Yes But Why Podcast

This week on Yes But Why, I chatted with Copenhagen-based improviser, Emma Borrow!

Emma Borrow is an improv performer and teacher currently residing in Copenhagen, Denmark. Originally from England, Emma began her theatrical journey at the Copenhagen Theatre Circle, an English-speaking amateur theatre group, with a 55-year history of bringing people together through the love of the stage.

These days, Emma can be found performing weekly on the mainstage of the Improv Comedy Copenhagen’s ‘ICC Theatre.’ She also hosts Jam nights for ICC students! Emma also helps to organize the Copenhagen International Improv Festival, which is regrouping for a triumphant return in 2024.

Emma’s improv style, both when playing and teaching, is driven by curiosity and playfulness. She believes in being an advocate for the international theatre community in Copenhagen. She seeks to create a safe space for both native Danes and expats to unleash their creativity. Emma’s goal is to help building the performing arts communities of Copenhagen and to meet inspiring humans along the way.

In our conversation, Emma and I discussed the ways in which we realized our own superpowers. We talked about positivity and curiosity as the keys to unlock any door.

Emma has always been a very adventurous spirit, kicking off her postgraduate career working in hospitality all over Europe. She told me about some of the wild trips she took before landing in Copenhagen.

Emma spoke of finding the freedom in Denmark to pursue her creativity. We got into a discussion about cultural differences and how she has made Copenhagen her home.

Emma is very active in the Copenhagen performing arts community. She is passionate about supporting others on their theatrical journeys. We chatted about getting anxious taking care of people and making sure they’re having a great experience.

Support Emma Borrow by checking out Improv Comedy Copenhagen, where you’ll find her teaching, performing on stage and hosting jams. Take classes, come to jams, join the community!
Support Emma’s other theatrical home at Copenhagen Theatre Circle. They are hosting their annual Fringe Festival in May and they are currently taking submissions!! Sign up today!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. (production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 2/8/2023; posted on 2/27/2023)

This week on Yes But Why, I interviewed improv performer and producer, Jada Pulley.

Jada Pulley is a teaching and theater artist based in Minneapolis, MN. Jada is a staple of HUGE Theater, where they regularly produce and perform in improv shows, such as “Based on a True Story.” They are a proud director of the Twin Cities Black and Funny Improv Festival and founder of the Queer and Funny Improv Festival. Jada is dedicated to making improv an art form accessible to all people, especially those who are traditionally marginalized in theater spaces.

In our conversation, we discussed the different ways we receive and take in storytelling. Jada talked of their love of collaborating with other artists. We discuss how diversity among artists can open minds to different directing paths and different playing styles.

Jada is really busy but they say it all “feels like fun.” We talked about how they manage a full plate of activities, from day job to producing festivals to being social with the HUGE Theater community. We kept discussing the ebb and flow of being sometimes an introvert and sometimes an extrovert.

Jada told me about producing the “Strangers No More” improv show and how that created a space to connect with other performers in the Minneapolis scene. I confessed that that is why I do Yes But Why – to connect and make friends with cool improvisers active in the worldwide scene.

Support Jada Pulley by joining the HUGE Theater community! And by taking part in Jada’s festivals: the Twin Cities Black and Funny Improv Festival and the Queer and Funny Improv Festival!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 2/6/2023; posted on 2/13/2023)

This week on Yes But Why, I chatted with actor, improviser, and coach Karla Dingle.

Karla Dingle has spent her life on the stage. She is an actor and a voiceover artist. You can see her performing improv with Now are the Foxes Improv Comedy, Close Distance Improv, Charlotte Comedy Theater, and Background Noise Musical Improv. ​​ Karla’s passion beside performing is teaching and coaching. Currently, Karla is the Education Director and an Instructor at Queen City Comedy in Charlotte, NC in the US. She is also the Improv Director and an Acting Instructor at a local studio in Charlotte, NC. Over the last several years, Karla has instructed students from Peru, Israel, India, Canada, Japan, Europe, South Africa, the Philippines and beyond. ​

In our conversation, I learned that Karla is very community focused. From the neighborhood kids she grew up with in Atlanta to the theater kids she performed with at the Trumbull Youth Association, she found her crowd and she stuck with them. And now, as an adult, Karla builds and nurtures communities in Charlotte, NC and beyond. She really knows how to bring people together.

