Big Forker Jim is currently in Chicago for five weeks, where he is undertaking some intensive training at iO, the theatre that is widely considered to have invented the Chicago style of improv. The intensive program at iO brings together over 150 improvisers from around the world to spend five weeks immersed in the improv and comedy world. This blog is the first in a series where he talks about his experiences in Chicago.

Arrival

I’m staying in an airbnb in Avondale, a district on the north western fringe of inner city Chicago, with former cool story bro monologist and performer Kath. Chicago is hot in July, and my first day walk around the city cures me of my jetlag but leaves me exhausted and a little sunburned. I also stuff my face with some Italian Beef from Portillos, a Chicago institution I’m sure I will visit again before I leave the city. It’s just roast beef on white bread, but in my half awake state it’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten.

In the lead up to our next Cool Story Bro on July 8 at Room to Play Theatre, Big Forker Jim continues his run of interviews with Big Fork players by sitting down with Suren Ladd. After completing his initial improv training with Impro Mafia, Suren jumped right into our jam program, and has been performing with us in our Cool Story Bro shows ever since. 

Suren and Jim talk about unstructured time, heady comedy,  and get interrupted by Forkers and known Rude-people, Cameron and Rosa.

In the lead up to our next Cool Story Bro at Room to Play Theatre, Big Forker Jim continues his run of interviews with Big Fork players by sitting down with Logan Cronin-Stacey. Logan's a stalwart of the improv community in Brisbane, and has also recently started contributing his writing and acting talents to GET IT* INYA.

In this conversation Logan and Jim talk about finding your confidence, improv's application to everyday life, and DANGEROUS ANIMALS.

In the lead up to our next Cool Story Bro at Room to Play Independent Theatre in Paddington, Big Forker Jim is interviewing a few more of our players about improv, life and anything else that may come up.  

This time it’s Big Fork Theatre co-founder Rosa Sotille, who spoke with Jim about THE SYSTEM~!, early Theatresports experiences, sports, rapping, while laughing a whole bunch. For this interview, fellow Big Fork Theatre co-founder Taylor Edwards was sitting at the other end of the room, listening in.

In the lead up to our next Cool Story Bro on June 10 at Room to Play Independent Theatre in Paddington, Big Forker Jim is interviewing a few of our players about improv, life and anything else that may come up.  

This time, Jim sat down with Big Fork co-founder, Cameron Watson, to talk about weird sketches, Shadowfist, and the Queen Beating Prince Charles to death. Oh and improv. Lots of improv.

In the lead up to our next Cool Story Bro on June 10 at Room to Play Independent Theatre in Paddington, Big Forker Jim is interviewing a few of our players about improv, life and anything else that may come up.  

Kicking off our run of chats with some of Big Fork’s players who have been there from the start, Jim sat down before last week’s jam to chat to Big Fork mainstay, Leanne Shellshear. Jim brought biscuits, Leanne ate a salad.

In the lead up to our first Cool Story Bro at our new venue in Paddington, Big Forker Jim is interviewing a few of our players about improv, life and anything else that may come up.

Rounding out our series of interviews with our newer players, it's Ryan Goodwin, who I caught up with immediately following my interview with Janette. Janette was hanging out in the background, attempting to distract Ryan.

In the lead up to our first improv show at our new venue Room to Play in Paddington, Big Forker Jim is interviewing a few of our players about improv, life and anything else that may come up. 

Next up is another of our newer players, Janette McBride-Omaga, who I caught minutes after stepping off the stage at the Beetle Bar.

In the lead up to our first Cool Story Bro at our new venue in Paddington, Big Forker Jim is interviewing a few of our players about improv, life and anything else that may come up. 

Up first is one of our newer players, Mandy Plumb, who arrived for the interview bearing a box of fried chicken.