Improv Nerd With Jimmy Carrane

Baby Wants Candy is the legendary musical improv troupe that began in Chicago and has toured the world, featuring notable alumni Seth Meyers, Aidy Bryant, and Jack McBrayer, just to name a few. In this episode, cast members Tim Sniffen and Erica Elam, and band member Kevin Florian, help Jimmy overcome his fear of musical improv. It was a ton of fun and we hope you enjoy listening!

Jamie Campbell was named the best stand-up comic in Chicago by the Chicago Reader in 2013. He's also a gifted improviser who performs regularly at ComedySportz. In this powerful episode, Jamie shares the story of his traumatic childhood and explains how he's been able to mine his experiences for comedy. Listen to Jamie tell his compelling story in this episode of Improv Nerd.

Tawny Newsome is a veteran of The Second City mainstage in Chicago. In 2013, Rolling Stone magazine named her one of ten performers that should be hired by SNL. She's an accomplished actress. She's a talented musician. She's the guest on this week's episode of Improv Nerd!

Rick Bayless is a world renowned chef, winner of the popular competitive cooking show Top Chef, and host of his own show on PBS, Mexico: One Plate At A Time. Rick joins Jimmy in this episode to discuss his love of improvisation, how he first caught the improv bug, and how he uses improv in the kitchen. And this episode features the only opportunity in which Bayless fans will experience him working in (an improvised) kitchen at McDonald's. Thanks for listening!

Jill Bernard is a nationally recognized improv performer and teacher and is one of the founders of HUGE Improv Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jimmy paid a visit to Minneapolis and sat down with Jill and discussed how she brings joy to the classroom and her performances. Listen in if you'd like to add a little more of that necessary joy to your work.

Michael Palascak is a stand-up comedian who has made multiple television appearances including performances on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Comedy Central's The Half Hour. Michael is also a Chicago trained improviser who still performs in the city. Michael took a break from his busy schedule to sit down with Jimmy to discuss touring with Jimmy Fallon, his stand-up persona and becoming a better actor. Don't miss this episode.

Lyndsay Hailey is a multi-talented actress and comedian who recently located from Chicago to Los Angeles. In Chicago, she performed with The Deltones and Chaos Theory at the legendary iO Chicago where she was also a beloved improv teacher. She also worked for The Second City and performs her own show, The Lyndsay Hailey Variety Hour. In this episode she sits down with Jimmy for a moving discussion about her personal evolution as a performer.

In this year-end episode, Jimmy, Producer Ben Capraro, and Head of Interns Lauren Carrane sit down to discuss their favorite moments of the show in 2013. Listen in as we review moments with Rossy Bryant, Matt Besser, Andy St. Clair, Chris Witaske, John Hartman, Frank Caeti, Edgar Blackmon, Brian Holden and Brett Lyons. We also debut a new segment - Lauren Carrane, Starfucker! Please enjoy and Happy New Year!

Mike Descoteaux is the Chicago-trained Artistic Director of Improv Boston and is a guru of musical improv. In this episode, he and Jimmy discuss the process of improvising on piano and creating an improvised musical. Then they create with one with the amazing cast of Improv Boston. This show is a clinic in musical improv that you won't want to miss.

Brett Lyons is a hometown favorite in Chicago where he performs with the legendary iO team, Deep Schwa. He also tours for The Second City. He sits down with Jimmy to discuss improvising as a full time job and how he learned that his father was in prison. Thanks for listening!