Yes But Why Podcast

This week on Yes But Why Podcast, listen in as I interview Stephanie Herrera, actor, writer, and entertainment insurance broker.

Stephanie Herrera is an Entertainment Specialist based out of Durham, Ontario, Canada. She is a Stage/Screen Actor, a Comedian, a Singer, a Writer, a Producer, an Acting Coach, a Director, a Key Note Speaker, a Corporate Trainer, a TV Host, and a Voice Actor. She has been the host and community producer on three shows at Rogers TV (Oshawa), produced, written, and directed dozens of interactive productions, comedy shows, and plays. She writes for film and television and has been Associate Producer and Casting Director for several productions in Toronto and Durham Region.

Stephanie is the founder and Artistic Director of Durham Improv Collective Inc, a not-for-profit which provides free/subsidized community programs with a focus on people with special needs and families at local abuse shelters. She has been fortunate to be a recipient of multiple grants through the Ontario Arts Council which has allowed her to teach thousands of students through Community Living.

Stephanie is also an insurance broker with McCAM Insurance Brokers Limited. In the entertainment insurance industry, her success is based on years of knowledge and experience in the Arts. Understanding the ins and outs of the entertainment industry, both in the for-profit and not-for-profit realms, Stephanie brings a passion and expertise that gives her an edge in the insurance field.

In our conversation, we talk about idolizing Carol Burnett, making musical improv with Jamie Lamb, and multi-level marketing for improv. Stephanie gushes about how much she loves performing, from singing onstage to acting on screen. She has an amazing drive to build her own entertainment business. Stephanie shares the story of how she first got into corporate improv. We discuss the ways in which we are connecting with our artistic communities. Stephanie tells me how she puts her personal touch on her improv classes.

Stephanie is constantly hustling because she loves working in the entertainment industry. From organizing events to teaching improv workshops to being on the board of the local theater, Stephanie gets involved and she is constantly looking for the next best way to help you!

Which brings me to this wild EXTRA part of Stephanie’s coolness – she’s an entertainment insurance broker. If you’re like me, you hadn’t even really thought about entertainment insurance before, but Stephanie helps me to understand. She is a total badass.

Support Stephanie Herrera by hiring her to teach you a workshop or act in your next film! Check out her improv school, Durham Improv Collective and donate to the cause! And, of course, if listening to this makes you realize you might need entertainment insurance, contact Stephanie and she can point you in the right direction!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

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. Treat Yourself. Get Audible.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by True Hemp Science! True Hemp Science is our Austin-based resource for vegan friendly, whole plant extract CBD oil. Go to TrueHempScience.com to peruse all the therapeutic CBD product options! Use code YesButWhy7 to get 7% off your order of $50 or more and get...

This week on Yes But Why Podcast, we are featuring comedian and podcaster, Ivy Le.

Ivy Le is a Vietnamese American comedian and writer based in Austin, Texas. Ivy has performed at Bedpost Confessions, Coldtowne Theatre, the Decatur Book Festival, Kollaboration, and more!

Ivy is the host and creator of the Spotify podcast, “FOGO: Fear of Going Outside: a nature show by the most reluctant host ever”. Ivy was selected to be one of the 10 out of 18,000 applicants to go through Spotify’s first SoundUp podcast accelerator for women of color. She is also widely published as a reporter, a poet, and an advocate on immigration and civil rights issues.

In our conversation, I talk to Ivy about what motivates her as an artist. She tells me she is obsessed with language and that makes so much sense. Ivy is pretty much always writing!

We talk about money and how that can be a barrier to entry for creative aspirations. Not everyone can just go out and take acting classes or dance lessons. But “you don’t need to have money to become a great writer,” she says. I love how Ivy so confidently and efficiently knocks down every obstacle in her way. Ivy currently writes in all the work she does – podcasting, public relations, journalism, comedy!

Ivy tells me about the Diversity Initiative that gave her the push to start her podcasting project. We discuss current day gatekeeping and the lack of opportunities for women of color in creative fields. Despite the uphill battle, Ivy gushes about what a great and supportive community she made connecting with the other women from the Spotify SoundUp podcast accelerator. She really makes the most out of every adventure she has.

Speaking of adventure, Ivy tells me about how her love of nature shows inspired her to create her podcast, “FOGO: Fear of Going Outside.” She talks about raising the money with Kickstarter and the dedication it requires to connect with the fans even before the project is made. She is an expert at marketing though, so FOGO podcast is loved by indoor people and outdoor people alike!

Support Ivy Le by listening to her podcast, “FOGO: Fear of Going Outside” on Spotify TODAY! All episodes of Season 1 are currently available!

