Today’s interviewee is what I call “improv famous,” meaning if you’re into improv, you probably know who he is. He’s also “improv nice” and “improv intelligent.” I can’t speak for him outside the context of improv.

Rick Andrews teaches and performs at The Magnet Theater in New York and has taught and performed across the country at festivals and the like, including at The Improv Shop and for Compass Improv Festival in St. Louis.

More important than any of that, though, is the fact that Rick has met Amy Poehler. So, if Rick has anything to say about it, you’ll be seeing an interview with Amy Poehler on the blog soon. Right, Rick? …Rick??

Meet Rick Andrews. Continue reading →

When I arrived in Denver, one of the first things I did was sign up for an improv class. Like Michael Scott in The Office, I did not want to start over at Level One when I moved. But I did, because I wanted to get involved, get a new perspective and make friends. The coach of my Level One (or Level Six, as I liked to think of it) was Royce Roeswood. He used his hands a lot when he spoke, and he asked a lot of questions, like “What did you think of that exercise?” He was kind of like an improv therapist-slash-mime. After that Level One class, I was selected by Royce to play on his new house team, and, while I didn’t end up actually doing so, I got to enjoy a number of practices with him. He’s an incredibly interesting guy, a wonderful improv coach, an inspiration to any creative or thoughtful person, and, still – in my mind, a funny therapist mime.

Meet Royce Roeswood. Continue reading →

Being interviewed this week is a guy who has many Cool Point worthy traits: He’s from the Midwest (holla!), he does stand-up and even runs his own open mic at one of the hippest comedy venues in town, he’s a manager at the equally hip music store Twist & Shout, and he— wait, what’s this? He doesn’t eat vegetables?! Forget I said anything.

Meet Jeff Albright. Continue reading →

If you have met Lyndsay Shipley, you know she has a lot of zest and energy. Her sense of humor and ability to make people laugh are never-ending. She sings, she dances, she posts Facebook videos of herself dancing. She does sketch comedy and improv and doesn’t slack on either one. However, it isn’t until you edit her writing that you truly come to understand Lyndsay’s exuberance. In this post, I took out a hundred exclamation points, forty-thousand ellipses and a bajillion words typed in all capital letters. Okay, perhaps I exaggerate.

MEET LYNDSAY SHIPLEY! Continue reading →

It’s such a joy to know people who are talented, passionate and successful. It’s even more of a joy when those people – with the chops to back up a little cockiness and self-importance – are just the opposite: humble, helpful and kind. Kenny Kinds is one of those people. His comedic talents have brought him a great deal of success. He even opened for Keenan Ivory Wayans this year. Everyone who knows him loves him, and everyone who doesn’t is missing out big time.

Meet Kenny Kinds. Continue reading →

Well, that was a nice little vacation, wasn’t it? We’re back now, and better than ever. There are plans for some video and other interesting projects in the near future, but for today, we talk with one of the kindest, loveliest people on the planet, Marshall Cox. I met Marshall at the first meeting of what became The Last Sketch Comedy Show on Earth in St. Louis. My first impression (ugh, another hipster) very quickly evolved into feeling super lucky that I get to be his friend.

Meet Marshall Cox. Continue reading →

I’m really honored to have interviewed this person. He was responsible in large part for me getting into improv, so technically this guy changed my life. Because of him, I learned the incredible value of saying “yes” to new opportunities and of being around people who support me without hesitation. Because of him, I learned that taking time to play can help you in your work. And because of him, I found my second family – the improv community of St. Louis.

Meet Bill Chott. Continue reading →

Photo credit: David Guo

Tony Nguyen is quickly becoming one of my favorite people. Ever since we met at a rehearsal for Denver’s Next Improv Star, a weekly show we’re both doing, I’ve thought he is fun and nice. Getting to know him better – through DNIS and through our new independent team, Free Gluten! – has convinced me that A) I was right: he is fun and nice, and B) he is also polite, thoughtful, smart, funny and dedicated. This interview with Tony is the first in a series of interviews with members (and maybe even the coach!) of Free Gluten!

Meet Tony Nguyen. Continue reading →

Who says stand-up comics are competitive and only out for themselves? Not only is Amber Klear funny; she is also generous, thoughtful, compassionate and a true team player. Through her successful company, Amber Klear Entertainment, she develops and books a variety of comedy shows featuring many of her talented friends and fellow stand-ups. Amber also helps non-human animals (except fish), including her dog, whose social media fame is pretty much all thanks to Amber. And when Amber found out about a terrific writers’ workshop opportunity with NBC, did she hoard the information for herself? Nope. She spread the word to her stand-up, sketch writing and improv pals, including yours truly. (No, I didn’t get in, but I didn’t want to anyway). …

Meet Amber Klear. Continue reading →

When you find out someone has friends in common with you – friends that are some of the loveliest people in your life – you feel an instant connection and camaraderie with that person. Such is the case with Justin Franzen, who shares in common with me a few friends who are some of the most wonderful people, including the recently interviewed John Langen. Justin isn’t too bad himself either, with his down-to-earth personality, impressive improvising and hilarious positive spin on “Yo Mama” jokes.

Meet Justin Franzen. Continue reading →