I first became aware of Karla during the pandemic when the communication amongst improvisers across the globe was at its peak. The hot spot for the international improv community was online jams hosted by Karla and the Queen City Comedy community. Everyone I was interviewing at the time was abuzz about working with Karla. And by golly, I eventually got brave enough to ask Karla to be a guest on this show.

Karla was a total delight. A real dream guest. She tells me how the Queen City Comedy online jams came to be and what it was like to be connected to so many amazing performers across the world. We talk about her recent visit to Improvfest Ireland and meeting so many of the improvisers she met online! Such an exciting experience and I am totes jealous!

Karla talks about how all of her work and all of her art is about building experiences. And I just think that that is the coolest way to look at what she does. Karla Dingle is an amazing force in our improv world and I’m glad to say now that I know her.

Support Karla Dingle by staying up to date with her happenings via her linktree -- https://linktr.ee/dingledrama and her instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/DingleDrama/

Take a class with her! Hire her to coach your troupe!
She has an upcoming intensive starting February 4, 2023: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coach-dingle-an-online-observation-notes-improv-intensive-wkarla-dingle-tickets-437428649867?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch
You should also check out all the awesome online workshops currently being offered through Queen City Comedy: https://www.queencitycomedy.com/classes-and-workshops

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork
This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.


(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 1/23/2023; posted on 1/30/2023)

This week on Yes But Why, I was delighted to connect with UK improv leader, Chris Mead. Chris Mead is a full time performer and teacher of improv. He has performed and taught in over 25 countries worldwide. Chris lives in the Surrey Hills of England with his wife, Laura and their dog friend, Radio.

A passionate lover of improv, Chris Mead is currently teaching for Hoopla Impro, the largest improv school in the UK, as well as offering numerous indie classes on his own. Chris is one third of the legendary sci-fi improv team, “Project2” and co-founder of “Unmade Theatre Co” which produces theatrical longform shows.

During our conversation, Chris connected the dots on his community building superpower.

It all started with Chris’s first job after school, helping to facilitate workshops and shows at the local Christian center. This was where he first developed his creative skills. But it was the closing of this center that inspired Chris and his sister to produce their own weeklong theater camp to support the community that had lost their performance home.

Years later, Chris used his skills producing theater and building communities to create an online home for improvisers during the pandemic. Alongside creative partner, Katy Schutte, Chris founded the “International Improv Station” (formerly The Improv Place UK).

Chris is a creative through and through. He developed characters when he was a kid and made trading cards for them. A few years back, he used his creative skills to help save the world when he worked at an NGO focused on poverty eradication. And now, he’s currently writing a book about improv! In the story of his journey, all moves Chris made were fueled by his love for theater and community.

Support Chris Mead by joining his newsletter and finding out all the cool new things he’s got going on! Chris mentioned to me that he is developing a new improv community in his current hometown of Farnham so keep an eye out for that! You can also take classes with Chris Mead through Hoopla Impro in London! In our chat, he mentioned the online workshop he led recently called “Improv Cinema Club” and that one would be really cool to catch next time it comes around!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 12/15/2022; posted on 12/19/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I chatted with Reid Messerschmidt, a writer and podcaster from Fargo, ND.

Reid Messerschmidt features his writings as well as his performance thereof on his show, The Irrationally Exuberant Podcast. He is a hilariously fun person to follow on social media. You can find Reid scouring thrift shops (or the river) for the best and weirdest of treasures. You can also catch him on ebay selling the wacky wares he is not allowed to keep in his house.

Reid has always been a writer. He started early, writing his first book on the topic of candy vs fruit, as a school assignment. (You can guess which way baby Reid was arguing.)

In my conversation with Reid, we talked a lot about how his early years drinking sapped him of his creativity. He opened up to me about his personal journey and what it took for him to regain control of his life.

Reid jokingly mentioned that sobriety opened up a lot of free time so that’s why he got back into writing. And he started Irrationally Exuberant Podcast as a way to get an audience for his writing. I think that’s a really smart idea and honestly, it has worked really well. He has a strong following who appreciate his stories and the way he performs them.

During our chat, we made fun of ourselves and each other throughout. Reid was funny and sarcastic. We had a good time.

Support Reid by listening to The Irrationally Exuberant Podcast. You can also support Reid’s obsession with odd thrift store scores by buying some from him via ebay. I actually got an awesome (and creepy) music box from him and I love it too much.

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.


