On Stopping
I am returning from some time away this week. Going to San Juan, Puerto Rico. If everything goes as planned, I'll make it to my show tonight; if my plane is delayed, I won't. I said in a class recently that I was doing "too
You Are in Every Scene
The Harold is just like football, baseball, or any other team sport — no one player is more important than anyone else. Each player must share the responsibility. On an eight-man team, each player should do one-eighth of the work. If one person tries to lead a Harold, it
The James Acaster Preshow Ritual
Short post this week. James Acaster is one of my favorite comics, and he recently talked to Mike Birbiglia, another of my favorites. The whole conversation was great, but I really loved what James had to say in this Instagram clip: View this post on Instagram A post shared by
Going Infinite
I'm fortunate in my current situation to be able to take improv classes online with Jim Woods at the World's Greatest Improv School. The class he's offered the most online is Scene Notes: Hard or Easy?, which is one of the best classes I
This Is Improv - Part 2
When you're in rehab, part of the process is losing your personal freedoms. Even if you're in a great rehab with your own room, fantastic staff who are present and helpful, nice amenities like an amazing kitchen, and the ability to go outside whenever you want
This Is Improv - Part 1
"There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says 'Morning, boys. How’s the water?' And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of
The Harold
"The Harold is not great for entertainment. But it IS good for community. It’s a common enemy. Or at least a common challenge. Improvisers love to try and crack it. It inspires them and makes them work hard." Via: New Teamsa good teams night equals a good
How the Yes, Also Thing Happened
Yes, Also - Bonus Ep: Improv and Sobriety with Brendan MartinYes, Also – Bonus Ep: Improv and Sobriety with Brendan Martin It was great to share my journey with both Sobriety and Improv with Suzi. I believe, for many reasons, it’s important to recover out loud. I have shared this message
Yes, Also - Bonus Ep: Improv and Sobriety with Brendan Martin
Yes, Also – Bonus Ep: Improv and Sobriety with Brendan Martin It was great to share my journey with both sobriety and improv with Suzi. I believe, for many reasons, it's important to recover out loud. I have shared this message in rehabs and local AA meetings, and I
The Sketch School
Improv to Sketch! - The Sketch SchooldescriptionThe Sketch School I have a couple of things in drafts, but the world's kind of rotten right now, and I haven't been as able to do as much writing as I wanted to this week. It's important to
One Floor at a Time
I want to be careful how I talk about this, but it's sobering when two people your age who had the career you want for the past twenty years put out podcasts about how they are struggling with the next stage of their careers to start the new
Things I Did on Winter Vacation
For the past 20+ years*, between Christmas and New Year's, I go on vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. My wife and I go with our college friends and those who have glommed onto that group as friends, partners, and minions. We're now regularly