Magnet Theater Podcast
132 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 7 years ago - ★★★★★ - 42 ratingsConversations about Improv, Sketch Comedy and More from Magnet Theater
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Episodes
#82: Charlie Nicholson
March 30, 2016 12:00 - 52.5 MBSpartan improviser, Executive actor, and director of Object Work, CHARLIE NICHOLSON, sits down to discuss his upcoming Directors Series, harnessing risk on stage, and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Throughout the episode, Charlie and host Louis Kornfeld find a great deal of common ground as they discuss things like ambiguity on stage, forgetting one’s self in […] The post #82: Charlie Nicholson appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#81: Devin O’Neill
March 23, 2016 12:00 - 47.1 MBGet ready, because heartthrob DEVIN O’NEILL joins us to talk about her lifelong pursuit of comedy, performing for children, and how following your feet is the best! From The Cast to Sketch Teams to Megawatt and INSPIRADO, hear about Devin’s many comedic ventures and how she most prefers to approach scenework. Plus, a cameo from Ed Herbstman […] The post #81: Devin O’Neill appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#80: Geri Cole
March 16, 2016 12:00 - 48.1 MBThe Cast member and hilarious human, GERI COLE, joins the show to talk about travel, her utopian hometown, and how to bring more voices to the comedy table. Geri spends her weekdays working on Sesame Street and her weekends creating one-of-a-kind improv shows with The Cast, so we’re thrilled that she’s taken some time to […] The post #80: Geri Cole appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#79: Nikita Burdein
March 09, 2016 12:00 - 55.8 MBSinging, improvising, and teaching fool, NIKITA BURDEIN, joins us to talk about emigrating from Soviet Russia, discovering improv in NYC, and how to approach auditions. Amidst all of that, he and host Louis Kornfeld discuss religion, what makes theater so special, and finding comfort in declaring who you are. Recorded yesterday, released today this […] The post #79: Nikita Burdein appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#78: Andy Moskowitz
March 02, 2016 12:00 - 57.5 MBAriana Grande’s BFFL, ANDY MOSKOWITZ, is on the podcast talking substance abuse, vulnerability, and of course, Mother’s Day. Andy talks about getting his improv start in Philly doing ComedySportz and shares with us his Behind The Music moment. Plus, he and Louis try to write a joke together! Tune in for a whale of a good time. In […] The post #78: Andy Moskowitz appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#77: Ed Herbstman
February 24, 2016 12:00 - 62.1 MBMagnet founding father and sometime Mantzoukas brother, ED HERBSTMAN, talks with us about his Chicago days, moving to LA, and what makes improv satisfying. Ed was on his first team at iO Chicago by age 17 and by the time he and his friends moved to LA, they were attracting industry attention. If this sounds […] The post #77: Ed Herbstman appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#76: Woody Fu
February 17, 2016 12:00 - 50.5 MBBoom Chicago cast member and former Magnet baddie, WOODY FU, visits from Amsterdam to talk about building Second City style sketch shows, living abroad, and his comedy ambitions. It’s his first time stateside since moving to the Netherlands and we are thrilled that he decided to spend some time talking with us about his […] The post #76: Woody Fu appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#75: Amie Roe
February 10, 2016 12:00 - 1 hour - 49 MBImproviser and therapist, AMIE ROE, talks with us about using play to understand ourselves, awe in the world around us, and her upcoming show, Group Therapy. In addition to improvising with the real Ariana Grande, Amie is a psychotherapist in private practice, which is is a wealth of experience she brings to this fascinating […] The post #75: Amie Roe appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#74: Michael Delaney
February 03, 2016 12:00 - 64.1 MBFounding member of legendary UCB ensembles The Swarm and The Stepfathers, MICHAEL DELANEY, sits down with host Louis Kornfeld to talk truth in improv, how time has affected his approach to comedy, and his reverence for the Harold. Not only has Delaney been doing improv in NYC since before the arrival of the UCB, but he’s […] The post #74: Michael Delaney appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#73: Matt Evans
January 20, 2016 12:00 - 56.4 MBJealous Dad and 1/4th of Hello Laser, MATT EVANS, joins us to discuss straight-manning, his old soul, performing characters, and how he stinks at object work! Hot off the heels of this recent pilot, Jealous Dad, Matt is getting ready for Montreal Just For Laughs auditions and finding that the scripted work he does […] The post #73: Matt Evans appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#72: Elena Skopetos
