The nanonanofilm Improv Comedy Podcast

Dave Heron

58 episodes listed below

Listen to the show on

PRESS PLAY

Find your next episode

All episodes

In their own words

A cathartic podcast charting the trials and tribulations on my journey to becoming better at Improv Comedy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why you'd press play

You want improv tips that admit the bad gigs came first.

Press play if you want

  • a candid notebook on trying games, exercises, and classroom ideas before they become tidy wisdom
  • the awkward origin story of starting an improv group by personally begging creative people to show up
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Talks about

Best episodes of The nanonanofilm Improv Comedy Podcast

Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.

The Audience is WATCHING me at WORK!Mar 14, 2026

A thoughtful look at how audience awareness shapes improv and work calls.

Dave Herriman turns audience awareness into something more immediate than stage theory: the recurring fact that people are watching, and judging what they see, whether he is onstage, in the back line, or in a work call.

Doing One-Person ImprovJun 10, 2025

A careful look at solo improv, with the prompts and nerves that keep it grounded.

Dave Herron makes solo improv easier to picture by walking through how he approached it. He is candid about the nerves, why he wanted to try it, and the problem of building material when there is no one else on stage to carry the load.

Experimenting in ImprovMay 26, 2025

Practical improv talk built around experimentation, listening, and what gets used in the room.

Dave Herron treats improv as something to test, not a set of rules to memorize. He draws on classes, workshops, courses, and stage time, but keeps the focus on exercises that can be used in practice.

Using Props with ImprovMar 3, 2025

A grounded look at using props to support a scene instead of sending it off course.

Dave Herron treats props in improv as a practical problem rather than a gimmick. A prop should support the reality of the scene and build on what is already there, not pull the work sideways just to explain why the object exists.

Trying New Improv FormatsFeb 17, 2025

A clear-eyed look at when a new improv format helps and when it starts to get in its own way.

Dave Herron frames long-form improv as a practical test of judgment: when does a new format open things up, and when does it just slow the room down?

Interview with Ed Pithie (Dingbats Improv) - Part 1

A warm, practical improv chat that treats the messy work of making scenes and communities as part of the craft.

Dave Herron uses the conversation with Ed to surface how improv actually gets made: the teaching, the rehearsals, and the stop-start learning that shapes a group over time.

Interview with Ed Pithie (Dingbats Improv) - Part 2

A candid improv conversation about teaching, over-explaining, and learning from a worst gig.

Dave Herron and Ed Pithey spend this episode on the nuts and bolts of teaching improv: what shifts between a drop-in, a scene skills workshop, and the labs, and why a harder class can feel less fun before people hit their stride.

Podcasts like The nanonanofilm Improv Comedy Podcast

Episodes

  1. 1

    A Necessity for Warm Ups

    ·14m
  2. 2

    Improv & Under 12s Football

    ·17m
  3. 3

    Heighten and Explore

    ·11m
  4. 4

    Gigs! Gigs! Gigs!

    ·12m
  5. 5

    Interview with Ed Pithie (Dingbats Improv) - Part 2

    Hidden gem

    Dave Herron interviews Ed Pithey, founder of Dingbats Improv in Hawley and Crawley, about the difficulties of teaching improv and performing in unsuitable venues.

    ·21m·1 clip
  6. 6

    Group Connection

    Hidden gem
    ·15m
  7. 7

    Missing Out On Improv Groups

    ·13m
  8. 8

    Interview with Ed Pithie (Dingbats Improv) - Part 1

    Hidden gem

    Dave Herron interviews Ed Pithie about how he moved from youth theatre at the University of Kent in Canterbury into short-form improv, then into long-form after seeing UCB's ASCAT 3000 on a CD or DVD-ROM brought in by Dan South.

    ·31m·2 clips
  9. 9

    Interview with SC3MER - Improv & Rapping

    Host Dave Herron discusses improv comedy and is joined by his son to talk about how rapping relates to improv.

