Yes But Why Podcast

Today’s episode is the final segment of Yes But Why’s showcase of Out of Bounds talent and it is yet again an amazing double feature! This week, we are presenting our chat with local Austin improv powerhouse Chuy Zarate followed by our great conversation with comedy power couple Edi Patterson and Dan O’Connor!

Amy had a great time talking to Chuy Zarate! They couldn’t believe they had never met each other before as they are clearly cousins (just look at that photo)! In this chat, Chuy talks about how his stubborn nature has kept him going in improv, how #representationmatters in all aspects of theater, and how to navigate an active performance schedule when you have kids.

Support Chuy’s show TONIGHT on the final night of Out of Bounds!
(All info on oobfest.com)
An Evening With... With Tyler and Chuy Feat. Tosin
Mon, Sep. 3rd, 8:00pm at the Hideout Theatre (Downstairs)

In our 2nd interview, Edi Patterson and Dan O’Connor tell Amy all about how they met when Edi was taking classes at the Hideout and Dan came into town to teach a workshop. Listen in to their fun trip down memory lane as well as their deep discussion of improv as a calling and a lifestyle. Oh and also, we got attacked by wasps during the interview! Enjoy!

This week, Yes But Why Podcast features the talent of Joe Liss & Molly Brenner! To celebrate the Out of Bounds Festival happening in Austin (Tues 8/28-Mon 9/3), Yes But Why is interviewing some of the performers and workshop instructors that are coming to town!

In the first interview, we talk to actor/writer/improviser Joe Liss about his adventurous life of performing and creating comedy. Joe Liss is a really nice guy. He will be teaching a workshop during OOB weekend and he will also be performing with his duo improv troupe Liss N Sams! Joe shares stories about getting his Equity card at Second City, writing a movie for Chris Farley and immersing himself in the San Francisco improv scene. Joe has written and created many amazing characters during his career and he can help you find yours in his workshop!

In our next interview, Amy talks to comedian and content creator, Molly Brenner. Molly’s the kind of person that doesn’t let anything get in the way of her dreams. Listen in as Molly tells stories of overcoming her fear of public speaking, pulling herself out of the doldrums of writing endless lists and creating comedy from personal, vulnerable material. This was a great conversation with Molly about figuring out what you love most as an artist and focusing all your passion and drive on that! Check out Molly’s one woman show about sexual identity, “Molly Brenner Is Not Coming!”

Support these wonderful artists while they are in town for Out of Bounds!
(All info on oobfest.com)
Joe Liss’s Shows
Liss N Sams
Sat, Sep. 1st, 9:15pm at the Hideout Theatre (Upstairs)
Fri, Aug. 31st, 10:30pm at the Fallout Theater


Joe Liss’s Workshops
Saturday, September 1st, 11:00am -- Creating Character, Not Caricature

Molly Brenner’s Shows
Molly Brenner Is Not Coming
Fri, Aug. 31st, 7:00pm at the Hideout Theatre (Downstairs)
Sat, Sep. 1st, 7:00pm at the Hideout Theatre (Downstairs)

This week on the Yes But Why Podcast, we are releasing a very special combo episode! To celebrate the Out of Bounds Festival in Austin (Tues 8/28-Mon 9/3), Yes But Why will be speaking with some of the performers and workshop instructors that are coming to town! In this episode, Amy chats with comedian Ian Abramson and improv teacher, Will Luera.

In the interview with standup comic Ian Abramson, Amy and Ian talk about the internet’s obsession with Ian’s mustache, Ian’s love for vaudeville and the development of Ian’s show, 7 Minutes in Purgatory. Ian is very friendly and a little odd (in a good way) and he has great advice for aspiring comedy performers! During OOB weekend, Ian has plans to visit the Museum of the Weird and he says he would absolutely love it if Yes But Why listeners join him in celebrating Austin’s weirdness while he is in town!

