If This Is True with Chris Hall

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jo Rou and Ryan Santa of Imposters Theater. Jo is a veteran of the NYC improv scene, having studied and performed at the Magnet Theater, the Pit and the Upright Citizens Brigade. Ryan is a veteran of the Chicago improv scene, having studied and performed through iO Theater and the Second City Conservatory. How are their styles different? How are they similar? Give it a listen and find out!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jimmy Carrane, the master of the art of slow comedy. Jimmy has worked and taught at the Second City, iO, and is a founding member of the Annoyance. He was also in the original cast of the Armando at iO! He has written two books, Improv Therapy, and Improvising Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser with Liz Allen. Jimmy also hosts the Improv Nerd podcast. He teaches the art of slow comedy nationwide. We talked about improvising better and being a working improviser. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Deena Nyer Mendlowitz, an improviser, festival producer, playwright, and one of Ohio's Funniest Women, according to Cleveland.com. She has been recognized for her work in using comedy to promote mental health awareness and to destigmatize mental illness. Deena is the creator of This Improvised Life and Mental Illness and Friends. She is also the co-creator of a kind, funny, awesome 15 year-old boy. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to R. Kevin Garcia Doyle! Kevin is a theater and improvisation teacher, practitioner and actor who currently teaches at Le Jardin Academy in Honolulu, HI. He is the co-founder of the Hawaii Shakespeare Festival, a front man for the improvisational rock band Oil In The Alley, among many other accolades. We discussed musical improv and why it is important; Shakespeare and why it is important; and the joys of teaching. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Dana Quercioli! Dana is a multiple threat individual who acts, improvises, and writes comedy, whether it be with her BabyMakers partner, Colleen Doyle; her new pilot this spring, Gumshoes; or her hilarious podcast, Those Who Aunt. We talked about working hard, being humble and finding your voice. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Pat Byrnes--renaissance man in every sense of the word! He is a cartoonist, first and foremost, but he has also been a rocket scientist, ad man, playwright, improviser, and comedian in his illustrious career. Currently, he is a cartoonist for the New Yorker. Pat believes that all of his adventures have the through line of cartooning and that has helped him in many ways. Regale to the tales of his first sale, his putting on a full musical at a Catholic Church and his painting Matt Besser during a show. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Lulu French, owner and head instructor at Rocket Improv in NJ. Lulu teaches kids and teens the fundamentals of improv and team building. She has a laundry list of experience from the PIT and Gotham City Improv in NYC, plus years of musical theater experience, even touring nationally with My Fair Lady. We talked about the transition from musical theater to improv, innovative ways to teach and how to keep a business going in a pandemic. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Shaun Landry! Shaun is at least a quintuple threat of actor, improviser, teacher, director and theater president. This Chicago native is the artistic director of Oui Be Negroes, founder of the West Coast Improv Alliance, cofounder of the San Francisco Improv Festival and founder of the Ledge--a new non-profit theater in Los Angeles.

Shaun has come a long way from her days with Second City TourCo. She has worked with prisoners and dementia patients using improv techniques. We talked about working with drama therapy and what it takes to make it in the business and to start your own theater. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Kyle Siegrist! Kyle is a permanent fixture in the Columbus, OH music scene, playing in bands like Second State Butchers and doing his own solo projects. He is also the owner of Lost Weekend Records and Lost Weekend record label. Kyle got his start in the music business in the 80's and had an amazing trip to where he is today. Lost Weekend is celebrating its 19th anniversary on February 19 at the Ace of Cups. Kyle would love it if you could attend. You can find him at @lostweekendrecords on Facebook, or at www.lostweekendrecords.com. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Abdul Williams! Abdul is an award-winning screenwriter and producer, known for the Lottery Ticket, Surf 2, The New Edition Story, The Bobby Brown Story, and Salt N' Pepa. He is currently working on The Thanksgiving Text for Netflix. We talked about these projects, what it takes to be a good writer in any media and our time as Bobcats at OU. Give it a listen!