“I make it funny for the audience because I made it funny for myself.” - Joe Bill

In this very first episode, I had a great conversation with Joe Bill. Joe is perhaps best known as half of the duo BASSPROV, but he’s also a founding member of The Annoyance Theater in Chicago, where he performed and directed more than 60 shows. He served as the Director of Corporate Training at iO as well as a teacher & guest artist in residence at The Second City Conservatory & Training Center, both for well over a decade. 

Joe tours the world, teaching and performing. During the Pandemic, his Story Chain sessions are a chance for participants to be vulnerable and share their stories in a safe environment.

We discussed audacity, improv tactics and just being human. It’s always fun to talk to Joe, and I think you will really get into the conversation, which veers between improv and therapy.

As Joe and I discuss in this episode, there’s no replacement for experience in learning improv; however, with this series, I want to bring together performers, teachers, writers, actors, directors, and producers to discuss our craft and share our experiences with you.

Links:

• Improv Discussion & Resources Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/improvtalk/
• Improv Discussion & Resources Discord:  https://discord.gg/GRvtacUh7Z
• Virtual Harry Potter Improv Class with Kaivalya Plays: bit.ly/wizardimprov
• Pineappl, the video app for virtual improv: https://get.pineappl.studio
• Thunderbolt Comedy: thunderboltcomedy.com

Joe Bill:

• Joe Bill Teaches! on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/182602909978 
• Joe Bill's Integrated Improvisation: https://www.integratedimprovisation.com/