This week on Yes But Why, I have a great talk with Irish improviser, Neil Curran.
Neil Curran is one of leading influencers of the improv scene in Ireland. He has been teaching and performing improv both in Ireland and internationally for many years. He has toured with his signature show, “Neil + 1,” at festivals and theatres around the world. By day, Neil is an applied improv trainer with corporate clients around the world.
Neil Curran is the founder and director of Improv Fest Ireland and the assistant camp director of Improv Utopia Ireland. He founded and runs the "Love! Improv Irish Community" group, and he is a co-founder of No Drama Theatre. Aside from his own shows, Neil has guested in numerous others including Orange Tuxedo, Upstairs Downton, Comedysportz San Jose and the improvised musical, When X Meets Y.
In our conversation, Neil and I talk about improv from every angle. Neil tells me how performing improv feels like channeling energy from other people. He blows my mind when he compares improv to the show, Quantum Leap. We are all Sam stepping in to play a moment in someone’s life. Boom.
Neil and I discuss improv as an ever-evolving artform. We discuss running a theater business and building a community. We talk about making emotional connections with audiences. We talk about how covid has opened up the global communication about improv and how that flowing influence will change the landscape of improv for the better.
We talk about Neil’s work teaching improv to corporations and how important communication skills like improv can be in the business world. I talk about how my improv skills have helped me reinvent myself constantly during covid. We get into it and chew on all the deep, good topics in the improv world. We even talk about THE BEST (and our favorite) improv group on the internet, through which is how Neil and I got connected in the first place!
Support Neil Curran by taking his upcoming online level 1 improv course that starts May 18th! And you can keep track of his festival producing and eventual touring via his website, lowerthetone.com! Let’s all meet in person someday!
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