Anne Montgomery Is a decorated television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, author, and amateur sports official. Her first TV job came at WRBL-TV in Columbus, Georgia, and led to positions at WROC-TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP-TV in Phoenix, Arizona, and ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award-w…

Jen is an improviser in Canada who started out studying improv at schools including WGIS, Queen City Comedy, Second City, and more. She teaches improv classes and hosts jams at World's Greatest Improv School (WGIS) and Queen City Comedy. In the before-times, Jen enjoyed teaching dance fitness and performing in semi-rural vaudeville/burlesque themed…

Alex Shaver is new to the improv scene, performing at Imposters Theater in Cleveland, Ohio since 2022. After a decade of working in higher education, he now works in community mental health. Alex is passionate about comedy and mental health, and is interested in the parallels between the two. He loves his wife (Rachel) and his children (J. and Joan…

This one. This one is one for the ages! We (and by we, I mean Abby Sher, Bethany Hall, Lulu French, John Fugelsang, Michele Laikowski and me) discussed the present and future of comedy in New York City and other environs, The group waxed on satire vs. parody, talent winning out, improv as the best training for life and waiting for the whole fart. I…

Gail Gallagher is a Chicago based Singer-Songwriter, Composer, improv music director, producer, and teacher whose lyric-driven songs reflect on the highs and lows of life exploring nuances of whimsy and wisdom. Originally from Waterloo, Iowa, Gail attended University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a dual BA in Theater Performance & Directin…

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Michele Laikowski on this throwback! Michele was an associate producer and on-air personality on the Jenny McCarthy Show on SiriusXM Stars. She is also an improvising and voice over veteran of New York City. Michele finds solace and purpose in running and reaching for goals. She also has great stories …

Allow me to introduce you to Bracha! She was first published when she was 12 years old. She's written 41 children's books and a memoir, Nourish The Soul. Her books tackle difficult topics at a child's level. This was a fascinating half hour! Listen to this!By Chris Hall

Please let me introduce you to Carlos Baker! Carlos is an author and musician whose latest album with the CK Baker Band, Find Your Way, and book, Songs for Ivy, are available wherever you get your content. Carlos overcame childhood cancer and used that experience to write and to play his bass guitar. He lives in Germany with his family, but is in C…

Talk about prolific! John Leister has published more than 100 e-books, Including the Lee Hacklyn and Urban Tiger crime series over the past few years. John is a big believer in having the right mindset and philosophy when reaching goals. He'd like to share this information with everyone, and does, here on If This Is True! GIve it a listen!…

Let me introduce you to the multi-faceted Deborah Johnson. Deborah is an inspirational speaker, author and international award-winning music artist who helps others get unstuck by producing and executing a successful plan for their second half. As a musician she has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and has spent over 20 years in the entert…

Let me introduce you to John Lehr! He is an actor and writer, known for 10 Items or Less (2006), Quick Draw (2013) and The Sweetest Thing (2002). He is also known for being one of the GEICO Cavemen! Currently, he has a production company, Triple Threat Media, that is working on several projects--which were on hold because of the Writers' and Actors…

If This Is True would like to introduce you to singing sensation Nora O'Connor! Nora is a Chicago based singer/songwriter who has worked with everyone from the Decemberists to the New Pornographers to Mavis Staples. We discussed balancing work and family, what Americana is, and everything in between. Give it a listen!…

Let me introduce you to Ted Leo, master of soul searching pop punk and indie rock! Ted has a long career with bands like Citizens Arrest, Chisel, Puzzlehead, and the Sin-Eaters. He's mostly known for his group, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. He's also put out albums with Aimee Mann as The Both and as a solo artist. We talked about the intersection of…

Shari Hazlett is a Brooklyn–based director, writer, performer, producer and media professional who works at the intersection of storytelling, comedy, and technology to inspire civic engagement and social change. Shari just finished producing, writing and directing The March, an historical comedy, which was presented by The Tank Theater (NYC) in Jun…

Let me introduce you to Vishok Verma. Vishok is a Social Entrepreneur and Professional Trainer for Communication Skills, (Corporates, Social Enterprises, and Non-profits), Personality Development Coach, and Budding Improv Artist based in India. He is the Founder & CEO of a Social Venture named “Let’s Express”. The venture has positively impacted th…

Liz has been coaching, directing and performing improv for the last 25 years. Liz coached the long-running IO (Improv Olympic) house teams Valhalla, Deep Schwa and Mission Improvable (founders of the Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica). Liz was IO’s Training Center Director for 3 years, and an ensemble level teacher for 10 years. A founding me…

Jake is an actor, comedian, music producer, and filmmaker. He has produced numerous original sketch revues, musical comedy albums, web shorts, podcasts, plays, a documentary about the Chicago improv scene called “Off the Cuff,” and the original musical “Rich People in Space,” which will premiere this September. Jake's work embraces a theatrical sty…

