Exploring Improv with Casey Feigh: From Minnesota to Edinburgh

In this engaging episode of 'Dan Has Questions,' host Dan interviews Casey Feigh, a multifaceted actor, writer, director, and producer who shares his journey from working at the mall to performing improv in Los Angeles. The discussion covers Casey's love for improv, the unique aspects of long-form improv versus short-form, and his passion for living in the moment on stage.

Holy Shit Improv started in July 2021 when Los Angeles was still in the throes of Covid lockdowns. Stand-ups had been performing for over a year in outdoor spaces and via zoom but there was no outlet for improvisers.

Casey Feigh wasn’t the only performer missing improv so he started putting on shows in a dive bar with a small stage and audiences flocked to it.

Now, with over 100 shows on their patreon, Holy Shit Improv perform regularly across LA venues including UCB, Dynasty Typewriter and The Elysian to sold-out houses. Holy Shit Improv also tour across the US and recently played sold-out shows in London, Liverpool and Edinburgh.

Listen as Casey delves into the joys and challenges of the improv scene, the importance of trying new things, and his philosophical reflections on life.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:28 Who is Casey Feigh?

02:13 The Magic of Improv

04:08 Advocating for Improv

06:09 Improv Philosophy and Practice

09:10 Holy Shit Improv

16:59 Preparing for Edinburgh

28:15 The Struggles of LA Comedy Scene

30:15 Transition to Improv

34:12 Improv Inspirations and Influences

37:01 The Future of Improv and Personal Goals

43:38 Random Question: Solid, Liquid, or Gas?

47:09 Conclusion and Social Media Links

Edinburgh Info

Title: Holy Shit Improv

Venue: Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose (Dram)

Ed Fringe link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/holy-shit-improv

Fringe Venue Number: 24

Dates: 16 – 26 Aug

Press from: 16 Aug

Time: 21:00 Duration: 1 hour Entry: From £12.50 Age: 16+

Twitter: @holyshitimprov Insta: @holyshitimprov

Website: patreon.com/HolyShitImprov

For a full video of this interview and many more to come, go to YouTube and you can also follow the podcast channel on Instagram. Finally, for more information on this podcast and Dan's work go to www.iamdanedwards.com

Thank you

A Journey with Louise Leigh: From Edinburgh Flats to Stand-Up Comedy

In this episode, Louise Leigh shares humorous anecdotes and personal reflections from her life, ranging from her time in her friend's flat in Edinburgh to her late start in stand-up comedy. She discusses her unique living space, performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, her family life, and the inspiration behind her comedy career. Louise also touches on her 'fictionalized' narratives, her childhood dreams, and the eventual realization of her comedic aspirations.

Louise Leigh started doing stand-up in 2016 after enrolling on a course and figuring one gig would ‘get it out of her system’. Eight years on and she can’t shake the bug. Co-host of the Eyre-Leigh Doors podcast with comic Pauline Eyre, Louise Leigh’s “infectious” (Funny Women) no-nonsense style lies somewhere between ‘Weird Barbie’ and your mum on MDMA.

After completing a Drama degree in the 90s, Louise suppressed her performing ambitions and followed a ‘normal’ path open to wives and mothers. She taught mother-and-baby swimming and even became Chair of the PTA. Now, still miraculously in her mid-to-late forties, (52) she works full-time as a pro comic.

Louise made the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Final in 2022, the Funny Women Stage Award Semi Final 2017 and British Comedian of the Year Semi Final in 2022 and 2023. She’s also a mum to two teenagers, wife to the man her mother calls ‘Poor Stephen’, and ‘skin mum’ to one dog whom she really hopes doesn’t know where the bodies are buried.

Returning to Edinburgh Fringe 2024 with her second hour, Louise Leigh Distracted, the Bristol-based powerhouse of a mum-cum-Gen X comic will navigate simultaneously coping with the menopause, parenting two teenagers, and planning her wishes after death - to be taxidermied and used to prank her descendants, of course!