(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 11/7/2022; posted on 12/5/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I chatted with my friend Jess Lonett, an enthusiastic human who loves collaborating with other enthusiastic humans.

Jess Lonett is a cat mom, a glitter enthusiast, a #swiftie, an inspiration hoarder, a playlist curator, a donut lover, and an improviser based in Austin, Texas! She is what some may call a human woman who likes attention and has been capturing the attention of friends, family and strangers alike in a variety of ways since birth. She's won silver medals as a competitive dancer, played Goldilocks as the lead in her 3rd grade class play, done kicklines in high school football halftime shows on the pom pom squad, and been knocked down as a jammer on a small town roller derby team. She performs comedy regularly at Fallout Theater and she writes a blog called “!!!” (for real though, the website is http://www.exclamationpointexclamationpointexclamationpoint.com/ )

Turns out, Jess is from Pittsburgh; and, even though I didn’t know that until this chat, I should have assumed. She is as delightful and wonderfully creative as the other amazing ladies I’ve interviewed from Pittsburgh. Amazing town.

Jess and I are compatriots from the Austin improv scene. I have had the pleasure of coaching Jess in improv and directing her in sketch comedy a few times over the years.

In our conversation, Jess told me that she started as a performer like so many of us do – choreographing dances in her basement. We shared notes on both winning lip sync contests back in the day. And then, Jess told me she hosted a radio show in college called “Groovy Cupcakes.” Now that is pretty much the most perfectly Jess thing I’ve ever heard.

Jess loves music; that’s how she got to Austin. She is a lover of mixtapes (aren’t we all) and she is a curator of some amazing Spotify playlists. Jess is an appreciator of art and the people who make art. That is something we really bond over and share.

Jess has such a welcoming energy. She told me that she is community first, creativity second, when it comes to her extracurricular activities. From improv to volleyball to dance, Jess brings the joy to every scene she encounters. It’s all about connecting with people. And Jess is an amazing success at that.

You can support Jess Lonett at Fallout Theater in Austin Texas where, on the last Wednesday of the month at 8PM, she will be performing in Teenage Dirtbag. You can also connect with her on Instagram by following @itsjesslonett.


Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.


(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 10/24/2022; posted on 11/21/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, listen in to my conversation with Kristin Henn, the owner and director of Excused Absence Comedy and Move Your Tale.

Kristin Henn began hanging out backstage while her mom stage-managed when she was 5 years old. By 6, she found her way onto the stage. Kristin’s theatrical education started with storytelling, theater history, directing and creative drama.

When she discovered Improv, a switch flipped. She had found her path. She began her study of Improv at ColdTowne Theater and remains a loyal member of that community, teaching, directing, and performing regularly. Currently, Kristin's professional life revolves around teaching and producing Improv for youth as Excused Absence Comedy and Move Your Tale.

In our conversation, Kristin and I chatted about confidence, listening, and making up stories. Kristin told me how her experience with a tornado early in life shaped her whole world view.

We discussed improv and how much it saved us both! We talked about deal with with trauma and the healing power of a conscientious teacher. Kristin told me how she loves to create fun experiences and new adventures!


If you want to support Kristin Henn and you are interested in Improv for youth, check out the Excused Absence website for class listings, show dates, festival details, and more!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.


(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 10/5/2022; posted on 11/6/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I present to you my interview with improviser, Katy Schutte.

Katy Schutte has performed and taught improvisation in 20+ countries across five continents. She is a Head Teacher and Curriculum Writer for Hoopla, the UK’s biggest improv school. Katy authored The Improviser's Way: A Longform Workbook, published by Nick Hern Books. She is also a commercial and voiceover actor.

Katy is a contributing writer for Cards Against Humanity as well as an actor/writer on the web series, Sideliners. She was resident songwriter on Sean and Robot’s Comedy Circuit podcast; she was co-writer on the AR immersive game Beth's Legacy in association with StoryFutures and CreativeXR; and she was a writer/improv director/performer on The Galaxicle Implosions, a multi-platform live virtual reality show with Fandco and Flipside.

Katy is currently working on a play based on her experience as an artist in residence with The Arctic Circle Project 2022 and is a recipient of the Peggy Ramsay Foundation Grant.

In my conversation with Katy, she told me all the ways she has attempted to find nerdy friends. She had some really good ideas.

