Finding Your Personal Rhythm: Reducing Avoidance with Jack Henderson

Host: Mike Garvin

Guest: Jack Henderson

Jack Henderson is his name, and in this episode of Improv Saves: World Agrees, host Mike Garvin and producer Emma Supica sit down with him to discuss the intersection of being someone who “stutters across a lifespan” and being an improviser. Jack experienced two formative experiences at the same point in his teenage years: starting improv at Upright Citizens Brigade in NYC and seeing a speech pathologist who told him that avoiding stuttering was not helpful. The conversation then opens up to the similar philosophies behind good improv and Jack’s view of the progressively evolving approach to speech pathology. Jack states that “the struggle people experience isn’t the stutter itself, it’s what we feel and think to try to NOT stutter.” Both improv and a positive relationship with stuttering require opening yourself up to potentially being embarrassed or feeling shame–but that’s all part of the experience. That said, Jack and Mike also talk about the similar importance of being a good audience member or scene partner as well as being a person in the life of someone who stutters. They both require saying "I'm actively listening to you and I'm not going to let you fall right now."

About the Guest: Jack Henderson M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and owner of Henderson Stuttering Therapy in Nashville, TN. He is a person who stutters and credits improv as being a catalyst for finding his voice, embracing spontaneity, and reducing avoidance. He grew up in New York City and stumbled upon the UCB theatre in 2004 while in 9th grade. He and his friends quickly haunted the theatre almost weekly and took classes there throughout high school. He studied theatre in undergraduate at Vanderbilt and then performed with LOL Nashville for several years. While he has not performed on stage in several years, the principles of improv suffuse his clinical work in many ways.

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.

Unbreak Your Imagination: Finding What's Possible with Jordan Scott

Host: Mike Garvin

Guest: Jordan Scott

In this episode of Improv Saves: World Agrees, host Mike Garvin and producer Emma Supica sit down with Jordan Scott — Program Director of Backlight Productions, a theatre company that works with adults with disabilities. Backlight works to pair professional performing artists with their students to then put on productions that “backlight” the students into the foreground and make them the stars. Unscripted partners with Backlight to teach “Comedy Club” - improv classes for Backlight students. Mike, Emma, and Jordan discuss Jordan’s journey from being a “struggling” actress to working behind the scenes with Backlight and her discovery that improv and theatre is more enjoyable for her when it’s putting others first and “not about me.” Emma highlights that both Unscripted and Backlight aim to meet people where they are and work with what they have to create art. Though it can be challenging at times to find inclusive ways to work with their students’ varying needs within the bounds of a single show/project, Jordan’s examples highlight why doing so is so rewarding. In her own words, “we all have abilities, and we’re all worth that spotlight.”

About the Guest: Jordan Scott is the Program Director of Backlight Productions, a theatre arts program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is head of the New Works Writers Program for Playwrights. She holds a BA in Drama from the University of Arkansas with an emphasis in Acting. Jordan has worked as both a teaching artist and actor for various organizations across the country. She is incredibly proud of all the members of Comedy Club for saying, "Yes!" to Improv.

Improvised Ad by Sebastian Posey and Owen

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.

Lifelong Improv: Hustle, Heart, and Glitter with Lynda Drewry

Host: Mike Garvin

Guest: Lynda Drewry

In this episode of Improv Saves: World Agrees, host Mike Garvin sits down with Lynda Drewry — a powerhouse of heart, humor, and resilience. Growing up in rural West Tennessee under tough, patriarchal conditions, Lynda carved her own path through grit, creativity, and a refusal to stay boxed in. From running children's theaters and cafés to launching a murder mystery company and gracing the improv stages of Nashville, Lynda shares her journey of saying "yes" to life's wild twists and turns. Mike and Lynda explore everything from early improv scenes, to the real stories behind singing telegram gigs, to the joy and grit of making space for yourself — and others — in the creative world. Lynda's story is a celebration of persistence, play, and living life with sequins, spirit, and a mischievous smile.

"You are only alive right this minute."

About the Guest: Lynda Drewry (Laughing Corpse, Laugh Lines) is a Nashville-based improviser, producer, and longtime performer who has worn countless hats — from café owner to children's theater director to improv mentor. Known for her wit, generosity, and her trademark rainbow sequin hat, Linda continues to build creative community spaces that uplift and connect people across generations.

Editor's note: This episode was recorded September 2024

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.