Edinburgh Information
Title: Louise Leigh Distracted
Venue: Just The Tonic Cabaret Voltaire (Just The Common Room)
Ed Fringe link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/louise-leigh-distracted
Fringe Venue Number: 338
Dates: Aug 1-4, 6-11, 13-18, 20-25
Press from: August 2nd
Time: 15:30 Duration: 1 hour Entry: £10 adv. / PWYW at venue. Age: 16+

Website: https://www.funnylouiseleigh.com/
Twitter: @speshmagiclady
Insta: @louiseleighcomedy
TikTok: @louiseleighcomedy

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene
00:42 Who is Louise Leigh?
02:20 Feeling the Age
03:31 Connection to Edinburgh
04:13 The Teenage Years
07:01 Personal Reflections and Humor
09:50 The Diary and Self-Discovery
12:18 Starting Stand-Up Comedy
20:44 Challenges of Late-Start Comedy
27:27 Reflecting on Starting Stand-Up Later in Life
28:41 Exploring Comedy and Finding Stand-Up
30:42 Balancing Motherhood and Stand-Up
32:34 Inspirations and Aspirations in Comedy
36:22 The Concept of Taxidermy and Legacy
45:21 Final Thoughts and Social Media Plugs

For a full video of this interview and many more to come, go to YouTube and you can also follow the podcast channel on Instagram. Finally, for more information on this podcast and Dan's work go to www.iamdanedwards.com

Thank you

From Broadway Dreams to Clowning: Julia Vanderveen's Transformative Journey

In this episode of 'Dan Has Questions,' we chat with actor and comedian Julia Vanderveen. She discusses her transformative career from pursuing Broadway dreams in New York to finding her true passion in comedy and clowning.

Julia VanderVeen is a New York based actor and physical comedian. She has a degree in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University. She was studying Classical Theatre and High Comedy at BADA (British American Drama Academy) when her grandmother died in 2006, and, as a result, missed attending her memorial service.

Julia has trained extensively in Clown and Bouffon, and apprenticed under head of physical theatre at Yale University, Christopher Bayes. As an actor, Julia has worked all over the United States, and performed in places as remote as Alaska, and as tropical as the Mediterranean; appearing in Hairspray on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas.

Julia has been creating clown material for the past ten years. Currently, she is developing two all-female Bouffon shows: one entitled Stand Back and Stand By about the January 6th insurrection at Washington’s Capitol Building, and one entitled Supreme Cream about the Supreme Court overturning women's rights to abortions in the US.

At the Edinburgh Festival, Julia shares unique insights into her solo show 'My Grandmother's Eyepatch,' her experiences in different fringe festivals, and how she navigates the evolving world of performance arts. Discover the challenges, triumphs, and the essence of staying present and authentic in her creative journey.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:36 Who is Julia van der Veen?
02:28 Transition from Actor to Creator
07:40 Current Projects and Edinburgh Experience
12:05 Challenges and Learning Experiences
17:46 The Journey into Performance and Comedy
25:54 Reflecting on Grandmother's Influence
26:45 Developing the Show: A Journey from 2019 to 2022
27:19 Directorial Impact and Personal Growth
29:10 Audience Interaction and Show Evolution
31:22 Future Aspirations and Personal Goals
38:30 Random Question: Animal Voices
47:23 Show Details and Final Thoughts

Edinburgh Information

Title: My Grandmother’s Eyepatch
Venue: ZOO Playground (Playground 1)
Ed Fringe link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/my-grandmother-s-eyepatch
Fringe Venue Number: 186
Dates: Aug 2 – 25 (Not 12, not 19)
Press from: AUG 3
Time: 12:45 Duration: 1 hour Entry: From £10 Age: 14+

For more information, go to https://www.juliavanderveen.com/

For a full video of this interview and many more to come, go to YouTube and you can also follow the podcast channel on Instagram. Finally, for more information on this podcast and Dan's work go to www.iamdanedwards.com

Thank you

In this third episode, I welcome comedian Kelly McCaughan. We discuss her journey as a performer, her show 'Catholic Guilt' at the Edinburgh Fringe, and the challenges and triumphs of self-producing. Kelly opens up about embracing her 'shadow side' and breaking free from societal conditioning. The conversation dives into her creative process, balancing work and play, and her motivations. A segment on random audience questions adds a humorous twist. Tune in for an engaging and insightful discussion on comedy, vulnerability, and finding joy.

