Michelle Faulkner-Forson, Brian James O'Connell & Barry Wright III on the Art of Improv
In this episode of "The Truth in This Art," host Rob Lee is joined by Michelle Faulkner-Forson, Barry Wright III, and Brian James O'Connell to discuss the world of improv. They explore the misconceptions that improv is only for the funny or certain types of people, emphasizing its accessibility and importance in everyday life. The conversation highlights improv's applications in communication, teamwork, and even medical training. They reflect on the challenges of fostering a creative community in a capitalist society and share their joy in teaching and community building. They also discuss the need to innovate and adapt in the improv scene, especially in light of the pandemic's impact and the influence of cancel culture on comedy. The episode delves into the dedication required and the importance of pushing boundaries to remain relevant and engaging.
Episode Content:
Episode Content:
- Common misconceptions about improv (00:10:29) The guests discuss common misconceptions about improv, including the belief that it's only for certain people and the limitations of the "Harold" form in improv.
- The misconception of improv (00:15:06) Discusses the misconception of improv as solely comedy and highlights its broader applications in everyday life.
- The accessibility of improv (00:16:30) Emphasizes the accessibility of improv as an art form and its relevance to everyday human interactions.
- Improv's impact on life skills (00:17:47) Explores the use of improv in medical training and its potential to enhance communication skills in various professions.
- The joy and challenges of teaching improv (00:19:24) Highlights the joy of teaching improv to beginners and the challenges of fostering a collaborative community within a capitalistic society.
- The role of improv in problem-solving (00:21:06) Discusses the application of improv in problem-solving and the intersection of creativity and business.
- The impact of improv on audience perception (00:23:17) Explores the role of improv in challenging societal norms and influencing audience perceptions through performance.
- Conceptualizing a themed event (00:29:04) Shares a creative idea for a Halloween party and the excitement of seeing creative concepts come to life.
- Beautiful Women and Hotlanta (00:30:06) Discussing Atlanta and the music scene, including the concept of hitchhiking and the influence of beautiful women.
- Evolution of Improv (00:34:40) Discussing the evolution of improv, the impact of the pandemic, and the need for new forms and presentation aspects in improv.
- Pushing Boundaries in Improv (00:41:49) Exploring the concept of pushing boundaries in improv, including the limitations and purity in the art form, and the need for creativity and innovation.
Key Takeaways:
- Improv is a skill that benefits everyone, not just comedians, enhancing communication and teamwork in various aspects of life.
- Creative communities can thrive even within a capitalist framework with dedication and a focus on teaching and inclusivity.
- The improv and comedy scenes must continuously evolve to stay fresh and address current challenges like the pandemic and cancel culture.
- Success in podcasting, like improv, requires pushing boundaries and a commitment to ongoing innovation and engagement.
Website and Social Media Links:
Baltimore Improv Group
Website: www.bigimprov.org
X: @bigimprov
Facebook: Baltimore Improv Group
Instagram: bigimprov
Highwire Improv
Website: www.highwireimprov.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highwireimprov
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highwireimprov
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This program is supported (in part) by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.
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Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.
Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.
About "The Truth In This Art"
If you have a story about art, culture, or community, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on 'The Truth In This Art' podcast.
Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart
Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.
Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.
About "The Truth In This Art"
"The Truth In This Art," hosted by Rob Lee, is a podcast that explores the essence of creativity and its community impact, amplifying artists' voices and their profound stories.
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Creators and Guests
Host
Rob Lee
The Truth In This Art is an interview series featuring artists, entrepreneurs and tastemakers in & around Baltimore.
Guest
Barry Wright, III
Barry Wright (he/him) is an improviser, teacher, non-profit leader, and technology professional. Since 2020, Barry has served as President of the Board and co-founder of Highwire Improv, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to steward a community of artists committed to growth, collaboration, joy, and justice — in Baltimore and around the world — through improvisational theater. Highwire Improv produces shows, classes, free workshops, community events, and corporate training programs for individuals and teams. Barry regularly teaches, performs, and leads corporate events. As a performer, Barry has trained in improv since 2017, including at Highwire Improv, Baltimore Improv Group, Hoopla Impro, and through countless festivals and online workshops. He performs widely with groups including Improv Jeoparty, Topiary, Important Screws, Whatever This Is, Sandcats, and Dreamweaver. In his ‘work’ life Barry currently serves as Chief of Staff at Noom, whose mission is to help people everywhere lead healthier lives through behavior change. Prior to this, Barry led product management for Spotify's Content Integrity team, building solutions for trust, safety, and copyright management. Barry also led product teams at Videology, a Baltimore-based adtech startup that was acquired by Amobee in 2018. He volunteers with the Maryland Department of Commerce, Johns Hopkins Tech Ventures, StarTUp Towson, was a 2018 Bowe Fellow with the Baltimore World Trade Center Institute, and has been a featured speaker at Duke University, Loyola University, Product School, and the Trust and Safety Collective. Barry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Duke University and lives with his wife and three cats in Baltimore, Maryland. He is always happy to chat about improv.
Guest
Brian James O'Connell
The Best Dirty Typewriter In Town. Redneck Seth Rogen. The Shane Battier of Improv. I make up stuff for a living although I am not a professional liar. He/Him.
Guest
Michelle Faulkner Forson
Michelle Faulkner-Forson, the Managing Director of The Baltimore Improv Group (BIG) located in Station North, brings her passion for comedy improv to the forefront.