If you get the chance to take an improv class with Maria Peters - DO IT.  She is an incredible mind in improv and has worked with legends. Her empathy and creativity in improv is some of the best I have ever seen. 

I have always enjoyed seeing Maria Peter improvise. There was one time I was in an improv class with her and the whole class did a group scene. During the scene, I could tell she literally listened to me.  She literally heard me and supported me.  So many others were trying to impress the influential teacher. They were trying to do big bold moves or funny bits. Maria was in the space with me, at that time.  And as a scene partner I felt so much trust.

I cannot recommend her enough. If you would like to find out more about this amaxing improv performer, you can find out more at: https://www.mariapeters.co.uk/

You can also follow her on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/mariapetersimprov/ 

I have had the privilege of seeing Ros perform several times and host improv shows. She has an authentic and vulnerable connection with the audience. Her simple shrugs, smiles or facial expressions commands the audience - because I feel like "friendship" is somehow inherent in her style.

I saw her Twilight Zone themed improv show, "After Dusk" and immediately thought, "I need to interview her."  

I am so curious as to her improv philosophy and what drives her to perform. I hope you enjoy this interview.

Here are just a few improv projects she is a part of:

Real Positive Poles - SciFi themed improv: https://realpositivepoles.com/

Up the Antics - a fantastic Bristol based improv and skethc show: https://www.facebook.com/UpAntics

Bish Bosh Bash - an improvised variety show: https://www.facebook.com/bishboshbashshow/

Murder She Didn't Write - an improvised murder mystery: https://www.murdershedidntwrite.com/ 

You can catch onstage or in class at the Bristol Improv Theatre: https://improvtheatre.co.uk/

Luana Proenca said in a comment on Facebook: " We don't tell stories, we enter them."

Now, I have been following Luana's journey via social media but that comment really struck me and I wanted to know more. I loved hearing her detail this philosophy in improv. And it really inspired me.  I have always felt that our service in improv is both to cater to the audience but not placate them - as humble guides through our stories. We are trail masters and taking care of the audience as precious cargo.

This was such a good discussion and I am excited for the chance to meet Luana in person.

You can find out more about her on her website: https://luanaproenca.wixsite.com/luanaproenca 

We also discuss her documentary during this interview, and here is a link to it!

"It was necessary to listen to other voices"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EviKrWSU2cY&t=25s 

#improv 

Dr. Julian Waite has been one of the most influential people in my life.  He was the supervisor for my Master's Thesis. His thoughts on documentation have resonated with me years later. Not only is he extremely intelligent, he is also a REMARKABLE performer. I have seen him perform several times - in fact he was in one of my improv shows. One of my FAVORITE jokes he made during that show was he was giving a scene notes. And he instructed them to hit the high notes of the scene, and the low notes of the scene. After profoundly hitting the importance of the high and low notes ... he then also said they needed to hit the middle notes. Lol, so everything?!?! It was so funny. It was like the perfect vague and pretentious note a bad acting teacher would give you.  Hilarious.

I hope you enjoy this interview.  I could talk to him for hours. From the very first question, he takes off. Dr Waite takes the concepts of identity and explodes it out.

So honored to have him in my life.

Monica Cordero-Cruz is such an amazing mind (and heart) in improv. I happened upon one of her thoughts online and it caused me to think so many thoughts - about culture and colonization in improv. I am so so so so thankful for this conversation. I hope you enjoy the interview as well!

You can catch Monica on the team SPIT improv in Manila. 

Here is a link: https://www.facebook.com/spitmanila/

They have over a MILLION followers on Facebook!

Colin Mee is a strategic and empathetic improviser. I have had the pleasure of hearing his perspective on improv (in bits and pieces). I was so happy to be able to sit down and hear a deeper share on how he attacks improv as a practice.

I am so thankful for his time. 

You can catch Colin as part of the MissImp community in Nottingham: https://www.missimp.co.uk/

You can also catch his improv team, Enter Player 2, at festivals and in Nottingham.

#improv 

I am so happy to finally present this interview with Roderick Millar. The first time I watched Roderick perform was as part of Somewhat Theatre at the Robin Hood Improv Festival in 2024. That show was ELECTRIC.  It was so good. 

Roderick regularly comments on social media posts with such great analysis and communication of his ideas. I have been wanting to chat with Rodericl Millar for such a long time about his views on improv. 

Whit Shiller - FINALLY, I get a chance to interview and get to know Whit Shiller a bit better. Such a fascinating mind in improv. I love his angle on the practice and Whit uses improv to create points of commonality.

I met Whit through his improv podcast, Improv Comedy Connection. He has some AMAZING guests on there. Not only that, but he gets them to talk about some interesting stuff!!

Check it out here: https://improvcomedyconnection.com/category/improv/

He is also the engine behind Fish Sticks Comedy.  Which practices what they call "other-centered improv." Which means on or off stage what they practice is for someone else first. This closely mirrors my own thought on acting in general.  

Had a great chat with Whit. I'm already thinking about having him back on just to learn more!

Here is more info on Fish Sticks Comedy: https://fishstickscomedy.com/

Andel Sudik and I have some of the BEST chats abourt improv. The way she views the practice, the community and the business of improv always inspires new thought in me. Her mind is placed in centralizing the positive pursuit of improving at improv - which may be skills, content or community!  She looks at how improv shows/teams fit into an overal fabric of the practice which reached out beyond time and distance. 

I hope you enjoy this interview with Andel. I feel fortunate enough to consider her a friend. 

You can find out more about Andel at: https://www.yesandel.com/

She is an improv global leader.

Part two of my interview with Tauri Laws-Phillips, Stephanie Rae, and Deana Criess Tolliver.