PODCAST · comedy
Improv Interviews
by Margot Escott
I'm a psychotherapist/improviser and host Improv Interviews with some of the most interesting people in the world - improvisers. We discuss what improv comedy is and how they use it for helping others.
Episodes
-
236 Improv Interviews Rachel Rosenthal- A Renaissance Improviser/Coach/Director
Meet the fabulous Rachel Rosenthal! We met several years ago at the Sarasota improv Festival when she was part of the North Coast Hip Hop Improv! She is so fun and generous and we did an online class teaching me the basics of Hip Hop way before the pandemic.! Today, she resides in Portland OR…
more -
234 Improv Interviews Mary Lemmer - Improviser/Writer Researchers
Meet the fabulous Mary Lemmer. She is a brilliant person who has accomplished so much in her young life! Our paths crossed at a meeting with improvisers who had conducted evidence based research on the neurological and psychological benefits of improv! We talk about her improv journey and the...
-
233 Improv Interviews Dr. Ron Harvey-Community Psychologist/Improviser
Meet Dr. Ron Harvey , an improviser and professor of Psychology at the American University in Bulgaria. He is also the faculty co-sponsor for the student improv troupe, the 1st English language improv club in the Balkans. Dr. Ron studied improv in Chicago at The Second City as well as iO Chicago,...
-
235 Improv Interviews Patrick Short-Musician, Comedy Sportz Portland
Meet the wonderful improviser/coach/facilitator/musician Patrick Short! We had a stimulating chat about his 39th year anniversary as a player with ComedySportz. For 32 years he served as co-owner (with his wife, Ruth Jenkins) and GM CSz Portland, the producers of ComedySportz. He's currently the...
-
232 Improv Interviews Ruth Jenkins -Improviser/SLP
I met Ruth Jenkins a year ago and was immediately fascinated by her work in improv as a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP). She describes using her SLP and improv skills for people with Parkinson's and other neurological disorders. She has been improvising and teaching for over 35 years. She…
more -
231 Improv Interviews Dan Protess - Documentary Film Maker - stories that feed your brain and fill your heart.
Meet the incredible Dan Protess - award winning documentary film maker and writer. Dan and I met after I watched his fantastic documentary "Inventing Improv". He and his team did a fabulous job of highlighting improv history, featuring our good friend, Aretha Sills! He has also make other films...
-
Episode 230 Improv Interviews Cooper Shaw - Master of Dialects
I met Cooper at a Dialect class and loved her teaching style and her skills! We chat about her growing up in St. Louis and her early influences. She received a degree in Theatre Arts from New Mexico and eventually made her way to Chicago. A friend suggested that she take classes at Second City…
more -
Episode 229 Improv Interviews Robert Dassie
Meet my friend Bob Dassie! We had such a great chat! He is, and I don't say this often, a brilliant and kind person! We talk about his legendary improv-duo show WeirDass with his wife of 25 years, Stephanie. Next month (August 2026) he's be teaching at the WGIS! Thanks to Jay Sukow for…
more -
Episode 228 Improv Interviews KAREN DERRAH - Musical Improviser
Meet my dear friend Karen Derrah! We met through our mutual friend Max Schaeffer and more recently in a Musical Improv Show directed by Steph McCullough. She lives in Guelph, Ontario and has been playing and teaching piano for many years. Her love of improvisation and music was a natural fit to...
-
227 Improv Interviews Amy Angelilli - Third Space Improv
Meet the incredible Amy Angelilli, owner and ringleader of Third Space Improv. They are in St. Augustine, Florida, one of the coolest places in Florida! Since arriving in Florida in 2015, she has facilitated cooperative play experiences for people from 9 to 92 and every age in between. She’s also…
more -
226 Improv Interviews Peter Barg - Improv Dim SUm
Peter Barg has spent his life building creativity in high-pressure environments. Beginning as a messenger in New York City during the final era of physical film editing, he learned every aspect of post-production before advancing into advertising production with McCann Erickson, where he worked…
more -
225 Improv Interviews Ian McLaughlin-Boho Arts Founder & Co-Artistic Director
Meet the brilliant and charming improviser, teacher, filmmaker and so much more, Ian McLaughlin. He started his Improv career on a rainy night in London (see our interview with his partner Beverly Fox) and began an incredible improv journey. Ian was so easy to chat with and he describes his…
more -
Rita Ezenwa Okoro - Creative Culturist
I first met Rita a few years ago, during the pandemic when I learned about the Global Play Brigade – an organization right up my alley! She is a powerful woman who exemplifies how one person can bring positive change to so many people! Rita Ezenwa-Okoro is a dynamic creative culturist, and...
