The Constant Struggle

Nick and Brie went to the Providence Rehab Facility to visit improviser and graphic artist Robert Ariss Hills, designer of our logo, and a great friend of Brie's.

Almost two weeks ago, Rob suffered a massive stroke. He still can't move the left side of his body. But is able to make Nick and Brie howl with laughter with talk of heavy metal music, Arnold Palmers and life inside the hospital.

Take a listen to this beautiful episode with our very dear friend, whom we hope recovers VERY quickly and is up walking again VERY soon (because Brie really needs to book him on the Monday night Humber shows.)

xoxoxo

Get well soon Rob!

Brie & Nick

#StruggleOn

In our latest episode, we chat with Holly Wyder and Allison Harris, writers & actors of the Fringe play "Getting Odd". With Fringe in full-swing here in Toronto, we find out about the Fringe play writing process, long-distance writing partnerships, the importance of a good team.

We find out about this team's background in musical theatre & chat about their future performing as a duo.

We talk about some of the Fringe shows we've seen to date, some of the struggles Fringe artists and comedians face (like flyering, ick!), but most importantly, we talk about "Getting Odd."

Getting Odd is a play about two women stuck in a cabin in the woods. One has been publicly shamed and ran away from society. She'd been gone three years when the other comes to find her.

Find out more about this wonderful work of theatre by listening in, and more importantly GO SEE THE SHOW:

Director: Emma Ferrante

Written by: Allison Harris and Holly Wyder

Fight Choreographer: Erin Eldershaw

Dramaturg: Ryan Hughes

Stage Manager: Phoebe Elisha Holst

Lighting Designer: Chin Palipane

Sound Designer: Glen McCann

Poster Design: Shane Patrick McClurg

#StruggleOn everybody!

Nick and Brie chat with theatre artist Laura Anne Harris about playwriting, solo-performance and writing and directing Fringe productions; from her first Fringe hit "Pitch Blonde" to plans for her newest production in the works.

She gives some Fringe tips and dishes on her favourite Fringe Festivals in the country. Super approrpriate as we go into Summer Fringe Season!

We chat about what it's like being a West-Coaster living in Toronto and about her upcoming move to Syracuse, NY. The importance of family and the sacrifices we make to be with the ones we love.

Oh also, there's a pretty sick Welland mention in there.

Struggle On everybody!

Tuesday was an epic day for the improv community in Toronto. The end of an Era. The last Wheel of Improv ever. We were lucky enough to chat with the creator of Wheel, Natasha Boomer, about closing out this chapter of her life and about what comes next.

We find out about her McDonalds-fueld pre-performance life, her introduction to improv, playwriting and the eventual creation of the Wheel. We chat about her healing journey and her interest in alternative medicine. 

And of course, we talk about her upcoming one-woman show "All Fired Up" which takes place:

Saturday, May 28 @ the SOULO Festival (Red Sandcastle Theatre) AND

From May 31 - June 5 @ Betty's (along with the remounted improv show STUCK)

In Episode 22, Nick and Brie chat with screenwriter Luke Coles about his writing process, his "struggle-job" (which is actually pretty cool) and the importance of spirituality in writing.

We talk about the importance of finding one's voice, being honest and finding your POV and we learn about an important teacher who helped Luke get and stay motivated. 

We tackle the issue of addiction as Luke shares his story about how writing helped his sobriety and that ultimately, writers write and writing is good!

In this episode, Nick and Brie talk with author and comedian Sharilyn Johnson. She chats about her time as a comedy reporter and her shift towards more creative goals, which include writing, improv and overcoming her anxieties around clown.

We discuss the issue of parallel thinking after the idea for her recent parody of The Producers was upstaged by Jimmy Kimmel's show.

And of course, we chat about Colbert fandom and the huge undertaking she took, writing a book devoted entirely to The Colbert Report: "Bears & Balls: The Colbert Report A-Z" 

Tune in & #StruggleOn everybody!

Follow Sharilyn on Twitter @thirdbeat

Buy her book TODAY: http://www.colbertfanguide.com/

In this episode, Nick and Brie chat with comedian Catherine McCormick, who's recently been invited to move to Los Angeles to work on a could-be huge comedy TV pilot. Find out how she got it, how she got into comedy, and why it was finally time to consciously uncouple from her day job.

#StruggleOn & follow her on Twitter: @McCormCorp

In this episode, Nick and Brie chat with their respective significant others: Kathryn & Dan and chat about the various struggles associated with being partnered up with a struggling artist. Sound like a fun idea? Only one way to find out!

Connect with us on Twitter @strugglepod & #StruggleOn

In this episode, siblings Nick and Brie Watson chat with actor and storyteller Gillian English about her upcoming tour of the Australian Fringe Festival circuit with her two one-woman shows: "Drag Queen Stole my Dress" and "Get Around Me".

We talk to Gillian about her love of Shakespeare, her theatrical education and her encounter with Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons. In a discussion about Gillian's storytelling, we learn about a previous trip to Australia, where she was sexually assaulted while representing Team Canada at the Australian Rules Football International Cup. We discuss the prevalence of sexual assault in sport and other domains, the damaging effects of language, and how when all is said and done, Gillian English won't back down.

Follow Gillian on Twitter: @Gillian_EnglishThanks for listening & #StruggleOn

Nick & Brie check in with their creative projects now that the Holidays are over and we've moved into, what Nick calls, "short story season." He's got a story on the go, and he gives us a sneak peak into the plot and process and finding out the story's main conflict.

Meanwhile, it's a new year, and Brie's got two brand new show formats coming out, and a comedy show on the horizon tackling mental health issues. Also, she tries, rather incoherently, to explain a Harold to a relatively new improviser.

Plug your ears in and #StruggleOn!