Improv and Magic

In today's edition of LD's Tips, I share the importance of appreciating everyone. No matter what, we all have people who help us get to where we want to go. So this tip is all about why it's important to show gratitude to everyone in our careers and our lives who help us get somewhere. If you enjoy this tip, feel free to rate and review, it means a lot!

In this unforgettable episode of Improv and Magic, I welcome the multi-talented Liz Marcucci. Liz is a seasoned comedian, improviser, and real estate agent based in St. Petersburg, Florida. With a rich background in improv, Liz has trained at prestigious institutions like Second City Conservatory, iO Chicago and The Annoyance Theater. She is the founder of the St. Pete Improv Network, and creator...

On today's episode, we welcome the incredibly talented Jaime Moyer! Jaime, an accomplished actress, writer, and improviser, shares her journey from the stages of The Second City Detroit to various television roles. She has voiced characters on Bob's Burgers and had recurring roles on shows like Modern Family, AP Bio, The Great North, and Night Court. Jaime has also written for LEGO City Ad...

Get ready for an amazing start to Season 5 of Improv and Magic! In this season premiere, I'm thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented Andi Gladwin, a renowned British magician, speaker, and publisher. Known for his mind-blowing performances on shows like Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Masters of Illusion, Andi has captivated audiences worldwide with his innovative magic tricks and charismat...

Welcome to a brand new episode of Improv and Magic! Today, we have the extraordinary Bill Chott joining us. Known for his iconic role as Mr. Laritate on Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place, Bill Chott is a seasoned comedian and actor with a rich history in the entertainment industry. Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Bill sharpened his comedic skills at Chicago's prestigious Second City, per...

This week, I am honored to host the legendary Matt Besser. Matt is a founding member of the iconic sketch comedy troupe Upright Citizens Brigade, co-founder of UCB Theater, and the genius behind the popular podcast Improv4humans. With over three decades in the comedy scene, Matt has graced both stage and screen, leaving an indelible mark with his sharp wit and improvisational prowess. His work inc...

Today’s guest is Jay Sukow. Jay Sukow has been performing with and without a script for over 27 years. He has trained with some of the greatest in improv, including David Razowsky, Stephen Colbert, Mick Napier, and the legendary Del Close. He was the Artistic Director/Head of Training at the Improv Comedy Copenhagen Theatre, and previously taught for Second City, ComedySportz, and iO Chicago (wher...

My guest today is Chloe Crawford! Chloe’s performance is a wonderful and unique blend of beauty and charm, mixed with power and a little danger.  She has performed all over the world, from London’s West End to Hollywood, Sydney, Vancouver & many other locations.  She has risen to become one of the most well-known women in magic today.  Some of her most memorable performances include Britain’s...

My guest is a well-known improvisor and keynote speaker who’s been described as laugh provoking, engaging, and refreshing.  Today’s guest is Jon Colby. Jon has been empowering people all over the world with improv for over 24 years.  His engaging and interactive approach has successfully helped audiences across the world to be better communicators, leaders, teammates, even salespeople.  He’s a gra...

My guest today is Diana Aleman. Diana is a fellow improvisor with me at Just The Funny in Miami.  Over the years, she’s grown to become a top level performer.  She has such a wonderful blend of power and grace, and sharing the stage with her is nothing more than a delight.  As an improv teacher and director, she strives to get the best out of everybody in ways that make students and cast members f...

Today's guest is an amazing person to watch and get to know.  And his name is Dan O’Connor. Dan has been performing and teaching improvisation all over the world since 1986. He has developed engaging methods of narrative improvisation to create visceral unscripted theatre experiences.  He is one of the co-founders of BATS Improv in San Francisco and LA Theatresports, and he is also the founder...

It's our 50th episode! My guest today on the 50th episode of Improv and Magic is one of today's most popular magicians, Ben Seidman. He’s made multiple television appearances that include Brainchild on NETFLIX, Vanity Fair, WIRED, Vanderpump Rules on Bravo, Criss Angel Mindfreak and Penn & Teller: Fool Us.  Ben has headlined the Atlantis Resort & Casino (Bahamas), The Royalton Rivi...