Let me introduce you to Margot! She graduated from the New York University School of Social Work in 1983 and has lived and practiced in Naples since 1984. She attended the Rutgers Summer School of Addiction Studies in 1987 and 1990 and has extensive post-graduate training in addiction studies and co-dependency. For over thirty years, Margo has pres…

I interviewed Mary Hynes on her birthday in April. She is a professional improviser, educator and stage manager. Her performance and teaching career brings her back and forth between NYC, Chicago and LA. She is a faculty member with the storied Second City Training Center in Chicago, Toronto and LA. After graduating with her BA in Theatre from Butl…

Allow me to introduce you to Tashika Campbell, member of indie group Cake Walk from Baltimore. In addition to performing, Tashika has headlined festivals across the US and coordinated the first Improv festival dedicated to Black Improvisers, the From Another Mother Festival, in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area (also known as the DMV). Tashika is also …

In this throwback, If This Is True talks with Sam Dee, half of the Mass Hysteria Improv Fest in Cleveland and bon vivant at Imposters Theater! We discussed festivals, DC vs. Marvel, thrifting and improv everywhere. Give it a listen!By Chris Hall

In this throwback, which is the inaugural episode of If This Is True, I'm introducing everyone to RJ Tolan! RJ is the co-artistic director of Ensemble Studio Theatre's Youngblood in NYC. He is also a veteran of Shadowbox Live in Columbus, OH, where I met him. Come along for a visit!By Chris Hall

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Mandy Price. She's an improv bon vivant, performer, and teacher with Jet City Improv in Seattle. Mandy has worked with Second City BoatCo, the Annoyance and iO. She's really up for anything, including carpentry! We talked about carpentry, social anxiety and the state of the world. Ma…

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to John Bolger, veteran of the Second City and co-founder of Schadenfreude Theatre in Chicago. John also does work with WGN Radio; is a creative director with TPN,; and started his own production company, Man Eating Cereal. John talks about these and other endeavors, including teaching …

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Sean Geary! Sean is an improviser in the Bay Area who is also an educator and a physical trainer. Sean has worked at Endgames Improv with Wachaa and other improv teams. He is a big fan of Camp ImprovUtopia, having traveled across the country to participate in it several times. Sean b…

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to comedian, musician, and author Dave Hill. The Pride of Cleveland, as he's taken to calling himself, has appeared on multiple TV shows; performed at SXSW, Bonnaroo, Bumbershoot, and Sing Sing; hosts the Dave Hill Podcasting Incident and History Fluffer; and wrote "Parking the Moose," …

In this throwback, If This Is True wishes you a Happy New Year with a conversation with Bob Kulhan of Business Improv. Bob is an iO, Second City and Annoyance alum who took improv business seriously and created Business Improv, the company! Bob is an adjunct professor at Duke University and has taught his improv curriculum around the world! He beli…

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Lulu French, owner and head instructor at Rocket Improv in NJ. Lulu teaches kids and teens the fundamentals of improv and team building. She has a laundry list of experience from the PIT and Gotham City Improv in NYC, plus years of musical theater experience, even touring nationally with My Fair Lady. …

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Abdul Williams! Abdul is an award-winning screenwriter and producer, known for the Lottery Ticket, Surf 2, The New Edition Story, The Bobby Brown Story, and Salt N' Pepa. He is currently working on The Thanksgiving Text for Netflix. We talked about these projects, what it takes to be…

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Kyle Siegrist! Kyle is a permanent fixture in the Columbus, OH music scene, playing in bands like Second State Butchers and doing his own solo projects. He is also the owner of Lost Weekend Records and Lost Weekend record label. Kyle got his start in the music business in the 80's an…

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Shaun Landry! Shaun is at least a quintuple threat of actor, improviser, teacher, director and theater president. This Chicago native is the artistic director of Oui Be Negroes, founder of the West Coast Improv Alliance, cofounder of the San Francisco Improv Festival and founder of t…

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Pat Byrnes--renaissance man in every sense of the word! He is a cartoonist, first and foremost, but he has also been a rocket scientist, ad man, playwright, improviser, and comedian in his illustrious career. Currently, he is a cartoonist for the New Yorker. Pat believes that all of …

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to Introduce you to Dana Quercioli! Dana is a long-time veteran of the Second City in Cleveland (RIP) and in Chicago, who now lives in Los Angeles. She is working on a pilot, Gumshoes, which she will film in Cleveland later this year. We talked about Cleveland, humility, and doing good works. Give it a …

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to R. Kevin Garcia Doyle! Kevin is a theater and improvisation teacher, practitioner and actor who currently teaches at Le Jardin Academy in Honolulu, HI. He is the co-founder of the Hawaii Shakespeare Festival, a front man for the improvisational rock band Oil In The Alley, among many …