-
Improv Interviews Bob Mann - Nurse, Social Worker Improviser
Meet my good friend Bob Mann. We met during the pandemic and I had the good fortune to teach with him online at his alma mater, University of Oklahoma School of Social Work on "Improv and Therapy". Bob is an amazing human being who has dedicated his life to helping others. Bob has an Associate’s...
-
Bev Fox - Improviser/Writer/Filmmaker
Meet the wonderful Bev Fox! Bev has run Boho Arts’ School of Improv in Newcastle-upon-Tyne UK since 2003, serving a vibrant creative community of people from all walks of life. Bev’s improv journey began in 1988 on a rainy night in London when, as aspiring actors, she and her young sweetheart…
more -
221 Improv Interviews Emma T - Be open to Everything!
I first met Emma with a T during the pandemic online and was immediately taken by her energetic and playful improv. We chat about her improv journey starting in Bristol , including studying with The Bristol Improv Theatre, https://improvtheatre.co.uk She was able to continue to study the Art of...
-
David Escobedo - Dr. of Improv and The Improv Booster
David Escobedo is definitely an Improv treasure! Since we last spoke he received a Ph.D. in Improv Training in the UK. We chat about what that process was like and he gives great tips on anyone pursuing any kind of Ph.D. David is well known around the world as a fabulous improviser , author ,...
-
219 Improv Interviews Alex Mann - Improvising Sheriff & Author
Meet Alex Mann, Improviser, Actor, Author and a Corrections Officer with a Sheriff’s Office for 28 years in Boston, Massachusetts. I was particularly interested in his use of improv with first responders as I had spent several years as a Critical Incident Stress Responder in Florida. He has...
-
218 Improv Interviews Vishok Verma - Improviser/Coach & Dear Friend
Meet my dear friend Vishok, Verma from Bangalore, India. We've been colleagues for several years and he has even been a substitute coach for my Improv for Parkinson's Classes. He is continually bringing improv to his community and the world! He has recently started his "Yes, Let's Improvise for…
more -
Hillary Kane-Improviser,Director, Tech Guru & so much more!
We're starting the New Year with our good friend the talented and stunningly transparent Hillary Kane! I met Hillary through Billy Merritt (player with the original Upright Citizens Brigade) who created the BIT Comedy Network, https://bitcomedynetwork.com. Billy praised her leadership role at…
more -
Episode 216 Improv Interviews Kim Thanh Le - Joyful Improviser
Meet the dynamic Kim Thanh Le ! Many thanks to my producer, Bright Su ,for introducing us. We had such fun getting to know each other and learning about her improv journey! She was born and raised in Hanoi and loves her city. She is a Hanoi-based improviser/writer. She is the founder and director...
-
215-Improv Interviews Dr. Stephanie McCullough -Musical Improv Director Extraordinaire!- Part 2
In our second hour with Dr. Steph we explore her improv journey, starting as a musical director at Chicago theatre such as IO, Comedy Sports and Second City. We shared our love of the "mother of improv" Viola Spolin and discussed the myriad improv schools and forms that we see today. She studied...
-
214 Improv Interviews Dr. Stephanie McCullough -Musical Improv Director Extraordinaire!
Carlisle is the only city In County Cumbria, UK and one of the oldest cities, spanning 2,000 years. Someone who hasn’t been there quite that long is the marvelous Dr. Steph McCullough, world renowned musical improv director! In this first of a two-part interview, Dr. Steph describes her love of…
more -
Marc Warzecha - The Sketch Writing Genuis
Marc Watzecha is my friend and teacher and today we talk about all the great classes available at The Sketch School. Marc is the founder of this online training ground dedicated exclusively to sketch and short form comedy. Improv Interviews hosted Marc in August 2023 when I first started taking...
-
Improv Interviews Jennifer Estin -Film, TV , Theatre Actress
I had the great pleasure of meeting Jennifer Estin when I signed at the terrific online classes for the Annoyance, Improv Fiend! https://improvfiend.com We chatted about her childhood and how her mother created games that inspired her to pursue acting. Jennifer Estlin has been involved in the...