January 13, 2016 12:00 - 1 hour - 59 MBChampion of sketch and improv comedy alike, ELENA SKOPETOS, joins us on the show to talk about clowning, characters, ComedySportz, and the new J&L Presents! You know her from The Cast, The Executives, AVALANCHE, and her many appearances in other shows, but this is Elena’s first tell-all-interview-podcast with Louis Kornfeld so we suggest you strap on […] The post #72: Elena Skopetos appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#71: Chrissie Gruebel
December 30, 2015 14:27 - 55.5 MBWe couldn’t get enough of CHRISSIE GRUEBEL on stage, so we had her on the podcast to talk about improv, acting, & everything else. A darling of Megawatt’s Metal Boy, Friday Night Sh*w, and Magnet Sketch Teams, Chrissie sits down with Louis and regales him with tales from Philadelphia, New York, and the theater capitol […] The post #71: Chrissie Gruebel appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#70: Russ Armstrong
December 23, 2015 12:00 - 60.6 MBBoy howdy are you in for a delicious episode with the one and only RUSS ARMSTRONG. A writer for Uncommon Sense (MTV), performer galore (Master of None, Montreal Just for Laughs, 30 Rock), and improviser who has played on many a Magnet ensemble, Russ has plenty to discuss with host Louis Kornfeld regarding television, union workers, life […] The post #70: Russ Armstrong appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#69: Christina Dabney
December 16, 2015 12:00 - 40.7 MBEveryone’s favorite vegan, CHRISTINA DABNEY, stops by the podcast to talk about telling the truth, homeschool education, her sketch team Stockton, and of course, yoga. Plus, Louis spends some time criticizing modern learning and, wouldn’t you know it, Christina gives a shout out to her mom and dad. It’s a thought-provoking episode that you’re just […] The post #69: Christina Dabney appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#68: Rob Webber
December 09, 2015 12:00 - 47.2 MBA mainstay of Magnet Sketch Teams and long-time NYC improviser, ROB WEBBER, joins us to discuss his life of comedy, dish on how he wanted to teach music once upon a time, and provide advice that can aid any team. In addition to being a writer/actor for Wendigo and the director of Adults, Rob has been […] The post #68: Rob Webber appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#67: Quinton Loder
December 02, 2015 12:00 - 46.1 MBLongtime performer and jack-of-all-trades, QUINTON LODER, joins his good friend Louis Kornfeld to talk about Topeka, The Boss, and being an improv hand-grenade. Not only does Quinton perform weekly with The Boss, but we is quite literally in charge of many of the Magnet’s day-to-day operations. Pretty cool, right? From Kansas to Chelsea, Quinton tells us about […] The post #67: Quinton Loder appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#66: Armando Diaz
November 18, 2015 12:00 - 52.4 MBMagnet Theater co-founder and all around improv know-it-all, ARMANDO DIAZ, sits down with us to talk about film, improvisation, and what he thinks of the “guru” label. It’s not everyday we get to hear so intimately from one of the greats of improvisation, but Armando stopped by to chat with host Louis Kornfeld and […] The post #66: Armando Diaz appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#65: Alexis Lambright
November 11, 2015 12:00 - 58.3 MBMagnet All-Star performer, ALEXIS LAMBRIGHT, chats with us about The Wrath’s 4-year anniversary, representation in improv, and her various hilarious scripted shows. You can see Alexis all around the Magnet performing with The Wrath on Megawatt, with The Cast on Saturday nights, as host of The Griot Show, as a member of The Stank, and with […] The post #65: Alexis Lambright appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#64: Justin D. Torres
November 04, 2015 12:42 - 48.5 MBJustin Torres is all over the Magnet Theater these days, performing with GOATS, Heartbeat, and Premiere, and now, he’s a guest on our podcast! In this episode, we learn about Justin’s experiences studying at the four major improv training centers of NYC, how he approaches different shows with different teams, and his advice for people […] The post #64: Justin D. Torres appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#63: Roman Rimer
October 28, 2015 12:00 - 43.7 MBComedian and activist, ROMAN RIMER, visits us from San Francisco to talk about using comedy to punch up, learning from personal confrontation, and the development of our cities. This is an episode unlike any we’ve had thus far, dealing with matters of social tolerance, capitalism, and human nature. It’s a thought-provoking episode and we’re thrilled […] The post #63: Roman Rimer appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#62: Phoebe Tyers