    ·14m
  10. 10

    Interview with Lewis Hill (Part 1)

    The host introduces his podcast about his personal journey in improv comedy and interviews a guest who was selected for a special improv group.

    ·40m
  11. 11

    Interview with Lewis Hill (Part 2)

    Hidden gem

    Dave Herron interviews Lewis Hill about self-reflection in We Are Dave and Lewis's development as a hip-hop improv teacher.

    Apr 13, 2026·34m·2 clips
  12. 12

    The Audience is WATCHING me at WORK!

    Host Dave Herriman explores how the concept of audience awareness from improv comedy applies to everyday workplace situations, sharing personal anecdotes about being watched by colleagues during presentations and video calls.

    Mar 14, 2026·15m·1 clip
  13. 13

    5 examples of WHY my Improv Comedy is OLD HACK!

    Dave Herron reflects on his improv comedy journey, inspired by Molly Thomas's substack about common hacks in improv.

    Mar 2, 2026·14m·1 clip
  14. 14

    3 bits of EXCELLENT feedback I was given!

    Dave Herron shares his personal journey in improv comedy, focusing on feedback he received that challenged his abilities and the supportive nature of the improv community.

    Feb 16, 2026·11m·1 clip
  15. 15

    Why I MUST start PREPPING more!

    Dave Herron reflects on his improv comedy journey, sharing insights from performing with his team at the Lambeth Fringe Festival and discussing the importance of learning from both successful and challenging sets.

    Feb 1, 2026·14m·1 clip
  16. 16

    Why Do I need to Stop (before doing my improv comedy)?

    Host Dave Herron explores the critical improv technique of pausing before stepping on stage, sharing his personal struggles with reverting to bad habits.

    Jan 19, 2026·13m·1 clip
  17. 17

    Giving a Compliment to a Fellow Improviser

    Dave Herron discusses the importance of giving compliments in improv comedy, inspired by the Dingbats award ceremony, sharing personal insights and lessons from his journey to help listeners improve their performances and teamwork.

    Jan 5, 2026·15m·1 clip
  18. 18

    Is meditation useful for improv?

    Host Dave Herron discusses how his personal meditation practice over three years has enhanced his self-awareness, drawing parallels to the living-in-the-moment mindset required for improv comedy, and explores the practical benefits of this connection for performers.

    Dec 22, 2025·12m·1 clip
  19. 19

    50th Episode Reflections!

    The host reflects on his journey in improv comedy over the past year and a half, discussing challenges and growth.

    Nov 24, 2025·9m
  20. 20

    Standup Vs Improv: Learnings From Both

    Dave Herron discusses his journey in improv comedy, addressing common audience misconceptions about improv versus stand-up and sharing insights from performances and teaching.

    Nov 10, 2025·15m·1 clip
  21. 21

    Reflections On We Are Dave at the Lambeth Fringe

    Dave Herron reflects on his first solo improv festival show at the Lambeth Fringe, sharing insights from his journey as an improv performer and teacher.

    Oct 27, 2025·15m·1 clip
  22. 22

    We Are Dave on Riverside Radio

    Dave Herron introduces his improv comedy podcast, sharing his personal journey and experiences.

    Oct 13, 2025·19m·1 clip
  23. 23

    Articulating Your Vision - Part 3

    In this final part of a series, Dave Herron reflects on his improv comedy journey and discusses the challenges of articulating his vision for a new show called We Are Dave, aimed at a festival, focusing on communication and format innovation.

    Sep 15, 2025·11m·1 clip
  24. 24

    Articulating Your Vision - Part 2

    In this episode, host Dave Herron continues discussing how to articulate your vision in improv comedy, focusing on communicating with a team and getting their input.

    Sep 1, 2025·15m·1 clip
  25. 25

    Articulating Your Vision - Part 1

    Hidden gem

    Host Dave Herron details the specific challenges of articulating his creative vision for his improv group, We Are Dave, as they prepare for a festival.

    Aug 19, 2025·15m·1 clip
  26. 26

    Saying No

    The host shares his personal journey in improv comedy and reflects on the difference between saying no at work versus in an improv scene.

