15.Zenprov : More Living, Auditions & Questions
In this Episode we add some more thoughts on making a living as an improviser including some practical suggestions. We then cover the topic of auditioning and how to make them worthwhile even if you...
View Article16.Zenprov : Environmental Zen
A scene takes place somewhere and an actor must interact with this somewhere. Where does the somewhere come from and what is the purpose of all the elements of the where? As usual we take a zen...
View Article17.Zenprov : Life and Death
If you want to be totally alive, which is to say be totally present, it means you have to be present with everything. In this Episode we explore the need to come to terms with the reality of death as a...
View Article18.Zenprov : Equanimity in Hell
There are ideal circumstances in which to perform. We rarely get to experience working in ideal situations and sometimes we find ourselves having to perform with everything seemingly arrayed against...
View Article19.Zenprov : Challenges
There is a range of experience in life which either expands our boundaries or keeps us within our comfort zones. Moving beyond boundaries involves a desire for challenges which is a vital part of the...
View Article20.Zenprov : Brave New Workshop
On the weekend of April 26th/27th we conducted our first Zenprov weekend intensive at the Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis. The Brave New Workshop or BNW as it is known, is the oldest improv theater...
View Article21.Zenprov : The Juice
Where do you find the Juice that makes scenes compelling to watch and allows you to create scenes that unfold in an organic way? How can you use these techniques to make your life better off stage?...
View Article22.Zenprov : Blocked (I Don't Care)
Blocked or I Don't Care. In this Episode we cover the dreaded blocks that happen from time to time to every creative person, from a personal perspective. We look at how blocks occur, what brings them...
View Article23.Zenprov : Music in Improv
Music is often an integral part of Improv. Why is it important? What exactly is music? How do you do it well? What is the Zen approach to Music? We cover all of this and more. Chicago Improv Associates
View Article24.Zenprov : A Zen Guest
Marshall's dear friend Michael Aronoff who is a Buddhist meditation teacher and yoga instructor talks with Marshall and Nancy about what is zen and how it relates to improv. This is the Zen side of...
View Article25.Zenprov : Actors and Improvisors
A square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not necessarily a square. An improvisor is an actor but an actor is not neccesarily an improvisor. This episode centers on why Improvisors should do legit...
View Article26.Zenprov : Short Form
This episode examines Short Form improv. We discuss the oft overlooked positive side of Short Form, taking a look at the unique skill sets and important elements of this commercially viable and often...
View Article27.Zenprov : The Momentous Moment
What is a moment and how powerful is it? In this episode we explore this topic and introduce methods for finding and living in the present moment. Chicago Improv Associates
View Article28.Zenprov : Trust, Confidence and Control
A deeper exploration of the issue of trust and how it relates to your paradigm. How changing your perspective can free you to trust all the time and free you and your work. Chicago Improv Associates
View Article29.Zenprov : Relationship
Realtionships in Improv Troupes. Are they good, bad or something else? What are the ideal relationships to have within the Improv milleau? What is a relationship in the Zen sense of reality? Do mixed...
View Article30.Zenprov : As The Wheel Turns
The wheel as represented by the Yin Yang symbol is in constant dynamic motion. When we recognize this, we understand impermanence and learn to flow with the ever changing nature of the present moment....
View Article31.Zenprov : The Zen of Teaching and Directing
The Zen approach to Teaching and Directing have in common, the goal of guiding actors to the Source of Genius. In this Episode, Marshall and Nancy discuss Zen Teaching methods and philosophies and talk...
View Article32.Zenprov : Symbols- The Language Of The Dream
We live in a universe of symbols, some of which we are conscious of and some of which we are not. In this Episode we discuss symbols as tools that can be used to build deep meanings in our scenework,...
View Article33.Zenprov : Wakefulness
What does being awake look like? What keeps us from waking up? How do we know if and when we are awake? This episode builds on, and is a continuation of the last one, on Symbols. Waking up and living...
View Article34.Zenprov : Traveling Light
Upon returning from our Cross Atlantic adventure we discuss the lessons of a month spent teaching and travelling. Special focus upon the idea of applying Zen lessons to everyday life in a way that...
View Article35.Zenprov : Attack and Defenselessness
For many of us our relationships and our lives are built around varying degrees of fending off attacks and setting up defences. What we fail to realize is that all attack is defence and all defence is...
View Article36.Zenprov : Bold Choices
Playing it safe will keep you from making any big goof ups but it will also keep you from brilliance. Learning to hear and trust the Source of Genuis is discussed with some practical tips at the end...
View Article37.Zenprov : Hospital Zen
With Marshall having had a small heart attack and facing a risky third bypass operation, we take this situation and opportunity to talk about Zen in action and how it works in practice. Even with all...
View Article38.Zenprov : The Finger and The Moon
We are back after a long hiatus due to health issues with an episode about the difference between direct experiential living and the mode of thought that keeps us living in an ongoing narration of our...
View Article39.Zenprov : Art and Craft
Sparked by ideas presented in our Yesand.Com article. we take a deeper look at the role of Art and Craft in Improv. We define Art and Craft and explain why both are necessary to creating works of...