You can also support Ivy’s continuous artistic growth by booking her to perform stand-up comedy in your next show OR by hiring her to act in your movie! She is seeking representation as a writer, a comic, and an actress.


Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

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. Treat Yourself. Get Audible.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by True Hemp Science! True Hemp Science is our Austin-based resource for vegan friendly, whole plant extract CBD oil. Go to TrueHempScience.com to peruse all the therapeutic CBD product options! Use code YesButWhy7 to get 7% off your order of $50 or more and get a free packet of 2 CBD edibles!

This week on Yes But Why Podcast, I am delighted to present my conversation with Australian improviser, Amanda Buckley.

Amanda Buckley is an actor, improviser, voice over artist and teacher.
She has been performing for over 20 years for theatre, corporate and festival audiences both in Australia and overseas. Amanda most recently has appeared in a series of sketches for Channel 10’s The Project and will next appear in the upcoming miniseries Fires, for ABC TV.

Amanda has trained, performed, and taught in Australia with Impro Australia, Impro Melbourne, Improv Theatre Sydney, The Big Hoo Haa Melbourne, Impromptunes and Spark! Alongside Jamie Burgess, she created the Musical Improvisation Intensive Workshop – The Musical Toolkit, which they have led across Australia and New Zealand.

In our conversation, we talk about the ups and downs of being loud and delightful. We chuckle about both being loud, brash, and obsessed with theater. Amanda tells me about the draw of the theater and how she started taking serious acting classes while still in high school.

Amanda shares her improv beginnings at Impro Australia. We talk about how she got into teaching improv and the joy it brings. Amanda tells me how she met her husband at an improv festival!! And we talk about how we were both at the Del Close Marathon in NYC in 2010 and how sad we are that we didn’t cross paths then!

Amanda is a flexible and adaptable performer. We talk about the voiceover and content creation work that has helped fill her time since the covid shutdowns. Amanda also chats about the sketch show that she has been working on that hopefully they’ll be able to debut sometime in the new year!!

Support Amanda by keeping an eye out for classes at Impro Melbourne, where she currently teaches. As soon as she can, Amanda wants to be teaching in person classes again! Also, check out the sketches she’s acting in for Channel 10’s The Project!


Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

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. Treat Yourself. Get Audible.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by True Hemp Science! True Hemp Science is our Austin-based resource for vegan friendly, whole plant extract CBD oil. Go to TrueHempScience.com to peruse all the therapeutic CBD product options! Use code YesButWhy7 to get 7% off your order of $50 or more and get a free packet of 2 CBD edibles!

This week on Yes But Why Podcast, listen in as I chat with Improvisation facilitator, training developer and Higher Education professional, Jess Napthine-Hodgkinson.

Jess Napthine-Hodgkinson is an improviser based in Glossop, England. She has been performing and teaching improv for 15 years. Jess is the co-founder of Glossop Improv alongside Sekki Tabasuares. Together, they provide a weekly online improv workshop to improvisers all over the world.

Being an improviser with multiple sclerosis (MS) led Jess to set up Brain Fog Improv – a space for improvisers with unseen conditions to share, learn and connect. Brain Fog Improv is a community of improvisers with autoimmune, neurological and other conditions that have invisible symptoms. It’s a safe space to share experiences and connect as well as a forum to provide support for others.

A self-professed “shy” person, Jess and I met in an online improv workshop called “Smoldering 101 with Stephanie Rae.” (Highly recommended by the way.) It was essentially staring at your own face while getting your confidence boosted. It was awesome. It never occurred to me that anyone on my screen was shy. Jess and I became fast Facebook friends right after.

In our conversation, Jess says that, as a child, she spent much of her time reading and so she had a rich fantasy life. We talk about all the ways we fill our creative cups, from taking online workshops to appreciating a painting.

We rabbit hole on visual art. First, we discuss how neither one of us can draw very well (not that that stops us from crafting). Jess mentions being impressed with the drawings of past guest Aree Witoelar and I agree I love his posts online.

We talk about Jess going to school for religious studies and being enamored of all the emotionally charged art that has been made for religions. Jess tells me of her love of Caravaggio’s artwork and the thesis paper she wrote about the religious undertones of movies like Bad Lieutenant and Taxi Driver. I believe this deep dive into art that Jess did in her higher education laid the groundwork for her future as a performer.

We talk about her mentor, David Ash, who introduced her to performing improv. Her work with Lancaster Improv Xpress gave her the confidence to teach improv and the opportunity to perform in international improv festivals.

