Improv in Practice with Synergy Theater

Sarah Wilson

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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How to Get a CLUE with Griffen and Lilli

In this episode, I talk with Griffen, director of Synergy Theater’s Improvised Clue, and cast member Lilli about bringing mystery and comedy to the stage. I also feature separate interviews with my cohost Val and Jeremiah from the Lesher Center—woven together into a tapestry of behind-the-scenes perspectives, including a truly unexpected lost-and-found mystery. Improvised Clue opens April 16th at the Lesher Center. Get your tickets! Beyond their live performances, Synergy Theater also offers improv classes, workshops, and community events—making it easy for anyone to jump in, get creative, and be part of the experience. Visit SynergryTheater.com now to learn more and see how you can get involved!

Apr 2

45 min

Diablo Improv Festival with Diana Brown

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

Oct 16, 2025

30 min

Diablo Improv Festival with Jaime and Randy

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

Oct 14, 2025

39 min

Diablo Improv Festival with Kat and Della

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

Oct 7, 2025

55 min

Improvising Hitchcock with Professor Denah Johnston

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/

Jul 10, 2025

1 hr

Adrián & Addam Face Dungeons & Dragons

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.

Mar 20, 2025

40 min

Elyse Iovino Lays Down the Law

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

Jan 26, 2025

47 min

In the Zone with Arastoo Darakhshan

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

Oct 10, 2024

44 min

Spontaneous Soap with Lynn & Val

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

Jul 11, 2024

37 min

My Dearest Rachel Kumaar & Valerie

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

Apr 11, 2024

44 min