Storytelling School

I’m at an Improv class doing a scene with a partner when the instructor stops us. He says to me, “When you think about your character you just acted out, what was their point of view? What was their philosophy?” I’m thinking, “Philosophy?! This is Improv! I barely know my character’s name, let alone what my character’s philosophy is.” I tell him that I have no idea. And then he gives me a piece of advice that has stuck with me: knowing your character’s philosophy, point of view, or how they see the world will influence what you say, how you say it, your voice, your body language--everything. Even though in Improv we don’t have any time to set up a whole backstory for our character, just having that awareness of their philosophy helps you as a performer. It changed me. And my special guest today, Jillian Paige, lives in the world of perspective from the point of view of a classically-trained singer, actress, and instructor. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll hear about how you can take performance training to a whole new level in your storytelling (or anything you do). We’ll also answer questions like: What is the Meisner technique, and how is it similar and different to Improv? How can repetition help ground and calm you before a performance or audition? How can you practice avoiding inattentional blindness when speaking or performing? And what is the “liking gap” and how can you use it in your storytelling to take it to the next level? Along the way, you’ll hear about Marlon Brando’s influence on Hollywood acting, the operatic singer who cried from letting go, the 90-second audition gone wrong, and so much more! What you will learn in this episode: How using the Meisner technique can affect the story you experience How Meisner can help you move past the story of not feeling good enough Why a “f*$% it” mentality can be crucial to keeping your audience engaged Who is Jillian? Jillian Paige is the Founder of Meisner in Music, the premier class to infuse the Meisner technique with singing. Jillian received her master’s in music theatre from Oklahoma City University, her bachelor’s in classical vocal performance from Belmont University, and studied Meisner under Terry Martin (a direct pupil of Meisner’s) and Ted Wold. Jillian is based out of New York City and has performed with companies such as Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Nashville Opera, and Kentucky Opera. She is passionate about helping singers maintain beautiful singing while achieving emotional freedom and impulsivity in the moment. Links and Resources: Meisner in Music @MeisnerinMusic on Instagram @meisnerinmusic on Tik Tok @JillianPaige on Instagram “Inattentional Blindness” | Youtube “The Liking Gap” | Psychology Today Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

With each podcast episode we release, I send an email out with a story to highlight it. My favorite part of these emails is the “PS” where I can spotlight news, make announcements, or ask you a question. So I’m working on the email last week and thinking about what I can put in the PS.  And I get the idea to ask about what you’d like to see in a future episode. The only question is... will anybody take the time or be brave enough to write back? No need to worry, though, because you guys sent in some fantastic suggestions. And in this continuation of our “So You Think You Want to Become a Storyteller” series, my husband Mark and I are going to dive into one of them: What are the biggest mistakes storytellers and speakers make, and how can we avoid them? Today on the Storytelling School Podcast, we’re tackling what I call “slaying the snafus.” You’ll learn about the 10 most common snafus you’ll want to slay right now and hear answers to questions like: What things can you work on while rehearsing your speech or story to enhance it for the audience? How can you avoid overloading your audience with information? What is the biggest snafu of all, especially for those who speak for a living? What are some easy ways to build a connection to your audience? And how do you avoid just regurgitating or mimicking someone else’s ideas? What you will learn in this episode: What to do to better manage the time you have to talk or tell your story How to structure your story or speech so that your audience can follow How to take advantage of visuals in your speech or story presentation A little about me: Hi there. I’m Kymberlee. As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives. Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same. If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value. Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place. Links and Resources: Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

