Saturday, December 11, 2010

Camp Improv Utopia

I am sooooooo excited about attending Camp Improv Utopia this May2011.
You can go to their website at www.improvutopia.com to find out more.
Camp founder Nick Armstrong has been a guest on the podcast two times, I love him for dayyys!

But seriously, I am soooo excited about meeting other improv geeks and making new friends for life.
I hope to see you there.

search the podcast archives to find Nick Armstrong episodes.
www.theimprovfrog.com

or
http://theimprovfrog.libsyn.com
http://feeds.feedburner.com/theimprovfrogpodcast

Thursday, October 14, 2010

dont forget the Red Rock Improv Festival

Dont forget to go to the FIRST annual Red Rocks Improv Festival in Cedar City Utah.
It just Opened tonight!!!!! OCT 14th.

Congratulations to good friends of the podcast, Phil Faiss and Anthony Mahaffy who will be performing Friday Night at the Festival

If you look real closely, you will might see me there somewhere in the crowd on Saturday night.

"Special" episode

a "Special" episode.
I deviate from the routine, get a little preachy...but its all done with love.

Friday, September 17, 2010

New FROG episode with Matt Donnelly


I'm very excited to announce that I was able to steal improv super star Matt Donnelly away from his busy performing schedule to sit down for an improv-related interview. Oprah doesn't have him, Letterman doesn't have him, Larry King doesn't have him....only Chili B with the improv Frog has him!
To see him perform only once, is to instantly be a devoted follower and fan.
In this interview we start slowly and innocently talking about his love and romance with Las Vegas' First Lady of Improv-Sarah Lowe....and end with a bombshell when Matt reveals his personal feelings towards the Second City business model.
I coulda talked all night, but unfortunately he had to go.
Tune in and be charmed. Remember I do this ALL for you!
at the end of the show I give two announcements for upcoming improv related events.
the first annual Red Rocks improv Festival, and Camp Improv Utopia.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Phil Faiss interviewed


improv instructor/performer from Las Vegas sits down for a LENGTHY interview. Its difficult to stop talking when you have two people who love improv as much as Phil and I.

Phil talks about his short films, his experiences studying improv at the Groundlings as well as Second City, and finally his experiences performing here in Las Vegas.

Phil is one of my favorites and has the BEST laugh!

Tune in to listen to his laugh, and his pleading to get a date.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Build those Characters!!!!

On the August 24 episode of the Adam Carolla podcast (adamcarolla.com) guest Chris Parnell talks about his improv training at the Groundlings, as well as his experience auditioning and performing for SNL.
If you want to get straight to his portion of the show-he appears at appx 57 minutes into the show.

One of the things I found interesting is when SNL auditions actors they ask to see 3 characters and 3 impressions.
So it is never too early to start creating and fine-tuning those strong characters, if you want to be ready for a show like SNL to come calling.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

new EPISODE posted to the improvfrog.com

Finally! a NEW episode of the improvfrog podcast.
I talk about where I was during the month of July, followed by a taped live performance of me doing stand-up in Las Vegas, and end with a serious discussion on racism and how it is sometimes used to try and censor or stifle the creative artist.
Enjoy!

You can go directly to the website theimprovfrog.com or just scroll down to the bottom of this page to click on the link for episode 17.

Monday, June 21, 2010

3rd Sunday Troupaloopa in Las Vegas

I had a great time hosting and serving as emcee for the 3rd Sunday Troupaloopa in Las Vegas.
Besides my joking and dancing and looking great for my age...the improv groups:
Anger Management, Big Fun, and Purple Duct Tape performed.
There were awesome musical performances by Tony B, Swat Team LV, and Frank Salvo.

What a great night!
Over three thousand people tuned in to the live feed on castnetwork.com

my feet hurt, and my boy wished me happy fathers day :)

Thursday, June 17, 2010

New podcast episode posted.

The latest podcast episode has posted.
A discussion on journalism and hard hitting news stories, a dramatic reading, and a few important announcements.
P.S. I'm sick...I'm sounding nasally and my voice is raspy.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Great stand up set in Las Vegas

I had a great time at the live show on May 23rd downtown Las Vegas. I performed a fifteen minute stand up set. All in all every single joke was well received except ONE. But you dont know me too well if you think I would let that sleeping dog lie. I put some extra stank on that dead dog, til I recessutated it back to life, and salvaged that dead joke with some impromtu physical comedy.
The improv group that performed on the show was smoking hot that night. There was a hip hop group that rocked the house, and the entire show was technically savvy. there was a live video feed that went out over the internet.
Anyway...hope to do it again soon.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

NEW episode posted

Episode 15 is now available.
I start out the show making a sort of "confession". I am just trying to fulfill my promise of being more revealing of my personal life.

Then we have an injection of culture into the show...where we listen to some Shakespeare.

new episode coming soon!

Holy crackers! Do you know how long it takes for a dim-wit like me to edit a single podcast?
I've been doing it for awhile, and I have only now whittled it down to THREE days!
It hurts my brain, it makes me cranky, but it has to be done, and it's all worth it in the end.

