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Mischief Improv

by David Escobedo

Follow the start of an improv team in Chester, England. David Escobedo has been performing improv since 1995 and has directed/produced 100's of improv shows ranging from Long Form to Short Form, and from Street Performances to Happenings. This podcast will give you the Warm-Up's, Exercises and some of the challenges that arise from promoting, producing an improv team consisting of many people who have never heard of improv before! This documentation occurs as a requirement from his Master's Thesis from University of Chester and in conjunction with his internship at Storyhouse

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Episodes

  1. Mischief Managed Episode 47 - "How We View Improv as Permanent"

    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, go ahead. If you want to switch teams, go ahead. If you...

  2. Mischief Managed Episode 46 - "Leadership"

    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."

  3. Mischief Managed Episode 45 - "Rediscovering Listening"

    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 improv is different - and it should be. It should have the same...

  4. Mischief Managed Episode 44 – "USP and Branding"

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

  5. Mischief Managed Episode 43  – "Just Pick Something"

    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 "stop trying to find something, and just pick…

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

    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, as well as an excuse for future behavior.

  7. Mischief Managed Episode 42 - "The Value of Class"

    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 the most valuable experiences.

  8. Mischief Managed Episode 41 – "Improv Community"

    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 learned recently that the "community" can be wrong! Which…

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  9. Mischief Managed Episode 40 – "lmdkfjne082f4rff"

    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 misleading us to sacrifice the story or re-hash bits...

  10. Mischief Managed Episode 39 – "Most Dynamic Parts of Your Body"

    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 content at the end! Shhhh. It's a surprise tip.

  11. Mischief Managed Episode 38 – "Failures"

    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 vulnerability and we want "brand trust." If I run a team, I want...

  12. Mischief Managed Episode 37 – "Love and Conflict"

    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 other things for my degree that I have forgotten about...

  13. Mischief Managed Episode 36 – "Reminded of Courage"

    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 performers because then they have a more clearly defined scale...

  14. Mischief Managed Episode 35 – "Keith Hyland"

    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. He is great at finding a character within milliseconds...

  15. Mischief Managed Episode 34 – "John Guelke"

    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)

  16. Mischief Managed Episode 33 – "What Do I Share?"

    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 use of my time? Well, I walk you through that. I also...

  17. Mischief Managed Episode 32 – "10% of the Whole Activity"

    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 the academic community. Those statistics and works is...

  18. Mischief Managed Episode 31 – "Story Spine and Earn Your Wacky"

    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" is different and each has their own strength/weakness.…

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  19. Mischief Managed Episode 30 – "Jo Sarginson"

    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.

  20. Mischief Managed Episode 29 – "With Courage…"

    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 scene. Also how having new blood on a team of…

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  21. Mischief Managed Episode 28 – "Liam Webber"

    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 was a crazy great interview!

  22. Mischief Managed Episode 27 – "First Regular Show: What a Crowd!"

    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, Manchester, and Bangor to come together to just talk. It...

  23. Mischief Managed Episode 26 – "Driving in Cars with Improvisers"

    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 we drove through San Diego. Vanessa a gem. #improv

  24. Mischief Managed Episode 25 – "Sarcasm, Emotion and Take the High Road"

    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 for happiness and genuine sympathy Do take the high…

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  25. Mischief Managed Episode 24 – "Initials"

    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 team! It can teach the tropes associated with that genre...

  26. Mischief Managed Episode 23 – "Handshake Work"

    Lukas Kirkby guest coached us, and then we had a rehearsal where I introduced the Mischief Managed format to the new players. I go over some incredible moves the players did in supporting one another. We did the warm up I learned from Jay Sukow which is called The Handshake where the team invents…

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  27. Mischief Managed Episode 22 – "Too Beautiful To Stop"

    We're back for Season 3. I'll tell you how my non-auditions went, a little bit about our 4 new players and how we're diving into Short Form as a way to learn more about Long Form. We learned how to "sell it" by playing New Choice, Pillars, Hesitation and Sentence Fragments. All of these games...

