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Interviews, inspiration, and information on Improvised "Improv" Theater, with Synergy Theater. Questions answered: Will an Improv class with Synergy Theater help you with public speaking? Help you think on your feet? Make you a better communicator? Boost your self-confidence and creativity? Yes, and... Our welcoming and supportive community and learning environment make us unique. It all begins with The Three Rules of Improv, honed by Synergy Theater Director Kenn Adams: 1) Be spontaneous. 2) Make you partner look good. 3) Build on your partner's idea. Improv in Practice offers interviews with Synergy Theater performers, students, and special guests. We explore improvisation from the point of view of the performer, the teacher, the student, and the audience. If you're wondering how you can try Improv for the first time, or how you can dig deeper into the art of improvisation, Synergy Theater is here for you. In addition to offering classes, Synergy Theater performs full-length improvised plays and strives to create theater with compelling characters, wonderful stories, and vibrant spontaneity. Our mission is to build a better world through improvisational theater. Find out how at synergytheater.com.

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Diablo Improv Festival with Diana Brown

2025/10/16

Hello Friends and Improv Festivalgoers! The FIRST ANNUAL Diablo Improv Festival happens October 24-26, 2025, and is only days away as I write this. High on my list of things to look forward to is Diana Brown's workshop The Space Between. In this episode Diana and I talk about Diana's background in Improv, the inspiration for The Space Between, and what Diana sees as a common struggle among her Improv students. Visit DiabloImprovFestival.org for all related information. Hope to see you there! DianaLynnBrown.com The Lesher Center - Diablo Improv Festival

Diablo Improv Festival with Jaime and Randy

2025/10/14

Hello Improvisers! It's almost here: The FIRST annual Diablo Improv Festival October 24-26 at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek. Will we see you there? For more info visit DiabloImprovFestival.org. We have another round of back-to-back interviews for you in this episode: Jaime Rich and Randy Wight of Spontaneous Mind - co-creators, performers, and co-producers at the festival. Jaime will also teach the workshop Young at Heart. Jaime and Rich each express a love of and interest in Improvised Theater that is infectious. Enjoy! SpontaneousMind.org DiabloImprovFestival.org Lesher Center - Diablo Improv Festival

Diablo Improv Festival with Kat and Della

2025/10/07

It's almost here: The first annual Diablo Improv Festival, October 24-26, 2025, at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek, CA! We have a lot to talk about in the run up to the festival and so we have TWO back-to-back interviews for you. First we talk with Kat Koppett - applied Improv pioneer, author, and consultant. Kat joins us from her home on the east coast but if you're a west-coaster who has ever wished that you could meet Kat in person now is your chance. Kat joins the festival's incredible talent roster and offers a seminar all about her Improv insights and book Training to Imagine. Then we talk with Della Watson - a festival co-producer - and head of DKW Productions. We talk about Della's inspirations and hopes for the festival. Find more about the festival at DiabloImprovFestival.org! https://www.mopco.org/ https://www.dkwproductions.com/ Lesher Center - Diablo Improv Festival

Improvising Hitchcock with Professor Denah Johnston

2025/07/10

Hello Improvised Theater and Alfred Hitchcock fans! In this episode we host Professor Denah Johnston, who teaches The Films of Alfred Hitchcock at San Francisco City College. We also host a virtual Alfred Hitchcock plumbed from the depths of the ethereal world of Artificial Intelligence. If you could ask Alfred Hitchcok anything, would you take his answers as the whole truth? Or would you wonder what ol' Hitch "hallucintated"? We invite you to join us as we explore this notion with (the real) Professor Denah Johsnton and the (ghostly?) Master of Suspense. Synergy Theater's Improvised Hitchcock opens at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek CA Thursday 7/17/25. Get your tickets now for what will be a sold-out run. See you there! https://www.synergytheater.com/