View Article40.Zenprov : Attention
Why is Attention so powerful ? In this episode we discuss Attention, what it is and how to use it. As usual we cover attention in your stagecraft as well as in your life. Chicago Improv...
View Article41.Zenprov : Knowing and Believing
What is the difference between knowing something and believing something? It seems like almost the same thing but the difference is all important. In this podcast we discuss the importance of knowing...
View Article42.Zenprov : Presence and the 3 Doors
There are three doorways that lead to freedom from the blocks that keep you from being fully present. In this episode we discuss the importance of being fully present, what those three doorways are and...
View Article43.Zenprov : Failure and Space
Failure and the fear it engenders can stop us from reaching our full potential and living a joyful life. In this episode we discuss how to embrace failure as a positive thing and how just a little bit...
View Article44. Zenprov: The Water In Which We Swim
It is said that a fish does not know water because it is surrounded by it and in taking it for granted does not notice it. In the same way, habitual behavior on our part keeps us from seeing the sea of...
View Article45. Zenprov: Nowerful
Yes, it's a corny, New Agey, bad play on words, but actually being Nowerful is amazing. In this Episode we explore the ramifications of being and not being in the present moment and how that relates to...
View Article46. Zenprov: 3-Dimensional Scenes
A scene is composed of many moving parts including, characters, relationships, objectives and environment. We have discovered a tool that you can use to simultaneously and effortlessly create three...
View Article47. Zenprov: Space
After a long layoff we are back and on this episode we discuss the idea of space as in creating your space in all its dimensions and how to make sure your intention is communicated by how you create...
View Article48. Zenprov: Creativity and Ego
Studies find that people are more creative when they are performing a task for others. Can this be because their ego is not engaged? We explore this and other issues in an exploration of the role of...
View Article49. Zenprov: Center of Zenprov
After publishing E=MC2, Einstein spent the rest of his life in an unfulfilled search for a Unified Field Theory which could explain all tyhe physics of the ubiverse in one elegant formula. He failed...
View Article50. Zenprov: Emotions
Last Podcast we revealed our Unified Field Theory of Zenprov which cebters around using emotion as a doorway to the Source. Since then we have taught workshops in the UK and have learned some lessons...
View Article51. Zenprov: YES!
As Improvisers we are taught early on that we must say yes. In this episode we explore the full implications of this word and the attitude you must cultivate to fully engage with the spirit of yes....
View Article52. Zenprov: Longest Form Of Them All
In that past we have discussed short form improv and long form improv. Today we are discussing the longest form of improv there is, an Improvised Life!
View Article53. Zenprov: Actor/Character
In a scene we want and audience to see only the character but the actor must be present as well if in a diminished backstage way. This balance which must be struck between the improviser, the character...
View Article54. Zenprov: Preparation
In this episode we discuss short term (right before the show) and long term (for rehearsals and in daily life) things you can do to prepare and improve your performance and of course, most importantly...
View Article55. Zenprov: The Dharma of Improv
The core of Zen Buddhist thought is the Four Noble Truths and the Noble eightfold path which get very specific about the characteristics you need to develop in yourself for a succesful life. They also...
View Article56. Zenprov: Flowing with Change
Some of the most important concepts in Buddhism are Impermanence and Dependent Co-Arising which will be discussed in this episode in the context of the constantly changing reality of the world and how...
View Article57. Zenprov: The True Self
Understanding the Nature of the True Self as opposed to remaining stuck in your ego is the key to solving any number of issues in your performance and your life. In this Episode Nancy and Marshall...
View Article58. Zenprov: Pre-V (as in Vipassana)
In a few days Nancy and Marshall will be attending a ten day intensive silent meditation retreat known as Vipassana. Issues related to meditation and letting go are discussed in preperation for the...
View Article59. Zenprov: Post-V (as in Vipassana)
Back from a ten day intensive Vipassana retreat Nancy and Marshall share their experiences and insights in this somewhat extended Episode. Chicago Improv Associates
View Article60. Zenprov: Love
On our 60th Episode we go to the fundamental ground of everything as we discuss the role of Love in our performance and our preparation as well as our daily lives. Chicago Improv Associates
View Article61. Zenprov : Buddai
In September we received a request from a listener to do a short Podcast on the subject of Buddai which everyone thinks is the Buddha. You've seen the little smiling fat guy in Chinese restaurants?...
View Article62. Zenprov : Surrender
Our first post heart transplant episode talks about our experiences in the hospital and beyond with the greatest lesson we both learned from this experience. This is all about Surrender. We have talked...
View Article63. Zenprov: Trumprov
With the election of Donald Trump creating a wave of strong reactions around the world politics is currently a very important and relevant subject to include in your shows. It is also a minefield that...
View Article64. Zenprov:Diversity,Inclusiveness,Health
Inspired by a post by Lauren Morris on diversity and a comment by Ann Crippen, pointing out the need to deal with diversity issues in Improv. With our special guest Dale Smith, longtime Zenprov...
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