In Amy’s discussion with Will Luera, they talk about his thirst for knowledge and his drive to share what he has learned with improvisers all across the world. Will started his improv journey at Boston College and he has since helped to develop the curriculum and the communities at both Improv Boston and the Florida Studio Theatre. Will loves to teach and it is evident in his exuberance as he talks about it. His workshops are sure to be amazing!

Support these wonderful artists while they are in town for Out of Bounds!
( All info at oobfest.com )
Ian Abramson’s Shows
Fri, Aug. 31st, 9:00pm at the Velveeta Room
Sat, Sep. 1st, 9:00pm at Spider House Ballroom
Sun, Sep. 2nd, 9:00pm at the Hideout Theatre

Will Luera’s Workshops
Saturday, September 1st, 11:00am - La Fundación de Comedia Improvisada (taught in Spanish!)
Saturday, September 1st, 3:00pm - Emotions = Relationships = Game

This week on the Yes But Why Podcast, Amy talks to screenwriter and film producer, Bradley Jackson about what it takes to “make it” in a creative career. Amy has been a fly on the wall on a couple of projects Bradley has worked on so she was very excited to speak to him about his life in film. Bradley tells the tale of his first ever filmmaking experience, made in his dentist’s office as a kid; he talks about the formative education he got from UT’s Radio Television & Film program; and, he shares the trial and error of developing a narrative in the documentary film, Dealt. Get on the path to success with Bradley’s advice on identifying your creative focus and finding your team!
Watch Bradley’s recent films, Balls Out and Dealt on VOD and find his sci-fi series Crunch Time on Rooster Teeth! And keep your eyes peeled for anything produced by Bradley and his team at Ralph Smyth Entertainment because it will definitely be good!!

This week on the Yes But Why Podcast, Amy chats with Arcade Comedy Theater founder, Kristy Nolen about Pittsburgh and the great improv community she and her team has built there. Kristy tells funny stories about how she got on her first IO house troupe by going to see a band and how she decided to give dating her husband a chance at Boom Chicago in Amsterdam. She shares gems of wisdom from her experience as a casting assistant and as a comedy show producer. Kristy Nolen is a great example of someone who has built a complete and full life in the theater. Enjoy!

This week on the Yes But Why Podcast, Amy chats with TV writer Helen Krieger. Helen and Amy went to college together in Dallas and have worked together on comedy for years.  Helen tells Amy all about her move from... Read more The post Yes But Why ep 117 Grownish staffer Helen Krieger shares what it is like working in Hollywood as a female comedy writer! appeared first on Yes But Why Podcast.

This week on the Yes But Why Podcast, Amy and Wendell talk to improviser, playwright and middle school theater teacher, Jeremy Sweetlamb. Jeremy talks about starting out in the Austin improv scene at Monks’ Night Out in the Velveeta Room as... Read more The post Yes But Why ep 116 Jeremy Sweetlamb talks about the beginnings of the Austin improv scene and the next generation of theater kids coming up now! appeared first on Yes But Why Podcast.

This week on the Yes But Why Podcast, Wendell has his first ever solo hosting! Wendell chats with rapper Mike Fitts about growing up in Texas, playing and composing music, and starting an artist collective. Check out Mike’s new album coming out soon on Spotify! #echoisalwayslistening #becomeSpidermanagain

This week on the Yes But Why Podcast, co-hosts Amy and Wendell reconnect! We’ve missed Wendell while he worked hard out in the world and we’re glad to have him back! We got together to watch a couple Friends episodes together and then chat. Listen in as we talk about weird drugs, Houston, aliens, Michael Jackson, and the glory of being a fat idiot. Amy tells her classic story of when she had to join a gang in NYC. Check out this totally weird rabbithole discussion.

This week, Yes But Why #Podcast features Comedian, Rachel Austin. Rachel urges you to put your grocery cart away OR ELSE. We talk to Rachel about watching horror films in her own special way, about connecting... Read more The post Yes But Why ep 113 Rachel Austin of Fallout Theater discusses confidence, debate and fear. appeared first on Yes But Why Podcast.