It’s 2003. I’m at my very first TED event and I’m in the computer industry. Over a period of five days, I’m not hearing typical presentations on one subject matter. Instead, I am listening to Talks about nanotechnology, robotics, cancer cure research, and a variety of other topics that I never would have had access to otherwise. At first I’m thinking that these Talks are way over my head. Yet soon I find that my exposure to these ideas help me build a completely new point of view around my company and how I treat family, friends, and clients. These influences stick with me and I still practice them to this day. When you take lessons from one field of study and apply them to another, it can explode your momentum in your field of expertise. For instance, I’d hear a TED Talk on creativity and approach a project differently with that in mind. Or I’d slightly change the nature of a conversation with a client because of what I’d heard about a new development in artificial intelligence. These are what I call lateral lessons. And you can do the same thing, too--use lateral lessons to help build out your body of work and what you offer to the world. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about the lateral lessons that the world of Improv can teach you so you can apply these lessons in your life. I’ll teach you these concepts through stories of backstage preparations, spilled tea, and the danger of doing Improv. And you’ll also find out answers to questions like: What concept helps you stop paralysis by analysis when you’re about to present or perform? How can you make certain parts of your presentation (or your life or business story) more interesting? And what goes on in the mind of an Improv performer? What you will learn in this episode: What simple gesture sparks connection and security for a presenter or performer How one change can lead to changing everything about what you do What it means to prepare (but not plan) as a speaker, performer, or storyteller A little about me: Hi there. I’m Kymberlee. As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives. Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teaching my clients to do the same. If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value. Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place. Links and Resources: Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

I’m meeting with one of my clients. And she says to me, “Kymberlee, every time I ask you, ‘How are you doing?’ you always say, ‘I’m amazing.’ How is that possible, and how can I do it too?” It’s simple. I tell her, “I’ve designed my life around everything I love to do.” I love speaking, and I know that the best ones are great storytellers. I’ve gone from not knowing where to start with a story to doubling down on it and having it as a core component of what I do and teach... I heard that Improv Comedy improves you as a speaker. And now I’ve gone from shaking with fear before I even got on stage for my first Improv class to teaching it every week and performing it multiple times a month... I’ve been an athlete all my life and use the lessons I’ve learned from over 30 years as a martial artist to influence how I teach and how I see the world... All of these career choices haven’t happened by chance. I’ve basically designed my future. And you can do it too. My special guest today, Dane Howard, is an entrepreneur who has led teams around the world in designing world-class products for services and brands. And today on the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn how design can inspire a plethora of stories and hear answers to questions like: Why does design force you to become a better storyteller? What’s it like to be in the process of redefining your current story? How can visualizing allow you to extract and string parts of your story together? And how do companies like eBay and Amazon develop stories for their products and brands? What you will learn in this episode: What journey lines are and how they relate to storytelling Why rehearsing the future is required to become a great designer and storyteller How using AI can help you bring implausible stories to life Who is Dane? Dane is a strategic design leader & entrepreneur, willing to wear many hats. He’s led globally distributed teams for world-class products, services, and brands and served in principal design, operational, and leadership roles for companies like BMW, MLB, Microsoft, eBay, Samsung, Amazon, and more. Since 2015, he’s launched global experiences in several companies and led and grown remote and distributed teams. And all the while, he focused on scaling the design process across multiple business domains for growth-stage companies and beyond. Dane is also an author, speaker, artist, and father. He launched Dane Howard Studio in early 2023, which is a collaborative studio specializing in generative AI, design, and fine art for commercial and residential projects across apparel, fashion, sports, and exhibit design. He is also an advisor to standbeautiful.me, an anti-bullying movement promoting the acceptance of self and others. Links and Resources: Dane Howard Dane Howard Studio @implausible_creatures on Instagram @danehoward on Linked Stand Beautiful Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