-
Marian Rich - Activist/Improviser/Author
I first met the dynamic Marian Rich at a Global Play Brigade event and later at an East Side Institute meeting. Marian, a New York City native, shared her journey from growing up in Manhattan in the 1960s to becoming a political activist and theater artist. Her father, a blacklisted character…
more -
Gael Doorneweerd-Perry - From Introvert to Improviser Extraordinaire!
Gael Doorneweed-Perry is a fabulous improviser and co-founder of Flock Theatre Amsterdam. https://flock-theatre.com/venue/flock-studio-treehouse/ He loves traveling and creating formats to explore and share, including with his partner on and off-stage, Laura Doorneweerd-Perry. After their tour...
-
Kitty Parker - Improviser/Writer
Meet my friend Kitty Parker. We met at the online Queen City Comedy School and I knew I wanted to get to know her better. I was fascinated by her writing about improv which you can find at https://medium.com/@kittyparker_8532 She moved from Europe to New Zealand where she discovered improv! Kitty...
-
Anděl Sudik - The Magical Mystery Tour of Improv
Wow! What a fabulous trip chatting with Anděl We laughed so much and she reminded me how playful improv really is! She is a highly sought after improv coach and director and her performances are truly inspiring! Anděl Sudik is a director, improviser, actor and writer based in L.A. and Chicago…
more -
Harold Payne-Multi Platinum Songwriter
What an incredible delight to spend an hour with Singer/Songwriter Harold Payne! Harold is also known as an Improvised Songwriter and wherever he performs he uses audience suggestions to create an incredible improvised song! In fact, Harold creates a song in this podcast! Harold has an impressive...
-
Debby Bloom-Sketch Writer/ Improviser/Accounting Professor & Teacher
Meet my sketch writing buddy, Debby Bloom! Debby is a fantastic writer and we've been in many of the same classes and writer's rooms at The Sketch School with Marc Warzecha. She has spent a lot of her life in finance and accounting but several years ago she decided to spread her wings and learn…
more -
Improv Interviews Margot Escott with Jay Sukow
Show Notes: Welcome to a milestone celebration — our 200th (well… 203rd!) episode of Improv Interviews with Margot Escott! Since 2016, this podcast has been sharing the joy of improv with listeners around the world, and today we turn the spotlight on Margot herself. With Jay Sukow as guest host,...
-
Liz Thompson - Improv to Writing
Liz Thompson is a vivacious and engaging screenwriter, puzzle/game creator, and development and mystery consultant, and this interview was so much fun! She fell in love with improv and storytelling in middle school and went on to perform, teach and found an improv comedy club in Chicago before...
-
Yael Schy - Zoomers to Boomers Improv
Get to know the incredibly enthusiastic improv player/coach Yael Schy. We explore her improv journey from dreams of being a dancer to becoming a wonderful improv teacher. Yael is truly unsinkable! Yael Schy, Founder, Zoomers to Boomers Improv, is a leader in using expressive arts in…
more -
Laura Doorneweerd Perry - Improviser Extraordinaire
Meet the wonderful Laura Doorneweerd-Perry! She is an improviser from Amsterdam and we had a laugh-filled chat in this episode. Laura is co-founder and co-director of Flock Theatre, but she has also been a member of the cast of multiple productions, as well as directing and producing fabulous...
-
Fena Ortalli - Improviser/Writer/Teacher
What a delight speaking with Fena Ortalli, known around the world as a brilliant improviser/teacher. He is the founder and editor of STATUS (Revisita de Improvisation) the foremost journal about all things impro around the world. This impro magazine has been published sine 2001Originally from...
-
Tim Orr - Improviser/Coach/Creator
Meet legendary improviser Tim Orr based in San Francisco. We had a fabulous chat about his life in improv, international travels and favorite movie. We spoke about his philosophy on improv and the importance of connections. He even gave me a tour of his home! He has been improvising since 1988…
more -
Improv Interviews Tim Yeo -Improviser/Coach/Musical Improv
Meet the fabulous Tim Yeo! He is from Singapore and has a fantastic improv theater at Ask Auntie Productions. He studied law in Bristol, UK and there he discovered improv at the Bristol Improv Society. He quickly joined the cast and has been improvising since 2011. He returned to Singapore in…
more -
Ashton Keys_Recording
Ashton Keys is a delightful therapist in Orlando, Florida. She is currently working on her Ph.D. and exploring ways that improv can be used in training therapists. I know you'll love getting to know Ashton!
