Yes But Why Podcast

This week on Yes But Why, we talk to Houston improv community leader, Steven M. Saltsman. Steven M. Saltsman is the co-founder of Pronoia Theater in Houston, Texas. Steven and his business partner, Aaron Garrett, founded Pronoia in the summer of 2018 as a theater for everyone and so they seek out unconventional theater spaces to present their shows. As a performer, Steven has completed the conservatory program at Second City theater in Chicago and he has performed improv all over the world. In our chat, we talk about what it’s like to produce small, independent theater. Steven talks about the magical smell of cleaning products, transporting him to the time when he performed in his first school play. We go down quite a few philosophical rabbit holes. Steven brings up The Ship of Theseus, and I can’t help it, so we talk at length about my 18 year theory. We talk about organization as an important element of success. And Steven teaches me about the 7 types of conflict in improv scenes. This was a great conver

This week on Yes But Why, our featured interview is with actress and podcaster, Michelle Simone Miller.Michelle Simone Miller is a television/film actress, a model and the host of the podcast, Mentors on the Mic. She was born and raised in New York City. She has been acting since she was a kid but really sunk her teeth into it after college. Michelle has performed in lots of movies and starred in a few televisions shows. She has also been featured in various commercials, industrials, and training videos.In our chat, we talk about Michelle’s experiences getting advice from other entertainers throughout her career and how sometimes, it wasn’t always so positive and helpful. We talk about all the things we wished we had learned in college and how Michelle is writing a book on that very subject. We talk about finding the right agent that’ll work best for you and about focusing on your strengths to navigate your path. Support Michelle Simone Miller by listening to her podcast, Mentors on the Mic. In each episode

This week on Yes But Why, I interview Indian improviser and storyteller, Laxmi Priya. Laxmi Priya is a theatrical performer who participates in the Bangalore Improv Comedy Community. She is a playbacker at CityLamps Playback Theater and an improviser with Improv Comedy Bangalore. She performs in Bangalore’s only all woman improv troupe, The Adamant Eves, as well as various other duo improv troupes in her community. In our chat, we talk about dance, playback theater, and literary criticism. We talk about analyzing themes in culture and about using satire to talk about tough subjects. Laxmi talks about the therapeutic effects of storytelling. She explains the performance style of playback theater. She shares stories about her experience performing in The Adamant Eves. Support Laxmi Priya by watching her Zoom shows with CityLamps Playback Theater and with Improv Comedy Bangalore! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for

This week on Yes But Why, I interview actor and comedian, Tom Booker. Tom Booker is an actor, improv comedian, writer, voice actor, and director. Tom is the owner of The Institution Theater, an improv comedy theater located in Austin, Texas. Along with voice acting, Tom has appeared in several television shows, a few movies and nearly a hundred commercials.In our chat, Tom and I talk about his journey. Tom tells me about growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He talks about playing Top Dog, the mascot for University of Oklahoma. Tom learned improv in the heyday of Chicago theater, under the tutelage of such improv greats as Del Close and Mick Napier. He is a founding member of Chicago's Annoyance Theatre. I picked his brain for lots of stories about this time. Think of the genius he soaked up!Tom talks about the amazing experience of performing in The Annoyance Theatre's Off-Broadway production of "The Real Live Brady Bunch", a show known for all the great comedians that were in the cast. So many wild little details!

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to Autumn Simmons, creator, writer, producer and star of the sitcom web series, The Quirk Chronicles. Autumn Simmons is a writer, director, and performer from Philadelphia. She is the creator and star of the sitcom web series, The Quirk Chronicles. She hosts the weekly podcast, The Quirk of the Day. She writes The Quirk Blog. Autumn has a book coming out called, “I Quirky Girl.” Oh and also, she is debuting a forthcoming fragrance called Quirky Girl. Autumn is a creative go-getter. She creates project after project, adding to her Quirky brand.In our chat, Autumn talks about creating her own storytelling projects. We talk about Autumn’s creative path, experimenting with music before she landed on comedy. Autumn talks about her overflowing font of ideas. She says she often has lots of writing projects going at once. We talk about weird teachers, Barbie Doll videos and one woman shows. Autumn was a really great guest. She is a fun person to talk to. Ever the quirky girl and alwa

