Matt and Brian return to the crowd favorite of drafting two fictional improv teams! What will the choose from? What type of coin will they use? Who will go first? Nobody knows and there won't be any spoilers here, folks!This episode does break our 15 minute rule because we were having too much fun. Deal with it.Find out all of Matt & Brian's opinio…

Matt & Brian return to form (Get it???) and discuss the form the Monoscene. That form that is one scene running in real time, just like our podcast!If the form is just one scene how to edit, cut, or jump around? Well... you don't! But you kind of do. Confused? Well, listen to this episode and learn everything you need to perform a top notch monosce…

After a few weeks off Matt & Brian are back to discuss what sounds like a very boring topic... Base Reality! What are the components of a Base Reality in improv? How do you create it in a scene? What happens if it's missing? Does Brian bring up Pixar again? All of these questions will be answered. Also a BONUS TREAT.... Matt & Brian perform TWO PER…

Just when you thought it couldn't get any nerdier Matt & Brian pulled it off. They discuss their very own Improv Superlatives. Kind of like Most Likely to Succeed or Nicest Eyes but even dumber! The two most likely to record an improv podcast to entertain themselves hosts cover their favorite exercises, classes, least favorite stuff... you get it! …

An episode with a few firsts! We cover a form we have not done a ton of and certainly have not taught. So, Brian calls in an expert from the bullpen (or his living room) to help. Matt and Brian discuss the Spokane (or the Pretty Flower), how it works, why it's so much darn fun, the similarities to other forms, and why it's a great primer form for a…

Matt and Brian and shocked to find out they have yet to cover this topic as it's one of their favorite concepts! Justification! The secret sauce of taking someone from a funny moment to a scene with legs. They discuss the primary types of justification, what makes an effective justification, an example of a lame justification, and... Brian uses two…

Have you ever work up wondering how it is to pull a premise for an improv show? Well, this episode is for you! The rest of should listen too Matt dives into the types of info to look for during an opener or story that would lead to scenes in an improv show. Brian talks about his love for the weird details! They are two different humans! However, th…

Do you love improv but are totally picky about who you want to do scenes with? Then do Two Prov! Matt & Brian discuss Two Prov and cover styles, forms, editing, and the benefits and drawbacks of Two Prov. How different is Two Prov than performing with a large group of people? How much can Brian talk during a single episode of the podcast (answer: a…

We're back! Matt and Brian missed a few weeks because of travel but they don't talk about it at all! There is no time to waste on stupid stuff like Brian sleeping in the woods, or Matt sleeping with just a towel as a blanket! It's time to talk about Matt's favorite form... the Evente! Brian totally slacks off and lets Matt do all of the work in des…

Hooooo boy! The nerds take on the form of forms and discuss the Harold. They attempt to explain the format, the steps, beats, game, group games, openers, and truck drivers and paperboys.As Brian puts it, the Harold is much harder to explain than do. So just check out this awesome graphic: https://www.nobodyssweetheart.com/the-haroldThey also cover …

Our favorite nerds dive into a few forms this season and they're starting the friendly and inviting Montage. What do they like about Montage? Why is Brian unable to say what he likes without being negative? Maybe he's tired. They shift over to how they would teach and coach a team who are performing a montage and how to make it the best damn montag…

We ended last season with Matt asking Brian a whole bunch of stuff so we're starting this season with Brian asking Matt stuff! HOW CREATIVE! We cover how Matt would coach, or note, a team vs. a class. How he handles a lack of listening. And, most importantly, his preferred temperature. Brian is shocked he had a detailed answer for that question. We…

For our final week of Season 2 we let Matt ask Brian whatever he wants! It might feel like Brian is being completely selfless but really, it allows him to share only his ideas! How sneaky! Brian is grilled about topics that are hard like versatility & expertise (he is immediately confused), competitiveness in an improv community, sharing opportunit…