-
Rebecca Sohn-Actor/Improviser/Coach/Musical Theater Singer
Meet the incredible Rebecca Sohn! She is originally a New Jersey girl but has had so many adventures since leaving home at age 18. She describes her father and how he fostered her creativity by building a stage in their basement for her to give dancing performances. Her dad involved the whole...
-
Rich Sohn - Master Improviser/Director/Writer
Meet the talented Rich Sohn! After being introduced to improv in college, he moved to Chicago in 1987, so he's definitely a seasoned pro in the Improv world. He studied, taught and directed at the Annoyance Theatre, IO and, Second City. As a teacher, he was at The Annoyance Theatre where Rich...
-
Matt Folliott - Comedian, Actor, Writer
Our producer/engineer Bright Su introduced me to an incredible human being, Matt Folliott. We had such a fun and lively conversation and when you listen you'll know why his last name foretold his career in acting! He grew up in Canada and had is own agent at ten years old! Matt is a...
-
Rebekah Walendzak Slepski Part 1 - Actor, Writer, Coach
I met Rebekah through Marc Warzecha at the Sketch School and knew I wanted to know more about this intriguing person! Rebekah is getting her MFA in Performance Pedagogy at Loyola Marymount University, Rebekah has been an adjunct faculty member at The Second City since 2008. She has developed…
more -
Part 2 Rebekah Walendzak Slepski - Actor, Writer, Coach
We continue our fascinating talk with Rebeka Walendzak Slepski and her journey in sketch writing and life. She spoke about her recovery from Hodgkin lymphoma and subsequent bone marrow transplant. Despite going through treatment and surgeries she persevered and went to Second City LA. She was on...
-
Diana Brown - Improviser, Actor, Writer and so much more!
Meet my amazing friend, Diana Brown. I've taken several Improvised Shakespeareworkshops with Diana and she is a real gem! We had so much to talk about that this is Part ! Diana is an improv artist, teaching artist, actor, producer, director and voiceover talent. She was voted Most Valuable Mentor...
-
Murphy McHugh - The Zen of Improv
Meet my really cool friend and great improviser, Murph McHugh. We met at a class with Billy Merritt, one of the founders of Upright Citizen's Brigade and I was struck by how effortlessly he played! He hails from DC and is quite a Renaissance man. I don't use the word "brilliant" often but it...
-
Nathan Keats Ph.D. - Improv and Autism
Nathan Keates is a lecturer, improvisation teacher and performer. Like many of us, Nathan became addicted to improv studying in diverse forms and even clowning. He found that his interests drew him to teaching improv. Nathan Keats has delved into researching improv, one major project being with...
-
Nick Johne - Improv Teacher extraordinaire
Nick Johne is a beloved Canadian actor and improviser. We first met in 2017 at the Chicago "Yes, and Mental Health & Improv Conference" and did a podcast in 2018. After getting a degree in Microbiology he began his improv journey in Toronto and joined the Toronto Second City Troupe in 1991. He...
-
Adrian Monte - Actor, improviser, Educator
What a wonderful time I had getting to know Adrian Monte. He is an Actor, improviser, and educator with experience in voice over, commercial production, and on-stage. Founder of DareDevil Improv- a Wilmington, NC based improvisation and performance training center focusing on comedy, community…
more -
Aree Witoelar - Improviser, Director, & Scientist
This week we’re delighted to interview Aree Witoelar the Norway based improviser. He is the founder and artistic director of Impro Neuf International, Oslo, Norway’s first English speaking improv comedy theater, with over 1,000 members from over 50 countries. A few days after our interview Aree...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
I'm a psychotherapist/improviser and host Improv Interviews with some of the most interesting people in the world - improvisers. We discuss what improv comedy is and how they use it for helping others.
HOSTED BY
Margot Escott
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Improv Interviews have?
Improv Interviews currently has 219 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Improv Interviews about?
I'm a psychotherapist/improviser and host Improv Interviews with some of the most interesting people in the world - improvisers. We discuss what improv comedy is and how they use it for helping others.
How often does Improv Interviews release new episodes?
Improv Interviews publishes regularly with 219 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Improv Interviews?
You can listen to Improv Interviews on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Improv Interviews?
Improv Interviews is created and hosted by Margot Escott.
URL copied to clipboard!