The husband and wife team, Carla and Craig Cackowski are the creators of the two-person improv show “Orange Tuxedo” in Los Angeles, California. The perform “Close Quarters”, with a focus on creating grounded relationships formed by eccentric characters. If you like comedy, you may have seen Craig wear various mustaches and costume pieces on Comedy Central’s Drunk History. If you like drunken history, you may have seen Carla drink various beers on Instagram.
They say no one has done more for the art of improvisation than Jane Morris, and when you listen to this interview you will learn why. Jane has improvised, written, performed, and directed shows around the world. Beginning in Chicago, Jane helped found the Second City ETC with her husband Jeff Michalski, and later formed her own theaters in Los Angeles.
As an actress with over 58 credits to her name she is best known for her roles in Raising Helen, True Lies, Frankie and Johnny and recently in Veep.
Jeff Michalski is an actor, director, improviser, teacher, mentor and so much more. He worked in comedy clubs across the country with the Original Comedy Ranger and was a member of the Groundling in Los Angeles before settling with the Chicago Second City in 1980. During his years with the Second City, Jeff studied with Paul Sills and his historic Story Theatre. While traveling the country with Second City’s National Touring Company he continued training with Second City founder Paul Sills, and artistic directors Del Close, Fred Kaz, and Bernie Sahlins.
Join me and meet the incredibly likable Howard Jerome who is a walking encyclopedia of Improvisation history. Howard calls himself an actor, voice guy, and a seminar and workshop leader as well as an MC, work he has been doing for decades with great gusto. Howard’s amazing understanding and dedication to improvisation have led to 111 film and acting credits. He has worked with some of the world’s most creative and innovative minds, including Dr. Jean Houston, a principal founder of the Human Potential Movement, and the great spiritual leader Ram Dass. Howard worked with David Shepherd in the early 70s on projects including Community Makers, Responsive Scene Radio Show, Improv Olympics to name a few.
Kay Ross was born in Scotland, grew up in Australia,
and has lived in Hong Kong for 25 years. She has been acting since she was a
teenager, did stand-up comedy for a while, has been performing with short-form improv
team People’s Liberation Improv in Hong Kong for 11 years, is a member of the
Applied Improvisation Network, and leads Applied Improvisation workshops in
Hong Kong and around Asia for companies, universities and community
organizations.
Aretha Sills is the granddaughter of Viola Spolin. She studied theater games for many years with her father, director Paul Sills (creator/director of The Second City and Story Theater), and has conducted workshops for Paul Sills’ Wisconsin Theater Game Center, Bard College, Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Stockholm International School, Sarah Lawrence College, and Northwestern University. She has worked with Tony- and Emmy-Award winning actors and has trained faculty from Northwestern, DePaul, Columbia College, The Second City, The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, LAUSD, CETA, and many other institutions and schools. She is the Associate Director of Sills/Spolin Theater Works and she directs The Predicament Players.
Part 2 of my podcast with Gary Schwartz, an award-winning TV and film actor, director, comedian and a master improvisational acting coach whose 30 years as a performer and improv teacher has helped transform the lives of thousands of people, both on- and off-screen. He studied and worked with Viola Spolin,the mother of modern improv, and is the only master teacher to have ever earned an endorsement from both Viola Spolin and her son, Paul Sills, the co-founder and director of The Second City.
Meet Marshall Stern who is an Author, Teacher, Lecturer, Public Speaker, Radio Host, Podcast Host, Musician, Actor, Songwriter, World Traveler and Improvisational Comedian and a self proclaimed living example of ADHD in action! Marshall is the author of 2 books, Meet the Buddha Kill the Buddha and Practical Buddhism Lectures. Marshall is also hosts the podcast Zenprov with his partner Nancy Howland Walker.
Cameron Algie first attended The Second City Training Centre to deal with his deep-seated fear of crowds, strangers and going out in public at the suggestion of his therapist. Cameron has gone from barely being able to walk to the subway without having a panic attack to becoming one of the most respected improvisers in the country. Cameron was the 5th person I interviewed for my podcast series and has been an inspiration in my using improv to help clients with their anxiety.
Meet Southwest Florida’s improv master Craig Price, who studied with the legendary Del Close at Improv Olympic and Second City in Chicago. Craig performed and studied for two years at Second City and IO before moving to Denver and performing for 5 years and 550 shows ComedySportz of Denver. He then moved to Southwest Florida where he was instrumental in leading the improv movement that has taken Southwest Florida by comedic storm. Craig is the Education Director at the Naples Players where he continues to teach improv to kids under 18 and adults. Since being at TNP, Craig has initiated a Wellness/Inclusive Improv Program where he teaches Acting & Improv for kids with ASD & SDP, Improv for Adults with Disabilities and a special needs improv class for High School students. Margot and Craig discuss the highs and lows that improv players experience on and off stage. Continue reading “Craig Price Brings Improv to Southwest Florida”
Meet Southwest Florida’s improv master Craig Price, who studied with the legendary Del Close at Improv Olympic and Second City in Chicago. Craig performed and studied for two years at Second City and IO before moving to Denver and performing for 5 years and 550 shows ComedySportz of Denver. He then moved to Southwest Florida where he was instrumental in leading the improv movement that has taken Southwest Florida by comedic storm. Craig is the Education Director at the Naples Players where he continues to teach improv to kids under 18 and adults. Since being at TNP, Craig has initiated a Wellness/Inclusive Improv Program where he teaches Acting & Improv for kids with ASD & SDP, Improv for Adults with Disabilities and a special needs improv class for High School students. Margot and Craig discuss the highs and lows that improv players experience on and off stage.