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Deena Nyer Mendlowitz, an improviser, festival producer, playwright, and one of Ohio's Funniest Women, according to Cleveland.com. She has been recognized for her work in using comedy to promote mental health awareness and to destigmatize mental illness. Deena is the creator of This …

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jimmy Carrane, the master of the art of slow comedy. Jimmy has worked and taught at the Second City, iO, and is a founding member of the Annoyance. He was also in the original cast of the Armando at iO! He has written two books, Improv Therapy, and Improvising Better: A Guide for the…

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jo Rou and Ryan Santa of Imposters Theater. Jo is a veteran of the NYC improv scene, having studied and performed at the Magnet Theater, the Pit and the Upright Citizens Brigade. Ryan is a veteran of the Chicago improv scene, having studied and performed through iO Theater and the Se…

In this throwback, If This Is True is proud to introduce you to John Fugelsang! John is a Drama League nominated actor, comedian & broadcaster who hosts the acclaimed "Tell Me Everything" series on SiriusXM Progress #127. He's been murdered on CSI, picketed by Westboro Baptist Church, interviewed 2 Beatles on 2 different continents in the same week…

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to the Sohns! Rich and Rebecca Sohn are improvisers/actors/directors living in Los Angeles. They are both veterans of the Second City and Annoyance Theatre. Rebecca has also performed with Steppenwolf, Remy Bumppo and About Face Theatres. She is also an ensemble member of the No Stakes …

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Brad Barton! Brad is an NYC based actor, entertainment journalist, host, and producer. Plus, he's a content writer for Marvel! Brad also works with and for his wife, Lulu French (Friend of the show!) at Rocket Improv, an improv school for youth, in NJ. We talked about Marvel vs. DC (…

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Neal Dandade! Neal is an actor, improviser and writer based out of Chicago. He has acted on TNT's Sirens, ABC Family's Kevin From Work, and NBC's Shrink. Neal was featured in the 2016 CBS Diversity Showcase. He was also a member of the Second City National Touring Company and a regul…

In this throwback, If This is True would like to introduce you to Siddharth Venkatesh! He is our first guest from outside the continent. Siddharth performs with Improv Comedy Bangalore in Bangalore, India. He recently performed at the ImprovIsAsian festival and works as an engineer when he is not entertaining people. Siddharth believes in connectio…

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Asaf Ronen, recently, of the Institution Theater and currently the Austin Creative Alliance. Asaf is an author (Directing Improv: Show The Way By Getting Out Of The Way), producer (Trust Us, This Is All Made Up) and the founder of www.yesand.com. You can also learn about the Alliance…

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Vik Pandya! Vik is a nationally touring comedian and one-third of Team Us Comedy in Chicago. Vik trained at the Second City, recorded a #1 iTunes comedy album "Friends with (401k) Benefits" with Team Us in 2019. He waxes poetic on this episode on whiskey knowledge, living by his sche…

In this 2021 throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to David Whitehouse and Jimmy Mak of Shadowbox Live. Dave and Jimmy are old friends and sketch comedy creators and innovators who make live sketches great. They discuss what makes a sketch great and how comedy has kept food on the table for them for more than 25 years. Give it a li…

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto of the Nest Theatre in Columbus! Tara and Rance have been engaging audiences all over the globe, whether with iO, the Second City, or with their two-person improvised musical, "Here." These 20+ year veterans of improv have done it all. They opened …

Welcome to the first city panel on If This Is True! We have Abdul Williams, David Razowsky, Mary Hynes and Rich Baker talking about all the goings on in the City of Angels and in Hollywood from the writer's strike to AI and everything in between! For those of us interested in the entertainment industry, it's a great listen!…

In honor of Susan visiting Cleveland this weekend, I'm dropping this flashback to late 2021. I would like to introduce you the indomitable Susan Messing! Susan is an improvisation and comedy legend, who has performed and taught at iO, iO West, the Annoyance, The Second City Chicago and around the globe. Susan is also an instructor at DePaul Univers…

Let me introduce you to Bill Chott! He of the Dana Carvey Show/Second City/Improv Olympic kind of fame. Bill has been improvising and acting since he left St. Louis for Chicago back in the early nineties. He was one of the cast members of the cult favorite Dana Carvey Show in 1996. Bill is also known for his role as the Mailman in 'This Is Us.' Bil…

Let me introduce you to my pal, LeeAnn Marie Webster! She is an attorney turned international Keynote speaker, Moth Story Slam winner, and entrepreneur with 20 years’ experience in marketing and business development in a range of industries. LeeAnn has a substantial event background, having successfully produced 130+ virtual summits and founding th…