Robin Hood Improv Festival Panel, 2025 - Stephen Lee, Yuehan Liu and Bala Viswanathan
Release Date: 10/31/2025
Ange Langly and Stu Hughes &(leopard) Me
David is Curious
Stu Hughes (Grass Dens), Ange Langley (Broken Chair) and me (TOGETHER!) do a short improv set in Chester at That Beer Place. After which we have a discussion about improv. I am so lucky I get to do improv with people of this caliber. Hearing the audio of the set brings back such great moments. Sure, that thing you always hear is true: "you had to be there." Improv is best when the performers and audience are present. But there is something still valuable about documentation. I wanted to give a shout out to Annabel Entress who was in the audience and provide some great insight...
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Stephen Lee
David is Curious
I interviewed Stephen (steh-fahn) Lee and I feel like I want to interview him again. Stephen is producing the sort of improv I want to see, and be a part of. It is a soft touch with a huge impact. Sometimes we fall into this feeling of "I just want to do improv" not realizing that the access to "just improv" is not equal for everyone! People from some groups do not get the same opportunities to perform or teach. We chata about some of Stephen's memories in his 10 year career in improv. I am so excited about his future in improv and bumping into him at future improv festivals. ...
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Tracy Jones
David is Curious
Do you ever see someone in an improv class and think to yourself , "that person is really good?" Or maybe you see a newer improviser and notice that all their moves are going to support the collective story (rather than poach for punchline or out of fear of looking silly)? From the first class at the Unity Center in Chester, I noticed Tracy was not only willing to be silly but also willing to be adventurous in her improv offers. I have had the absolute pleasure of working with Tracy in TOGETHER! at That Beer Place. When she is part of an ensemble, the ensemble is more cohesive and works...
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Karla Dingle
David is Curious
KARLA .... DINGLE Karla Dingle DO YOU HEAR ME?!? I was so happy that Karla made time for us to do this interview (time differences can be tough). I am so impressed with Karla's drive to produce high-quality improv events. I have been lucky enough to have Karla as a teacher, teammate and friend. Karla is an authentic person. Which is different from being "always positive regardless of the situation." I have held her opinion and advice in high regard. During the last Robin Hood International Improv Festival I loved just finding time to chat with her. I don't like...
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Ali James
David is Curious
Ali James is a fantastic mind in the improv world and I am so lucky to have been able to chat with her more. I not only love her style but her approach to improv. I am super interested in the work of Pretend Improv in London and she is the third co-producer in that company. You can catch Ali in The Play's the Thing, a super talented cast of Shakespearean improv actors. Their accents and cadance is on POINT. They really understand the tone and texture of the Bard. Of course you can catch her work as part of the fantastic Pretend Company. And you can also catch...
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My Son
David is Curious
This episode I interview my son. He tells a couple of stories, sings a song, and calls me a "poop." This may be more a "vanity project" but I'm curious for my future self. I think that 15 years from now, re-listening to this episode will be super interesting. To hear his voice, and how he tells stories. I think in 30 years, when I'm gone, he might like to hear how we interacted. Maybe he will glean how I was as a father. I would love to hear how my dad spoke to me when I was young. My dad has dementia. It's getting harder and harder to remember what he was like. I have...
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Robin Hood Improv Festival Panel, 2025 - Stephen Lee, Yuehan Liu and Bala Viswanathan
David is Curious
Bala Viswanathan, Yuehan Liu and Stephen Lee grace me (and the audience) with their experience and eloquence. All three are fantastic improvisers on stage and leaders in the community. I asked them about "the unknown" in improv. We always talk about "not knowing" where the improv is going, but what does that mean? How come some people are drawn to the unkown and some people afraid of it? We discuss this and there are several moments of wisdom and insight. Thank you to Lloydie and Liam of the Robin Hood Improv Festival for making this space. #improv
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Canon Dr. Anthony Lees-Smith: "Does religion need diversity?"
David is Curious
With the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally being named, I was curious as to if religion needed to diversify? And if it current institutions need to, how can they? Because isn't religion set in stone? Also, does "religion" need anything, or is religion just an existing thing? I had all these questions swirling in my head. So I went to ask someone I hold in high regard who may have more insight. I went to ask my friend, Canon Dr Anthony Lees-Smith from the Chester Cathedral. I am not a religious person, you may already know that. But I LOVE what he is doing at the Cathedral. You may...
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Brian Armstrong
David is Curious
Maybe you have worked with Brian Armstrong at PIE - Portsmouth Improv Experience, or Southampton Improv Community. Maybe you have read Brian Armstrong's book "Disciple of the Broken God." I have had the lovely pleasure of chatting with Brian online via the Improv Boost and his improv projects. He has always had a constructive and insightful opinion. I am so lucky to have his influence (and humor) in my life. I hope you enjoy this episode. To find out more about Brian Armstrong: PIE-Portsmouth Improv Experience: Southampton Improv Community: Disciple of the Broken God (book): ...
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Jason Hader (super excited!)
David is Curious
Jason Hader!! (brrrr brr brr BRRRR!!!) I have been wanting to talk to Jason for a while now. I chat with him all the time on social media, but this was the first time having a conversation. At the end of this episode you can hear his new single he has titled "David is Curious." I am so honoured. You can hear more of his music on his YouTube page: Enjoy!
info_outlineBala Viswanathan, Yuehan Liu and Stephen Lee grace me (and the audience) with their experience and eloquence. All three are fantastic improvisers on stage and leaders in the community. I asked them about "the unknown" in improv. We always talk about "not knowing" where the improv is going, but what does that mean? How come some people are drawn to the unkown and some people afraid of it?
We discuss this and there are several moments of wisdom and insight.
Thank you to Lloydie and Liam of the Robin Hood Improv Festival for making this space.
#improv