October 21, 2015 12:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBMagnet performer, writer, and talk show host, PHOEBE TYERS, joins host Louis Kornfeld to talk about the outsider view of comedians, her background in playwriting, and so much more! Phoebe performs regularly on Megawatt with The Music Industry and on Magnet Sketch Teams with Stockton. Additionally, you can catch her late night talk show Phoebe Tonight […] The post #62: Phoebe Tyers appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#61: Kevin Cobbs
October 14, 2015 12:00 - 48.6 MBWhoa, boy! Watch out now, because local southern gentleman and big juicy peach, KEVIN COBBS, sits down with host Louis Kornfeld on Episode #61 to talk about getting his start in Atlanta, being a musician, and his comedic love of stupidity. They talk about Kevin’s guides to New York, his experiences working for Second […] The post #61: Kevin Cobbs appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#60: T.J. Mannix
October 07, 2015 12:00 - 50.5 MBMusical improviser, gifted actor, and flat-out handsome man, T.J. MANNIX stops by the podcast to talk about pursuing his dreams in NYC, the craft of acting, and the upcoming New York Musical Improv Festival [NYMIF]. This is our 60th episode and we’re excited to share it with one of Magnet’s beloved instructors and long-time performers. T.J […] The post #60: T.J. Mannix appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#58: Pat May
September 23, 2015 12:00 - 49.6 MBThe Magnet Theater Podcast triumphantly returns from a late-summer respite with a glorious episode featuring Magnet performer, gamer, Training Center House Manager, and boy made of metal, PAT MAY. He sits down with host Louis Kornfeld for a sweaty conversation all about going to comedy camp, his approach to improv scenes, and how he seeks […] The post #58: Pat May appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#57: Jamie Rivera
August 26, 2015 12:00 - 54.5 MBBack from our one-week summer vacation, we have longtime Magnet performer JAMIE RIVERA on the show us to talk about science fiction, having fun on stage, and how improv can help us through difficult times. Along the way, host Louis Kornfeld talks to Jamie about playing characters, performing for various audiences, and The Little […] The post #57: Jamie Rivera appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#56: Julia Hynes
August 12, 2015 11:59 - 49.5 MBOn this week’s episode of the podcast, we’ve got Julia Hynes who performs with Junior Varsity, The Stank, and Sad Kids. A founding member of long-running Megawatt team, BRICK, Julia talks to host Louis Kornfeld about her improv development, being “good at school,” and the freedom of improvising with an all-female team. We’re taking next week […] The post #56: Julia Hynes appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#55: Mike Dwyer
August 05, 2015 12:00 - 48.8 MBMagnet instructor, writer, and performer, MIKE DWYER, takes a few minutes out of his comedy-making schedule to talk with host Louis Kornfeld about simplifying improv scenes, the difference between talent and skill, and how he missed the point of film school. These two gentlemen find that they have remarkably similar paths to becoming comedians and relate over […] The post #55: Mike Dwyer appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#54: Lauren Ashley Smith
July 29, 2015 12:00 - 43.5 MBOur very own Lauren Ashley Smith stops in to talk about Speech & Debate, loving television, and engaging with her dog brain. A writer for Bravo’s “Fashion Queens” and VH1’s “Best Week Ever,” Lauren also performs at Magnet with Megawatt team TITAN and The Friday Night Sh*w. Host Louis Kornfeld kicks off their interview by […] The post #54: Lauren Ashley Smith appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#53: Ellie Kemper
July 22, 2015 12:00 - 25.8 MBThis week, the delightful Ellie Kemper takes a quick break from making TV & movies to talk with us about positivity in comedy, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and of course, improv! In the midst of hosting the TODAY show last week, and performing at Magnet with Christina Gausas (as KempSas), Ellie was kind enough to sit […] The post #53: Ellie Kemper appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#52: Bianca Casusöl
July 15, 2015 12:00 - 46.5 MBBeloved Magnet Theater alumnae, Bianca Casusöl, visits from North Carolina to talk about her improv origins, making adjustments for shows, and the weird games she plays all alone in her head. Currently a performer and instructor at Dirty South Comedy Theater (dsi) in Chapel Hill, NC, Bianca spent several years in New York performing at the […] The post #52: Bianca Casusöl appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#51: Christina Gausas