Once a tiny child sitting in a chair up in a tree reading a book, Katy Schutte is now a successful and often sought-after improv teacher from the UK. Katy has made a name for herself in the international improv community with her online improv and writing workshops! I am currently taking a zoom workshop with her called, “The Mythic Improv Journey”!

Katy has been a tour de force in the improv scene long before the pandemic. In an effort to bolster her own improv scene in Brighton, Katy studied improv in the US and then soaked up as much improv education as she could from all around her.

We had a great conversation about the hard work that goes into developing and being part of an improv scene. We talked about how to handle conflict and how to make career decisions. Katy spoke on using your own values to navigate big decisions. She made it sound really easy.

Katy is such an inspiration to me. She is a stalwart educator in the international improv community and the effort she puts in to all of her theatrical endeavors is just plain awesome. In my time taking class with her, Katy has created a safe space and taught us some really amazing things about myth! I’ve enjoyed every bit of my time spent with her and I am happy she is out there for all of you to hopefully experience as well.

Support Katy Schutte by joining her newsletter – you’ll then receive information from her about all the workshops she is teaching and any shows she is participating in!
Katy is teaching an upcoming “Write your Own Solo Show” workshop that starts soon and it is available ONLINE! Sign up now!
You should also buy her book, The Improviser’s Way: A Longform Workbook, to add to your theatre education library.


Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.


(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 10/3/2022; posted on 10/24/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I had a lovely time chatting with Maddie Cordovano, the newest Conservatory Director at Fallout Theater in Austin.

Maddie Cordovano has been an improviser for a little over 14 years. She trained at iO and The Second City in Chicago before moving to Austin where she signed with her first agent and wrote her first solo show. She is now the new Conservatory Director at Fallout Theater and is working to pursue a career in voice over acting. You can catch her going wild on stage (and off) all over the city but mostly at her show “Pioneers” on Saturday nights at Fallout.

In our conversation, Maddie talked about having lots of diverse interests and dipping her toes into lots. She definitely has a creative thread throughout them all but deciding on one course of study was hard. Maddie was always doing theater growing up and at college but she, like so many of us, didn’t think of it as a career option.

After an amazing experience writing and acting in a play in Spain, Maddie decided that she should put some effort into creative pursuits. She moved to Chicago and immersed herself in the improv scene. She learned a lot from that experience, not only about her own creative skills but also about her administrative abilities.

Maddie is a welcoming soul and she really loves bringing people together and organizing communities. She shared how excited she is to have joined the Fallout staff. We bond over holding the same job in the same space, many years apart, and how special it is to be the first person to connect with incoming artists.

Support Maddie by taking classes at Fallout Theater and by attending (or performing in) her weekly improv show, Pioneers.

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.


(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 9/26/2022; posted on 10/10/2022)

This week on Yes But Why, I chatted with Joe Thompson, an improv performer and teacher based out of Sheffield, UK.

Joe Thompson started his improv career 9 years ago at the University of Sheffield, where he joined and later became Artistic Director of the university improv society ‘The Shrimps’.

Since then, he has been featured in the Leicester Comedy Award nominated long form group ‘Scriptless in Seattle’ and performed at the Y-Not Festival with Sturike Comedy. Joe’s interest in improv is academic as well – he got his Masters in Arts and Cultural Management and his thesis examined hierarchies within improv communities! (I’ve got to read that paper!)

These days, you can find Joe running monthly nights with his production company Little Chicago as well as teaching and performing at various venues throughout the UK. Joe Thompson currently co-runs and teaches improv with the Spontaneity and Sheffield Steel (SASS Improv) theater group alongside improv colleague, Owen Scrivens.

In our conversation, we first explored different styles of storytelling. We did a particular deep dive on JJ Abrams, who I really love! (oh hey, watch out because there are How I Met Your Mother spoilers in the opening discussion).

Joe told me how the Pokemon shows he watched as a kid inspired him to create his own storylines at home when playing with his toys. We talk about immersive games and “playing narratively not competitively.” Joe and I connected on so many levels; this was a great conversation about creating art in our current cultural landscape.

A big topic that came up multiple times was how sometimes making money with your art can affect the art that you create. We discussed how to find your own voice as an artist.

If you live close to Sheffield, you can support Joe Thompson by performing with or attending the shows of Spontaneity and Sheffield Steel (SASS Improv)! Connect with them on Facebook at facebook.com/sassimprov !


Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.


(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 9/22/2022; posted on 9/26/2022)