David is Curious

THIS IS WHEN SHE MAKES HER ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Hellena Jang is inspirational by activity and by personality. She lifts the spirits of others around her. And she makes magic happen on a global scale (and on an individual scale). I am so impressed and amazed by Hellena.  She is the kind of person I would collaborate with WAY MORE if we lived closer to one another. You can find out more about her on her website: www.hellenajang.com   I like to co...

This is the final episod of my interview with Jorin - but not my final conversation with him. I feel like I have one of the most "improv perfect" relationships with him. I learn from him, I want to perform with him and yet I don't feel like there is a hierarch between us - there is a mutual cycle of respect. I look forward to having more conversations with him. I encourage anyone who is passionate...

... this may be one of the biggest moments where he blows my mind.  Talking about how you don't go to see a group because they do improv (or a specific format) but because of the chemistry of the team. Their unique voice. I still think about this moment.  We also talk about the value of imagination, from every single person. How it is a process. And how that process is valuable to the endproduct o...

Jorin Garguilo interviewed regarding improv. I asked him about how some teachers/institutions call improv "silly" or light hearted. His thoughts on improv are enthralling. I agree with him. Jorin is an eloquent, brilliant mind.  This whole interview he drops gems that just shatter my worldview of improv.  I hope you enjoy. Jorin was in 5 episodes of Hello from the Magic Tavern and performs with Re...

We start talking about codes and community building found in the improv process.

Had the pleasure of this conversation about how improv sits in the field of sociology with Vanja Sekic.  Vanja performs with None Direction Improv as part of Inconspicuous Comedy .  Vanja's passion about improv and the way she views it is so interesting.  She sees it as having greater ramifications in the larger community and in identifying smaller communities.  Part 2 is coming soon!

Paul Quinn is a fantastic improviser. His ability quickly generate quircky characters, draw others into scenes and find the through line of a set is one of the best I've ever seen in the UK. I have the great fortune of being able to improvise with him. Paul is also a writer, podcaster, gamer and works in radio.  His creativity is impressive.  Improv is only one of many things he excels at. So, I w...

I always love my talks with Steve.  In this last episode we talk about everything in improv that isn't mental or physical. What is left in improv that isn't thought about or physical?  We talk about that. He is such an inspirational fountain of knowledge.    

Steve Green is an inspirational improv teacher. I love talking to him about improv.  This episode we talk about the constant nature of change and coming at the art of improv with some small sheers, or a GIANT CHAINSAW (BRRRRRRRKKKKKTT!!).   #improv 

We find out more about Steve. At one point the coffee shop gets really loud, sorry about that. I edited right after that.  We'll find a quieter spot to chat next time, because I will bring Steve back.  

Steve Green always has such insightful and gentle ways of expressing complex improv concepts. I love working with him in scenes, or being coached by in him classes. He is somsone who I believe should be running his own improv school. He is not only great at progressing information, but he cares about the people he is teaching.   He's one of improv performers that you wonder "why aren't they a famo...

Initially, I wanted to interview Emily regarding her views on tradition, ritual and movement inside a church. Her personal story of being the first person to go to college, and her interest in musicology (which I had never heard of before!) was so interesting. I will probably interview Emily again!

Shout out to the Tower Tour at Chester Cathedral.  It is so neat to see the imperfections in the cathedral while at the same time seeing such beauty.  The Chester Cathedral is one of the top tourist attraction to Chester - an already gorgeous city. To book a Tower Tour check out the Cathedral website: https://chestercathedral.com/

Now we start getting into the cool stuff!  Emily works at the Chester Cathedral - built in 1093 but at that time was a benedict abbey. It is this big beautiful building that is a tourist magnet.  When I saw Gaia there it was breathtaking. Gaia was this massive rotating earth that was internally lit. I've also done the Tower Tour there and it is SO INTERESTING. She works there! It's like working at...

Continuing our conversation, we talk about the history of religion in England. And I catch Emily off guard and ask her about something in the room - which looks like a wood knife about the size of my forearm.  We start to get into the "choreography of church" and how you move around any old church or cathedral. This will get us into Liturgy in the next part, which I find so fascinating. Could litu...

Emily Lanigan-Palotai interview is different than the past episodes. This one is good for people who want to talk about music and "what is music?" Emily did her Masters in Medieval musicology, focusing on chant (music). CHANTING. Like, it's effect, where it comes from .. and how prevalent it is in rituals. We talk about the history of traditions and rituals and "what is a church?" She is currently...

The finale of my conversation with Jay Sukow.  I always like talking to Jay.  He as experience, kindness and one thing I greatly value in friends - he is honest. I always aim to reward that economy of honesty. Highly recommend Jay Sukow as a teacher and to see his shows.  He is commonly teaching in-person improv classes in Los Angeles.  To stay upto date follow him at Today Improv, in fact he is t...

PV Tips are a fantastic free resource for improviser. Paul Vaillancourt is a brilliant mind in improv with lots of experience.  He not only provides tips from his own experience but the absolute ARMY of guest improvisers is so engaging.  Super valuable. Here is a link to the playlist: https://youtu.be/WDtmp110cj4 You can find him on YouTube at PVImprov.

We keep going about improv and it's community.  I feel like Jay should be the AD at an improv school somewhere. LITERALLY, if he set up roots at an improv school somewhere I would consider moving my whole family there and helping him start up a school.  I've taken Jay for two courses, and had him coach some teams.  I believe he has such an amazing view on improv, that brings the best out in people...

I love Jay Sukow. I had the opportunity to interview Jay about "control" in improv and more. I could talk to Jay forever. He has been one of the biggest inspirations in improv.  He has such a soft touch when teaching. Jay says stuff so simple but also so profound - and I think that is genius.  You can find out more about Jay at:   https://todayimprov.com/   His goal is to have everyone take at lea...

This is the finale of the interview of Vinny Francios.  Vinny is an inspirational and impressive person. It has been great getting to know him and I hope we get to work on more projects in the future! You can find more about him here: https://www.vinnyfrancois.com/ I highly recommend you check out the Improv College, Camp Zip Zap, or just have a chat with him! Too many times we view people as inst...

Safe Play Improv is a fantastic organization that is working to make the improv world more inclusive.  Helping to fight the presence of toxic behavior at festivals and workshops.  Find out more about them at: https://safeplayimprov.com They also have resources that may help!

VINNY FRANCOIS - PART 3 Love interviewing Vinny.   He speaks to my soul. I talk about the Spirit of Improv – and finding the joy in doing improv. Not the admin. He touches on the slog of "being the only one who cares." "The money you can make doing improv, is never going to compete with the money you can make administering improv." – Vinny Francois.   He says, it's true of any art. Vinny dissects...

VINNY FRANCOIS - PART 2 Vinny continues his thoughts on Online Improv. We discuss "success" in improv, and what Vinny views as success in improv. We also talk about what defines a difference between a "beginner" and a "veteran" of improv. Vinny then discusses what he has been focusing on in improv lately. Make sure to check out Camp Zip Zap, which is run by Vinny: "Spend a weekend with campers fro...