Episode 45: Yes, And
The Adventure of Improv with Isaac and Tara
Did you ever wish you were a little braver, a little sillier, and a lot more present?
On this episode, Fletch is joined in the studio by Isaac Gross and Tara Rico from ModPlayers Improv for a conversation about adventure, creativity, and the fine art of being silly. Together they talk about saying yes, and, taking risks, creating characters, and finding freedom in laughter when life doesn’t follow a script.
We break down the four pillars of improv and along the way, talk about adults forgetting how to be silly, the social utility of humor in tense topics, and the way improv trains you to notice offers and make cleaner choices.
Adventure shows up as a mindset: take a step, accept it, and keep moving until the next decision arrives—on stage, on a 12-hour walk, or in everyday life. What’s one place in your life where you’re ready to say “yes, and”?
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Guest Information
Isaac Gross - teaches sixth grade by day and has been performing with the ModPlayers Improv troupe for the past three years. When he’s not on stage, he can usually be found bird watching, playing guitar, or hanging out with friends — often combining all three in some delightfully chaotic way.
Tara Rico - loves being on stage almost as much as she loves encouraging others to step into the spotlight. She serves as the inaugural Poet Laureate for the city of Manteca, CA. Founder of MasImprov and the coach of ModPlayers Improv troupe in Modesto, CA. Tara is also the founder and director of Poeticas Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to literacy in the Central Valley. Tara runs a local writing group, open mic, and hosts “I Quit. This Poscast.” Originally a high school English and theater teacher, Tara has been performing around the Central Valley for over 5 years. She’s been published by Tuleburg Press and was the headlining comedienne for the Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness Center’s Queens and Comedy show of 2024. When she’s not running late for meetings she enjoys being outside with her loved ones!
Resources and Links
Episode 34: Why You Need More Nonsense In Your Life with Corey Strauss
ModPlayers Improv Troupe
MasImprov209
Music used in this episode:
- Monkeys Spinning Monkeys, Life of Riley and Carefree by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100449
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
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