Licenced Clinical Social Worker and Improv Therapist
Meet Joe Bill, an international improv teacher and performer and co-founder of the Annoyance Theater and tours with Mark Sutton in Bassprov. Bill taught at Second City, The Annoyance and iO Chicago and continues to teach around the world. Listen to Joe Bill discuss what he loves about teaching, The Annoyance, and his unique psychological and spiritual approach to the art of improvisational comedy.
Dr. Daniel Wiener is a pioneer in the work of integrating improvisational theatre games with psychotherapy. His groundbreaking book, “Rehearsals for Growth”, published in 1994 inspired many therapists around the world to explore this valuable and effective intervention. Dan shares how he discovered improv and how he continues to live a playful life today.
Continue reading “Daniel Wiener PH.D – Rehearsals for Growth”
To paraphrase a question a friend recently asked me “How does one meet their own needs and find balance while caring for a loved one with a chronic illness?”
My own experience with caregiving helps me answer that question. In 1996 my father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This coincided with the birth of the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida. My father and I both volunteered with this great group. By 2000 Dad’s PD had progressed and my husband and I became the full-time care partners. Because I had consulted in skilled nursing facilities in the past, I was determined to keep dad in his own home and if possible, die at home. Although I had worked with care partners in the past, until I became a care partner for my father, I really didn’t understand the challenges they go through. Continue reading “SELF-CARE FOR CARE PARTNERS”
What do Firesign Theatre, fasting, the original Ghostbusters, film editing and improvisational theatre have in common? Sam Longoria!
Sam made his first film when he was 14. He has worked with many Hollywood legends, on several Academy Award and Grammy nominated films and music.
Sam recommends Byron Katie’s book, “Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life” which changed his life. Byron Katie. He supports Actor Richard Dreyfuss’s project, The Civics Initiative, which stresses Civics Education in America Richard Dreyfuss Civics Initiatve Richard Dreyfuss Thank you
Assael Romanelli, MSW is an improviser/therapist who recently published his PhD research study on training therapists in improvisation skills.
Listen to how Assael’s path in improvisation theatre, psychotherapy and education led him to this groundbreaking research. Hear about the ways in which these disciplines come together to create a new, synergistic training which can help generate healing and growth processes for the individual and relationship.
Over 40 years ago I attended New Games Foundation training and became a Certified New Games Referee. Imagine my delight and honor to meet Bernie De Koven, the man who was pivotal in the New Games movement. Bernie is an amazing person whose energy and love of play have helped thousands of folks realize that play is as important for adults as it is for kids! Bernie De Koven is a “founding father of play studies,” creating the Games Preserve, the first centre for the exploration of games and play for adults, Bernie continues to this day to explore the theory of fun and playfulness and how it can affect every aspect of personal and interpersonal, community and institutional health.
In this episode actor, comedian and improv master, Jimmy Carrane speaks about his history in improv comedy, how he developed his groundbreaking improv intensive workshop, “Art of Slow Comedy,” and how he dealt with his own personal challenges.
Continue reading “Jimmy Carrane – Improviser/Teacher”Join us in this laugh-filled podcast with the dynamic duo, Rachael Mason and Susan Messing. During this episode they share their experiences in improv comedy. They also give great notes on getting out of the judging mind and how to have fun and play on stage.
As an MSW and an improviser, I am proud of the relationship between my two vocations and the women who pioneered social work and improv comedy, the “Mother of Social Work” and the “Mother of Improv”. How their lives intersected is inspirational to me.
Rachael Mason & Susan Messing – Improvisers
Amy Burge
Last summer I met Amy in a workshop and fell in love with her immediately! . Her enthusiasm and love of improv is contagious. Amy Burge is an improviser, public school teacher and a mother of two very active teenage boys. Currently, she is a very involved in the Minneapolis improv community as a performer, a committee member (Tiny Funny Women Fest and FairPlay) and teacher. She is most excited about being able to teach improv at an adolescent chemical treatment center and would like to further he work in the area of mental health. Continue reading “Amy Burge”