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to producer/screenwriter/actor/director, Meredith Binder. Meredith Binder is a bicoastal filmmaker and actor, spending some of her time in Seattle and the rest of her time in New York City. She is known for her acting roles in Beloved Beast (2018), Still (2013) and Mommy Heist (2016).In our conversation, we chat about acting and Meredith mentions that she didn’t start acting until later in life. She talks about how she got started at the Freehold Theatre Lab/Studio, and her subsequent path toward filmmaking. We talk about making a career change and how it affects the people around you. I bring up my 18 year theory (which I swear, I almost cut out but it just really makes sense in what we are talking about…I promise.). We agree it’s best for you to fulfill your own dream no matter what other people think.There is great inspiration in this interview for anyone on the fence about starting their creative journey. Meredith gives some sage advice for breaking into the film scene a

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to Katerina Chingoli, a writer and singer from Malawi in Africa. I connected with Katerina after I saw a sponsored ad for the Facebook page she has promoting her blog, Kacey’s Corner. I was really impressed that she had marketed herself so well so I contacted her to see if she wanted to be on the show! And thankfully, she was delighted to do so!During our chat, I learned so much more about Katerina! She has been writing songs since she was 12 years old and playing guitar since she was 15. She has a natural talent for music and she loves to sing but performing in front of large crowds is a little scary. Thankfully, the recording studio has just the right amount of people because now she has a song called “She,” that you can download for free immediately!In our conversation, we talk about Katerina’s drive to write. We talk about where she finds inspiration and what drives her to create. Katerina regularly puts up poetry and short stories on her blog, Kacey’s Corner, and she says

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to Austin improviser, Marc MajcherMarc Majcher is an improvised theater artist. He performs and directs improvised theater productions at theaters all over Austin, Texas. Marc also designs, produces, and sells his own tabletop games!In this conversation, we talk about narrative genre shows, commedia dell’arte and immersive theater pieces. Marc explains to me how improvised singing is actually very easy ( I enjoy it but easy?)! We talk about empowering people to produce their own stuff and how to trick your brain to avoid procrastination. Support Marc Majcher by buying one of his games – here’s the itch page where you can buy them! Special shoutout to Marc today as his episode day, August 24th, is his birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARC!!!Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.This episode of Yes But Why podcast is s

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to performer Melissa G. McKnight. Melissa is a standup comedian and playwright out of Nashville, Tennessee. Melissa and I had a delightful conversation! In our chat, we talk about singing and motherhood and working hard to get our voice out there. Melissa talks about taking a class in standup and what it was like to get involved in the standup comedy scenes of Tulsa and later, Nashville. Melissa enjoys making people laugh with her comedy and making them learn with her playwriting. She is not afraid of telling a cautionary tale. Melissa tells me about a writing project that she’s excited about! This interview goes all over the place but we had so much fun in it! Tune in! Support Melissa G. McKnight by following her on Instagram!Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.This episode of Yes But Why podcast is spo

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to performer Erin Souza. Erin Souza is an improv performer in San Francisco. She currently plays in the team, “The Professionals,” directed by Diana Brown. "The Professionals" is an improv comedy troupe who perform a "docu-reality" parody that is currently available to watch through the Leela SF Improv’s Youtube channel!In our conversation, we chat about Erin’s journey from making zombie films in malls to performing standup at Pride Pageants to being featured on Leela SF Improv’s virtual stage. Erin has flowed easily from one group to the next, following her creative whim. Erin teaches me about “After Dinner Speaking.” I wish I had had that kind of stuff in college. We talk about improv and the different schools she went through on her journey. She talks about how much she loves her current creative home, Leela SF, for the great performance opportunities she has found there!Support Erin Souza by checking out her improv troupe, “The Professionals!” Their recent show called “The

