Yes But Why Podcast

This week’s episode of Yes But Why features podcaster and arts educator, Rachel Oakes!

Rachel Oakes is co-host of the Story Song Podcast, a pop-culture comedy podcast that tells the story of the songs that tell a story. Rachel is also one of the Education Directors for Manhattan Youth’s after-school program. In addition to overseeing four Manhattan Youth after-school sites, Rachel helps coordinate the theater programs across the entire middle school community and chairs the in-house Literacy curriculum committee.

In this conversation, Rachel and Amy talk a lot about improv. Rachel tells Amy about the time she made a big move to Florida to work at the improv conservatory of Florida Studio Theater. Rachel talks about her passion as a teaching artist to provide kids with after school theater programs. Rachel also shares the joy she has when she is podcasting with her best friends on Story Song Podcast!

Support Rachel by listening to Story Song Podcast - www.storysongpodcast.com

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

Ever wonder how Austin got to be the thriving improv city that it is? In this special LIVE SHOW of Yes But Why Podcast, Amy Jordan interviewed some of the OG Austin improvisers about how the Austin Improv Community got started and the ups and downs of drama from the very beginning! This one gets JUICY!!

In this episode, we chat about the experiences of Estevan Chuy Zarate, David Lampe, Shannon McCormick, Megan Flynn, Catherine Zarate, Tyler Bryce, Les McGehee, and Mike D'Alonzo.

Estevan J. (Chuy) Zarate is an actor/director/coach from San Antonio TX. Chuy has been improvising for audiences for 29 years. He is a member of The Big Bash at The Hideout Theatre, The Known Wizards (Merlinworks faculty troupe), ¡Zarzamora! and more duos than he can count.

David Lampe has been performing in, directing and teaching improv in Texas since 1981. David started with the Comedy Workshop in Houston and went on to establish the first professional improv troupe in San Antonio. In Austin, David was one of the earliest members of Monk's Night Out and a founding member of Heroes of Comedy. He travels to festivals both nationally and internationally with his troupe ¡ZARZAMORA!

Shannon McCormick is an improviser as well as a film and voice actor. Shannon started his Austin improv journey at the Hideout Theatre in 2000 and he joined We Could Be Heroes at the end of that year. Shannon currently performs regularly with Shana Merlin in their troupe, Get Up.

Megan Flynn is an award-winning improviser with 30 years of experience in the Austin improv community. In Austin, Megan has performed in thousands of improv shows with ComedySportz Austin and Girls Girls Girls Improvised Musicals. She has also performed in LA, New York, Atlanta, Seattle, and Lindsborg, KS, among the most memorable.

Catherine Zarate is a long time Austin improviser but she doesn’t perform as often as she’d like to. She was with a 'Monk's Night Out' B Troupe called 'Inflatable Egos'. She has been seen on San Antonio stages with 'The Oxymorons'. She is also in a married duo called '20 Years and Counting' with Chuy Zarate.

Tyler Bryce lived in Austin when it really was weird. But then, in 2001, he moved to NYC to study improv at the UCB, the PIT, and Magnet. Since moving back to Austin in 2012, Tyler has been active in the scene, performing regularly in Flying Theater Machine, ComedySportz Austin, and the sketch comedy show Fuck It’s Hot.

Les McGehee is an author, comedian, and improvisation pioneer who has entertained and trained millions of happier people. Les’ National Comedy Theatre and ComedySportz teams have toured around the US and 14 other countries. Les also wrote a book called Plays Well With Others (A Grown-up Handbook of Improvisation and Play, Dalton Publishing).

Mike D'Alonzo is a founding member of The Knuckleball Now, and a long-time veteran of the Austin improv scene, as an original member of Austin Theatresports (then We Could Be Heroes), Gravy, and sketch troupe Catch 24. He has had sketches on Comedy Central and NBC. A short film of one of his sketches, "Nougat," won the Midnight Shorts Competition at SXSW and toured with "Spike and Mike's Festival of Animation." He is also a former member of LA Theatresports with Impro Theatre.

