago with his best friend Chris Farley, and why improv is important to him. Pat Finn moved to Chicago with his friend, Chris Farley, to pursue comedy at a young age. After taking classes and Second City and iO...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 23 (Greg Proops)
Greg joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss his long and continuing run on Whose Line is it Anyways, doing improv in San Francisco in the 70's, and why he's the luckiest improvisor in the world. www.gregproops.com www.bridgeimprovtheater.com
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 22 (Vanessa Anton)
Vanessa joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss improv camps, starting in San Diego, and how she's traveled around teaching improv. Vanessa lives in San Diego, CA where she is the Director of Inclusion & Vulnerability for Cornerstone Improv and an Artist in Residence for Del Norte High...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 21 (Jay Sukow)
Jay joins Jennifer and David on a Bridge to talk about being positive in comedy, playing to the top of your intelligence, and why he loves clean comedy. Jay Sukow is the founder of Today Improv and has extensive experience helping businesses drive behavior change through improvisational...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 20 (Marisol Chavez)
Marisol joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to talk about the ghosts who do improv, how she got started in improv and was instantly hooked, and she even does her famous Tom Hanks impression. Marisol Chavez took her first improv class in 2013 (in spite of what she might have said in this podcast)...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 19 (Will Hines)
Will joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss UCB, World's Greatest Improv School, and he also answers questions from improvisors from around the valley. Will is a comedic actor with tons of improv experience. He's appeared on Brooklyn 99, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Broad City, Inside Amy…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 18 (Jeff Rogers)
Jeff joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss Chicago Improv in the 90's, restarting the Players Workshop, and how he almost tackled Stephen Colbert. Jeff Rogers is Wall Street Journal & USA Today Best-Selling Author, award-winning Television Host, Professional MC and sought after public...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 17 (Vikaas Kumar)
Vikaas joins Jen and David on a bridge to discuss Names From a Hat, the joy of stand up and improv, and how improv has impacted getting his masters. www.bridgeimprovtheater.com
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 16 (Stormchaser Improv)
Anatasha, Andrew and Travis join David and Jen on a bridge to discuss improv influences, what it's like starting a podcast, and how they have learned from each other in life and improv. www.instagram.com/stormchaserimprov/ Stormchaser Improv Podcast www.instagram.com/inchthickfilm/
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 15 (Nathaniel Montgomery)
Nathaniel joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss accidently doing improv his entire life, how to pronounce Prescott, and how it feels to do lots and lots of zoom prov. Nathaniel has been improvising and acting for over 20 years. He is a lighthearted improv teacher and coach living in...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 14 (Travis Johnson)
Travis joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss Bane's voice, what usefulness is improv during an apocalypse, and The Bridge Improv Theater's brand new location.
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 13 (Mandy Case)
Mandy joins David and Jen on a bridge to discuss corporate gigs in Maui, auditioning for power rangers, and making your scene partner the hero. Mandy has been performing and teaching improv for 15 yrs. She studied at the world renowned iO Theatre and has a B.A. from the Herberger Institute for...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 12 (Meredith Howell)
Meredith joins David and Jen on a bridge to discuss vacations in Hawaii, how improv is spiritual, and why bears don't get a fair shake in improv. Meredith Howell is a Phoenix native who has found deeper connection to reality through improv. She's currently finding ways to grow food in the valley...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 11 (Solomon Cruz)
Solo joins Jen and David on a bridge to decide when was the first time he lied/improvised. How music and improv are very similar, and how improv has changed his life for the better. Born in Richmond VA, Solomon "So-Low" Cruz discovered improv at a young age and continued to grow and utilize his...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 10 (Tony Cani)
Tony joins Jen and David on a bridge to discuss improv branding, how Tony won a raffle to be on the show, and what it means to hold a clipboard. David also mispronounces Tony's last name three times. Tony Cani started improvising in 2017 and has taken classes at the Torch Theatre, UCB, and…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 9 (Noah Goldenberg)
Noah joins David and Jen on a bridge to discus his life long experience doing improv, the great war of short form vs. long form, and what are some of the strangest scenes he's done. David's cat also makes a brief cameo appearance. www.bridgeimprovtheater.com
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 8 (Jacque Arend)
Jacque joins David and Jen on a bridge to talk about improv metaphors, the process, and what's it like wearing so many hats in improv. Jacque Arend starting improvising in 2005 via the iO Chicago Summer Intensive. She then joined the Phoenix Improv Festival team in 2006 and co-founded the Torch...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 7 (Michael Ziman)
Michael joins Jen and David on a bridge to compare improv to every sport they can think of. Michael talks about a fire in a penthouse in New York. Also, David doesn't play golf. Michael is a cast member at The Bridge. He also performs monthly at Second Beat Improv Theater with his teams Emeny and...
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 6 (Caitlyn Rogers)
Caitlyn joins us on a bridge to talk about stomach issues, her masters thesis on improv, and her journey through improv land. Caitlyn has been doing improv since 2014. She performed in Hale & Hearty, Franklin Institute, and Beeswax at The Torch Theatre. She once did a show at HUGE Theater with…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 5 (Jacob Cano)
Jacob Cano joins Jen and David on a bridge to discuss his podcast ideas, his journey through Improvmania and The Torch Theatre. We also debate how much time to devote discussing Beanie Weenies. Jacob Cano has been performing improv and stand up comedy since 2017 all over the valley. He began…
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 4 (Mike Mazzella)
Mike Mazzella joins Jen and David on a Bridge to talk about his improv life. We discuss how he's used it to lawyer, his improv college days and just how far he's come since attending an improv camp as a child in Buffalo, New York. www.bridgeimprovtheater.com
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Building Bridges Improv Podcast-Episode 3 (Britanee Hudson)
Britanee Hudson joins Jen and David on a bridge to discuss her improv past, present and future. She discusses Names from a Hat, Hudson Bae, and how she has evolved in her improv life. www.bridgeimprovtheater.com