The core of Zen Buddhist thought is the Four Noble Truths and the Noble eightfold path which get very specific about the characteristics you need to develop in yourself for a succesful life. They also happen to apply ver well to improv as well as you will find out when you listen to this episode.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chicago Improv Associates

55. Zenprov: The Dharma of Improv

Marshall Stern and Nancy Howland Walker host a series of podcasts about the art of Improvisational Acting in general and Zenprov, how Zen thought relates and helps you as an actor,  in particular.

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Inspired by a post by Lauren Morris on diversity and a comment by Ann Crippen, pointing out the need to deal with diversity issues in Improv. With our special guest Dale Smith, longtime Zenprov listener and Director of Marketing for SAK Comedy Lab in Orlando, we explore a zen approach at understanding the issue of diversity, inclusiveness and what it says about the health of our art form as well as thigh health of our individual projects.         http://www.Chicagoimprovassociates.com

64. Zenprov:Diversity,Inclusiveness,Health

With the election of Donald Trump creating a wave of strong reactions around the world politics is currently a very important and relevant subject to include in your shows. It is also a minefield that can leave people offended and angry and leave any troupe ultimately very lonely on show nights. This episode deals with using the Buddha's tests for Right Speech to ensure you are coming from a pure and loving place so that you can effectively communicate with your audience. It can also be used in your daily life in dealing with the current political situations around the world.

63. Zenprov: Trumprov

Our first post heart transplant episode talks about our experiences in the hospital and beyond with the greatest lesson we both learned from this experience. This is all about Surrender. We have talked about letting go and trusting in the past. This is light years beyond that. Surrender is an order of magnitude beyond anything we have talked about before. Enjoy!       www.chicagoimprovassociates.com

62. Zenprov : Surrender

In September we received a request from a listener to do a short Podcast on the subject of Buddai which everyone thinks is the Buddha. You've seen the little smiling fat guy in Chinese restaurants? That's Buddai. In this short Podcast we will tell you all about Buddai and why he is so often confused with the Buddha.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chicago Improv Associates

61. Zenprov : Buddai

On our 60th Episode we go to the fundamental ground of everything as we discuss the role of Love in our performance and our preparation as well as our daily lives.









Chicago Improv Associates

55. Zenprov: The Dharma of Improv

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