In today's tip, I talk about the need to be respectful and why it's important. I also share a few specific examples on how we as performers can show respect towards one another. I get into things we should do and things we shouldn't do. I hope today's tip is helpful to you in some way. Don't forget to rate and review!

Today’s guest is Kevin Patrick Robbins. He is the founder of the Impatient Theatre Co. in Toronto, Canada, where many of the performers he’s taught and coached have become headliners at major improv and comedy festivals throughout North America, including the Chicago Improv Festival, the Memphis Improv Festival, the Vancouver Improv Festival, and the Del Close Marathon in NYC.  Kevin has also taug...

Today’s guest is absolutely unbelievable.  He’s among the greatest magicians and mentalists of our time, he’s amazingly talented, and he’s truly one of the best.  My guest today is David Gerard. His performances have graced Fortune 500 companies, Silicon Valley elite gatherings, and international stages, including more than 60 shows at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. David performs shows for audien...

Welcome to Season 4! I could think of no better way to kick off this season than talking to two amazing people who I’ve had the great pleasure of watching and learning from; and I am so happy to call these two my friends.  They are Kathy and Joe Rinaldi, and together they are ImpromTwo. They create magic one word at a time.  Both Kathy and Joe bring years of experience in producing and performing...

It's our Season Finale Episode, and today's special guest is David Magnifico. He's not like any other magician you've ever seen before. His show can only be described as the world's stupidest magic show. He is a unique blend of big time spectacle and small simple tricks.  Earlier this year, David finally had the opportunity to perform in his very own full length show at the 202...

Today’s guest is a true superstar of magic. My guest today is Colin Cloud! He’s the only magician in history to perform on London’s West End, Broadway and the Las Vegas Strip.  Colin specializes in mentalism, and he’s so good that he’s been described as a real life Sherlock Holmes.  Colin performed as “The Deductionist” in the touring magic show The Illusionists.  He was also a contestant on Penn...

Today is the return of LD's Tips! Today's tip is about how not every scene we do in improv needs to be funny. We often feel that funny scenes are a "requirement" in order to do good improv. Making the audience laugh is great, but it's even more special to make the audience feel. This tip talks about my feelings on exactly that. You'll either agree with me or disagree with...

My guest today is someone who I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know, he’s an excellent improv actor who hails from the great state of Nebraska.  Today’s guest is Dylan Oakes Rhode. Dylan is a graduate of Wayne State, and has trained and performed at UCB and iO.  He now travels the country and the world teaching improv at various theaters and festivals.  In 2011, Dylan founded Backline Comedy, w...

Today is the 1 year anniversary of the Improv and Magic podcast, and we are celebrating with a very special episode. Today we look back at everyone's answer to the final question: What's the one piece of advice that has served you well that you'd want everyone else to hear? A very special thank you to all of our guests who've come on the show and shared their stories, and an even b...

Today I got to talk to one of the most respected and celebrated names in magic.  He’s the most versatile magician in the world.  He is Dan Harlan. Dan has invented, performed, and taught more magic than any other magician... ever!  In fact, he even updated the entire Tarbell Course in Magic, which is an eight-volume encyclopedia containing over 1200 tricks!  Dan is one of the most innovative moder...

My guest today is Patti Stiles. Patti is an actor, director, playwright and teacher who specializes in improvisational theatre. She is a former Artistic Director of Rapid Fire Theatre in California, and a founding member of the award winning show Die Nasty – the live improvised soap opera.  She is known as the “Queen of Improvisation” by the Canadian press.  Patti has been featured on the cover of...

Today’s guest is beyond talented and a true inspiration to so many.  My guest today is Lisa Lynn. Lisa Lynn is a multi-talented performer.  She is an actor, singer, improviser, director, writer, and voiceover artist.  After receiving her Honours Degree in Musical Theatre in 2009, Lisa moved to London and has been working as a performer there, and around the world, ever since.  Lisa has been teachi...

My guest is someone who’s loads of fun to talk to and learn from.  Today, I’m talking to Chris Alvarado. He’s an amazing improv teacher and performer, and trained at The Second City Conservatory in Chicago, iO West, and UCB LA.  Chris created his workshops to provide a space for work that is fun, but also meaningful.  He believes in exploring beyond the rules so performers can find their own sourc...