Improv Nerd With Jimmy Carrane

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Kelsie Huff Jul 04, 2016

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Kelsie Huff is one of Chicago's hottest comedians. She has studied at iO Chicago and Second City and she teaches the popular Feminine Comique, which is a stand-up class geared towards woman. Jimmy talked her at this year's Chicago Women's Funny Festival about how she uses improv in her stand-up, how to make the transition from storytelling to stand-up, and how she has been able to transform pain into comedy.

Jason Winer Jun 27, 2016

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Jason Winer is a director, an Emmy-award wining producer, and writer. He has directed and produced such hit sitcoms at Modern Family, Life in Pieces and The Crazy Ones. Jason studied at iO Chicago back in the late '90s and was part of the team The Tribe. Jimmy talked to him about learning to improvise at young age thanks to his supportive parents, his initial reaction to Modern Family, and he how he works with actors.

Nia Vardalos Jun 20, 2016

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Nia Vardalos is an actress, screenwriter and director, best known for her critically acclaimed films My Big Fat Greek Wedding I and II. Jimmy talks to her about how she went from working in the box office at Second City to getting hired as actor, using improv to write her screenplays and the importance of following your heart.

Tara Defrancisco & Rance Rizzutto Jun 13, 2016

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Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto are masters of musical improv, touring around the world doing their critically acclaimed two-person musical improvisation show: HERE. Jimmy sat down with the recently married couple and talked them about how they first met, the power of musical improv, and why they like to make their audience cry as well as laugh.

Ed Furman Jun 06, 2016

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Ed Furman is a writer, actor and improviser who has performed in three Second City revues and co-written Chicago's longest running musical Co-ed Prison Sluts at The Annoyance Theater. He's also written a sketch project for NBC, two children's plays and a best selling book. Jimmy sat down with Ed and talked to him about starting out at the Annoyance, how he developed his unique comedic voice and not worrying about getting the laughs when he improvises.

Miles Stroth May 30, 2016

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Miles Stroth is the founder of the Pack Theater in Los Angeles. He is also an incredible improviser, teacher and director who was part of the legendary improv group The Family at iO Chicago in the '90s. Jimmy talked to him at his theater in Los Angeles about being a hit by car, what he's learned from other improvisers that makes him so good, and how the UCB Cagematch changed how he improvises.

Hello From The Magic Tavern May 23, 2016

Show notes

Hello from the Magic Tavern is a fully improvised comedy podcast that's exploding in popularity. In this episode, Jimmy sits down with creators Arnie Niekamp, Adal Rifai and Matt Young at the Chicago Improv Festival to talk to them about how they all met, how they developed great chemistry, and how they go about creating their magic world.

Kevin Nealon May 16, 2016

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Kevin Nealon was on Saturday Night Live for nine seasons, and was best known for his characters Mr. Subliminal, Hanz and Franz with Dana Carvey and being the host of Weekend Update. Jimmy talks him about why he didn't think he'd ever get hired by SNL, how having a full life is helpful in a career in comedy, and the importance of being original.

Pete Gardner May 09, 2016

Show notes

Pete Gardner plays Darryl Whitefeather on the hit CW sitcom My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Jimmy sat down and talked with him about why he moved to Chicago in the '90s to study improv, the importance of taking acting classes even when you are on hit sitcom, and his relationship with his father.

Kate Flannery May 02, 2016

Show notes

Kate Flannery is best known for playing Meredith on the NBC series "The Office." She is also part of the comedy lounge act The Lampshades and was a member of Second City Touring Company and The Annoyance Theater in Chicago. Jimmy talked to her about what is like to be on a hit sitcom, her days in Chicago and why she still keeps a costume change in her car.

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