Next At Bat

Phil Schramm and Joe McGowen of Side Pickle join us to talk about performing a “long form show about a long form show.” They discuss the desire to start a group immediately after starting taking improv classes, performing from the moment you step foot on stage, experimenting in rehearsal, and how their opposite personalities compliment […] The post Side Pickle | Next At Bat: Episode Ninety Nine appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Mark Sutton and Joe Bill of BASSPROV join Matt to talk about doing a one-act play right at the intersection where bass fishing and improv meet. They talk about doing a conversational Harold, taking deep and shallow suggestions, starting in the middle, creating metaphors out of the seemingly mundane, showing the audience a small, real […] The post BASSPROV | Next At Bat: Episode Ninety Eight appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Tane Danger and Brandon Boat of Danger Boat Productions (the creators of The Theater of Public Policy) join us to talk about their upcoming event, All St. Paul’s A Stage. On August 19th, over 50 improvisers in small groups will perform more than 300 impromptu improvgram scenes all over the city. (learn more and order […] The post Danger Boat Productions | Next At Bat: Episode Ninety Seven appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Butch Roy, Jen Van Kaam, and James Moore join us to discuss the Neutrino Video Project produced by HUGE Theater. They talk about the benefits and challenges of filming improvised scenes: no immediate feedback from the audience, cinematic tools to play with, improvised special effects, controlling focus, different directing styles, letting go of the idea […] The post Neutrino Video Project | Next At Bat: Episode Ninety Six appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Doug Neithercott and Doug Ocar of ComedySportz Twin Cities (unfortunately Mary Strutzel couldn’t join us) to talk about running the local branch of a worldwide, all-ages, short-form show. They discuss the benefits of the brand, and how much freedom there is to present your own style within the brand, the power of having a ref, […] The post ComedySportz Twin Cities | Next At Bat: Episode Ninety Five appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Drew Kersten of My Friend’s Friend’s Friend joins us for some shameless plus, and to talk about marketing, the benefit of having guests built into your show, branding, and game of the scene. Matt does his classic segment, Quick Things You’d Like to Know Right Now, Similarly Paced Responses, and we try a new segment, […] The post My Friend’s Friend’s Friend | Next At Bat: Episode Ninety Four appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Joy Dolo, Kory LaQuess Pullam, and Alsa Bruno of Blackout (unfortunately Andy Hilbrands and John Gebretatose couldn’t join us) talk about marketing, privilege, balancing serious and comedic conversation, having a dialogue with the audience, being inclusive of diverse points of views, bringing your individual talents to a group, the responsibility to address difficult topics, and […] The post Blackout | Next At Bat: Episode Ninety Three appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

The Sultans of Silly (Cody Nelson, Denzel Belin, and Matthew McCloud) winners of the 2016 Troika Madness competition, join us to talk about (not) practicing, playing the same characters, avoiding in-fighting, always moving forward, improvising faster than you can think, and finding each other funny. Philip hosts (we’ll fix it in post) and tries a […] The post Sultans of Silly | Next At Bat: Episode Ninety Two appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Dylan Rohde, founder and co-owner of the Backline Theater and organizer of the Omaha Improv Festival, joins us to talk about avoiding the obvious heightening choice, focusing on your scene partner instead of the audience (but still providing the audience with comedy), breaking on stage, and the importance of hiring a coach. Matt does his […] The post Dylan Rohde | Next At Bat: Episode Ninety One appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Ferrari McSpeedy (Joe Bozic and Mike Fotis) join us (after 3 years of trying to schedule) to talk about the many things they do: sketch, improv, and opening a new theater, Strike Theater, with Allison Broeren, for sketch, storytelling, and spoken word. They discus how the scene has changed in their 15 year’s as a […] The post Ferrari McSpeedy | Next At Bat: Episode Ninety appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Joe McGo, Jackson Collins, Joe Blum, Lizzie Gardner, Adam Iverson, Eric Hoversten, and David Kappelhoff of GARY (unfortunately Andrea Ravich, Emily Ruff, Laura Hickey, and Cody Nelson couldn’t join us) talk about auditions, coaching styles, old school openings, casting, bonding, coaches playing, catharsis, caring for the audience, commitment, and growing as a team. Also, we […] The post GARY | Next At Bat: Episode Eighty Nine appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Larry Bieza, Mary K. Wright, Adam Woolhouse, and Christopher Harrington of Jesters Comedy Improv get caught in a time loop with us. They talk about finding a venue, serving food during a show, structuring a short-form show, the cross-over between long and short form improv. reading a crowd, offending people, audience intaraction, and satire. Matt […] The post Jesters Comedy Improv | Next At Bat: Episode Eighty Eight appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Gregory Parks and Emmett Cowen of All, Alone talk to us about solo improv. They discus clowning, making mountains out of molehills, experimenting, cutting scenes you don’t enjoy, the power of tech, trusting the audience, meeting or defying expectations, and keeping it simple, stupid. We also get a sneak peek at the next Farrelly Brothers […] The post All, Alone | Next At Bat: Episode Eighty Seven appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Ricecakes (Mary Mangan, Brian Rice, and Janelle Blasdel) talk about how their form, which uses side conversations to and information and create dramatic irony. They discus evolving through member changes, staying silly, keeping track of multiple threads, why they focus on character instead of plot, and ramen. Matt does his classic section segment, Freeballin’, and […] The post Ricecakes | Next At Bat: Episode Eighty Six appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Diorama (Eric Heiberg and Sophie Brossard) explain to us how a mono-scene based on discovery, silence, and listening can lead to relationships that present more complex versions of love. They also talk about exploring dangerous situations, not taking a suggestion, hugging, and commitment. Matt does his classic segment, “Short Answers That Were Meat to be […] The post Diorama | Next At Bat: Episode Eighty Five appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Squash Banana (Jeff Gyllen and Breanna Cecile) talk with us about going for realism over comedy (and the comedy that comes through that naturally). They also discuss learning through shows, mono scenes, complimenting versus pushing, giving themselves more options, and the value of using specific details from your real life. Breanna does a great job, […] The post Squash Banana | Next At Bat: Episode Eighty Four appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Andy Hilbrands and MJ Marsh of Cross/Weaving tell us they wanted to play together so badly, they invented a form in which they interact with each other as little as possible. They also discuss stage picture, spacework, how little the audience cars about fixing the problem, listening, playing at the top of your intelligence (even […] The post Cross/Weaving | Next At Bat: Episode Eighty Three appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Eric Thompson and Matt Allex, representing Double-Blind Improv, talk about how producing a show in which the games and cast are chosen at random can create energy because improv audiences tend to be smart and want you to succeed. They also talk about dealing with difficult venues, breaking, the importance of a good host, the […] The post Double-Blind Improv | Next At Bat: Episode Eighty Two appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Stacey Trelfa, Ryan Strunk, Aaron Cook, and Amy Burge (unfortunately Jen Wilson couldn’t join us) of The Pickup Artists explain how they pull of what what might be the most intimidating show description: improvised narrative a cappella musicals. They talk about learning things from music coaches and improv coaches, filling in each other’s parts, theater […] The post The Pickup Artists | Next At Bat: Episode Eighty One appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Max Mars, Caroline Hitt, Fred Cheng, Nate Weingarden, and Matthew Kraft of Stevie Ray’s Comedy Troupe (unfortunately Brett Williams and Music Director William Pierce couldn’t join us) talk about how to structure a “fun, funny, professional” variety show. They discuss organizing their 2 hour show, which includes songs, sketches, stand-up and short-form improv, in a […] The post Stevie Ray’s Comedy Troupe | Next At Bat: Episode Eighty appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.