Musical improv is exactly what it sounds like: an improvised musical. A bit of dialogue, and then a lot of singing and dancing. In addition to having its own challenges (such as song structure, rhyming, and narrative structure), a musical improv show still has to have great improv. In this episode, we discuss the challenges […]

A house team is a team that is created to perform regularly at a particular theater. At UCB NY, there are 3 levels of improv house teams: Lloyd, Harold, and the weekend. This episode talks about each level: why being on a house team can be frustrating and nerve-wracking, why it can be amazing and […]

Your first several years of learning long form improv will likely focus on scenework, the Harold, montages, and perhaps another form or two. In this episode, we discuss the other forms: why they’re important to learn and how they’re created. With Lily Du, Chris Scott, Kevin Mullaney, and Kevin Hines. Hosted by Curtis Retherford.

The Monoscene is a form in which the location never changes: there are no edits. In this episode, we talk about how it was developed and what to keep in mind while performing one. Featuring Kevin Mullaney, Lily Du, and Jenny St. Angelo. Hosted by Curtis Retherford.

Improv scenes should be more than just reciting lines. In this episode, we talk about how acting influences improv, and how to become better at it. Featuring Jessica Morgan, Molly Thomas, Morgan Phillips, Alex Dickson, Sebastian Conelli, Liz Noth, and Will Hines. Hosted by Curtis Retherford.

In a Harold, after the first beats and the first group game, the team returns to the first 3 games for second beats, and then does another group game, and then returns again for third beats. These scenes are chances to play more fun versions of the games from the first beats. Featuring Chris Scott, […]

Most theaters hold auditions to add people to their house teams. Every year around 600 people audition for UCBNY house teams. Molly Thomas, Chris Scott, and Morgan Phillips share their experiences with auditioning. Hosted by Curtis Retherford.

In a Harold, in between each set of beats is a group scene. These scenes can be tough if the entire team isn’t listening and playing together, but they can also be incredibly fun and change the direction and tempo of your entire Harold. Featuring Johnna Scrabis, Joey Price, Devin Ritchie, Lydia Hensler, and Molly […]

Each improvisor recounts the notes that shaped their understanding of improv or their understanding of themselves as improvisors. Featuring Jessica Morgan, Lydia Hensler, Jesse Lee, Jenny St. Angelo, Lily Du, Molly Thomas, Chris Scott, James Dwyer, Nicole Drespel, Morgan Phillips, Achilles Stamatelaky, Liz Noth, Sebastian Conelli, Alex Dickson, Devin Ritchie, Will Hines, Bill DiPiero, Kevin Hines, Joey Price, and Ray Cordova. Hosted by Curtis Retherford.

The 1st beats of the Harold are the most important part of the Harold. In each 1st beat, the ideas from the pattern game are transformed into characters, games, and worlds that will return throughout the Harold. Featuring Alex Dickson, Jenny St. Angelo, and Bill DiPiero. Hosted by Curtis Retherford.