Yes But Why Podcast

This week, Yes But Why talks to Stephen Davidson, trans improviser, music teacher and published author. In this episode’s chat, Stephen tells Amy about studying improvised music in Montreal, developing inclusive improv workshops in London, teaching theater abroad in Japan and Australia and SO MUCH MORE! After they chatted, Amy was so inspired that she bought Stephen’s book, Play Like An Ally! Look, it came this week! Buy your copy TODAY!

This week, Yes But Why talks to Christopher Sullivan, co-artistic director of Modjeska Playhouse in Lake Forest, CA. Christopher tells Amy about how he was a juggling street performer in high school, his experiences as Tall Ship Captain “Sully”, and his passion for the unscripted theater at his Modjeska Playhouse. This was a great conversation with a fascinating man! We had such fun! Listen in!

This week on Yes But Why, Amy interviews Mikey Heller, head writer of Cartoon Network’s animated series, We Bare Bears. Amy (and her baby son) are BIG FANS of We Bare Bears and she was overjoyed to be able to chat with Mikey and thank him for making her new favorite show! Mikey talks to Amy about the collaborative process of We Bare Bears, his start in cartooning, and performing standup comedy. This is an awesomely nerdy episode about story structure and creative process. SO AMAZING!

This week’s Yes But Why episode features Chicago improv teacher, producer and performer, Nelson Velazquez. Amy met Nelson a few years ago when he came to Austin for Out of Bounds with his musical improv troupe, Los Improviachis.
In our interview, Nelson talks to Amy about how long it can take to find your own voice, about falling into leadership roles and about finding a great mentor. Nelson is an entrepreneurial entertainer and his drive is awe inspiring!
He is doing so many shows that we can’t even believe it! He performs regularly with Los Improviachis, Salsation, Makeshift Up Improv, The Tony Stanzas AND he just recently started his own company, Improductions LLC to produce MORE fun workshops and shows! Whaaat??! Amazing!! Support Nelson by contributing to the Improductions LLC Patreon! Keep an eye out for this guy and take workshops with him whenever you see he is in your town!
Enjoy this episode!

This week on Yes But Why, Amy talks to Australian improviser Jaklene Vukasinovic. Jaklene shares her experience performing and teaching improv in Melbourne with Impro Melbourne and The Big Hoo-Haa. She didn’t always know that improv was something she should do but when she tried it, it changed her life. We talk about all the adventures that got her to where she is now. You can meet Jaklene next week at the New Zealand Improv Festival! Watch her perform at The NZIF Gala and take a workshop with her during the festival as well!!! Enjoy this amazing guest!

In this week’s episode of Yes But Why Podcast, Amy chats with Pirates of Tokyo Bay founder Mike Staffa! Amy cuts straight to the nitty gritty up top in this episode with a deep dive question about why improv fills Mike’s soul. Then, Amy and Mike talk about Osaka, the comedy capital of Japan, about connecting improv with Japanese audiences, and about balancing creativity with business. Mike was a great guy to talk to and he shares lots of stories about his experiences running Pirates of Tokyo Bay, Tokyo area’s only bilingual improv comedy community. This is a great podcast to listen to if you ever wondered what if you just decided to go do improv in another country. This is that story. Enjoy the adventurous spirit of Mike Staffa!

In this week’s Yes But Why Podcast episode, Amy and Wendell chat with Louisville improviser and producer, Stefan Gearhart as he celebrates 19 years of doing comedy. Listen in to learn how improv in Louisville, KY gets done! Stefan shares stories about performing beachprov in Florida, about roadtripping to Los Angeles and about producing the Dam Good Improv Festival in Louisville! We had a lot of laughs in this exciting conversation! Join us!

On this week’s episode of Yes But Why Podcast, Amy talks to Nashville performer Lacie Madison. Lacie started out her career in Nashville as a musician but then she fell in love with improv and now she runs the Nashville Improv theater! Listen in as Amy and Lacie talk about Stephen Fry, country music, Carol Burnett, counseling, Tom Hanks, musical improv and MUCH MORE! If you live in the Nashville area, go meet Lacie at one of Nashville Improv’s many amazing shows!

This week on Yes But Why, Amy talks to Delaware improviser Dan Stabb about the ups and downs of a career in improv.
Dan talks to Amy about filling the creative void after departing the short form troupe he directed for nearly eight years. Dan and Amy talk about what it’s like changing scenes from city to city, about producing the Tax Free Comedy Festival and about using the basics of Yes And to do life coaching. Dan is getting married soon and Amy gives him advice much to everyone’s chagrin! So fun! Listen in to this wonderful conversation between two likeminded improvisers!

This week on Yes But Why, Amy and Wendell chat with improviser and theater administrator Roger Anderson. Roger is part of the team that runs Station Theater in Houston, Texas. Roger shares stories of growing up doing comedy bits with his sister Caroline, moving to Los Angeles to do comedy and falling into the barbershop quartet scene. Listen in as Amy and Wendell chat and laugh with the funny and sweet Roger Anderson!