Go Through The Door - Fearless Improv

Welcome back! It's the last episode of our first season, and to mark the occasion, Diz is chatting with the very funny Cortney Warner of "Murder She Joked!" from Nashville TN. As usual, it's a wide-ranging conversation, covering topics including: Improv as a tool for writing The difficulties of Zoom-prov and performing when there's no audience. (Solution? Teddy Bears!) The "Pure Magic" of Improv Improv in Prison (not that she's done that, but, why isn't that a thing?) The otherworldly beauty of every single person to come out of Australia So, settle in, slap on your headphones and join us as we Go Through The Door with Cortney Warner!

We've got a real treat for you this week as Diz sits down to talk with Sarah Davies of the Improv Gym!  Sarah is a playwright, theater teacher, actor and improvisor from Kent in the UK. (Honestly, Sarah's CV is so long, we'd run out of space in this description if we tried to include it all!) Over the course of these 45 minutes, Sarah and Diz talk about a LOT of stuff, including: "The Henry" Putting your audience through a "Turing Test" Toddlers Running Downhill Having a scene partner combust "Bassoon Prov" Seriously, there's just SO MUCH in here, we're gonna need TWO lists! And that second list is: Working with an AI as a scene partner in Improbotics Why her students call her "The Taskmaster" On stage physicality Her obsession with the "Punch Drunk" show Twinprov! Whew! How about a THIRD list? No... wait. Instead, just listen to the show. It'll be faster, and way more fun!  So, put the kettle on, pop in the pods and join us as we Go Through The Door with Sarah Davies!

Welcome back! This week, Diz speaks with Improv Chattanooga player, Shellyta Chatman! Shellyta is one of those performers that does it all: Stand Up, Shakespeare, Drawing, Singing... and... of course, Improv! Among the many topics covered are: The struggles of the Introvert during a time of Quarantine Her love of "The Bat" Unwinding before a show with a Red Bull and a drawing pad Her recent entry into the world of Stand Up Comedy Shellyta also talks about her love for Chattanooga's own "Muse of Fire Project". This is a local program that teaches kids to write plays and then produces those plays (without changes!) for live audiences. For more info, or to get involved, check them out here on Facebook.)  (Oh, and Shellyta is also an accomplished Cosplayer. We don't talk about it in this interview, but you should definitely check out her work on TikTok and Instagram. Just search for "Simple Plush Toy".) So, pop in those ear bone conductors and join us as we Go Through The Door one more time!

This week, Diz talks with Kim Tan, Co-Founder of The Improv Company in Singapore! The conversation, which technically happened on two different days at the same time (thanks to the 12-hour time difference), covers a lot of territory, including: The Importance of Physical and emotional check-ins. Staying in the moment. How Curiosity and Research can improve your performance. They also talk about the process of building an Improv Scene from the ground up, and how, when you go through that door, you might just find a horse on the other side. So, kick back, relax, and join us 12 hours in the future for the next installment of Go Through The Door!

This week, Diz speaks with Chattanooga's own Malachi Nimmons Jr., live from New York City! A graduate of Chattanooga State's Professional Actor Training Program, Malachi left our fair city a few years back and has had quite the awesome career. From performing with Chicago City Limits in NYC, a run on Tru TV, and being a ([very] small) part of the MCU, Malachi has done quite a lot in the last few years. But, it's not all showbiz talk. The discussion this week ranges over a wide range of Improv- and performance-related topics, including: Getting comfortable on stage Letting go of ideas (instead of imposing them on others) Following the character Selling EVERYTHING you own, just to get to an audition Why Hasidic Jews Love him So, grab your quarantine Manischewitz, slap in those AirPods you purchased as a reward for staying inside for 8 weeks, kick back and relax as we Go Through The Door! 

Life is a funny old thing. In this episode, Diz catches up with a friend from High School, Chad Ward! Though they went their separate ways when they headed off to college, somehow, they both found their way into the loving arms of Improv! A writer by trade (check out his work for the "Savage Worlds" RPG system or his book, "An Edge in the Kitchen: The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Knives"), Chad spends much of his free time on stage with his troupe "Holodeck" in Apex, North Carolina. In addition to catching up, Diz and Chad discuss Playing Smart, the difficulty of letting go of your own (obviously genius) ideas, and how NPR can get you pumped before a show. So, plug in those head phones, and Go Through The Door with us again! Show Notes and Links: "Anger Scrapbooking": https://youtu.be/dhauhsUwFOU Chad's Writing: http://www.chadwrites.com/ Holodeck: https://www.facebook.com/holodeckimprov/ Improv Festivus: https://www.improvfestivus.com/

Welcome back! This week, Diz talks to Christopher Simpson, the founding Artistic Director of the Contemporary Theater Company in Wakefield Rhode Island. It's a wide-ranging discussion, covering some very diverse topics, including: Improv Marathons (Chris does a 36-hour marathon every year!) "Who-Dun-It?" Shows The Challenges of video-recording Improv shows The relationship between Improv and Sports Plus, Chris talks about a solo scene that turned into a terrifying "Go Through The Door" moment.... And how marriage may be the most important improv form you'll ever play. They also discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on theaters in general (and the CTC in particular). Like most Improv theaters, the CTC is a non-profit, so if you'd like to make a donation (or buy some merch) to help them through this time, please visit  https://www.contemporarytheatercompany.com/

Welcome back! This week Diz sits down with Improv Chattanooga's very own Felicia Whitaker!  It's a far-ranging conversation covering such things as: How Improv can improve your D&D game How bringing your teenager to your shows can lead to some awkward parenting moments The Jacksons vs The Osmonds (and the truth about the 1970s) The dangers of "Normalizing" a scene How people entertain themselves at Cracker Barrel So, ask your waitress for the Breakfast menu, pop in your ear pods, and join us once again as we Go Through The Door!

In this episode, Diz talks with Improv Knoxville Founder, Luke Bechtel! Luke is an Improv Chattanooga alumni who struck out on his own in 2019 and created his own troupe in Knoxville TN. They talk about "Truth" vs "Game" styles of improv, why cats would make great lawyers, the experience of starting a new troupe in a new town and the importance of having a regular Open House. So slap in those ear pods, pull up a chair and join us once again as we Go Through The Door!

This week, Diz sits down with Beth Long at the fabulous Fountainhead Taproom right here in Chattanooga Tennessee. Beth is a long-time performer with a background in dance, singing and performance art! (Just like Diz, except for the singing and dancing.) They talk about their days in performance art, the difference between an Improv "Gift" and a "Trojan Horse," the joys of slowly changing into an inch-worm, and why kindness is one of the most important qualities to have on stage. So, pour yourself a cup of whatever our sponsor is selling, find your favorite blanket, take a seat and Go Through The Door with us!