Matt and Brian dig deep into how improv and sketch are different and similar. What a unique idea! Our two nerds share examples of how they've used improv scenes, rehearsals, and concepts to eventually create sketch comedy. They share some of their favorite sketches and explain the game of the sketch in order to show the similarities. Then, they des…

Matt and Brian discuss their favorite and least favorite forms in improv. This is a very, very nerdy topic!Our two heroes dig into why they love particular forms whether they are performing or watching! Matt's answer for his favorite does not surprise Brian but, Brian's answer does surprise Matt a bit. Matt also tries to get Brian to define the for…

What happens if you're in a scene and it's just stuck? Matt & Brian discuss their own, personal improv survival guide and how they jump start a scene. Have you ever been in a scene that won't end? What if it's just kind of mundane and hum drum? What if you are playing a character that is just icky? And Matt makes a big confession at the end of the …

Well folks, it happened! Matt & Brian had technical difficulties during their first attempt and thus... they had to break their own rule. This is their second attempt at this episode but who cares! It's about second beats so this is just another beat of a previous recording. Sure... let's go with that. Matt & Brian attempt (fail?) to describe what …

A callback of sorts! We revisit the topic of being the Voice of Reason (formally and sexistly knowing as Straight Man). We explain how to be the voice of reason while keeping the scene moving, how to not be a stick in the mud, and how to keep yourself from being not fun. Is it possible to be a character AND the voice of reason? What kind of influen…

Can you COMMIT to 15 minutes or so of time? Then this episode is for you! Matt and Brian make the minor commitment and talk about the improv concept of Commitment. What does this mean in an improv scene or show? How do you make it easier to commit? Is it ok to have a milkshake in class? Do you want to hear Brian do a terrible impression of Jason St…

Well... you can't win 'em all. Matt & Brian tackle a subject that is apparently impossible to explain in 15 minutes... or even 15 years. It's so high concept that our two geniuses bumble through this for a full episode. Okay... it's not that bad. The duo of dumb take on a topic of whether you should focus on the first unusual thing (game) in a scen…

The episode everyone was waiting for! Matt & Brian focus on editing in improv? Sweeps, tags, timing, runs, etc! Our two nerds discuss the mechanics of editing, visual vs. organic edits, the timing of edits, tag outs, etc. Editing is the secret weapon to any strong scene, show, and team. It's like a kneecap... you know you desperately need it when i…

Have you ever imagined the power of selecting your own improv team in the style of a fantasy football draft? No? Okay. Matt and Brian decide to do this anyway but instead of selecting performers, actors, or something close to improv players they select Disney characters! Listen to them bumble names (note: When Matt said Groo he meant Krunk and Bria…

Wow. Is it possible for Matt & Brian to get ANY nerdier? This episode solve that mystery with a resounding YES! Our two improv amateur experts discuss forms! That's right... forms! Harolds, monoscenes, eventes, montage, etc.! How are forms helpful? Do they have favorites? Why do you need a form if you're making this crap up? These guys cover all of…

Matt & Brian decide to dedicate 15 minutes to speak about a topic that is on all humans' minds. What's the difference between making a bold choice in a scene and bulldozing! It's way trickier than they expect it to be. Our two nerds discuss who to earn a bold choice, the timing of a a "big move", we hear Matt's lovely singing voice, and Brian is no…

Things are still a hot mess out there and Matt & Brian take some time to talk about... not improv. Kind of. I mean... they do but, they also don't. Okay - what have these two been up to without the "normal" routine of rehearsals, teaching, coaching, and shows? They'll share their thoughts on fueling up on inspiration, new hobbies, online shows & ja…

It's the second episode of season two and Matt and Brian are here to discuss something on the mind of all humans. What's the difference between coaching and teaching when it comes to improv? Our two nerds will discuss how they prepare for teaching and coaching, what makes them different & similar, how they handle giving notes... all in a bite sized…