This show was recorded on Thursday August 8th at 9:30pm at the Hideout Theatre.

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

In this week’s episode, Yes But Why Podcast showcases singer songwriter, Aubrey Hays.

Aubrey Hays is an Austin-based musician who is set to release her debut album very soon this summer of 2019. Following the success of her 2018 NPR Tiny Desk submission, Aubrey started a band with drummer, Conner Ingle, and together, they currently perform all around the live music venues of the Austin, TX area and hopefully soon, across the country. Check out the 2019 Tiny Desk submission that they made together!

In this episode, Aubrey talks about growing up watching her mom make theater and eventually getting a theater degree herself. Aubrey shares the struggle to find her own way as a performer. She tells Amy about how music is her way to connect to an audience, especially her song, “Mean to Me.”

Aubrey was such a delight to talk to! Listen in for the discussion of both Aubrey’s creative process and the creative process in general. Lots of good talking points on what it takes to live a life in the arts!

Support Aubrey Hays by going to one of her shows and by buying her album as soon as it is available!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This week on Yes But Why, we talk to Andre Sobral, a Portuguese improviser who performs in various troupes in the Lisbon improv scene.

In this episode, Andre shares stories of the uphill battle that led him to his current creative life. We chat about how he learned improv in Sweden even though he didn’t speak the language and how that has made him a very physical improviser overall. Andre also talks about his performance philosophies and acting theories. Stay tuned to the end to hear Andre’s advice about generosity onstage!

Support Andre Sobral in Lisbon by attending the shows he performs with his troupes, Improv FX and 4 Misfits!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This week’s Yes But Why episode is a superfun chat with British-American comedy couple, We Are Thomasse.

We Are Thomasse is a Los Angeles based sketch group made up of married couple Nick Afka Thomas (who is British) and Sarah Ann Masse (who is American). They perform live shows regularly in Los Angeles and around the world. Their show consists of fast-paced, character-driven sketches, often with a twist of their own perspective as a British-American couple. We Are Thomasse has also had viral success making comedy videos. So much so that Facebook approached them to be a part of a pilot program for independent creators. They accepted their offer and saw a significant increase in their fanbase!

In this episode, Amy talks to We Are Thomasse as they are hiding in a closet in Disneyland. It’s how all the coolest comedians are doing podcasts these days (no big deal). Sarah and Nick talk about having confidence as a performer, writing satire for activism, and dealing with anger. We also talk about We Are Thomasse’s dedication to having a positive impact on the world and the work they have done to that end. Listen in for the story of the craziest show they ever did… in a living room… in The Netherlands!

Support We Are Thomasse by watching all of their videos on Youtube! And if you ever have a chance to go see them, you should experience the hilarity of We Are Thomasse in person!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This week’s Yes But Why episode features actor, author, and Disney enthusiast, Chris Lucas.

Chris is a lifelong fan of all things Disney. His admiration for Walt led Chris to create a one person show about Disney called “Of Mouse and Man,” and to write the book, “Top Disney: 100 Top Ten Lists of the Best of Disney, from the Man to the Mouse and Beyond.” Chris has also written two other books, “Seeing Home: The Ed Lucas Story”, the critically acclaimed book about his father, and “The Guide to Writing Letters to Celebrities: The secrets to getting in touch with your favorite stars.” Also a professional actor for over thirty years, Chris has been seen on the big screen and in television shows in supporting, recurring and featured roles.

In this episode, Chris talks to Amy about learning comedy rhythm from cartoons. Chris shares the story of his first acting gig in 9th grade – on Broadway! Chris shares how a sketch writing gig at Gotham City Improv landed him an associate writer job on Saturday Night Live (yes, that is him with Adam Sandler in 1993 and then again in 2018). Chris talks about vaudeville, writing advice, and opening for Lisa Lampanelli. Tune in! This guy has had a lot of adventures!

Support Chris Lucas by buying one of his books! And checking out the Top Disney blog where he updates his Disney obsession!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This week’s Yes But Why episode showcases Austin-based filmmaker Mei Makino.