This experience with her Lancaster improv community also really hooked Jess into being a diehard theater person (like me). Jess tells the story of when she moved to Glossop. On her first day in town, she went over to the local theater to ask how she could get involved. This is totally my MO as well when I have moved to new places so I loved this story.

We talk about doing improv online and the way covid has affected our work in theater. Ever the optimist, Jess says that the online improv workshops she has taken in quarantine have helped her to gain a new level of empathy and perspective. She also mentions recent joy she has found in just observing people. I am also glad people watching is back!



Ways to support Jess Napthine-Hodgkinson:
Attend free online drop-ins for all through Glossop Improv!
Glossop Improv was founded by Jess Napthine-Hodgkinson and Sekki Tabasuares to provide fun, free, and friendly drop-in workshops focusing on communication, confidence and creativity.
All levels of improv experience are welcome, from absolute beginners to seasoned improvisors.
Fridays 7-8.30PM BST
Get weekly zoom link via the Glossop Improv Facebook page

Support and join Brain Fog Improv!
Brain Fog Improv is a private Facebook group where you can talk to people in a similar situation about the ups and downs of being an improviser with an unseen health condition. You absolutely do not have to have a condition to be a member of the group, all are welcome.
Visit HERE to...

This week on Yes But Why Podcast, I interview artist and podcast producer, Traveus Lawson.

Traveus Lawson is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Always Press Record, Inc. (alwayspressrecord.com) He is the lead producer on more than 30 serial podcasts, with thousands of hours of content within the APRTV vault that is broadcasted globally via 24/7 live streams and On-Demand SmartTV apps.

Originally from the small town of Monessen, PA, Traveus Lawson moved to Los Angeles with his mom shortly after his father passed away. That was when he first saw a movie being made. The magic of that moment birthed a poet, playwright, painter, novelist, musician, filmmaker and now the producer known as "Tray the Producer."

In our conversation, Traveus and I go deep into the topic of what is art and who can make it. We talk about finding and connecting with your audience. We muse on creating in a chaotic world that seems like it doesn’t care about artists.

Traveus tells me about the evolution of his production company, Always Press Record. We discuss what it takes to produce the breadth of podcasts that APR handles.

We chat about the artists that inspire us – from long dead painters to present day musicians like Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Mdou Moctar, and Dave Matthews Band.

Support Traveus Lawson by downloading the Always Press Record app and watching the livestreams of all the amazing content he is putting out!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

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. Treat Yourself. Get Audible.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by True Hemp Science! True Hemp Science is our Austin-based resource for vegan friendly, whole plant extract CBD oil. Go to TrueHempScience.com to peruse all the therapeutic CBD product options! Use code YesButWhy7 to get 7% off your order of $50 or more and get a free packet of 2 CBD edibles!

This week on Yes But Why Podcast, listen in as I talk to Audio Describer, Bridget Melton.

Bridget Melton is an Audio Describer who has recently relocated to North Texas from the Chicago area. Active in the cultural accessibility community for many years, Bridget works to create a welcoming environment for all. Around the United States, and virtually, she can be found at various theatres promoting inclusion as an audio describer, advisor, or volunteer.

Audio Description is a service that makes the visual verbal. In theaters, in museums, and accompanying television, film, and video presentations, Audio Describers provide commentary and narration to guide the listener through the presentation with concise, objective descriptions of new scenes, settings, costumes, body language, and "sight gags," all slipped in between portions of dialogue or songs. Audio Description provides accessibility of the visual images of theater, television, movies, and other art forms for people who are blind, have low vision, or who are otherwise visually impaired.

As the main describer for Hamilton: An American Musical during its three year residency in Chicago, Bridget Melton live described over 25 performances. She also most recently live extemporaneously audio described the 2021 Presidential Inauguration for which she and her team won the 2021 Vernon Henley Media Award from the American Council of the Blind. Bridget can also be heard as a featured guest on “Know Your Narrator,” the weekly podcast made by the Audio Description Narrators of America.

In our conversation, we talk about how the pandemic has changed views on accessibility and inclusivity in the theater world. Bridget shares what it was like to do the Audio Description for the Inauguration and how amazing she felt to be part of that experience.

Bridget speaks about working with the Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium, and all that she learned from them about making theater more accessible to all. She says that since the move to Texas, she has been working from home; this has enabled her to connect with the larger community of audio describers and opened doors in her career that she never imagined.