  28. Mischief Managed Episode 0 – "Unplugged: Part 3"

    This episode is a few rapid fire questions to Maggie Noland and David Elliot. I get to ask them things like: If there was an improv moved named after David Elliot, what would it be? If there was a short form game named after Maggie Nolan, what would it be? If you walked to the top of "improv guru...

  29. Mischief Managed Episode 0 – "Unplugged: Part 2"

    Previously we had asked two of our talented cast member Maggie Nolan and David Elliot "what is the pompous things improv performers talk about?" … when we talked about it. This time we asked, "what don't improv performers talk ENOUGH about?" Give it a listen.

  30. Mischief Managed Episode 0 – "Unplugged"

    Between seasons I interviewed two of my improv cast members, after some drinks. We get raw and honest about improv as a community and some skills. This is Improv UNPLUGGED! Maggie Nolan, David Elliot and I talk about our experiences in the improv community. This episode we discuss what we see...

  31. Mischief Managed Episode 21 – "Improv ComicCon"

    Last show of the season, we had a great time visiting the incredible community in Nottingham. SOLD OUT SHOW! If your team has fun and gets along, you should do a tour! The van trip is so fun. Our final show was 10 months in the making and I talk about how the whole MissImp evening warmed up, then...

  32. Mischief Managed Episode 20 – "G.R.R."

    LAST rehearsal of the season. We talk about "good" and then "fantastic" improv. The warm-ups include a name game taught to me by Stuart Moses of the Improv London Podcast. We use it as a method to organically find the game. Then we did an exercise that was HARRY POTTER TROPE + TWO LETTERS OF THE...

  33. Mischief Managed Episode 19 – "Pineapple, Trump, Brexit and BLEEP"

    This episode I announce that my team operates in "seasons" much like a "theater season." I go over the advantages this has as an improv leader as well as for the members of the cast. It eliminates a conflict. For our last rehearsal we worked on taking bad suggestions. Suggestions that are...

  34. Mischief Managed Episode 18 – "FORMATS: Monoscene"

    One of the tougher forms to pull off as a show piece in my opinion. A Monoscene is one location, no edits, no time jumps, and no exits. There are less meta-improv tools at your disposal, and the scrutiny of the success comes in really deep characters exploring specifics through dynamic...

  35. Mischief Managed Episode 17 – "Words Won't Save Us"

    "How do you inject your idea into an ensemble scene?" An awesome question raised during one of our rehearsals. Words aren't going to save us – object work and relationships will save us. I talk about an older improv philosophy "get to the action." Which, over 20 years later, still has value.…

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  36. Mischief Managed Episode 16 – "Ouija Lottery Ticket"

    This episode comes after a rehearsal where everyone just made solid game moves. We did two warm ups into an exercise into a long form set. Our Warm Ups were: 5 Differences Character Monologue Exercise was: A Monoscene Yes, we did a long form format as an exercise to have that SKILL it exploits be...

  37. Mischief Managed Episode 15 – "Always Take a Little Improv Class on the Side" Â

    We have been exploring the improv format known as "The Quest" which is great for thematic improv. It helps us stay on target and gives us a brilliant jumping off platform to explore a story. Our opening is a group scene paint – into a hero's story. I also talk a bit about gatekeepers, and…

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  38. Mischief Managed Episode 14 – "Inspired by Jill Bernard"

    Two of Mischief Managed's amazing cast members go over a list of improv tips shared online by Jill Bernard. Jill Bernard is synonymous with improv, and her blog, articles and workshops have inspired thousands of people around the world. She is a constant source of insight for improv scene work…

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  39. Mischief Managed Episode 13 – "Lukas Kirkby"

    I explain an exercise we invented that helps flex your "long form muscle." This helps your team practice binding stories together and determine what truly is valuable to set up in the first few scenes. I also gush a bit about working with Lukas Kirkby and he runs a little Q & A with the Mischief...

  40. Mischief Managed Episode 12 – "Play, Just to be Happy" Â

    We have a guest from the cast, Rodrigo, to talk about the cultural differences he has in being from Argentina and performing in an English improv team coached by an American improv teacher. We also discuss some of his favorite improv moves that his teammates make and why he enjoys performing with...

