Next At Bat

The cast of Totes Recall (Dan Linden, Beth Gibbs, Dan Jaquette, and Molly Chase) discuss their roles in the production of the podcast and its surprisingly in depth consideration of the nature of memory. Through trying to remember a movies they’ve all seen, they discover interesting notes about what they forgot, what they remember incorrectly, and how important timing is for both the movies placement in culture as a whole, and it impact on an individual’s personal development. They talk about genre tropes and how films can subvert them, for better or for worse, and try to keep in mind that all art is subjunctive, so you should try to give it a chance. They also do their best to make sure our podcast passes both the Bechdel Test and the Minority Report. Also, we kick down a bunch of doors to double check on Star-wipe.

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In this episode we recorded over a year ago, Carolyn and Michael Blomberg discuss performing together as the no-existing group, Blomprov (aka A-blom-bastic, aka Four Non-Bloms, aka etc.) for the last twenty-some years, though never for a paying audience. Carolyn talks about her pride watching Michael growing in the Twin Cities improv community and how it has brought her back to focus on the basics. They dig deep into their heritage, and consider how difficult an Armando can be. Michael discusses confidence pushing yourself to constantly be improving. Also, we find out “what’s going on” with all these “ch-ch-ch-changes.”

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Tim Hellendrung, Troy Zimmerman and Damian Johnson of The Adventures of Tim, Troy & Damian discuss how their ComedySportz short form improv background is the key to their heightening skills. They explore the progression of working together in various groups before Jill Bernard informed them that the form they stumbled on was in fact the form they should do henceforth. That form is characterized by focusing on relationships, playing versions of themselves, following the joy, and enjoying the journey more than the destination.

Also, we go on an adventure to the future.

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The Local Music Scene (Alex Collyard, Caroline Hitt, Erik Nielsen, Will Roberts and our own Philip Simondet (unfortunately Gubby Kubik, Luke Gonnella, Jeff Gyllen and Ali Rose couldn’t join us)) to explain the how their early shows performing Saturday mornings for almost no audience fostered the spirit of playing for the groups own enjoyment, and how that translates to an enjoyable experience for the audience as well. They discuss the difficulty of sharing focus in a large group, and the energy created when that group mind is harnessed as long as every member is fully involved in every scene. They talk about how enthusiastically embracing a seemingly stupid idea can lead to a successful show, and Matt explains how their side project, The Painters, is like a boy band. Also, we ask that age old question: does Robert De Niro have eyes?

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The Mighty Morphin Improv Rangers (director/technician Bryce Kalal and improvisers Amy Zajack, Cicely Lang, Zoa Green, Jeff Gyllen, and Michael Renner (Michael Blomberg and Will Roberts couldn’t join us)) join us to talk about working together as a team, both as Rangers and as improvisers. They discuss the original idea for the idea, and the realization that instead of saying “someone should do this” you ought to say “I should do this.” They also talk about how the tone of The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers has a hammy positivity that lends itself well to the collaborative nature of improv, and how staying true to character is often funnier than going for the joke (although going for the pun is always OK.) They get into the safety considerations of their evolving form of stage combat, and consider how much of a narrative can be “set in stone” before a set begins.

Also, the Improv Rangers battle Rita’s porcupine fashion monster (which Jeff’s in love with) with the help of Sew Master Marley and his assistant, Keith.

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MURMUR! (Meghan Wolff, Erin Kennedy, and Eric Simons) reveal the secret behind their name and how their form allows for a layering of increasing weirdness to create “perfect” scenes (whatever perfect is supposed to mean.) They discuss the balance between game and relationship, short and long form, and the difference between pimping, pimpin’, and Scottie Pippin. Matt brings back Matt’s Pantry (aka Matt’s Continental Congress) and we talk about swearing. Then we perform the perfect scene: Horace Grant and the Wickets.

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It’s been two years since we posted our first episode, so we had our first guests, M4W, back to celebrate with us. Joe Halverson, Casey Haeg, and Jordan Bainer (sort of) discuss how much has changed in the past two years. They said, “fuck the hook” and found a form that allows them to get their characters’ inner thoughts out in the open, and doesn’t create such a large promise to the audience to remember so many details. They also talk about how to be comfortable playing uncomfortable situations or characters, and get some improv wisdom from special guest, Michael Jordan. Also, Casey literally finds out what it’s like to have comic books shoved in her.

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The creators of Cold Read Podcast, Alex Collyard, Gubby Kubik, and Jeff Arcand, discuss the conception for the show as a forum to make it easier to present sketch and evolution of their show. They explore how sketch and improv are different but complimentary, different writing styles, finding your sense of humor, the hardships of editing, and the importance of Gubby’s computer. Also, we confront Alex about his hands hitting the table, but get sidetracked talking about some sketched we’ve written.

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Snack Time (Kristen Pichette, Mike Trost, Michael Larson, Jojo Franzen, Lauren Chesnut, and Lauren Schwein (Emily Larkin, Caroline Hittt and Michael Blomberg couldn’t make it)) prove difficult for Matt to reign in. They discuss how coming up in improv together has led to an incredibly supportive dynamic, the value of knowing your scene partners super well, the importance of rehearsing even when you don’t have a show coming up, and the power of agreement. They also teach Philip and Matt about friendship and please the cat leader with their milk bath pregnancies.

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Joe Bozic, Heather Meyer, Mike Fotis, Ian Fishman, and Abe Vanderbent talk about the Sketch Lab program that ran at the Brave New Workshop Student Union in 2014. They discuss the growth and future of sketch in the Twin Cities, the importance of deadlines, the differences between writing and performing, and writing for yourself and writing for others, and the power of friendly collaboration. Also, Philip reminds everyone that they are aging, and a sherbet theft leads to a lot of murders by cops.

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