My First Sketch

This week, Josh talks to Sarah McKinley (Tragic Girl) about joy vs worth, a Superman musical, and owning a theater. Sarah can be seen next as Tragic Girl will be performed at Sketchfest Seattle on Friday, September 6th in the 830 block along with The Salty Bees from Atlanta, Georgia. Sketchfest Seattle takes places at Unexpected Productions and more information can be found at sketchfest.org.Also, check out thepocket.org for more about The Pocket Theater, which seems like the cool place for comedy in Seattle.

This week, Josh talks to Mandy Canales about dramaturgy, CheerSpeare, and British comedy at a super young age. For more of Mandy’s work, head to mandycanales.com. You can see Mandy performing CheerSpeare during Sketchfest Seattle on Thursday, September 5 in the 830 block along with Human Tubes. Tickets and more information can be found at sketchfest.org.

This week, Josh talks to Cassia Ward (“Responsible” “Adults”) about Avenue Q, going from 20 to 4, and gender in theater. The “Responsible” “Adults” will perform at Sketchfest Seattle on September 14 at 830 along with our friends Bad Medicine. You can follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/theresponsibleadults, on Instagram at @theresponsibleadults, and on Twitter at @socalledadults.

This week, Josh talks to Ben Koch about picking one New York theater over the others, moving from North Carolina to New York, and seasons at the Magnet. Milwaukee is heading to Portland Sketchfest on Saturday, July 13 at 9pm. Head to sirentheater.com for more information on Portland Sketchfest. Then, Milwaukee will return home for their season finale on Monday, July 15, 730pm at Magnet Theater. magnettheater.com for more on that show.

This week, Josh talks to Mark Guinn (Savage) about the pitfalls of nostalgia, focusing on improv for years, and taking classes with three different theaters in New York. Savage is coming to Philly Sketchfest Friday, May 31, in the 7pm block with Milwaukee (from New York) and Rosemary’s Other Baby (from Chicago). You can find Mark’s podcast New York Pacific wherever you get your podcasts. And his other sketch team, Be Kind Rewind, returns to the Armory in New York City on Wednesday, June 12.

This week, Josh talks to Rose Amer (Rosemary’s Other Baby) about The PIT and Second City, the feeling of competition in Chicago, and creating a Frankenstein sketch team. Rosemary’s Other Baby will be coming to Philly Sketchfest on Friday, May 31 in the 7pm block along with Milwaukee and Savage. Then, when they return to Chicago, Rosemary’s Other Baby is presenting a show called You May Also Like every Wednesday at the Under the Gun Theater. For more details, check out their Facebook page, facebook.com/rosemarysotherbabysketch.

This week, Josh talks to Jim Tatalias about The Simpsons, getting on stage in Philly, and starting over in DC. Brick Penguin is coming to Philly Sketchfest on Friday, May 31, at the Philly Improv Theater in the 10pm block along with Clip Show and The Wow. Brick Penguin has recently upped their YouTube game, and you can find those videos linked on their Facebook page at facebook.com/brickpenguin. On a personal note, come see Thought Bubble on Thursday, May 30 in the 830 block at Philly Improv Theater, and the Podcast Mixer on Saturday, June 1 at 2pm at Tattooed Mom.

This week, Josh talks to Kasey Kennedy (ComicKaze) about comedy in Norfolk, making videos as a teen, and finally taking the plunge and getting on stage. You can see Kasey and the rest of ComicKaze as they present Endgame: The Last Sketch Comedy Show Ever at the Push Comedy Theater in Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday, May 24, at 10pm. Then, ComicKaze is coming Philly Sketchfest on Thursday, May 30 in the 8:30 block along with Thought Bubble (hey! that’s me!) and Jack O’Keeffe’s Acting Reel Live! Check out ComicKaze on Facebook at facebook.com/comickaze69.

This week, Josh talks to Sam Rogal (@samrogal) about theater camp, failed house teams, and Mags Corner. Sam is performing at Philly Sketchfest in his show, A Walking Tour of Mags Corner, at Underground Arts on Sunday, June 2nd in the 6:00pm block along with All Nite Deli and Steve Swan vs. Joe Moore. His sketch team, Nitro Girls, are heading to Austin Sketch Fest on Thursday May 23rd in addition to performing every Friday at 7pm at the Magnet Theater in New York City. You can also check him out doing improv in the Friday Night Show every Friday at 830 at the Magnet.

