What a delight to chat with beloved improviser, Jonathan Pitts. We chatted about improv, mythology, Joseph Campbell, and psychiatrist Car Jung who were some of his influences.
My interview with Jonathan was so much fun, I’m posting it as a two-part interview with our fascinating guest!
I’d taken a few classes with Jonathan, whose 30-plus years as an improviser and coach make him a master artist.
Jonathan is an award-winning international improv theatre artist and storyteller. He’s performed and/or taught in 25 countries and 81 cities in more than 1,200 improv performances. He’s the former Executive Director of Chicago Improv Productions; Co-Founder/Producer – Chicago Improv Festival; Creator/Producer – College Improv Tournament; Founder/Producer – Chicago Podcast Festival; Founder/Producer – Teen Comedy Fest. His experience also includes being a teacher/Director of children and teens with physical and/or cognitive disabilities.
Continue reading “Jonathan Pitts Award-Winning International Improv Theatre Artist and Storyteller”
Beth Boynton is an organizational development consultant and Medical Improv Practitioner specializing in communication, collaboration, and culture. She’s written three books on communication in healthcare including the industry-first; Medical Improv: A New Way to Improve Communication. (CreateSpace 2017). She is currently working on a Teach Medical Improv ebook series designed to help healthcare professionals faciiltate fundamental activities in their facilities in an affordable, effective, and time-efficient way. beth@bethboynton.com.
Meet Jill Bernard, a beloved improviser and teacher. Jill talks to us about her journey in improv theatre, and her joyful approach to improv and life.
Sandra Bruce is the Founder and Executive Director of Autism Improvised, Inc., a nonprofit serving the autism community through the principles of improvisational theater. She was inspired by her grandson, who was diagnosed ASD at age 2, to find a creative, fun way to address the social challenges of autism. Because her grandson had a love for film and theatre, she suspected this area would benefit her grandson. Not coming from a theater background, she did her research, discovered improvisational acting, and was excited to discover how improv seemed to be a perfect modality to address the social challenges and rigid thought patterns of autism.
Meet the fabulous Wendy Rush, improviser, popular radio DJ and mom along with the delightful Tom McCourt. Together they have developed a program for the Las Vegas Juvenile Offender Court to use improvisational theatre skills to help these teens and their families.
Meet the hilarious Lenny Ravich and learn about his incredible journey over the past 8 decades where he proves laughter is the best medicine. Lenny is an expert on the subject of humor and laughter through improv. Lenny facilitates workshops and presentations on the subjects of “Upgrading Your Humor Quotient as a Work Ethic,” and “Optimism For Self Esteem and Peak Performance,” throughout the world. He is the author of the best selling book, “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Enlightenment.”