The Beat Up
  • Home
  • About
Sign in Subscribe

Brendan Martin

Brendan Martin
🎭 My 2025 Improv Wrapped

🎭 My 2025 Improv Wrapped

I had the idea of keeping a spreadsheet with all my classes and shows. I realized with some spreadsheet estimation, I could come up with a sort of year-end wrap-up that everyone posts. I thought it could be a good guide for how a person could spend 365

By Brendan Martin 01 Jan 2026
A Set Aside Prayer for Improv

A Set Aside Prayer for Improv

Today is Christmas and my last post of the year. It's a good season for ritual. There is a tradition in my first AA home group to open each meeting with the "Set Aside Prayer." I've found it helpful to say it whenever I

By Brendan Martin 25 Dec 2025
A Work in Progress

A Work in Progress

If you're like me, you started improvising because you love it. I'm sure some people dip in and out. Maybe they take a 101 class to feel more comfortable speaking in front of people. Perhaps they go to 201 because they're the funniest person

By Brendan Martin 18 Dec 2025
Prove You Are a Bad ____________.

Prove You Are a Bad ____________.

Continuing with December's how to get started theme, I am going to start with some top content here: A video of Dan Harmon with his shirt off. It's also one of the best bits of advice for getting started on any creative project. For those who

By Brendan Martin 11 Dec 2025
Again and Again

Again and Again

For December, as we all wrap up another year, I think a series on how to get started and how to keep going is a good idea. I am also thinking that Thursday will be the posting day for now. While I want to have something important to say; my

By Brendan Martin 04 Dec 2025
Give the People What They Want

Give the People What They Want

In his book How to Be the Greatest Improviser on Earth, Will Hines shares a story from his time in class. The scene was a simple gambling scene, with a couple playing roulette, letting their winnings ride on the same number over and over again, winning each time: The couple

By Brendan Martin 26 Nov 2025
Who, What, and Why

Who, What, and Why

I don’t know what I am doing, but I’m a 45-year-old guy in recovery for alcohol and getting started on an improv... something. As I write this, I am just about to turn 20 months sober, which means that I had my last drink on 3/

By Brendan Martin 20 Nov 2025
See all

The Beat Up

When I was in rehab, I started talking and telling my story, and people laughed and told me I should keeping do that.  This is my journey through improv.

The Beat Up
  • Sign up
Powered by Ghost