Adrián & Addam Face Dungeons & Dragons

2025/03/20

Hello Improvisers! Synergy Theater's Improvised Dungeons and Dragons begins April 3rd, 2025 and runs through April 13th, Thursday's through Sundays, at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, California. Don't be left out of the epic adventure! Get your tickets now at SynergyTheater.com. In this our 31st episode, Val and I sit down with Adrián Bousada, creator and director of Improvised D & D, and Addam Ledmyen, writer, actor, and Synergy Theater player. We talk about the origin and challenges of Improvised D&D, and Adrián's and Addam's hopes for the the show. You can find more about Adrián and Addam on Synergy Theater's website. Just click on About Us.

Elyse Iovino Lays Down the Law

2025/01/26

Hello Improvisers! In our 30th episode, we talk with Elyse Iovino who joined Synergy Theater in 2023. We talk about Synergy's current show: IMPROVISED LAW AND ORDER, what surprised Elyse about the show, and Elyse's passion for helping people as an intuitive psychic. IMPROVISED LAW AND ORDER is part of Synergy Theater's current season at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek, California. Find your tickets for their next show, Improvised Dungeons & Dragons, through SynergyTheater.com. Get your tickets now because IMPROVISED LAW AND ORDER was a sell out! SynergyTheater.com

In the Zone with Arastoo Darakhshan

2024/10/10

Arastoo Darakhshan is a composer, producer, teacher and performer. Arastoo is an alum of Berkeley Improv and is a familiar cast member in Synergy Theater performances. Arastoo's newest role is as the director of the upcoming Improvised Twilight Zone. Val Jord, Arastoo, and I talk about Arastoo's inspiration for the Improvised Twilight Zone and the show's unique challenges. The Improvised Twilight Zone opens at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek, Thursday, October 17th, 2024. Podcast episode spoiler alert! We have a few impromptu musical treats in store for you. Get your tickets to the Improvised Twilight Zone now! (Val and I think that this will be a sold-out show!) Visit Synergy Theater's website to purchase tickets. We'll see you there! Synergy Theater Synergy Theater Cast Members Arastoo Darakhshan on Instagram Arastoo Darakhshan on Sound Cloud

Spontaneous Soap with Lynn & Val

2024/07/11

Hello Improvisers! Mark it on your calendars: Thusday July 18th, 2024, The Lesher Center in Walnut Creek welcomes Synergy Theater's latest show: SPONTANEOUS SOAP! In this episode, Val Jord and I sit down with Lynn Shields - creator and director. We "sit down", IN PERSON! That's right - this is our FIRST LIVE AND IN-PERSON interview. A big thank you to Lynn and Val for taking the time to meet together. We created an incredible episode! We talk about the SPONTANEOUS SOAP'S origin, challenges, and unique format. You're not going to want to miss one single "episode" of SPONTANEOUS SOAP! Tickets SynergryTheater.com

My Dearest Rachel Kumaar & Valerie

2024/04/11

Hello Friends! Do you have your My Dearest Love - Synergy's newest show - tickets yet? If yes, then Valerie Jord and I look forward to seeing you April 18 - April 28th, Thursdays - Sundays at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Our show's guest today is Rachel Kumaar. Rachel joined the Synergy Theater cast not long ago. We talk about interesting transitions in life, surprises in Improv, and much more. You're going to LOVE this interview. Be sure to check out the Kumaar Family on YouTube. Have a listen and you'll see what I mean! SynergyTheater.com The Kumaar Family on You Tube

A Bowlful of Adventure Serial with Griffen & Addam

2024/01/25

Adventure Serial awaits! In this episode we talk about Synergy Theater's newest show based on the adventure-genre storytelling that we all love. Adventure Serial kicks off February 1st, 2024, and runs to February 11th. Get your season tickets now! SynergyTheater.com Griffen Bier Addam Ledamyen