Bridget tells me of her work in theater admin and box office roles before finding her niche in Audio Description. With Audio Description, she is happy to have found a job that combines a lot of the different creative work that she loves about theater. Bridget gets to do dramaturgical research about the play she is working on; she gets to perform the show alongside the actors, and sometimes even improvise when the play or live event evolves. She also talks about how much she loves the chance to interact with the audience before the show during the “touch tour” and during the show as she “describes” the performance for them. Bridget expresses her excitement to be able to do theater full time and in such a rewarding role.

Support Bridget Melton by hiring her to Audio Describe your event: https://www.bridgetmelton.com/ (Seriously, she’s won AWARDS for doing this work!) But really, hire ANY Audio Describer and you are supporting Bridget’s community and their efforts to make the arts accessible to all. (And if you’ve never heard of this but you work at a theater, bring it up to the boss! I mean, how cool is Audio Description?) Learn more about Audio Description, including resources and how to experience it at BridgetMelton.com/intro

You can also support accessibility in the arts in general by donating to the Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium, an organization that was a formative part of Bridget’s own access journey: https://chicagoculturalaccess.org/support/



Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of...

This week on Yes But Why Podcast, I interview writer and performer, Andy N.

Andy N is a poet, a musician, an open mic host, and a podcaster from Manchester, England. Andy N is the author of six full length poetry collections and he also writes a regular column for Manchester’s publication, The Sunday Tribune. He composes ambient electronic music under the name of “Ocean in a Bottle” and he co-hosts the always welcoming Spoken Word Open Mic, 'Speak Easy'.

Andy N is also a podcaster and he hosts 4 different podcasts: Spoken Label, an interview show much like ours which features chats with writers, artists and musicians; Reading In Bed, a podcast series he co-hosts alongside novelist Amanda Steel in which they have lively discussions about all kinds of books, comics and literature; Koll, Andy and Amanda, a short, weekly podcast discussing poetry, literature and Nature; and Wrestle Up, an AEW Wrestling Podcast he co-hosts with Dr Paul and Dray Zera.

In our conversation, we talk about Andy’s lifelong journey of writing and creating. Andy tells me about the writers’ workshops and open mics that he leads and how much he loves creative community. Andy N is absolutely overflowing with creativity. He loves writing poetry as well as ambient electronic music. We talk about how our writing has changed as we have aged and how our culture affects us. Andy shares his love of connecting with the global community of artists through his podcast, Spoken Label.

Support Andy N by reading his writing and listening to his music. You can also listen to his podcasts, Spoken Label, Reading In Bed, Coll, Andy and Amanda, and Wrestle Up.


Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

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. Treat Yourself. Get Audible.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service for workshop you buy!

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by True Hemp Science! True Hemp Science is our Austin-based resource for vegan friendly, whole plant extract CBD oil. Go to TrueHempScience.com to peruse all the therapeutic CBD product options! Use code YesButWhy7 to get 7% off your order of $50 or more and get a free packet of 2 CBD edibles!

(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 7/8/2021…posted on 8/16/2021)

This week on Yes But Why Podcast, I talk to improviser and marketing expert, Annie Schiffman.

Annie Schiffman is an award-winning improviser who is also the founder of Downstage Media, the Places Please Project, and Profitable Improv.

Like many performers, Annie stopped her onstage work when getting to rehearsals, auditions, and shows became too difficult alongside raising her two children. So she put her energy into helping other performing arts entrepreneurs. She started Downstage Media, a digital marketing agency focused on providing scrappy marketing strategies to performing arts organizations. Annie also recently launched the non-profit, the Places Please Project to give housing relief to theater workers in New York City affected by the pandemic.

With Profitable Improv, Annie joined forces with past guest, Jeff Rogers to help improv organizations learn the best ways to be financially viable. Their courses and events are for improv companies - schools, performing groups, teams, theaters, or troupes – to learn management and marketing strategies that will help build their business.

Annie is a great guest because she exudes the kind of confidence that makes you feel invincible.

In our conversation, Annie articulates what fueled her to start Downstage Media to help people in the performing arts. She believes in empowering artists and she works hard to show her clients that their work deserves to be seen. Annie gives smart social media and marketing advice.

Annie talks about the mentors and her family who supported her along her own creative journey. Annie tells me about her love for musical improv and about the experience of touring the country with GOGA and Chicago City Limits.

Annie shares some amazing marketing strategies for performers to try. She gives us a bunch of #FREEadvice throughout this whole episode!! Check out the Downstage Media YouTube channel for more! There is some gold in there!

Support Annie Schiffman by hiring her to help with the marketing of your arts organization! Check out Downstage Media and Profitable Improv for free tips and upcoming events and workshops! And, if you can, support the Places Please Project!


Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

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. Treat Yourself. Get Audible.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service for workshop you buy!

