"Do it over and over until your body learns to live onstage" - Michael Hartney

Improv Discussion and Resources

Today, my guest is Michael Hartney. Michael was the Artistic Director of UCB New York, where he also co-created the character comedy house teams and spent years on both improv and sketch house teams. This year, Michael co-founded the new nonprofit Squirrel Theater.

Michael’s TV credits include The Politician, The Break With Michelle Wolf, and 30 Rock. He also originated the roles of Stanley and Mr. Williams in School of Rock: The Musical on Broadway.

If you’re in New York, see Michael’s Squirrel Theater shows at Caveat in Manhattan. His musical improv team Borabish is every Saturday night and the next Characters Welcome is Sunday, July 11th both at 7:30pm.
Hey! Send me response emails and voice memos at [e-mail] and they might end up on the show.

We are sponsored by Pineappl, a video app designed for virtual improv. If you want effortless movement and a sense of connection in your virtual classes and shows, Pineappl is the platform for you. Try Pineappl (no final e) for free at get.pineappl.studio.
Our theme music is Earth’s Assault on the Central AI by Tettix, courtesy of Tettix, You can find more of their music at tettix.bandcamp.com

Improv Discussion and Resources, as always, is produced by me, Chris Griswold, for Thunderbolt Comedy. Virtual and in-person classes in improv and sketch comedy at thunderboltcomedy.com

If you’d like to discuss this episode, visit the Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook group or the ID&R Discord. The links for both will be in the show notes.

Links:

• Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook group
• Improv Discussion & Resources Discord
• Pineappl, the video app for virtual improv
• Thunderbolt Comedy
• Squirrel Comedy Theater
• Emotion Wheel for Classrooms
• The Comeback
• Quarterback Thanks Historical Jesus

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