This week, Josh talks to Jennifer Ashleigh Lloyd about the Second City Conservatory, being an extra in an Adam Sandler movie, and comedy in Toronto. Not Oasis is coming to Philly Sketchfest. They’re performing Saturday, June 1 at the Ruba Club in the 8:30 block along with Tiny Arson and the Original Arugula Boys. You can like Not Oasis on Facebook at facebook.com/notoasis and follow them on Twitter and Instagram at @not_oasis.

This week, Josh talks to Ellie Heath (@ellieheath) about Sweater Zeppelins and Girl Brain (@girlbrainyeg) and… well, we get pretty deep about the potential to alienate an audience. In Edmonton, Girl Brain will be appearing at the Grindstone Comedy Festival on May 9 as part of Sketchnado and then May 12 as an opener for Stand Up Comedian, Mike Delamont. Then, they’ll host their monthly show on May 17 and 18 at the Grindstone Theater with a Mother's Day theme! Then, they’ll come to Philly Sketchfest on Sunday, June 2 at Underground Arts.

This week, Josh talks to Kate Shine about about creating characters, adapting in sketch comedy, and performing at the Magnet Theater. You can see Kate at Philly Sketchfest twice on May 31: first with Milwaukee at 7pm and second as a solo show at 9pm. Milwaukee! will also be heading to the 6th Borough Comedy Festival in June and Portland Sketch Fest in July.

This week, Josh talks to Virginia Dickens (@VIRGINIADICKENS) about the fear of being the weak link, the greatest class trip in the history of class trips, and the trap satire can create in the current comedy world. Milwaukee is coming to Philly Sketchfest, Friday May 31st. You can also see Virginia’s show, Unverified: A Sketch Show without A Character Limit, at the Magnet Theater on Monday, April 29. Then, you can see Milwaukee at the Magnet Theater on May 20. More information can be found at magnettheater.com.

This week, Josh talks to Gianmarco Soresi (@unclefunction) about going too method at times in his acting training, discovering where the line is, and trusting your troupe mates. Uncle Function continues their residency at the People’s Improv Theater in New York City this Thursday, April 18 at the Striker stage. 123 E 24th Street. Show starts at 8pm and tickets and more information can be found at thepit-nyc.com.

This week, Josh talks to Chris Cafero (Uncle Function) about finally getting on Law and Order, free theater and rehearsal space on Broadway, and interactive theater. See Uncle Function at Toronto Sketchfest on March 15 and 16: go to torontosketchfest.com for more info on those shows. Uncle Function will then return to their monthly residency at the PIT on April 18.

117 Leigh Cameron Of Bloody Marys by My First Sketch

This week, Josh talks to Heather Gallant (@herbeaver) about training at Second City Toronto, the comedy scene in Toronto, and Josh’s continued obsession with The Industry and Red Green Show. You can see Herbeaver at Bust Party at Comedy bar on February 21 and at Toronto Sketchfest on March 8 and March 10. Like Herbeaver on Facebook at facebook.com/herbeavertoronto.

This week, Josh talks to Caley Suliak (@girlbrainyeg on Instagram) about Gilda Radner, the theater, and he mispronounces an old Greek name and feel really weird and self-conscious about it. Like Girl Brain on Facebook at facebook.com/girlbrain. They have shows in Edmonton before they head to Toronto Sketchfest on March 8 and 9. Go to girlbrainyeg.com to learn more. Then head to phillysketchfest.com for everything you need to know about this year’s Philly Sketchfest.

This week, Josh talks to Robyn Slack (@success_5000) about local radio, the traps of musical comedy, and Josh doesn’t realize that Edmonton is bigger than he thought it was. See Success 5000 as they celebrate their new album at the Grindstone Theater in Edmonton on February 7. Download or stream “It’ll Be Okay” wherever you get your music. Then, Success 5000 and The Debutantes will head to Toronto Sketchfest between March 14-16. More information on those shows can be found at torontosketchfest.com.

This week, Josh talks to Morris Kraicer about Baltimore, engineering, college improv, and so much more. See his group, Richard Dreyfuss, at Baltimore Improv Group on Thursday, January 31 at 830pm. Like the troupe on Facebook at facebook.com/richarddreyfusssketch. Head to phillysketchfest.com for more information on this year’s festival.