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by True Hemp Science! True Hemp Science is our Austin-based resource for vegan friendly, whole plant extract CBD oil. Go to TrueHempScience.com to peruse all the therapeutic CBD product options! Use code YesButWhy7 to get 7% off your order of $50 or more and get a free packet of 2 CBD edibles!

This week on Yes But Why Podcast, I talk to improviser Siddharth Venkatesh.

Siddharth Venkatesh is an improv performer with Improv Comedy Bangalore. In early September 2020, he co-created the ICB’s Facebook Community Group. It has since become a central hub through which improvisers all over the world connect! Outside of Improv, Siddharth is an engineer and he loves to play Indian classical percussion.

In our conversation, Siddharth tells me about the television show he was in as a kid and how that experience shaped his artistic aspirations as an adult. What a wild experience to have as a child!

We gab about music, both playing it and enjoying it. We discuss the idea of finding a balance between structure and chaos in both our creativity and our lives.

Siddharth expresses to me how he loves the current "globalization" of improv and how amazing it is that he gets to improvise with and learn from amazing performers from all over the world. Siddharth gushes about the great courses he has taken lately from improv greats such as Mandy Butler, Stephen Davidson, and David Razowsky.

Siddharth Venkatesh is all about building community and he wants you to join the ICB Community online! (I’m a member!) Check out the Facebook group, “Improv Comedy Bangalore Community,” for upcoming shows and jams! https://www.facebook.com/groups/2709820192587510

To support Siddharth, or to invite him to play in your show or jam, reach out to him on FB (https://www.facebook.com/sid.venkatesh) !

ALSO -- Siddharth’s first co-directed show will be streamed on the ICB FB page on August 7th and 8th. Check out “Gather Around: Childhood stories we share”! https://fb.me/e/1vJWgixuF

You can see Siddharth perform as part of Zmack's (https://www.facebook.com/zmackcomedy) Improv and Sketch comedy team "Typical Heroes". They have a monthly show live streamed on Zmack's FB page. Next show is on August 6th! https://www.facebook.com/events/382037306587409


Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

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. Treat Yourself. Get Audible.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service for workshop you buy!

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by True Hemp Science! True Hemp Science is our Austin-based resource for vegan friendly, whole plant extract CBD oil. Go to TrueHempScience.com to peruse all the therapeutic CBD product options! Use code YesButWhy7 to get 7% off your order of $50 or more and get a free packet of 2 CBD edibles!

This week on Yes But Why Podcast, I talk to improviser and academic, David Escobedo.

David Escobedo has been coaching and performing improv since 1995, starting his career in San Diego and Los Angeles. He has his BA and MA in Drama; and, David is currently pursuing his PhD in Drama with a focus on improv at the University of Chester in the UK. His Masters thesis paper was on how an improviser’s voice (background/experience) is the most valuable element to an improv team and show. David loves improv so much he wrote a book about it called “This Improv Book.”

In our conversation, David teaches me a lot about the beginnings of improv and a few important details and people that the history of improv does not often talk about. David tells me the story of how Neva Boyd and her “theory of play” inspired Viola Spolin to create improv games as a means of building community in Chicago.

We talk about how the culture of improv institutions has become more about selling a package and less about building a community. We discuss gatekeeping in both the improv world and in academia as David is experiencing it now. David mentions the book, “Whose Improv Is It Anyway” by Amy Seham as a great resource on that topic.

We chat about why we love improv and how we got into it. David talks about the value of connecting with people and the pure joy that one can find in an improv jam with friends.

Support David Escobedo by following him on his website, The Improv Boost, through which he spreads the joy of improv teachers across the world. We chat about how he wants us to focus most on the great improv teachers of the world and less about the improv institutions and this is the website where David puts that idea to work.

You can also check out his sci-fi themed improv collective, Wretched Hive Comedy streaming regularly on Twitch. And you just have to watch out for the upcoming projects of David’s Harry Potter themed troupe, Mischief Managed Improv via Facebook!

What else is upcoming for David Escobedo? Well, he is about to be a father in the next few weeks (likely days)!! So that’s exciting! Also, David will be continuously working on his doctorate in Performing Arts and will be awarded his punk rock PhD in two years.


Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

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. Treat Yourself. Get Audible.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service for workshop you buy!

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by True Hemp Science! True Hemp Science is our Austin-based resource for vegan friendly, whole plant extract CBD oil. Go to TrueHempScience.com to peruse all the therapeutic CBD product options! Use code YesButWhy7 to get 7% off your order of $50 or more and get a free packet of 2 CBD edibles!