Matt and Brian are back after taking roughly 70 years off! Our improv heroes blow some dust off of their brains and discuss a fictional scenario where they are asked to coach a team of people who have never done improv before and... they have a big show tonight! THE PRESSURE! Extra rule: you only get ONE REHEARSAL! Holy crap this is hard to believe…

Matt & Brian both perform on support heavy teams and are clearly excited to cover this topic. Here them exemplify support as they constantly interrupt and talk over each other! Just kidding. Both love this topic and have a lot to share in regards to support in improv. What's the difference between support and adding too much? How can you support an…

Matt & Brian talk about Listening! It seems like it would be an easy skill to have since most of us listen to stuff every day but it's a challenging and critical skill for improv. They talk about why it's important, what "true" listening is, and ways to stay focused on listening. This episode covers a lot of material in 15 minutes including how lis…

Matt & Brian try to cover as many topics as they can in 15 minutes! Is this a good idea? Maybe yes, maybe no. Probably no. But they have a lot of fun covering as many audience suggestions as they can and even throw in a few of their own. Some of the topics include their opinions of the term Straight Man, Improv Super Powers, Budgets, and how they p…

This episode is an audience suggestion from David Zbory: Fun Vs. Work in improv! Matt & Brian discuss what these two words mean to them in improv; both in performing and rehearsing. Isn't improv supposed to be fun? Well... yeah but you need to try! This episode will focus on how some work and focus can make your improv much easier and thus, much mo…

A very improv-y term is discussed this week! Matt & Brian discuss sign posting and how it helps define game, get an improv team on the same page, and have some fun with it. Is it bossy? Is it more fun to surprise the audience? Matt explains how sign posting is similar to raising your hand in a class. Brian uses a movie and the DVD audio commentary …

In this episode Matt & Brian look to the audience for suggestions (so very improvy!) and ask each other to explain a topic. For the first time, neither Matt nor Brian know what the topic will be ahead of time. Such pure, sweet ignorance won't stop them from babbling and explaining their thoughts. Spoiler alert the topics end up being Short Form and…

Matt & Brian discuss Relationships in improv. They are both tired out of the gate and Brian admits to being a hermit! The two discuss how relationships are much more than a blood relationship or romantic couples! Learn how labeling characters' relationship can provide the scene more legs and give it a boost of fun. Matt also teaches Brian a new wor…

You told me to make bold choices, but my joke about space aliens didn't land and it's all your fault, Matt & Brian! That's probably because you didn't earn the weird thing. In this episode Matt & Brian talk all about how to go from being retired to a Home Run Pitcher in Baseball while bringing your partner, and the audience, along for the ride. Is …

Want to have more fun while playing in an Improv scene? Ever wonder how people figure out how to respond to what your partner says and does? Only ever eat spaghetti in a scene? Confused when someone says playing Game there's no ball or board around? Find out all of Brian & Matt's opinions on Improv, or at least Game in Improv, in 15 minutes.…

What happens when you don't know anything about baseball? Or Harry Potter? Or The Wizard of Oz? How are you supposed to do an Improv scene without having seen every episode of the British version of The Office or you missed the championships of New Zealand Harness Racing? Find out all of Brian & Matt's opinions on Improv, or at least the use of Pop…

Rules? In Improv? I thought Improv was about breaking the Rules and making it up as you go along?! Good point, me, but you can't break the Rules unless you know them! Touche, also me! In this episode Brian and Matt discuss the 5 Rules of Improv according to Sea Tea Comedy Theater, where they both teach and perform. Find out all of Brian & Matt's op…

What is Agreement? What does it mean in terms of Improv Comedy? Why is it important? Do we hate it? Find out all of Brian & Matt's opinions on Improv, or at least Agreement, in 15 minutes.

Brian Hines and Matt Francis are Improvisers and Improv teachers at Sea Tea Comedy Theater in Hartford, CT. Find out all of their opinions on Improv, or at least Improv Podcast Trailers, in 3 minutes.