July 08, 2015 10:48 - 54.5 MBWe welcome a national treasure of the improv comedy world, Christina Gausas, into our studio for a conversation about ensemble support, form development, Del Close, improv notes, and wanting your scene partner. Still basking in that post-DCM glow, Christina begins her conversation with host Louis Kornfeld recapping her DCM, talking about the support of the ensemble, […] The post #51: Christina Gausas appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#50: Will Hines
July 01, 2015 12:00 - 65.4 MBOn this week’s episode, we’ve got actor, writer, and 14x UCB All-Star, Will Hines. We caught up with Will while he was in town for the 17th Annual Del Close Marathon and what ensued was a beautifully nerdy conversation about improv theory, improv practice, teaching methods, and some of Will’s early days at UCB. The […] The post #50: Will Hines appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#49: Joe Miles
June 24, 2015 12:00 - 46.4 MBAn improviser with Ariana Grande (the improv team) and founding member of BRICK, the handsome Joe Miles stops by our studio to talk with host Louis Kornfeld about discovering improv, the influence of music on his life, and touchy improv scenes. Joe talks to us about coming to NYC from Cleveland (Go Cavs!) in order to further his […] The post #49: Joe Miles appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#48: Andrew Yurman-Glaser
June 17, 2015 12:00 - 51 MBNative son of New York State, Andrew Yurman-Glaser (Broad City; Magnet’s The Wrath, Friday Night Sh*w; UCB’s Mermaids; Upstate) joins us in the studio to talk about improvising, coaching, and the dynamics of a good team. Host Louis Kornfeld dives in by asking, “Do you remember when you got good at improv?” Humility abounds as Andrew tells […] The post #48: Andrew Yurman-Glaser appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#47: Jean Villepique
June 10, 2015 12:00 - 56.8 MBWe’ve been lucky to welcome so many out-of-town guests recently and we’re excited to say that our latest visitor is the incredible Jean Villepique. One of the earliest teachers and performers at Magnet, Jean was recently back in town from Los Angeles to perform in Bummers Presents: Running. Our host, Louis Kornfeld, gets the ball rolling in this episode […] The post #47: Jean Villepique appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#46: Jo Firestone
May 27, 2015 12:00 - 41.9 MBA purveyor of weird in an increasingly codified comedy landscape, Jo Firestone sits down with us to talk about her numerous shows, how she approaches her art, and of course, City Museum in St. Louis. Host Louis Kornfeld kicks off this episode asking Jo whether she creates shows for her resume or because they interest her. As a […] The post #46: Jo Firestone appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#45: Joe Bill
May 20, 2015 12:00 - 47.8 MBChicago improv legend and co-founder of The Annoyance Theater, Joe Bill, stops by the studio to talk with host Louis Kornfeld. Fresh off a trip to France and England, Joe tells us about his recent attempt to perform improv in French, how he still gets nervous for certain shows, and how he has learned to channel that energy. Louis talks […] The post #45: Joe Bill appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#44: Susan Messing
May 13, 2015 12:00 - 46.3 MBGuess who’s in town! Chicago-based improv luminary Susan Messing stopped by while in NYC to talk to us about teaching improv, being malleable, and giving TED Talks. Lots of great questions are addressed in this episode, such as: Wheres the line between taking care of yourself and being selfish? Whats Susans take on the […] The post #44: Susan Messing appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#43: Laura Grey
May 06, 2015 12:00 - 1 hour - 47 MBThis week on the podcast we welcome prolific performer, writer, and director Laura Grey to talk with us about comedy and living a life surrounded by it. With credits at theaters such as Magnet, UCB, and Second City, Laura has come a long way since her time as a creative writing and poetry major at Northwestern University. Host […] The post #43: Laura Grey appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#42: Hannah Chase
April 29, 2015 12:00 - 55 minutes - 35.2 MBOn this week’s episode, Magnet performer, director, and instructor Hannah Chase joins us to talk about improv, self-criticism, and why everyone should see a therapist. Host Louis Kornfeld asks Hannah about her upcoming Directors Series, “The Cast,” and forthcoming elective class, “Play!” Both projects remind host and guest alike that sometimes the easiest way […] The post #42: Hannah Chase appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#41: George Basil
