Next At Bat

Potty Talk (Laura Helmers and Katelyn Oliver) talk about their experience at the 2015 Twin Cities Improv Festival. We learn what color nail polish everyone is, how passive-aggressive Minnesotans can be, and who are shit bags. They discuss their preference for finding the funny in long, character-based scenes, and the danger of games and pop references.

Also, we visit the world’s worst therapist.

Follow Potty Talk at www.facebook.com/PottyTalkImprov

Follow Next At Bat at facebook.com/NextAtBat

Our first stand-up comedian guest, Patrick Susmilch, talks with us about the differences between stand-up and improv, and the drive to perform that is the root of both. He discusses the importance of being honest, having the confidence to be engaging, even if the audience isn’t laughing, and ultimately doing comedy for yourself. Then, in the long-running segment, Pat’s Corner, he asks Philip and Matt questions about improv, including how much pre-planning is acceptable, how to deal with being pimped into situations you’re uncomfortable with, and why some comedians go so blue.

Then, we find out what a MILFO is.

Follow Pat Susmilch at www.patsusmilch.com

Follow Next At Bat at facebook.com/NextAtBat

Ladyfriend (Beth K. Gibbs, Jen van Kaam, and Becky Wilkinson Hauser) comes back after two years to redo the podcast, and add some swears. They discuss the balance between practice and dedication, and just going out and having fun, and comment on current trends in improv, and how the Twin Cities improv scene compares to other cities’. They talk about how their last form played to their strengths and created characters as a group, but they won’t reveal the details of the secret new for they’re working on, no matter how many times you ask, or how many swears you add.

Follow Ladyfriend at weareladyfriend.com

Follow Next At Bat at facebook.com/NextAtBat

AVLA (Abe Vanderbent and Liv Augusta) talk about the history of, and their plans for the future of their sketch group. They discuss how their opposing styles are able to compliment each other because of a core similarity in sense of humor. They tell us why video is a good medium for perfectionists, the division of labor in the group, not starring in their own sketches, and the benefits of letting every person involved add their own voice to the project.

Also, we come up with the weirdest ad campaign Stouffer’s never wanted.

Follow AVLA at www.facebook.com/avlamn

Follow Next At Bat at www.facebook.com/NextAtBat

Michael DalleValle, producer of the Monsters of Improv independent improv show, which has been running monthly for 2 years, joins us to explain how starting the show for selfish reasons has lead to improving the entire improv community. He talks about the difficulty of performing at the “punk rock” venue, Honey in North East Minneapolis, and the satisfaction of having a good show there, despite the lighting and the noise from upstairs and the bathrooms and the pipes and everything else. He also discusses the hardest part of producing an indy show: marketing.

Also, an unprotected Philip’s Corner lead us into one of our darkest bats.

Follow Monsters of Improv at www.facebook.com/monstersofimprovmn

Follow Next At Bat at www.facebook.com/NextAtBat

Samantha Baker Harris, Sean Dillon, Adam Litz, Mike DallaValle, and Tom Winner of Nimblicity (unfortunately Maureen Tubbs and Jordan Bainer couldn’t make it and Jen Scott had to leave as soon as we were ready to start recording) talk about how a bunch of coworkers became an improv group about coworkers. They discuss the difference between close quarters and small town, and the importance of making scene be about the relationship, not the thing. They also comment on letting scenes breathe, finding your role, the groups diverse skill sets, and where to draw the line between realistic and absurd.

Also, we explore the inner workings of a calf-implant company.

Follow Nimblicity at www.facebook.com/nimblicityimprov

Follow Next At Bat at www.facebook.com/NextAtBat

Erin Sheppard and Dan Linden of Sheppard & Linden (never Linden & Sheppard) talk about how important branding is while Philip and Matt (never Matt and Philip) argue over billing order. They also discuss how their form allows them to be open to exploring whatever they find interesting, while always being able to return to the anchor characters that are versions of themselves. They list the benefits of working as a duo, the importance of making distinct character choices when populating a world with only two actors, and the joy (and painful realizations) that come from embodying each-other’s personas.

Also, we explore the spectrum of intimacy (mostly arguments).

Follow Sheppard & Linden at www.facebook.com/pages/Sheppard-Linden/755598534554769?fref=ts

Follow Next At Bat at www.facebook.com/NextAtBat

2015 Troika champions, Flowers For Megatron, (Andy Hilbrands, Erik Nielsen, and Mike Brenot) discuss not practicing, and how to judge improv. They talk about the satisfaction of a narrative conclusion, the benefits of an excellent tech person, and the importance of support no matter how bat shit crazy things may get.

Matt runs his classic segment, AATQATNK, and Philip asks about the value of learning French.

We also hear the story of a down on his luck demon muse.

Follow Next At Bat at www.facebook.com/NextAtBat

Courtney McClean (Twin Cities Hit Show, Courtney McClean and the Dirty Curls) talks about her many phases as a performer, the difference between stand up and improv, the inherent awkwardness of performers, want she wants for her band and how she finally feels ready for success. She discusses what naughty-billy music is, and how being in a band is like a relationship. We also try very hard to get Maker’s Mark to sponsor the show. Then Courtney (and Philip) play some songs for us. Mostly about having sex. With dead people.

Check out the Twin Cities Hit Show, which Courtney is a host on, at www.twincitieshitshow.com

and her band Courtney McClean and the Dirty Curls at www.dirtycurls.net

and follow Next At Bat at www.facebook.com/NextAtBat

The Hall of Presidents (Will Roberts, Jeff Gyllen, and Michael Renner) discuss how their non-parody genre form developed from an exercise doing impressions. The talk about how their common interests not only has created a group mind, but has also contributed to the incredible specificity in the mythology of the world they continue to build with each show. They weigh how much of a character based on a historical figure should be based on actual facts versus invention, how it’s actually easier to share focus in group scenes with a small group versus a large group, and the way to create well-rounded villains by focusing on their ignorance instead of their stupidity. They also reference a bunch of old Next At Bat episodes, and share a lot of trivia about presidents.

Also, the Presidents battle anti-vaccine zombie queen, Jenny McCarthy.

Follow Next At Bat at www.facebook.com/NextAtBat