The PhD Track ft. Hellena Jang

We have one question for you- DO YOU KNOW HELLENA JANG?! Hellena is a Korean improviser who lives in Seoul, South Korea. She became an improviser 10 years ago and in that time has immersed herself in improv by touring the US & Canada to visit and work with improv theatres throughout. In 2014 she founded the first Korean improv company where she started IMFROG a Korean improv team. She is now an established teacher, performer, and leader in the improv community. In this episode Hellena takes us through her improv career and what it was like to discover improv through an ex-pat group in South Korea and then embark on a quest to share and marry improv with Korean culture. This is an improv story yes- but it is also a story about discovery, integrity, curiosity, courage, and leadership. In our conversation we talk about introducing improv to cultures that have no idea what improv is. We also get into the importance of boundaries and time outs in group settings and the challenges we can face when introducing these ideas to new groups and cultures. Hellena shares her story of having to walk away from a role she loved in order to create a safer space for herself and other improvisers. Hellena also shares her perspective on what it was like traveling to the United States to learn improv and, in turn, American culture, in theatres throughout the country. You can find Hellena at the links below. Thanks for listening friends, find us on Facebook & Instagram @eliseandjohnshow and make sure to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Mentioned: MN Fairplay, IO, Manila International Festival, Busan International Comedy Festival, IMFROG Facebook: Hellena Jang Instagram: hellena_jang Videos(YouTube) : https://www.youtube.com/user/dkdltm80 Korean website: http://hellenajang.com