Improv Episodes

Episode 97: Harriet Gordon-Anderson on Resilience, Shakespeare, and the Art of Being Yourself In this episode, Max Belmonte sits down with the incredibly versatile Harriet Gordon-Anderson. From the prestigious halls of WAAPA to the iconic stage of Bell Shakespeare, Harriet’s journey is a masterclass in artistic resilience. We dive deep into her three-year odyssey playing the title role in Hamlet—a production that faced the unprecedented challenge of being shut down twice by the pandemic. H...

In this episode, we sit down with Darren Gilshenan, an award-winning actor and NIDA alumni whose career spans iconic Australian television, film, and a decade with the Bell Shakespeare company. Darren dives deep into the technical "cornerstones" of acting, the strategic complexity of comedy, and what it really takes to stay relevant in a competitive industry. Key Takeaways Building the Character Framework Darren shares the specific processes he uses to find a character’s headspace, especia...

Episode 82: Christiaan Van Vuuren – From Viral Hipster to ABC Creator In this episode, Max and Sam sit down with the ultimate "slashie," Christiaan Van Vuuren. From the viral explosion of the Bondi Hipsters to creating hit shows for the ABC, Christiaan has navigated the highs and lows of the Australian screen industry with a relentless "do-it-yourself" energy. Whether you're an actor waiting for the phone to ring or a writer with thirty unfinished scripts on your laptop, this conversation is ...