It’s 2006. TEDx announces that they’re holding the first-ever TEDx University. They invite all of us who are attendees to submit a description of what we want to share and teach the group. And a handful will be selected to do Talks. At this point, I’m not a speaker; I’m still in the technology industry. Still, I know exactly what I want to do. I want to teach the other attendees something that makes me feel like a badass whenever I do it... I’m going to teach them how to break boards with their bare hands! So I present my crazy idea for selection: Mind Over Wood. And… I get chosen as one of only 30 speakers out of over a thousand people! Excited, I get to work right away on writing my Talk and start picturing myself speaking in front of world leaders, neuroscientists, and billionaires... Wait. World leaders. Neuroscientists. Billionaires. I start thinking, “Who am I to teach anything to a roomful of those people? What if they laugh at me, or even worse, walk right out of the room?” So on the day of TEDx University, I’m nervously standing in front of the room. I see the editor of Forbes to the left, three rows back. I see the founder of Flickr walk into the room on the right. I realize there’s a Nobel Prize winner sitting in the front row. But I’m also feeling good about my Talk because I’ve been rehearsing it relentlessly. So OK, it’s go time! I take a deep breath and begin.  And I can’t tell you how many people came up afterward to tell me how impactful my presentation was. Wow. At that moment I realize how fun this was and am astonished that people get to do this… for a living... including my incredible guest today! Adiel Gorel is sought-after as an international speaker and recently joined the TEDx stage. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, he talks about how discovering something that exists only in the U.S. motivated him to help others change one area of their unfolding life story. He also answers questions such as: What’s the biggest financial gift you can add to your story in the U.S. (if you’re not already)? What should you do before you close your story in a Talk (which many people don’t do)? Why does storytelling belong in the real estate industry? And what do you want to have at the ready when someone asks you a question like, “What do you do?” What you will learn in this episode: How sharing a more relatable story in drier subject areas helps with your message Why the short story form is a more effective format for spreading your message today How breaking the rules can open doors and create an even better story Who is Adiel? Adiel Gorel is a CEO, author, and international speaker with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and a lifetime passion for engaging audiences of all sizes in multiple languages. His company International Capital Group (ICG) is a leading real estate investment firm in the San Francisco Bay. With over 35 years of experience in the industry, he has not only invested in hundreds of properties for his own portfolio but also successfully assisted thousands of investors with purchasing more than 10,000 properties in the U.S. As a six-time published author, Adiel’s books cover topics ranging from building wealth to breathing correctly. From being a Computer Science instructor at Stanford to creating public TV specials, his life’s work is to challenge conventions in order to offer insight on how everyone can improve their health, build their wealth, and live a better life. He has two grown kids and currently resides in the Bay Area. Links and Resources: Adiel Gorel ICG Real Estate Investments Adiel Gorel’s TEDx Talk - From Fear to Fortitude: Inflation, Time, and Debt for Lifelong Wealth @adielgorel on Instagram @AdielGorelSpeaker on Facebook @adielgorel on LinkedIn @ICGRE on Twitter @AdielGorel on Youtube Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

My husband Mark and I are back in California after our Hawaiian vacation. We loved the kayak adventure we had there, so we decide to get a two-person kayak. But not just any kayak. We need one that’s built for speed. It’s not as stable as others, but it’s going to go fast and be so exciting! We take this kayak out on a maiden voyage and, after tipping over into the ocean a couple of times, we get the hang of it. We’re having the best time paddling, and we go several miles out. So far out that the shore looks like a speck of land... Then I feel it. Something has hit the bottom of the kayak. What the?? I think, “We’re in the middle of nowhere. How could we have hit something?” I keep paddling... and it happens again. BUMP!  Mark says he sees… A FIN, and we go silent and still.  If we tip over again, we’re done. The shark bumping into our boat is going to get us, and no one will ever know what happened because we’re so far offshore. And all of a sudden, the creature jumps out of the water, spins, and goes back in. And another. And another... We’re inside a pod of 40 or 50 dolphins! What was a terrifying moment becomes magical! Sometimes in life, what scares us turns out to be a gift that not only changes the story of our experience, but also the lessons we learn so we can help others. Speaking of stories changing our experience, my special guest today, Adrienne Smith, is an athlete and entrepreneur who has had that happen, many times over. Adrienne is building an intuition-based wellness movement. And in this episode of the Storytelling School podcast, you’ll learn lessons about the stories we tell ourselves and the stories we can create in this world, through her experiences. Plus, you’ll hear her stories about rowing across the Pacific with a four-person team, earning Adrienne a world record title, and how her daughter recently reiterated the feebleness of trying to force things, along with answers to questions like: What’s an example of a mindset shift that changes your story when things aren’t working out? How can you create stories in even the most unusual and uncomfortable situations? How can incorporating storytelling change you as a public speaker? And what can you do to visualize in a way that’ll help you create the future story you want to see happen? What you will learn in this episode: How circumstances can sometimes redirect you to change your story Why force can just complicate things and make your story take longer to unfold How listening influences the story you tell other people Who is Adrienne? As a mom, athlete, and business owner, Adrienne Smith has an appreciation for the strategies necessary to overcome obstacles and reach success. Drawing on firsthand knowledge of how it feels to be stuck when striving to accomplish goals, she is enthusiastic about sharing systems that help others transform anxiety, get organized and motivated, and most importantly, reignite a passion for life.  Adrienne is building a movement of expanded awareness to cure the personal energy crisis in our world through creative connection, storytelling, and intuition-based wellness programs. She helps individuals and teams make the seemingly impossible possible - like she demonstrated by setting a new World Record rowing across the Pacific Ocean with her team.   Links and Resources: Aligned Living Now @theadriennesmith on Instagram @poweradrienne on Facebook @theadriennesmith on LinkedIn Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