00:00 Introduction and First Impressions
01:20 Getting to Know Kelly McCaughan
02:44 The Essence of Kelly's Work
04:59 Current Projects and Aspirations
07:48 Challenges of Self-Producing
12:06 Lessons from Edinburgh Fringe
16:39 Kelly's Journey into Comedy and Theatre
22:47 Embracing the Comedic Identity
23:09 The Creative Process of Solo Shows
25:01 Navigating the Comedy Scene
29:25 The Role of Social Media in Comedy
34:22 Philosophical Reflections and Random Questions

Follow Kelly on Instagram here
https://www.instagram.com/kelly__mccaughan

Check out her website here
https://www.kelly-mccaughan.com/

Get tickets for her Edinburgh Show here
https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/kelly-mccaughan-catholic-guilt-2024

For a full video of this interview and many more to come, go to YouTube and you can also follow the podcast channel on Instagram. Finally, for more information on this podcast and Dan's work go to www.iamdanedwards.com

Thank you

Discovering Identity: Jain Edwards on Comedy, Autism, and Creative Journey

Join Jain Edwards, a Welsh writer, comedian, and actor, as she discusses her journey in comedy and the discovery of her autism diagnosis in her 30s. Jain delves into how being autistic and a comedian shapes her reality and work, her childhood influences, and the struggles she faced growing up in a challenging environment. She also explores the evolving nature of social media for comedians, the process and impact of her autism diagnosis, and her dreams of creating a unique personal and professional identity.

00:00 Introduction and Warm-Up

00:03 Meet Jain Edwards: Comedian, Writer, Actor

00:43 The Intersection of Comedy and Autism

02:59 Late Autism Diagnosis and Its Impact

05:11 Growing Up Different: Jain's Childhood

08:15 Navigating the Comedy Scene with Autism

17:47 Creating Content and Building a Career

27:43 Measuring Brainwaves and Childhood Aspirations

28:00 Embarrassing Stories and Autistic Obsessions

28:34 The Influence of Comedy and VHS Nostalgia

34:40 Creative Struggles and Industry Insights

36:57 The Dream of Creating Something Bigger

38:36 Balancing Work and Creative Pursuits

46:19 Random Questions and Fun Conclusions


Follow Jain on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/jain__edwards/

Go to her website
https://www.jainedwards.com/

Follow her Substack here
https://jainedwards.substack.com/

And lots more other links on Linktree here
https://linktr.ee/jainedwards

For a full video of this interview and many more to come, go to YouTube and you can also follow the podcast channel on Instagram. Finally, for more information on this podcast and Dan's work go to www.iamdanedwards.com

Thank you

In this engaging first episode of 'Dan Has Questions,' comedian Rich Wilson shares his journey in the comedy world, the challenges and joys of being a parent at 52, and his laid-back approach to life. Rich talks about his influences, his early days working in a comedy club, and the unexpected paths his career has taken. Tune in for humour, insightful reflections, and some practical life lessons, including why you should always 'get a wash on' when the weather is good.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Interview

00:41 Who is Rich Wilson?

01:25 A Day in the Life of Rich Wilson

04:31 Rich Wilson's Comedy Show and Parenting

06:39 The Challenges and Joys of Parenting

13:38 The Creative Process of a Comedian

20:54 Unexpected Journey into Comedy

27:39 Discovering Eddie Murphy and the Power of Influence

28:50 Alternate Career Paths and Life's Unexpected Turns

29:48 The Comfort of Comedy and Embracing Uncertainty

32:00 The Journey to Edinburgh and Learning from Mistakes

33:09 The Illusion of Destination and Embracing the Journey

35:48 The Importance of Saying Yes and Staying Open

44:31 Random Questions and Personal Preferences

49:02 Final Thoughts and Social Media Plugs

Follow Rich on the following platforms

https://www.instagram.com/iamrichwilson

https://x.com/iamrichwilson

For show dates and more news go to Rich’s website here

https://www.richwilsoncomedian.com/

For a full video of this interview and many more to come, go to YouTube and you can also follow the podcast channel on Instagram. Finally, for more information on this podcast and Dan's work go to www.iamdanedwards.com

Thank you