I am happy to present this upcoming episode...it was a labor of love, and I hope you will enjoy it. It will be posted in a few days from now (crossing my fingers.)

As a side note: does anyone else's boss at work get on their nerves as much as mine is right now?

Thursday, May 06, 2010

NEW twitter account

Although I have yet to understand HOW to use it...I just opened up a new Twitter account.



http://www.twitter.com/theimprovfrog

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

New Podcast May 05th 2010

In the latest podcast I make a recommendation of ANOTHER podcast you might want to listen to. I will let you listen to a saved copy of a podcast called "FIRST TIMERS." You may like it.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

More about the PHX festival

Hey, just a quick post to say what an extremely run improv festival the Phoenix Improv Festival was...top notch all the way. If you ever get a chance to see it or participate in it, I would highly recomend it.
Thanks to the members of KIND STRANGERS and ON THE SPOT who participated in interviews with me. My only regret is that I didnt have more time with them :(

Monday, April 19, 2010

Just back from the Phoenix Improv Festival


I had a great time at the Phoenix Improv Festival...besides the driving, which was torture!

Tune in to the podcast to hear the interviews from Phonix!
Including ON the SPOT! from HAWAII (pictured)

Thursday, April 08, 2010

off to the Phoenix Improv Festival

It's official, I have made plans to attend the Phoenix Improv festival. Though the festival runs April 15-17th, I will only be there on Saturday. Hey...I have a chihuahua at home to tend to!
Looks like I will be driving there with associate Grant Waters. I plan on conducting at least two interviews while I am there, and will be including them in upcoming podcasts.

Thursday, April 01, 2010

the PET LOVERS episode.


Besides ONE very important improv related announcement....the April FOOLS episode, abandons its improv related subject matter, and talks about pets, and pet owners.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Last Men on Earth return to LAS VEGAS!!!

Speaking of the devil, the two lil' devils return! When I decided to rebroadcast the LMOE episode of the podcast, I had no idea that Michael and Anthony were planning a reunion here in Las Vegas.....was it coincidence or just me being in tune with the UNIVERSE.

The Last Men on Earth will be at the ONYX theater MONDAY april 05th at 8pm, see ya there!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Whatever happened to the Last Men on Earth?


They were a favorite of the local improv scene, and many have wodered what happened to Mike Cardella and Anthony Owliaiee as the Last Men on Earth?

I have decided to re broadcast my first interview with the group, and add a NEW intro which explains why we havent seen the group perform here in Las Vegas in months!!!!

Tune in to the latest podcast to find out what is going on.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

New Episode posted to the improv frog

You can scroll down to the bottom of this page, or go to www.theimprovfrog.com

also available on iTunes and MediaFly

Enjoy

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

the PLEASURE is all mine.

As a quasi-recluse, it is usually a chore getting me out of the house to be at any event that people gather at. Fortunately, my love of IMPROV trumps my desire to stay locked up inside.

When I go to improv events, I somehow am able to come out of my shell, and genuinely feel eager to meet new people and shake hands, and exchange pleasantries.

I am ALWAYS impressed with the friendly and interesting people I meet in the audience by going up to them and introducing myself and shaking their hands.
Oddly enough, the most interesting people I meet are not actors at all, just regular pedestrian audience members.

For every friendly person I meet in the audience of various shows and events I go to, I can truly say that the PLEASURE has been all mine.

So, until someone punches me in the face...I will continue to enjoy taking the first step and going up to total strangers and introducing myself and asking them a little about themselves.

Friday, March 05, 2010

Exciting changes coming SOON!

Hey yall. Thanks and thanks...for all your interest and support. I have heard from many of you about what you like and dislike about the podcast, and I am happy to announce that some exciting changes will be coming to the podcast very SOON!

I'm not gonna go into detail right now. But ONE fun frog that I will let out of the bag is that we will soon go to more than ONE episode per month.

So if you're a fan of the show, there will be MORE shows for you to love.
If you are NOT a fan of the show, get your meds increased and mellow out.

I will be traveling to DENVER next week and when I come back I will announce the NEW changes.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Benedikt Negro guests on the latest podcast.


Benedikt Negro is the star performer for the Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil production of "O".

He is a master pantomime, and gifted improviser. When he is NOT in "O" he is performing improv at the SET.

He is an ABSOLUTELY charming human being, and keen performer.


Scroll to the bottom of this page to click on the link for the podcast.

Monday, March 01, 2010

6 Questions with Benedikt Negro

Follow the link to access a short mini-interview with Benedikt Negro.
Benedikt is the star performer from Cirque du Soleil's "O", he is also a master pantomime and comedic improviser who appears regularly in Las Vegas improv shows.
He is a charming guy and you will want to check out:
6 Questions with Benedikt Negro.