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to improviser and theater producer, Jessica Arjet. Jessica Arjet is an award-winning improv teacher as well as the Youth Director and co-owner of The Hideout Theatre in Austin, Texas.In our conversation, Jessica and I talk about how the theater just keeps pulling us back! You think you can maybe try something else but then BOOM, it’s calling your name and then you’re just helping …and then, all of a sudden, you’re teaching classes and producing shows. Jessica considers herself a hard worker as well as being a curious creative so she’s always working to improve herself. She talks about The Artist’s Way and how she did the exercises a couple different times to get the creative juices flowing. This could be a good time to try something like this!Jessica talks about being a loud child actor. She tells the tales of playing a clown at parties for many many years. And she shares the “one night” she knew she wanted to be an owner of The Hideout Theatre. Great stories from a great gues

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to NYC comedian Robin Gelfenbien!Robin Gelfenbien is an NYC-based storyteller, writer and comedian. She’s a three-time Moth Story SLAM winner who has performed on PBS, RISK!, Mortified and countless other shows. Robin is the Creator and Host of the storytelling series and podcast, “Yum’s the Word,” that features amazing stories alongside her homemade ice cream cakes. The show was named a New York Times and Time Out New York Critic’s Pick. In our conversation, Robin tells us the stories of her life that have helped beget award winning theater: “the Calamity Jane” story and the “Wienermobile” story. Robin is a force of nature. She is the Ambassador of Fun. I had a great time talking to her.From her aspirations to be a wacky weather girl to her career in advertising and marketing, we discuss all that she learned along the way. She talks about taking classes in sketch comedy and storytelling and later, teaching those classes and inspiring future performers. Robin Gelfenbien is a

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to Canadian improviser and film actor, VJ Delos-Reyes. VJ Delos-Reyes is an improviser and comedy teacher from Vancouver. Up until recently, VJ was performing at Vancouver Theater Sports, coaching improv troupes, and acting in films and television. In our conversation, VJ talks about all the different jobs in improv comedy that he has had throughout his life. From performing improv all over Vancouver to coaching a high school improv troupe to win the Canadian Improv Games, VJ’s love for improv has kept him steady making theater for the past 25 years. VJ is a positive and kindhearted soul. He was really nice to talk to. We had a lot in common. We talk about balancing family life with performing and teaching and having a day job. We talk about VJ’s recent announcement to his improv community that he’s decided to retire from Vancouver Theater Sports. Like many of us, the Covid shutdown has given him the opportunity to refocus on his home life. Still, VJ is a creative soul. We ta

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to fellow University of Dallas Drama alum, Terence MacSweeny. Terence MacSweeny is an actor and a stay-at-home-dad in New Jersey. Terence LOVES Shakespeare; he can turn literally any subject into a discussion on the Bard and I am tickled by his dedication. (Seriously. If you’re interested in Shakespeare and want to talk to Terence, he says you can email him at Shakespearecult@gmail.com . )Listen in as we talk about using auditioning opportunities as tiny acting classes. Terence talks about the need for actors to develop their own techniques. Terence stresses the importance of being able to pivot your interpretation if the audience doesn’t dig what you’re doing. In our conversation, Terence prophesies the reformation of theater after covid and I like it. Terence is an artist to the core and his creativity will weather the storm. Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDev

In this week’s Yes But Why episode, we talk to Atlanta actor, Eric James Morris.Eric James Morris is an entertainment professional who was born and raised in Atlanta GA. Being a native, Eric has a unique perspective on the growing Atlanta entertainment industry. The episode opens with the “Wild Thing” story! Eric has been playing guitar since he was 12 years old and this is the story of his first performance. We talk about when Eric was a rowdy skateboarding teen. Eric shares stories of performing Johnny Cash covers in restaurants. Years later, after getting married and having kids, Eric got into acting for film and television and now that is the creative path to which he is currently dedicated. Eric tells me the story of his stumble into his first break. He tells me how to juggle being a dad with being an actor while also running Morris Enviro foundation repair business. This guy keeps BUSY! In our conversation, we talk about the training that goes into being an actor. Eric takes his acting classes very ser

