Improv 419

This episode of Improv 419 features LAD (Linsey, Atticus, & David)! We met in a 201 class one year ago then were cast together on the Hear.Say house team, Destination Unknown, where we played and practiced twice a week for 7 months. They are two of my favorite people in life and improv. Consider them evidence of the gifts and joy improv can provide. See the In-Studio Improv Set here: https://youtu.be/DFHPiXKUAMI

I’m honored to sit down with Glass City Improv co-founder Erin Kanary! She brought her Chicago improv training to Toledo and helped build the foundation our community stands on today. A master of wild characters and big laughs, Erin is an inspiring performer and teacher to learn from. If you’re feeling inspired to try improv, just remember: the worst thing that can happen is you make friends.

Today we’re joined by all-around talent and one of Toledo’s funniest people, Mike Santry! Mike is an improviser, filmmaker, and writer. He gives us a glimpse into what’s going through his mind when he steps onto the stage and the tools he uses when he has no idea how to start a scene or what to say. Even after eight years of improv, the nerves may never really go away, but Mike shows it’s worth pushing through and finding something to care about!

In Part Two, we step out of the classroom and into Jeremy Natter’s personal improv journey. This episode offers a look at how improv grows with you, if you stick with it. From the early lessons he learned as an improv beginner to now teaching those same lessons to new students, we only scratch the surface of Jeremy’s knowledge. He generously shares a perspective shaped by years of performing, teaching, and staying curious.

Welcome to your first improv lesson! In this episode, Jeremy Natter runs a mock Level One improv class with me as his only student. We break down the foundations of improv, explore “Yes, And,” object work, and techniques for discovering character. Join us in the classroom this week and stay tuned for more with Jeremy Natter in part two!

In this episode, Floyd and I talk about discovering improv during the pandemic, growing up a theater kid, and how performance builds confidence both on and off the stage. From musicals and auditions to drag performance, improv and sketch writing, Floyd shares how different art forms continue to shape his creativity and courage.

In our first multi-guest episode, we discover how best friends wandered into Level one, the benefits of improvising with people you trust, and improv as form of self-care. If you’ve ever wondered whether improv could improve your life, this episode is Exhibit A!

Teacher and teammate Josh Keidan joins us to discuss what makes improv more than performance. From the classroom to the stage, we explore how laughter, trust, and curiosity can build a supportive community. Bonus: a little improv scene at the end: https://youtu.be/-q-uMbWUmwo

This week we are joined by the immensely talented Toledo improviser and D&D devotee Ocean Alvarado, known for his big characters, arsenal of accents, and fearless commitment. We delve into the overlap between improv and tabletop storytelling, how to create safe spaces for newcomers, and the challenges of transforming voices into characters. Press play to discover how a little courage and imagination can build community!

On this episode of Improv 419, Liz Gordon brings big character energy and the rare ability to turn even the strangest suggestion into something human. We dig into letting go of perfection, rediscovering the joy of playing pretend, and the magic that happens when you commit to “yes, and.” From paperclips with personalities to a vase scene that careens into the absurd, Liz proves that “fun, not funny” is the best way to take the stage!

On this premiere episode of Improv 419, we are joined by improviser, teacher, and champion of embracing your weird, Katie Burkhardt. We cover her journey from Level 1 student to Level 1 teacher, discuss how improv builds community, and what it means to “ignore the audience” when performing. It’s a conversation about fear, connection, and the joy of getting silly with friends.