Click this link:
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Aeq29Yv8QhvAZGR6bnFyNDdfOWR2cHB4ZDJn&hl=en

Monday, February 22, 2010

thank goodness for FUNNY people

Just a quick note to all the funny people in my life. Thanks for being there. Thanks for lifting my spirits. It makes me feel great to laugh. It fills my tank to get me through the struggles.
You guys are the best!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Great interview BUT I feel perverted

Cant let the cat out of the bag yet, for next months guest on the show...but, I want to talk about how PERVERTED it makes me feel sometimes getting the guest to sit in my car with tinted windows behind a bar, interviewing someone.
Guests are hard to get many times, and getting them to come to my home studio is usually to hectic coordinating schedules...so I have to follow them around and be ready to wisk them aside when they have the time. I take them in my car because the music or background noise in the bar or event where they are at, is too noisy.
I have my portable mic and backup mic with me....and we do the interview, but it does have kindof a creepy feel to it. Should I get a better car?
It usually takes ten or fifteen minutes of the interview, I think, before the guest begins to feel relaxed.
So....I just wanted to let you folks know the length I am willing to go to bring the guests to you.
Even if it makes me feel creepy :)

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

What is Mediafly and why should I care?


Glad you asked. As you know the podcast is available on iTunes. But not everyone has an iPod or an iTunes account. Well with Mediafly you can subscribe to the podcast and have it delivered to your mobile phone! You will have to check to see if it is compatible with your particular model of phone, but if your phone is less than two years old...theres a great chance your device is supported. Once you open an account (free) and subscribe to the improv frog podcast, it will automatically be delivered to your phone whenever a new episode comes out.

easy enough? Go to mediafly.com


Photo Page at FLICKR

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theimprovfrog/

I am putting surplus photos relating to the podcast at this Flickr account.

Whats up with the different sound quality on the podcast shows?

Ok...valid question. More often than not, a guest cannot come to my home to do an interview. Thats where I record all of the "non-interview" segments. So when I am at home, I use very high end microphones that are not "portable". Then I use different microphones when I am portable, meeting interview subjects. I also carry with me another type of portable mic at all times. Sometimes the idea of a segment will hit me when I am out and about or at work, and I use the mic that I have with me. So any one podcast episode may consist of segments recorded with three different microphones. The sound quality of each one will differ. When I assemble all segments, there will then be a difference in quality between the segments.
I do spend some time in post-production trying to "normalize" the audio as best as possible, but there still will always be a different quality when different mics are used.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

New episode of the improv frog podcast

In the Superbowl Sunday episode, I interview Grant Waters who is the owner/operator of LVFreeze, an improv school and production company in Las Vegas.
Grant is heavily involved in producing improv shows for the hugely popular First Friday events, which take place monthly in the Arts District of Las Vegas.

Saturday, February 06, 2010

Monday, February 01, 2010

sketch comedy writing class with Matt Donnelly


The first day of the class went great! Possibly because its so close to my house that I can sleep in! Matt Donnelly has a lot of insights that are so indesputible that even a Greek would have a hard time arguing with.

I am excited to work with the people in the class who all seem bright and talented.

Heres a picture of Matt in action.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Matt Donnelly teaches sketch comedy writing class.


The sketch comedy writing class taught by Matt Donnelly will begin Sunday 31 Jan 2010 at noon.

For prices and enrollment visit improv-vegas.com


Im looking forward to the class. Love Matt.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

the Apple Sisters in Los Angeles Jan 27th


Don't miss the award winning and critically aclaimed Apple Sisters in "Hooray for Hollywoodland!" January 27th at 8pm at the UCB theater. 5919 Franklin Ave. Los Angeles Ca.


ONLY five dollars!!!!!! Quick it will certainly sell out!


Oh, the show also features guests JOEY KERN from "the Goods" and PTOLEMY SLOCUM from "the WIRE".


Tuesday, January 12, 2010

First podcast of the new year is available.

The first podcast for the new year 2010 is available. The sound is better, as I have learned how to do this thing a little bit better than before. A lot better.
I have a dramatic reading, I answer some emails, I read a section of my favorite improv book about joking and what it means for the improviser. Happy new year, and keep the emails coming.
As always...go to the bottom of this page to link to the podcast.

Friday, January 08, 2010

Hillary Boyd performs an original one-woman cabaret


Hillary Boyd will appear in her one-woman cabaret "I Put the Sing in Single!" Jan13 and 14th at 8pm.

It is at the Dont Tell Mama Piano Bar in Las Vegas.

517 Fremont St. Suite 110.

89101


Price is ten bucks with a one drink minimum.


This will be her last show before leaving for New York.

Thursday, January 07, 2010

New Improv Vegas Classes Winter schedule 2010

The NEW winter shcedule for improv classes at Improv Vegas has been posted.
It includes information on classes, dates, times, and prices.

follow this link:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Aeq29Yv8QhvAZGR6bnFyNDdfN3pyNXA4emY4&hl=en

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

IMPROV VEGAS publishes their Winter 2010 classes

Improv Vegas has just published their list of classes for the Winter Term 2010.
The classes include ALL levels of improv, plus a sketch comedy writing class.
To find out more about the class dates and prices follow the following link:

http://improv-vegas.com/Classes.html

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Sketch Comedy Writing

I have the "initial" confirmation...that Vegas-Improv will be offering a sketch comedy writing class this month, instructed by Matt Donnelly.
I dont have ALL the details, but I will post them here as soon as I can get a hold of the specifics.
 
Creative Commons License
the improv FROG podcast by Chili B is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.