  41. Mischief Managed Episode 11 – "Improv Super Powers"

    The end of this episode organically shifted to my group discussing how to view boundaries. It's awesome. Before then I talk a bit about the British Improv Project, Copenhagen International Improv Festival and how I tried imbuing my cast with super powers!

  42. Mischief Managed Episode 10 – "FORMATS: Funeral Service"

    Let's explore another format! The Funeral Service, is a controlled long form show that highlights relationships and is best served when you play the reality of the scene instead of making it wacky. Didn't have a rehearsal due to the holiday weekend, but looking forward to our next one! Thank you...

  43. Mischief Managed Episode 9 –"School for Schools

    I have an excellent guest on this episode. Phaedra is on the Mischief Managed team and has been a part of it from the beginning. We explore her background and some of the excellent moves she has made in scenes. It's fascinating to hear what she does in her field (DNA) and how that is juxtaposed...

  44. Mischief Managed Episode 8 – "Improv Teachers"

    A tough rehearsal, where I take credit for all the challenges. The team still rocked through it and trusted each other. All teams will have a tough rehearsal – a rehearsal where people just don't jell. Even through a tough rehearsal my team took big risks and trusted each other. I am beginning to...

  45. Mischief Managed Episode 7 - "The Truth Is ..."

    Vanessa Anton guests on this episode, and we talk about her coaching the team for International Women's Day. Our regular cast had the pleasure of working with several guests from other teams. After an online conversation with Dr. Ron Harvey, I decided to add an improv scene to this episode. After...

  46. Mischief Managed Episode 6 – "FORMATS: Le Rhonde" Â

    Le Rhonde is an improv format where the performers edit and enter scenes in a specific order. All their storylines are related to one another, but never cross over – unless your team decides to do so. The order creates a circle and you at some point come back to the first person. I also go over…

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  47. Mischief Managed Episode 5 – "Take a Moment Every Day and Just See Beauty"

    I sol- WE BOTH solemnly swear we're up to no good! I have another guest! Our warm-ups: Trust Circle Stretching Dog-Bark George Smith is my guest co-host for this episode. We deconstruct the last rehearsal and talk about some specific improv tactics. George and I touch on "justify and don't...

  48. Mischief Managed Episode 4 – "Give 100% to Your 10%"

    Kate Swift is my guest, co-host for this episode. Animagus Mandrake Roots House Elves We dissect the rehearsal and a bit of the show in Leeds. Kate is a brilliant student of improv, and has some observations that even people who have been doing this for years normally don't notice. We talk about...

  49. Mischief Managed Episode 3 – "FORMS: The Pretty Flower" Â

    Much like Episode 0 where I discussed and explained the Harold, I thought I would explain another long form format. I discussed the Pretty Flower, sometimes called the Family Guy Format. There is a flow-through scene which incorporates all the players. Then cut-to's or tagout runs branch off…

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  50. Mischief Managed Episode 2 – "Trump, Brexit and Split Scenes"

    We had some good experiences getting bad suggestions! I solemnly swear I'm up to no good. Here are the warm ups! Vera Verto Woodchucks Mirror Erised This rehearsal we went over some great improv mechanics! We worked on warping the reality of the scene with Split Scenes. And within those split...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Follow the start of an improv team in Chester, England. David Escobedo has been performing improv since 1995 and has directed/produced 100's of improv shows ranging from Long Form to Short Form, and from Street Performances to Happenings. This podcast will give you the Warm-Up's, Exercises and some of the challenges that arise from promoting, producing an improv team consisting of many people who have never heard of improv before! This documentation occurs as a requirement from his Master's Thesis from University of Chester and in conjunction with his internship at Storyhouse

HOSTED BY

David Escobedo

CATEGORIES

arts performing comedy

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Mischief Improv have?

Mischief Improv currently has 62 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Mischief Improv about?

Follow the start of an improv team in Chester, England. David Escobedo has been performing improv since 1995 and has directed/produced 100's of improv shows ranging from Long Form to Short Form, and from Street Performances to Happenings. This podcast will give you the Warm-Up's, Exercises and some...

How often does Mischief Improv release new episodes?

Mischief Improv has 62 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Mischief Improv?

You can listen to Mischief Improv 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 Mischief Improv?

Mischief Improv is created and hosted by David Escobedo.
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