    Jul 21, 2025·9m
  27. 27

    The Passive Backline

    Host Dave Herron explores the concept of the 'passive backline' in improv comedy, drawing parallels from observing a youth football tournament.

    Jul 7, 2025·13m·1 clip
  28. 28

    Doing One-Person Improv

    Hidden gem

    Dave Herron shares his personal journey of performing solo improv for the first time after his improv partners canceled hours before a show.

    Jun 10, 2025·15m·1 clip
  29. 29

    Experimenting in Improv

    Hidden gem

    Dave Herron shares his journey into experimenting with new improv comedy techniques, moving beyond established games to develop his own warm-up exercises and performance formats.

    May 26, 2025·16m·1 clip
  30. 30

    The Tech Person as an Integral Improviser

    Dave Herron shares his journey and struggles with improv comedy, discussing how to better incorporate the tech person into improv shows.

    Apr 27, 2025·9m
  31. 31

    Using Props with Improv

    Host Dave Herron explores the debated use of props in improv comedy, sharing his initial skepticism based on three common pitfalls: props delaying the scene, making it ungrounded, and causing improvisers to justify the prop instead of the scene.

    Mar 3, 2025·14m·1 clip
  32. 32

    Trying New Improv Formats

    Hidden gem

    Host Dave Herron reflects on his experiences experimenting with new formats for long-form improv comedy.

    Feb 17, 2025·13m·1 clip
  33. 33

    Controlling Your Set

    The host shares his personal journey and lessons learned in improv comedy, focusing on taking control of an entire improv set.

    Jan 20, 2025·7m
  34. 34

    Peak Performance

    The host discusses his journey to improve at improv comedy and focuses on achieving peak performance in every show.

    Jan 6, 2025·10m
  35. 35

    End of Year Improv Wrap-Up

    Dec 23, 2024·11m
  36. 36

    Playing To Corpse

    Dec 9, 2024·15m
  37. 37

    Learning From Facilitating Improv Classes

    Nov 25, 2024·14m
  38. 38

    Getting "Improv-Burnout"

    Nov 11, 2024·11m
  39. 39

    Improv Retreats and Festivals

    Oct 28, 2024·12m
  40. 40

    Refining My Approach and Views on Hosting

    Oct 14, 2024·11m
  41. 41

    Musical and Hip Hop Improv

    Sep 30, 2024·19m
  42. 42

    Touching in Improv

    Sep 16, 2024·11m
  43. 43

    Being Better From The Backline

    Sep 2, 2024·13m
  44. 44

    Being Hard On Myself

    Aug 19, 2024·9m
  45. 45

    Planning things in Narrative Improv Scenes

    Aug 4, 2024·11m
  46. 46

    Reincorporation in Improv Scenes

    Jul 21, 2024·12m
  47. 47

    Supporting Other Improv Acts

    Jul 9, 2024·6m
  48. 48

    Improviser Interview: George Butcher

    Host Dave Herron discusses improv comedy with guest George Butcher, exploring what they enjoy and find challenging about improv.

    Jun 24, 2024·28m
  49. 49

    The Everyday Scene

    Jun 10, 2024·12m
  50. 50

    How Do I Practice

    May 27, 2024·14m
  51. 51

    Improv With Kids

    The host shares his early experiences doing improv games with his children, discussing what works and how it differs from teaching adults.

    Apr 15, 2024·16m
  52. 52

    IPA - Impressive, Playful, Audience Aware

    Apr 1, 2024·16m
  53. 53

    The Why

    Mar 18, 2024·12m
  54. 54

    Control and Fear in an Improv Scene

    Mar 4, 2024·12m
  55. 55

    The uber blocker

    Feb 19, 2024·18m
  56. 56

    Characterisation

    Feb 5, 2024·9m
  57. 57

    Pleasing To The Eye

    Feb 5, 2024·10m
  58. 58

    Improv In The Workplace

    Jan 4, 2024·10m