Just in Time for Zombies with Justin Carns

2023/10/23

Hello Friends! Synergy Theater's "Z is for Zombie" is at the Lesher Center now to October 29th! "Z is for Zombie" kicks off Synergy Theater's new season of 2023-2024 shows. Visit SynergyTheater.com to get your tickets and to check out classes and programs. Justin Carns is a long-time performing member of Synergy Theater. For our interview with Justin, Val and I are excited to present you with something other than our usual interview format. We hope that you enjoy! See the link below for a hint! Write Away with Freestyle Rep and Synergy Theater

Improv World Creation from A to Zombie with Adrián Bosada

2023/09/12

Valerie Jord and I are happy to present to you - Adrián Bosada, a performing member of Synergy Theater. We talk about Adrián's experiences in Improv, his journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and (from his study of animation to...) how Adrián uses physicality in Improv. Synergy Theater's "Z is for... Zombie" - An Improvised Zombie Apocalypse - begins October 19th, 2023, and runs through October 29th, at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek California. Get your tickets now! Go to SynergyTheater.com, and click on Performances. Val and I hope that this interview with Adrián inspires you to take risks and give weight to your imagination as you create your worlds. Don't forget to do your Improv homework assigned in the intro! We'll see you in the theater!

Uplifting Others is a Class (Improv) Act with Rev. Beth Carroll & Actor Rich Perez

2023/08/21

Yet another great reason for you to take a Synergy Theater improv class: you get to meet people like Rev. Beth Carroll and Actor/Writer/Artisic Director Rich Perez! We talk first to Beth about her journey from mild-mannered Sales Manager to Sr. Pastor at Oakland City Church. Then we talk with Rich about his career in The Arts and friendship with Kenn Adams. Beth and Rich each talk about how Kenn's Improv teachings help them in their daily adventures and aspirations. Find out more about Beth's leadership at Oakland City Church at OaklandCityChurch.org. See Rich onstage in The Birds before 9/9/23 at the Altarena Playhouse - Altarena.org. Synergy Theater has a new season of shows starting 10/19/23, with "Z is for... ZOMBIE"! Visit SynergyTheater.com, to get your tickets. Season tickets are available! See you there!

The Pied Piper of Synergy Theater Improv with Ben & Valerie

2023/07/03

Who is Ben Piper? Is Ben a mythical forest-dwelling creature who is elusive when it comes to interviews? Not really. Ben is a Synergy Theater performer, Improviser, Dad, and all-around great guy! In our Interview with Ben, we discuss Ben's Improv "origin story" and roll from there right into Synergy's new show: A ROLL OF THE DICE. Each scene is created by chance! What are the challenges? What are the thrills? Ben tells all. Get your tickets now for Synergy Theater's A ROLL OF THE DICE! Performances begin July 13th, 2023! Head to synergytheater.com and click on Performances. Valerie and I will see you there!

A Benny for Your Thoughts on The Mating Game with Benny & Valerie

2023/04/10

It's here! It's here! Synergy Theater's THE MATING GAME opens at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA, this week, Thursday April 13th! Visit SyngeryTheater.com and look for "Performances" to get your tickets now. In this interview - which took longer than expected to schedule (Benny explains why) - Benjamin "Benny" Garcia joins us for the first time. Benny is an incredible Improviser and the newest performer to join Synergy Theater's cast. We talk about about 11-year-old Benny's experience with an Italian youth-theater director, ("You're all RATS!"), how Benny first found Improvised Theater, and the dating show Benny would design if he could. If that were'nt enough, Benny's cat Carl makes a guest appearance and we play a game during which Valerie asks Benny a question I never could have expected. Once again, THE MATING GAME opens at The Lesher Center for the Arts Thursday April 13, 2023, and runs to April 23, 2023. See you there!

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Read Improv in Practice with Synergy Theater podcast reviews

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9 reviews

★★★★★

Don’t like this version 2021/08/15

Great show about improv

This is a fun way to learn about how improv affects “real people”. You can learn about what improv offers, various styles of improv and even hear gues...

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