My First Sketch

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.

This week, Josh talks to Julia Schroeder (@jschroeder04 on Twitter) about transitioning from athlete to comedian, not being the funny one in the family, and sharing the obsession of a favorite movie. You can see Julia with her improv team, The Cast, on January 26 and her sketch team, Perfect Storm, on January 28 and February 4. All of those shows are at the Magnet Theater in New York City. Follow her show The Parent Trap: Lord of the Twins Trilogy on Facebook at facebook.com/parenttraptrilogy. Learn more about this year’s Philly Sketchfest at phillysketchfest.com.

This week, Josh talks to Nicole Pascaretta about beginning in Detroit and her roots in comedy there, creating a show out of a shared love for a Lindsay Lohan movie, and moving to New York to start again. Nicole will perform The Parent Trap: The Lord of the Twins (facebook.com/parenttraptrilogy) in New York City at the Magnet Theater on January 3 at 8:30pm. Tickets are available at magnettheater.com. And Philly Sketchfest is happening! May 29-June 2 throughout the city of Philadelphia! Submissions are open: Head to myfirstsketch.com/apply to submit your team.

This week, Josh talks to Susannah Holub (Cups and a Half) about Christopher Guest movies, changing voices of cartoon characters, and I break some news about Ned Flanders and Edna Krabappel to her. See Susannah and the rest of Cups and a Half as one of the featured acts during the Secret Pants annual holiday spectacular called Secret Pants Presents Knights in Santa’s Service at Johnny Brenda’s on Friday, December 21. The show starts at 9pm. Tickets are available at ticketfly.com. Along with Cups and Half, you’ll see Alison Zeidman, Geoff Jackson, Darryl Charles, Randi Warhol, Rebekah Rickards, Lulu the Hula Hoop Queen, and the return of Rowan and Hastings.

This week, Josh talks to Brian from Secret Pants about his earliest comedy memories, his favorite SNL cast member, and why he does comedy. See Brian and the rest of Secret Pants host their annual holiday spectacular called Knights in Santa’s Service at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia on December 21 at 9pm. Announced acts include: Cups and a Half, Darryl Charles, Alison Zeidman, Geoff Jackson, Randi Warhol, Rebekah Rickards, and the return of Rowan and Hastings. Tickets available at ticketfly.com.

This week, Josh talks to David Feinberg about seeing La Cage aux Folles while in kindergarten, Temple Smash, and creating characters. See David with Whiplash before they wrap up their run on Wednesdays at Philly Improv Theater. He will also be performing at Monologues at PHIT on Thursday, December 13 at 730. Follow All Nite Deli on Instagram at allnitedeli.comedy for their new shows in the new year. Go see Secret Pants presents Knights in Santa’s Service at Johnny Brenda’s on December 21 at 9pm.

107 Lucy Erspamer of Writers of the Dorm by My First Sketch

This week, Josh talks to Chara Bauer (@Richie_Dreyfuss) about the differences in acting for sketch comedy versus theater and more. See Richard Dreyfuss at BIG on Wednesday, November 28 in Richard Dreyfuss Auditions for Olga at 8:30pm. Go to bigimprov.org for more information. Then, Richard Dreyfuss will perform at The Premium Hour at Charm City Comedy Project, starting at 8pm. That show will also feature The Big Freakin’ Quiz of 2018, hosted by yours truly. Go to charmcitycomedyproject.com for more information.

This week, Josh talks to Aidan Van Alstyne (@WritersOTheDorm) about majoring in comedy, political satire, and subreddits. Writers of the Dorm performs at ImprovBoston on November 29 during SketchHaus. They will be supported by me, presenting The Big Freakin’ Quiz of 2018. So come to ImprovBoston November 29 at 9pm. More info can be found at improvboston.com. Follow Hyena Comedy at @hyena_comedy. You can also see me hosting another version of The Big Freakin’ Quiz of 2018 in Baltimore at Charm City Comedy Project on November 30.