This week on Yes But Why, we talk to Alex Marion and Nick Hildred of Release The Clowns Podcast.From writing sketch comedy for “Week Ending” on BBC Radio 4 to orchestrating silly gags on “The Big Breakfast”, Nick Hildred has built a career as a TV and Radio writer and producer. Get ready for the crazy chicken story!During this time, Alex Marion was performing comedy and running comedy venues. Later, he went to study improv with the Free Association and that is where he met Nick. Together, Nick and Alex produce the Release The Clowns Podcast. Release The Clowns is what happens when a mix of comedy writers, performers and improvisers get together to have fun. Nick and Alex bring some semblance of order to the chaos, but only when they're not causing chaos themselves. These two were a fun pair to talk to. In our conversation, Nick and Alex tell me about the separate adventures that eventually led them to find each other and start collaborating. Tune in for Alex’s harrowing tale of booking venues with gangsters!

This week on Yes But Why, we talk to podcaster, activist and arts educator, Carob Mars. Carob Mars is the creator of “Age Out. Rise Up!”, a podcast by and for survivors of childhood trauma, especially former foster children, who refuse to let their past define them. In our conversation, Carob shares with me some of the darker moments of her life and the ways in which she has used art to process them. She says, “there’s never been a time that [she hasn’t] been a storyteller and a performer.” She is also a great producer of plays. After going to an acting conservatory, Carob organized a Shakespeare in the Park series in Utah; she has directed her son’s elementary school play for many years; and, most recently, she has been teaching 4H performing arts via Zoom. Carob launched “Age Out. Rise Up!” on Mother’s Day this year. Since then, she has populated her podcast feed and YouTube channel with an empowering message to disenfranchised youth, newly released from foster care. Age Out Rise Up's mission is to enable s

This week on Yes But Why, listen in as I talk to India-based improviser, Balasree Viswanathan.Balasree Viswanathan is the co-artistic director of Improv Comedy Bangalore as well as the leader of the only all-female improv troupe in India, The Adamant Eves. Bala found improv on a whim while she was in grad school for mechanical engineering. She really loved it. She joined the university’s improv team and soaked up all the different improv styles they could teach her. Then, when she graduated and returned home to Bangalore, she connected with Improv Comedy Bangalore and started performing, producing and directing improv shows with them. In our conversation, Bala talks about being inspired by all the international Zoom improv jams that she has connected with! She says she has found great comfort in this community online. Bala talks about what she has learned from the adjustment of performing via Zoom instead of #improvIRL . She says it has improved her confidence and her commitment to the bit. Balasree is always

This week on Yes But Why, listen in as I talk to actress and comedian, Nicole Odell. Nicole Odell has been performing comedy and theatre for over a decade. After graduating San Francisco State with a theater degree, Nicole went to Los Angeles to receive her comedy education from the Second City Hollywood. There, she received the bulk of her training in sketch writing and improv. While in LA, she also performed stand-up and participated in several small theatrical productions. Many comedy shows, a couple of plays and quite a few improv festivals later, Nicole moved back to the Bay Area. She connected with the vibrant improv and theater communities of San Francisco. She is currently teaching and performing improv with Leela SF, as well as teaching, performing, and writing sketch comedy with Killing My Lobster. In our conversation, Nicole and I talk a lot about adjustments that are being made to performing improv via Zoom. In the beginning of our chat, Nicole provides some excellent advice about performing on Zo

This week on Yes But Why, we chat with comedy writer and producer, Meghan R. Ross. Meghan R. Ross is a writer, producer, director, and comedian from New York, now living in Austin, Texas. Since 2015, she has been hosting, writing, and producing That Time of the Month, an award-winning late night show featuring an all-women and non-binary comedy lineup. Meghan’s comedy writing has also appeared in Broadly, Reductress, Medium’s Slackjaw, and one time she wrote tweets for Mel Brooks.In our conversation, Meghan and I talk about networking and getting connected to the performers and producers you want to work with. Meghan’s experience running her show, That Time of the Month in both NYC and Austin really fascinated me and I picked her brain about it. Meghan started out in marketing before her first comedy writing internship, doing television recaps at Bravo’s Television Without Pity. But Meghan always had an eye on a career in entertainment. Meghan shares stories about her experiences at UCB and her decision to mo