If This Is True with Chris Hall

If This Is True would like to introduce you to comedian, musician, and author Dave Hill. The Pride of Cleveland, as he's taken to calling himself, has appeared on multiple TV shows; performed at SXSW, Bonnaroo, Bumbershoot, and Sing Sing; hosts the Dave Hill Podcasting Incident and History Fluffer; and wrote "Parking the Moose," "Tasteful Nudes" and "Dave Hill Doesn't Live Here Anymore." We discussed the importance of dogs, nurses and doing what you like in life. Give it a listen!

If This Is True wishes you a Happy New Year with a conversation with Bob Kulhan of Business Improv. Bob is an iO, Second City and Annoyance alum who took improv business seriously and created Business Improv, the company! Bob is an adjunct professor at Duke University and has taught his improv curriculum around the world! He believes that "yes, and" can be more than just an improv tool. The phrase can also help to garner respect and to communicate on a higher level. Bob also talks about his Chicago Cubbies and what makes his heart sing. For more information on Bob's business, go to www.businessimprov.com. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you the indomitable Susan Messing! Susan is an improvisation and comedy legend, who has performed and taught at iO, iO West, the Annoyance, The Second City Chicago and around the globe. Susan is also an instructor at DePaul University, the University of Chicago and the School at Steppenwolf. We talked about taking risks and how to move forward as improvisers, comedians and as people--to go toward that which is difficult. Give it a listen during this holiday season!!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to David Whitehouse and Jimmy Mak of Shadowbox Live. Dave and Jimmy are old friends and sketch comedy creators and innovators who make live sketches great. They discuss what makes a sketch great and how comedy has kept food on the table for them for more than 25 years. Give it a listen, won't you?

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Sean Geary! Sean is an improviser in the Bay Area who is also an educator and a physical trainer. Sean has worked at Endgames Improv with Wachaa and other improv teams. He is a big fan of Camp ImprovUtopia, having traveled across the country to participate in it several times. Sean believes that we should be more empathetic as a people and that improv can help with that. Give it a listen, won't you?

If This is True would like to introduce you to Siddharth Venkatesh! He is our first guest from outside the continent. Siddharth performs with Improv Comedy Bangalore in Bangalore, India. He recently performed at the ImprovIsAsian festival and works as an engineer when he is not entertaining people. Siddharth believes in connection with others, so he wanted me to share these links with you: 

www.facebook.com/ICBangalore

www.facebook.com/zmackcomedy

www.facebook.com/ImprovisAsianFestival

Give it a listen, won't you?

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto of the Nest Theatre in Columbus! Tara and Rance have been engaging audiences all over the globe, whether with iO, the Second City, or with their two-person improvised musical, "Here." These 20+ year veterans of improv have done it all. They opened their theatre, the Nest, in Columbus, OH--with a new location at 2643 N. High St., just north of OSU's campus. Speaking of campuses, Tara and Rance are now guest professors at both Ohio University and Columbus College of Art and Design. They talk about what it takes to run a theater during a pandemic, the joy of performing across the world and the relief that this is an explicit podcast! Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Vik Pandya! Vik is a nationally touring comedian and one-third of Team Us Comedy in Chicago. Vik trained at the Second City, recorded a #1 iTunes comedy album "Friends with (401k) Benefits" with Team Us in 2019. He waxes poetic on this episode on whiskey knowledge, living by his schedule and taking on acting. Vik will be headlining Zanies in Chicago on November 23. Give it a listen, won't you?

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Asaf Ronen, recently, of the Institution Theater and currently the Austin Creative Alliance. Asaf is an author (Directing Improv: Show The Way By Getting Out Of The Way), producer (Trust Us, This Is All Made Up) and the founder of www.yesand.com. You can also learn about the Alliance at www.austincreativealliance.org. We discussed the TJ and Dave documentary, the wonders of Austin, TX and the need for humanism in art. Give it a listen, won't you?

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jose Gonzalez, co-founder of the Torch Theatre in Phoenix, AZ, producer of the Phoenix Improv Festival, and founder and executive producer of Ghostfest. Since today is the opening of the 2021 Ghostfest, we thought it would be a great way to kick things off with this episode. Jose talks about the Phoenix improv scene, how he got started in improv, and how he keeps balance in his life. Give it a listen, won't you?