Where do you live and work? (City)

New York, and work globally as well

Professional Skills

Improviser, teacher and performance group coach with over 15 years of experience, team-builder/trainer and consultant, curriculum developer, speaker coach, management skills workshop facilitator. I also work with specific trade organizations and women's professional groups to enhance creativity and empowerment.

What is your main interest in this network?

Education, Networking

What kind of person are you?

24-7

What kinds of improv-related services are you involved in?

Teambuilding, Creativity, Problem Solving, Communication, Leadership, Character Development, Presentation Skills

Any niche industries, skills, etc?

youth community arts/activism

Share a favorite 'improv epiphany'

I had a chance to study with and be directed by clown and Commedia ace Christopher Bayes. In developing my clown-self character that day, an energetic dunce named "Just Danny", Chris helped me to really appreciate how innocent, low-status characters get us in touch with sincerity. Good improv IS good acting, and the same thing that makes a good improviser also a good actor in turn makes us more honest as we improvise our daily lives.

More about you: (Short Bio or any other details you'd like people to know)

I've been improvising for over 16 years, most notably as a member of the acclaimed long-form groups Burn Manhattan and Centralia (www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEm-Id-XNqo). I also have a background in Commedia dell'Arte, mask, and vocal performance, and have taught improvisation all over, including at the Yale School of Drama, with The Second City, and the People's Improv Theatre in NYC.
I got my acting training at NYC's William Esper Studio 700 years ago. I was in the sweaty Lower East Side original production of "Urinetown" and played Benedick in the New England Shakespeare Festival's "Much Adoe About Nothing"--done "original-practice", meaning NO rehearsal, just cue scripts on scrolls...which definitely involved some improvisation! (Yikes!)
In recent years I've done lots of corporate role-playing and workshop leading, as well as speaker coaching. I've worked through Second City, The Actors Institute, Performance of a Lifetime, and independently.
I'm a proud uncle of two lovable and insane kids as well.

I need help with...

Website and logo design (the current one's fairly utilitarian); referrals to clients everywhere, including work with youth; connections with regional troupes interested in physical improv and Commedia workshops.

Work Website

http://www.bizprovgroup.com

Blog or other personal website

http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/jayrhoderick

Check out my...(book, workshop, etc.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThG6r1rF22s

Skype Name (Skype.com is the most popular free internet audio/text chat and more)

jayrho1

Twitter Name (Twitter.com is the most popular 'hyper blog' client, enabling instant updates)

bizprov

Other contact info (Your choice for phone, email, facebook, myspace, etc.)

jay.rhoderick@gmail.com / 917-763-3926

How did you hear about this network?

Zohar Adner and others