April 22, 2015 12:08 - 1 hour - 43.7 MBIt’s the Magnet Theater Podcast’s ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY (!!!) and to celebrate, we’ve got Magnet alumnus George Basil on the show. George stopped by while he was in town for the theater’s 10th Anniversary and talked to host Louis Kornfeld about getting into improv, Michael Keaton, and the art of living. These two friends who […] The post #41: George Basil appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#40: Rebecca Robles
April 15, 2015 12:00 - 45.6 MBEpisode #40 of the show has Rebecca Robles in the studio and with her she brings immediate laughter. Host and teammate from The Boss, Louis Kornfeld, speaks with Rebecca about the romantic nature of engaging with things that you werent around for, like antiques and old music, and they chat about how jumping into an external character can remind you of who […] The post #40: Rebecca Robles appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#39: You Are Not Alone
April 08, 2015 12:00 - 44.5 MBJoin us on this week’s episode to hear from Aaron Gold and Grant Goldberg, creators and hosts of You Are Not Alone: An Uplifting Show About Depression. Host Louis Kornfeld asks our two golden boys about their show and how something so connected to depression can be funny. The show, which features essays on […] The post #39: You Are Not Alone appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#38: Shacottha Fields
April 01, 2015 12:00 - 38.7 MBImproviser, actor, and brave soul, Shacottha Fields joins host Louis Kornfeld on this episode of the podcast to talk about her solo show, following your heart, and how she got started in improv. We begin with a discussion of Shacottha’s solo improv show, 1 Deep, a one-person Harold that begins with its star clowning and taking in the audience. […] The post #38: Shacottha Fields appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#37: Jeffrey Sweet
March 25, 2015 12:00 - 70.4 MBWhoa boy we’ve got an interview with the one and only Jeffrey Sweet! The famed playwright, historian, and author of Something Wonderful Right Away joins host Louis Kornfeld for this extended episode of the podcast. They start out by discussing the relationship between the Jews fleeing the Cossacks and the rise of satire […] The post #37: Jeffrey Sweet appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#36: Jon Bander
March 18, 2015 12:00 - 1 hour - 43.1 MBOn this episode of the podcast we are joined by Jon Bander, a seasoned performer with Premiere: The Improvised Musical (Magnet), Aquarius (Magnet), Dagger (The PIT), and Characters Welcome (UCB). Host Louis Kornfeld jumps right into a discussion on musical improv with Jon, talking about Aquarius’ signature form, The Malkovich. They revisit Jon’s first-hand account of the development of musical improv in NYC […] The post #36: Jon Bander appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#35: Chris Duffy
March 11, 2015 12:00 - 55.4 MBStand up, radio host, and improviser Chris Duffy joins us this week on the podcast to discuss the various shows he produces and how learning and laughing go together so well. Host Louis Kornfeld asks Chris about the origins of his show Youre The Expert, a radio program, podcast, and live show that asks a panel […] The post #35: Chris Duffy appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#34: Charlie Whitcroft
March 04, 2015 12:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MBOur guest this week, Charlie Whitcroft, has known our host, Louis Kornfeld, for 23 years and they have been best friends just as long. Join us on this episode for a trip down Memory Lane as Louis and Charlie revisit their younger days, but also reflect on the upcoming 10 year anniversary of the Magnet. Part of a group […] The post #34: Charlie Whitcroft appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#33: Sean Taylor
February 25, 2015 12:00 - 1 hour - 53.8 MBLong-time Magnet performer and all-around swell guy, Sean Taylor, joins host Louis Kornfeld in the studio for an interview. A military brat growing up, Sean has called New York City home longer than anywhere else and, since moving to NYC right out of college in 1999, Sean has watched the improv boom happen first-hand. He’s gone from diehard ASSSSCAT fan […] The post #33: Sean Taylor appeared first on Magnet Theater.
#32: Brandon Gardner
February 18, 2015 12:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBOn this episode of the podcast, we welcome UCBT performer, instructor, and improv nerd Brandon Gardner into the studio to talk about college improv, his class focused on creating improvised plays, and various elements of compelling improv. Our host, Louis Kornfeld, begins the hour getting into Brandon’s vast experiences working with college improv teams and […] The post #32: Brandon Gardner appeared first on Magnet Theater.