We talked to NYC-based improviser and show producer, Delmar Dualeh! Delmar talks with Jason about being raised in Harlem and Charlotte, how reading The Artist’s Way led him to try improv at the Magnet Theater, and how he overcame terrifying class shows. He discusses being known as “funny” since school, doing high school debate, hosting events in college, and stumbling into producing shows in NYC. He talks about his old speed-dating show, The Mingle and the dating-themed show Friends With Benefits (happening biweekly at Three’s Brewing). Delmar also describes building all-Black shows including The Black Convention, connecting with performers via festivals, lessons about auditions, going through his house team being cut, and practical advice for creating and promoting a themed show.

Friends with Benefits - Next show is Tuesday, July 21st 7pm at Threes Brewing Greenpoint

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We talked to psychic stand-up comedian, Karen Rontowski! We had a fascinating chat with Karen Rontowski, the psychic stand-up! Karen has spent decades as a touring comedian, appearing everywhere from The Late Show with David Letterman to Comedy Central, and she's also a professional tarot reader who blends full stand-up sets with live card readings on stage. She talks with Jason about growing up doing comedy bits as a kid, moving to chase stand-up, and how her psychic path and her comedy career grew up side by side. They dig into real stories from her life as a psychic (including one jaw-dropping one), what people misunderstand about psychics, gut instinct and deja vu, coherence and energy, and why she thinks everyone has a little bit of psychic ability in them. It's a wild, funny, mind-bending conversation, and it ends with Karen pulling cards live and walking Jason through the podcast's first tarot reading.

karenrontowski.com

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We talked to NYC-based actor, improviser, and improv instructor, Ivy Hong! We had a wonderful and long overdue chat with Ivy about her journey from a theater-loving kid in Santa Cruz to speech and debate to navigating the strict expectations at NYU, and eventually finding her creative home in the New York comedy scene. Ivy shares deep insights into the mechanics of performance, the magic of teaching Level 1 students, and working on the web series, "Making Out." It is a beautiful discussion about living authentically, learning when to break the rules, and chasing the "wild abandon" that makes live comedy so special.

Check out Making Out on Instagram: www.instagram.com/jana.keaton

Tickets to Slow Play: magnettheater.com/show/60746

For more on classes and shows at the Magnet: https://magnettheater.com 

Instagram: @IvyOfTheWorld, @MagnetTheater, @ThereItIsPod, @JasonFarrPics 

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The "Of the Show" Fellas are here to talk all that pop! "Best Friend of the Show," Rob, and "Brother of the Show," Trey, join Jason to talk about the end of the Late Show, Stephen Colbert, how SNL picks hosts, and chats a little about the movies this Summer. As usual, it goes off the rails!

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We welcomed back one of our favorite guests, comedy writer and author John Vorhaus! John’s first appearance was one of our most concise and informative episodes, and his return didn't disappoint. Jason and John discuss the enduring legacy of his book, The Comic Toolbox, and dive deep into his new projects, including the upcoming expanded omnibus, The Comedy Writer's Companion and his deeply personal new project, Sins of Commission - Thank God. John breaks down joke mechanics and talks the intersection of creative journeys and self-awareness to deliver a masterclass for writers, stand-ups, improvisers, and creators of all kinds.

https://johnvorhaus.com

amazon.com/author/jv

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This episode is the amazing LIVE taping in Brooklyn celebrating our 10th Anniversary! Jason was joined by "Brother of the Show," Trey and "Wife of the Show," Justina, for some surprises and we had performances from previous guests, Art Cai, Julia Schroeder, Myq Kaplan, and Seann Cantatore who also led a final special song. It was a special occasion and a great show! Big thanks to Young Ethel's in Brooklyn for having us!

Full video of the show coming to our YouTube soon! 

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We talked to Actor, singer, and comedian Erin Richardson! Erin talks about growing up in Northern Virginia, studying voice and musical theater, and moving to New York City where she accidentally fell in love with improv after seeing UCB. She discusses her work across NYC, including performing with the independent sketch crew BoogieManja (on the team Cliff Hanger), and why aligned goals, strong directors, and a supportive culture make a team thrive. She and Jason also talk about how her background in equestrian sports informs her drive. Erin describes doing musical improv, creating online character bits during the pandemic, her physical comedy and how it let her embrace the expressiveness she was once discouraged from. It's a great talk!

Cliff Hanger's next BoogieManja Show is June 18th:

ticketweb.com/event/boogiemanja-brooklyn-improv-the-lab-tickets/14943203

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In this mini episode, Jason makes a case for developing your talent over focusing your efforts on pursuing the big time. After hearing about musician Rick Beato's take on the industry and reading a response to that take from singer/songwriter, Mary Spender (Friend of the Show), Jason got to thinking about why it's so important for artists of any kind to develop. It's a thoughtful mini ep!

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In this mini episode, Jason talks about pre-show rituals. Do you have a routine you consistently do to get ready to perform? If not, Jason offers some suggestions for things you can do to set yourself up for a great show! He shares what he likes to do, what he'd like to do more often, and what he's seen others do before shows. A pre-show routine can be a great benefit, so try out these tips!

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In this mini episode, Jason talks about the outdate term "straight man" in common. Many have offered the alternative "Voice of Reason" but Jason discusses why this term, while sometimes accurate, isn't always the most fitting. Jason offers "the grounding force" or "tone-setter" as a stronger alternative to "straight man" and he discusses why, giving examples, and how the logic can be used.

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