Exploring Improv, Community, and Creativity with Michelle Faulkner Forson
Delighted to have you join 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, where Rob Lee is your host with today’s guest Michelle Faulkner-Forson, the Managing Director of The Baltimore Improv Group (BIG) located in Station North, brings her passion for comedy improv to the forefront. With a background in arts administration and a visual artist herself, Michelle is dedicated to fostering community and creativity through improv. BIG's mission to advance the art of comedy improv in the Baltimore region resonates with Michelle's belief in the power of self-expression and collaborative spaces. Through her role, Michelle contributes to enhancing the appreciation for and participation in improv, while also envisioning a community-driven culture of support and creativity spreading throughout the Baltimore area.
In this session, we take a closer look at:
- The transformative power of improv: from active listening and embracing humility, to forging genuine connections that transcend the stage.
- Uncover the vital role of culture in the community: how its organic development and activation by the community foster a sense of belonging and shared identity.
- Delve into the profound significance of human creativity: its role in enabling personal expression, and the urgency of cherishing and fostering it within every individual.
- Examining the palette of change in the art world: adding strokes of inclusivity, equity, and amplifying diverse voices to create a richer and more representative masterpiece.
- Join us as we trace Michelle's improv odyssey, marked by the impact of mentors and believers who have catalyzed her growth and fueled her potential.
You're in for a treat! Michelle Faulkner Forson joins host Rob Lee to discuss the world of improv and the importance of creativity and culture in a community. Michelle shares her journey from being a visual artist to finding her passion in improv and creating spaces for people to express themselves. She emphasizes the importance of listening, humility, and community in improv and how these skills can be applied to everyday life. Michelle also discusses the role of culture in the development of a community and the need for inclusivity and equity in the arts.
Mentioned in this episode:
BIG Improv
Vote for Station North
This episode is brought to you by a partnership with Station North Art's District
Vote for Station North! USA Today nominated the Station North Arts District as one of the nation’s 10 best creative and cultural hubs. Join us in voting once a day through July 4th. Find the link to vote in the episode description. This week, are excited to announce the return of Station North Summer Art Walks the final Fridays in July ‘Spotlight on Charles North’, and August ‘Spotlight on Greenmount West’ and September. Step into the artist studios, galleries, pop-ups, and performance spaces that make Station North one of the 10 best Arts Districts in the country. July 29, August 26, and September 30. For more information, visit stationnorth.org. Station North Arts District is a proud program of the Central Baltimore Partnership.
🎧🌟 Don't forget to rate and review this episode to support the best in podcasting! 🌟🎧
This program is supported (in part) by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.
If you have a story about art, culture, or community, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on 'The Truth In This Art' podcast.
Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart
Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.
Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.
About "The Truth In This Art"
If you have a story about art, culture, or community, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on 'The Truth In This Art' podcast.
Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart
Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.
Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.
About "The Truth In This Art"
"The Truth In This Art," hosted by Rob Lee, is a podcast that explores the essence of creativity and its community impact, amplifying artists' voices and their profound stories.
Connect with me:
Support the show:
Creators and Guests
Host
Rob Lee
The Truth In This Art is an interview series featuring artists, entrepreneurs and tastemakers in & around Baltimore.
Guest
Michelle Faulkner Forson
Michelle Faulkner-Forson, the Managing Director of The Baltimore Improv Group (BIG) located in Station North, brings her passion for comedy improv to the forefront.