Linda Tells James He's Wrong About Improv

Send us Fan Mail Recently, a friend approached James asking for some advice and tips on how to prepare for an improvised film. Linda shares her experience doing long form improv on stage as the same character over multiple nights as well as her love of Mike Leigh's films. Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like to hear us discuss? Send a short email to LindaTellsJames@gmail.co...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, James confesses a recent teaching incident where he completely stopped an offer made in a scene by a young person. However, is he preventing his students from learning how to deal with unexpected offers? Also, Linda shares an excellent exercise to help actors listen and address what their scene partner offers. Have a question or Improv related topic you'd lik...

Send us Fan Mail Performing, whether scripted work or improvised, demands a high level of focus and effort. But if one is trying to be focused on the other performers and remain in the moment, is it still possible to have fun? In this episode, Linda and James discuss their opposite playing styles ('heart' and 'head', respectively), and how focusing on being focused can actually...

Send us Fan Mail Linda and James discuss the importance of knowing key influential figures in the world of improvisation, in particular, Keith Johnstone and Viola Spolin. James only knows that Keith Johnstone created Theatresports but he knows nothing about Viola Spolin. Should James retire from improv (for these reasons in particular)? Also, if we do believe that learning from practitioners who h...

Send us Fan Mail In our everyday lives, we practice improv constantly as any interaction that isn't scripted must be improvised. But can improv comedy come just as naturally? In this episode Linda and James delve into whether they learned comedy or were born funny. They also reveal what they are jealous of in each other's improv ability! Have a question or Improv related topic you'd...

Send us Fan Mail In the past couple of weeks, theatre in Australia has been undergoing a bit of a crisis with several major shows cancelled or their touring reduced. James proposes that audiences need stability and predictability so now is not the time for improv however Linda argues that it can, and should, be done.  Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like to hear us discuss? Send...

Send us Fan Mail Linda and James delve into the dos and don'ts of giving feedback on improv shows with their own stories on what they've learned the hard way.  Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like to hear us discuss? Send a short email to LindaTellsJames@gmail.com A new episode every Tuesday! 

Send us Fan Mail Because James is a huge nerd, in this episode, he brings up the latest James Bond video game. In the game, 'improvisation' is touted as a key skill required for spies, but James isn't convinced that Bond would fare well doing Theatresports. Also, Linda explores what exercises she would use if she held an improv workshop for MI6. Have a question or Improv related top...

Send us Fan Mail The most well known rule of improv is 'Yes And' but is it enough? What are the alternatives to 'Yes And'? And find out why our new merch features the catchphrase 'Don't Be Limited By The Word 'Limit'!' Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like to hear us discuss? Send a short email to LindaTellsJames@gmail.com A new episod...

Send us Fan Mail James tries to argue that audiences only see improv shows based on the troupe members while Linda argues that the format of the show is the key draw. James also dishes out the hot goss on an improvised show he saw that he hated! Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like to hear us discuss? Send a short email to LindaTellsJames@gmail.com A new episode every Tuesday! 

Send us Fan Mail Linda and James share their opinions on pre-show warm ups and how their use of warm ups has changed over time. They also discuss which warm ups they find particularly helpful. Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like to hear us discuss? Send a short email to LindaTellsJames@gmail.com A new episode every Tuesday! 

Send us Fan Mail The eternal battle between calling improvisation 'impro' or 'improv' finally ends here in this podcast. Why do different groups use one term over another? Are they the same thing? Will Linda be corrupted by James and fall to the 'improv' side? Find out on the latest thrilling episode! Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like to hear us...

Send us Fan Mail James horrifies Linda with the idea of the perfect improviser being a mutant telepath. Once she is able to overcome her shock, she educates James on how gifted youngsters who have psychic powers have no place in an improv troupe. Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like to hear us discuss? Send a short email to LindaTellsJames@gmail.com A new episode every Tuesday! 

Send us Fan Mail Linda launches a vicious barrage against short form improv games against which James mounts a noble defense. But can he survive her brutal attacks? Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like to hear us discuss? Send a short email to LindaTellsJames@gmail.com A new episode every Tuesday! 

Send us Fan Mail James offers the contention that in order to risk anything in improv, you must be ready to walk away from a show dissatisfied. Will Linda argue that the nature of an artist is to always be dissatisfied or that our own expectations are the problem? Why not both? PLUS a short improv game segment! Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like to hear us discuss? Send a shor...

Send us Fan Mail James tries to cut down improv as a cheap magic trick by using puerile humour but Linda rejects his attempted immaturity to arrive at a definition of improv as 'real magic'.  ALSO! back by popular (James') demand, another game of 'Justification Talk Show'! Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like us to discuss? Send a short email to LindaTel...

Send us Fan Mail Shockingly, Linda puts forward a critique of arthouse improv shows! Also in this episode, an ill-thought-out defense of Timothee Chalamet by James PLUS a new segment where Linda and James play a justification game. Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like us to discuss? Send a short email to LindaTellsJames@gmail.com A new episodes every Tuesday! 

Send us Fan Mail It's a two-parter! Aren't you special? Linda and James discuss what happens when you get a prompt from the audience that you know nothing about. PLUS a second argument about if the audience is irrelevant? As always, James ends up being wrong... Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like us to discuss? Send a short email to LindaTellsJames@gmail.com A new epi...

Send us Fan Mail Linda and James debate whether an improv show can still be successful if the players have different motivations.  Have a question or Improv related topic you'd like to hear us discuss? Send a short email to LindaTellsJames@gmail.com A new episode every Tuesday! 

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