Improv Interviews

Meet the lovely improviser, Jon Nguyen from Norwich, UK. He describes his passion for improv and how he stumbled upon it. Jon is a beloved teacher and improviser!

Clay Drinko - Play Your Way Sane by Margot Escott

Stephanie Rae - Black Improv Alliance by Margot Escott

Improv Interviews speaks with Rick Hall, the multi-talented member of Second City, actor who has appeared in many films and TV shows including Seinfeld, Curb your Enthusiasm and K.C. Undercover. His voice is familiar as he has appeared in many commercials and his one-man show "Pig Boy" played two sold-out performances at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. His short “Slice of Pie” has won nine national film festival awards. He shares the story of his romance and 36 year relationship with Laura Hall. They give acclaimed workshops on "Musical Improv" and are both beloved teachers. His most recent project is an audiobook of “The Mozart Conspiracy” by writer Phil Swann on Audible.com

Laura Hall is best known as the improvisational pianist and Musical Director on the hit TV show, “Whose Line is it Anyway”, which ran for nine years on ABC, with Drew Carey hosting. The show is currently in its seventh season on the CW Network, with Aisha Tyler hosting. In 2018, Laura played with the Whose Line Christmas Show at Royal Albert Hall in London, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the British & American versions of the show.

Listen as Improv coach and director, Aretha Sills, shares her story of teaching improv during the pandemic. Aretha is the granddaughter of Viola Spolin, considered to be the founder of Improvisational Theatre. She is also the daughter of Carol and Paul Sills. Paul Sills started the early improv theatres in Chicago like the Compass and eventually The Second City theatre, home to many well-known actors and casts for SNL.

Tara Langella - Voice Over Actor by Margot Escott

David Levanthal - Dance for PD by Margot Escott

Marcus Sams is an improviser from the Bay Area for over 20 years. He is a delightful improviser and has developed unique technology that makes on-line improv look and feel like film!

I was fortunate to meet Ellen at the Yes, and Mental Health Conference held at the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago, September 2017! Ellen is passionate about experiential learning and helping everyone on the team to “Be the Difference” and work better together. After 25 years in business and training, she grew tired of the endless PowerPoints and toxic cultures. She dared herself to take classes at 2nd City – fell head over heels with improv and moved on to iO and many other theaters. She began studying Applied Improvisation and best practices in leadership, team, and work cultures. Ellen is now Chief Possibility Officer at her company, ImprovTalk, Inc. and collaborates with Jim Mecir, ten year MLB veteran pitcher, born with a club foot, who is the most resilient and inspiring teammate she has ever met.