Mei is currently in production on Inbetween Girl, a feature film that she has written and will be directing and producing this summer! Mei is a graduate of the University of Texas RTF program and she has been working consistently in film since she graduated! Amy and Mei recently connected at the Transform Film Fest where Mei was speaking on a panel about women in film!

In this episode, Mei tells Amy about her first film, a horror movie called “The Crittles” that she made on the family camcorder as a kid. We also talk about the “life-changing” Film Camp for Girls that she went to with Michelle Voss, the amazing internship she did at Apatow Productions, and the hard work she is doing right now with Creative Action to teach filmmaking to the next generation!

Support Mei Makino by seeing her feature film, Inbetween Girl, as soon as it is available to you AND by supporting all women in film! https://www.facebook.com/inbetweengirlfilm/


Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This week’s Yes But Why episode is a chat with podcaster, writer, and journalist, Win Kelly Charles.

Win is a total powerhouse of projects. She produces the Ask Win podcast, the Welcome to Journalism podcast, the Diary of a Fashionista podcast, and the Butterflies of Wisdom podcast! She writes books about her life and about living with cerebral palsy. She also writes novels about teachers and children’s books about butterflies! All the while, she is going to journalism school! Woo! We don’t know how she finds the time to do anything else but sleep. Still, she was kind enough to schedule some time to chat with Amy.

In this episode, Win talks about her mission is to help others with physical and mental disabilities to find a way to tell their story. She talks about the “creative person syndrome” that keeps her juggling so many projects. She shares stories about the tragic event that led her to write her first book, about her love of Marc Maron and his interview with Barack Obama, and about the technology that is the key to her prolific writing!

Support Win on all of her projects by checking out her website - http://askwin.weebly.com
And listen to Win interview Amy on the Ask Win podcast - https://askwin.simplecast.com/episodes/amy-jordan-sdW8q5IA

PS If you have connections to get Marc Maron on Ask Win and/or Alan Alda on Yes But Why, let us know! Internet, do your thing!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This week’s Yes But Why episode features Lipan Apache, veteran, filmmaker and activist, Fox RedSky.

Fox RedSky is a social justice warrior with a focus on reviving Native American language, history, and culture. Amy met Fox at the Transform Film Fest where Fox spoke on a panel about her first feature film, “Keep the Fire Lit: Lost Tribes of Texas.” After 3 and half years traveling all over Texas and parts of Mexico (and even making a trip to Standing Rock, North Dakota with her at-the-time 2 year old daughter in tow), Fox is ready to share her heartfelt documentary with the world.

In this interview, Fox shares the tumultuous stories of her upbringing as well as the recent successes she has had promoting and showing her movie. “Keep the Fire Lit” recently won the award for Best Doc at the Alaska International Film Festival. In this episode, we also discuss her upcoming project, the Turtle Island Film Festival, a film festival coming to Austin in March 2020 that’ll support native youth’s stories. This talk also gets very political as we discuss the erasing of the Native American culture in Texas and the efforts to control the narrative of history.

Support Fox RedSky and her activism by visiting keepthefirelit.com !

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This week’s Yes But Why episode showcases comedy performer, director and teacher, Scotty Watson!

Scotty Watson is the Master Teacher for the improvisational theatre program at ANDTheatre Company in New York City. He has also taught Improv & Advanced Sketch Writing for The Second City NYC. In the past, Scotty is an alumnus of The Second City Canadian National Touring Company and he has performed as an actor Off-Broadway, on television, in feature films and in a popular series of TV commercials!

In this interview, Scotty and Amy really hit it off! Scotty tells Amy about growing up in a funny family, doing a standup tour at 15 and meeting his wife when they acted in a play together! There are some great life lessons shared and a lot of good reflection on the state of the theater industry in the world today. Tune in!

You can read Scotty’s blog at https://www.scottywatsonimprov.com/blog
His book, Scotty Watson’s Improv Tips, is available NOW on Amazon.


Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.