If This Is True with Chris Hall

If This Is True would like to wrap up the year with the esteemed Paul Bellini! Paul, better known as the "Man in the Towel" from The Kids In The Hall, is a Gemini Award and Cable Ace Award nominated writer for the Kids and This Hour Has 22 Minutes. He teaches sketch comedy as part of Humber College's comedy program. We discussed the bravery it took to be out and gay in the late 80's and on The Kid...

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Kevin Mullaney. Kevin created the Improv Resource Center--a Facebook for improvisers before Facebook--in the early 2000's. He teaches through the IRC and often travels around the country conducting workshops. Kevin started teaching improvisation 25 years ago at iO Theater in Chicago, later at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre in New York and more...

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Anya Marina! This singer-songwriter has songs in movies like Twilight: New Moon and TV shows like Grey's Anatomy and Gossip Girl. She left alternative radio more than ten years ago when she received her first record contract and she hasn't looked back. We talk about what it takes to make it as a performer and what it's like to tour with a comedian lik...

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jim Phillips, my Dad's best friend and accomplished songwriter. He recently retired as a school treasurer and wrote and recorded a song in honor of my Dad, Jim Hall. They had over a 20 year friendship, before my Dad passed in February 2021. We talked about my Dad and their friendship and Jim's future as a singer/songwriter. Give it a listen! --- Send...

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jeff Scherer! Jeff is a veteran of the NYC improv scene (Magnet, PIT, UCB) who currently performs with Vern musical improv and Chicago City Limits. He was also an improv rocker with the BTK Band. We talked about musical improv, finding what makes you happy and the NYC improv scene over the years. Give it a listen! --- Send in a voice message: https://...

If This Is True would like to reintroduce you to Jimmy Carrane, the master of the art of slow comedy. Jimmy has worked and taught at the Second City, iO, and is a founding member of the Annoyance. He was also in the original cast of the Armando at iO! He has written two books, Improv Therapy, and Improvising Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser with Liz Allen. Jimmy also hosts the Improv Ner...

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Craig Cackowski! The veteran of the Second City and iO Theater has appeared in all your favorite TV shows--Veep, Community (as Officer Cackowski!), Drunk History and the Secret Lives of College Girls. We discussed his being a theater kid, his current travel schedule with Orange Tuxedo (with his wife Carla), and his many podcast efforts (Kevin Pollak's...