**

S2E5:

“Take the mask off”: Improv in Neurodivergent and LGBT spaces with Alena Dingeldein and Brian Jones

Host: Mike Garvin

Guests: Alena Dingeldein and Brian Jones

This episode is part of a series of episodes interviewing leaders of identity-affirming improv workshops as a part of an Unscripted initiative called Changing the Face of Improv Leadership, funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission.

In this episode, Mike Garvin interviews Alena about their experience as a student of improv as well as their experience leading a workshop through Mindful Nashville centered around affirming neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ identities through improv. Alena credits improv with building their confidence as well as their listening skills and problem solving abilities. After, Brian Jones discusses his experience with mentoring Alena on creating the workshop, specifically noting the confidence and pragmatism with which Alena facilitated the workshop.

About the Guests:

Alena Dingeldein is an improviser and performer local to the Nashville area who has taken classes and performed through organizations like Third Coast Comedy Club and Backlight Productions.

Brian Michael Jones (SAG-AFTRA) has been an actor and performer for most of his life. He’s performed on TV, in films, on stage both in touring and regional productions. He’s a professional Henson puppeteer, Motion Capture performer, and has provided voice over, for many shows and even sometimes he’s even a mime for commercials and TV episodes. But through it all he’s always been an improviser.

Improvised Ad by Owen Sullivan.

Executive Producers: Christina Ashworth + Emma Supica

Editing: Cammie York

Mixing: Dave Strumfeld

Graphic Design: Cammie York

A project of Unscripted, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN. We heal, empower, and connect our community through equitable and accessible improv programs.

**

**

S2E4:

“Yourself, with a twist”: Bridging bicultural identities with Julian Hernandez and Sara Fidelholtz

Host: Mike Garvin

Guests: Julian Hernandez and Sara Fidelholtz

This episode is part of a series of episodes interviewing leaders of identity-affirming improv workshops as a part of an Unscripted initiative called Changing the Face of Improv Leadership, funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission.

In this episode, Mike Garvin interviews Sara and her mentor Julian about their experience working together to build a workshop centered on bicultural identity and “hidden identity.” The conversation touches on Viola Spolin’s work inspiring their use of play to discover yourself and bridge connection across differences to create shared experience. Through exercises meant to draw from personal experience, Sara’s workshop taught its participants how to find the confidence to play “yourself with a twist.”

About the Guests:

Julian Hernandez is a regular boy from Clearwater, FL who has studied improv and clown in Chicago and New York (blow at him and see what happens). He’s been on shows like Search Party (TBS) and experimental shows at places like St. Ann’s Warehouse. He’s entertaining, he’s out of his fucking mind, he’s jooby.

Sara Fidelholtz is an improviser and actor originally from Mexico who now plays on several teams in Nashville, Tennessee. Her improv play style incorporates her multicultural background, and her background in clowning and acting allow her to bring authenticity and silliness to her characters and breathe true life into her scenes.

Improvised Ad by Owen Sullivan.

Executive Producers: Christina Ashworth + Emma Supica

Editing: Cammie York

Mixing: Dave Strumfeld

Graphic Design: Cammie York

A project of Unscripted, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN. We heal, empower, and connect our community through equitable and accessible improv programs.**

S2E3:

Embodied improv: Embracing vulnerability with Sarah Edwards Waldrop and Sofia Apuzzo

Host: Mike Garvin

Guests: Sarah Edwards Waldrop and Sofia Apuzzo

This episode is part of a series of episodes interviewing leaders of identity-affirming improv workshops as a part of an Unscripted initiative called Changing the Face of Improv Leadership, funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission.

In this special Changing the Face of Improv Leadership series episode, Sofia shares her journey developing and leading a movement-centered improv workshop rooted in embodiment and play. Alongside mentor Sarah Edwards Waldrop, she explores slowing down, creating safer spaces, and stepping beyond perfectionism to embrace vulnerability. The conversation dives into the power of movement as a pathway to authenticity, the courage of doing what scares us, and how improv can reconnect us to freedom in our bodies and our stories.

About the Guests:

Sarah Edwards, Director of Advocacy Through the Arts at Friends Life Community, has created opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to be the face of social change they want to see in the world through the arts. Leveraging the tactics of drama therapy, Sarah and her team facilitate programs that help individuals find their voice, tell their stories, and connect with others through shared experiences. As a registered drama therapist, she empowers each participant to create original work so that they build confidence, learn to self-advocate, and become more empowered in all aspects of their life. Enthusiastic and versatile, Sarah is attuned and responsive to the strengths, needs, and possibilities of an individual at any age and cognitive functioning. By using person-centered approaches that are clinically based, yet creatively implemented, clients create their own healing through original work, process, and performance reaching an overall deeper understanding of self and others.

Sofia Apuzzo is a Nashville-based movement artist and improviser with a background in dance. Through Unscripted’s leadership program, she designed and facilitated a movement-centered improv workshop focused on embodiment, play, and self-trust. Passionate about creating spaces where people can reconnect with their bodies and explore beyond perfectionism, Sofia brings physicality, vulnerability, and deep curiosity to her artistic work.

Improvised Ad by Sebastian Posey and Owen Sullivan.

Executive Producers: Christina Ashworth + Emma Supica

Editing: Cammie York

Mixing: Dave Strumfeld

Graphic Design: Cammie York

A project of Unscripted, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN. We heal, empower, and connect our community through equitable and accessible improv programs.