At the age of 101, my grandmother, Beverly’s, dementia is really starting to show. I’m over at her house one day when her new social worker comes by. I hear him talking to one of her caregivers in the other room. She says to him, “Sometimes Beverly says she wants to go home. Yet, she’s in her own home. So when Beverly says that, we just tell her, ‘You ARE home.’ But it doesn’t really register.” He responds, “Beverly is simply looking for a safe space. So rather than trying to battle with her, all you need to do is remind Beverly that she is 100% safe and everything is fine.” As I listen to this conversation, I find myself smiling and feeling happy that she has someone besides myself advocating for her... and someone helping the caregivers too, offering them a different perspective instead of telling them that they’re doing it wrong. My guest today, Dr. Karen Federici, also advocates on behalf of others. She’s an award-winning family physician and an expert in breastfeeding. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll hear all about her story on advocating for others and answers to questions like: How is your Talk enhanced when you use story versus when you don’t? What role does storytelling play in the work that doctors do, and how can healthcare professionals integrate it into their own work? And what can you do to redirect the story you’re hearing from those you serve in your profession to better help them? What you will learn in this episode: How a story not going to plan can set you up for a new (and even better) story How other people’s unhelpful advice can hinder your emerging story Why sometimes the real story isn’t where the main focus is Who is Dr. Federici? Inspired by her own experience as a new mother, Karen Federici, MD saw a genuine need for doctors who championed breastfeeding. So she became that doctor, leaving her career as an actuary behind. Now, she’s an award-winning physician and breastfeeding expert.  Dr. Federici founded Family First, a practice centering around primary care for women and children and breastfeeding medicine, after completing her residency in 2006. Recently, she founded TeleLact which provides expert lactation support through telehealth to expand access to quality care for breastfeeding moms. Last year, she opened the first and only donor human milk dispensary in her region. As part of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and with a certification in family medicine, Dr. Federici volunteers as a clinical preceptor, teaching breastfeeding medicine to students and fellow physicians. Not enough families have access to a doctor with knowledge on breastfeeding. So she likes to direct them to her TEDx Talk to help spread the word so that they can positively impact breastfeeding, advocate for themselves, and encourage their doctors to seek more education on the subject. Links and Resources: TeleLact Family First Dr. Federici’s TEDx Talk @dr.karen.federici on Instagram @telelact247 on Facebook Dr. Federici on LinkedIn Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

I’m working with a client in one of my Mastermind programs. She asks, “Kymberlee, what’s the difference between a story that we will remember versus one we will forget?” At that moment, I can choose to hit the surface level and talk about story elements… or I can go deeper and talk about the science.  I choose to get all science-y. And once I’m done going in-depth with my answer, she says it’s given her a completely new understanding of the power of storytelling (woohoo)! Today on the Storytelling School podcast, join me as we dive headfirst into exploring the scientific principles that give storytelling the mesmerizing power to captivate us all. I reveal some mind-blowing facts about storytelling and answer questions such as: What exactly makes stories so irresistible? How is storytelling like a high-stakes poker game? How does the power of storytelling go beyond entertainment, and what intellectual benefits does it provide? Why have stories been used throughout history to inspire change? And how has technology shaped the landscape of storytelling? What you will learn in this episode: What key ingredients (honed over centuries) keep you hooked on stories How your brain helps you attain an emotional connection to storytelling How storytelling has made an impact in different domains A little about me: Hi there. I’m Kymberlee. As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives. Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same. If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value. Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place. Links and Resources: Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram

It’s Tuesday morning, and I’m so excited! I’m leading a storytelling workshop for a group of speakers and entrepreneurs who give presentations as part of the work they do. To start, I ask all of them what their objectives are for the training.  One person raises their hand and says, “I really need help with rehearsing.” Two other participants agree... and it seems odd to me.  Rehearsals have been such an important part of my life since I was a kid, whether it was training for a big softball game or a martial arts test. It’s the same with preparing for a big speaking engagement, so I’m surprised to hear how many people struggle with the rehearsal process. And after discussing it with the group a bit, I quickly realize that not everyone shares my passion (or obsession - ha!) for rehearsing. What happens next?  Join me in the continuation of the “So You Think You Want to Become a Storyteller” master series as I share my simple rehearsal rituals you can use to prepare yourself for a speech or story presentation. You’ll hear answers to questions like: Where can you practice, and how do you create a practice zone for your speech or story? How long and how often should you practice? Why do you need to plan practice sessions? Should you practice your Talk or story with an audience or not? And what are some effective ways to practice your presentation? What you will learn in this episode: How to plan practicing your Talk or story (and how using stickie notes can help) What you should (and shouldn’t) do two weeks before your presentation Why performance needs to be a key part of practicing your speech or story A little about me: Hi there. I’m Kymberlee. As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives. Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teaching my clients to do the same. If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value. Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place. Links and Resources: Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram

Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother, nicknamed Moo. We always had fun; we’d play, make things up, sing songs, write poems… just be creative together. As she gets older, though, and reaches 100 years old, she develops dementia. Sometimes she’s with us and other times not. I go over to her house one afternoon, and she’s super happy and pleasant and lovely... yet she doesn’t know who I am. And I’m her only grandchild! I start to get a little frustrated because I want that connection with Moo again. So I begin to bring up things from our past and ask her if she remembers what we did together. Did she remember rolling down the hill together at La Brea Tar Pits? Or that time we made a crazy salad and water went everywhere? She doesn’t. As I grasp for more things, I recall one song she taught me that has two verses. One verse is very slow and methodical, the other goes very, very fast, and they’re meant to be sung by two people in tandem. So I start singing the fast verse. And pretty soon without any prodding, Moo starts singing the slow verse. And for that one moment, we connect again, sharing a reality with both of us present that melts my heart. That’s the power of music. It can stop time. My special guest today, Laura Hall, has spent a career in music, song, and sound. In this episode of the Storytelling School podcast, she talks about finding your voice in storytelling through her lens of Musical Improv and answers questions like: What drives a scene in an Improv story when it’s combined with music--the scene or the song? When can Improv help you with your audience as a speaker or storyteller, (in non-Improv situations)? How does variety make you a better storyteller? And how can you start sharing your stories and ensure that you get helpful feedback? What you will learn in this episode: How music and Improv work together to bring stories to life Why finding and connecting to the truth of your story is vital for audience reception What you can do to change the fear story you’re telling yourself before a performance Who is Laura? Laura Hall got her start as an Improv Musician performing with The Second City National Touring Company of Chicago. While in Chicago, she worked with almost every Improv theater in town and used Improv to create original musicals at The Annoyance Theater. She also played in cover and original bands, did solo piano work, played recording sessions, and taught at The Old Town School of Music.  After moving to Los Angeles, Laura studied music for film and television and focused on songwriting and original musicals with Theater-A-Go-Go. She has worked with several Improv groups worldwide such as Second City Hollywood, iO West, and others, and taught Music Improv extensively with her husband Rick Hall. Laura performed on every season of the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? with hosts Clive Anderson, Drew Carey, and Aisha Tyler. She’s also toured extensively with Drew Carey and the Improv All Stars, including performances at Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall and a USO tour of the Middle East. In addition, she’s performed with Whose Line Live at the Adelphi, the Palladium, and Royal Albert Hall theatres in London. You can find out more about Laura on her website. Links and Resources: Laura Hall @laurahallmusic on Instagram @LauraHallMusic on Facebook @LauraHallMusic on Twitter @laurahall2306 on Youtube Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook