Johnny Nolan | GNY EP.207
In Episode 207 of Good News York, host Noah Chrysler sits down with Johnny Nolan, his co-founder at Syracuse Improv, to reflect on their first year building the organization from the ground up. What started as a small gathering in a local library with just four people has grown into a thriving community of 40-plus regular workshop attendees, sold-out shows, and a growing class program. The two longtime friends trace their shared history from Cub Scouts to the FM High School Improv Club, through their transformative years at RIT’s improv scene, and back to Syracuse — where they found the local comedy landscape had quietly disappeared and decided to rebuild it themselves.
The conversation covers the upcoming Halloween-themed Dungeons & Dragons improv show at the Song & Dance, a spooky twist where the audience follows monsters defending their homes from a heroic adventurer. Noah and Johnny dig into the philosophy behind Syracuse Improv’s workshops, their core value of community, and how improv forces people from wildly different backgrounds to drop their guard and find common ground — sometimes through the deliberately embarrassing ritual of silly group chants and dances. They explore how improv changed both of their lives socially and creatively, from finding a sense of belonging as college freshmen to building lasting friendships that have fueled their best professional projects.
Noah and Johnny also get candid about their working dynamic: Noah runs a million miles an hour, constantly firing off brainstorm texts, while Johnny plays the slower, deliberate counterweight who condenses those ideas into something actionable. They discuss their vision for the future — more classes, house teams, additional venues, and the ultimate goal of a dedicated improv theater in Syracuse. They talk about the deep satisfaction of watching people move to Syracuse, find real friendships, and even land jobs through the improv community, and they lay out the many ways listeners can get involved, from spreading the word to volunteering as coaches. The episode closes with a highlight reel of favorite moments, including a memorable performance at Retro Game Con alongside Mass Effect voice actor Mark Meer.
Chapters:
0:00 – Welcome to Good News York EP.207
0:10 – Introducing Johnny Nolan and Syracuse Improv
0:48 – A Year in Review: From Library to 40+ Members
1:40 – The Halloween D&D Show at Song & Dance
5:47 – Syracuse Improv Workshops: Free, Accessible, Beginner-Friendly
9:52 – Building Community in a Disconnected World
11:12 – The Power of Humiliation in Improv
12:07 – Growing Up: Boy Scouts to High School Improv Club
15:50 – College Years: How RIT Improv Changed Everything
20:37 – Moving Back to Syracuse and Starting Over
25:00 – Working Together: Speed, Ideas, and Partnership Dynamics
28:14 – The Vision: Classes, House Teams, and a Dedicated Theater
29:35 – Why You Should Take an Improv Class
31:00 – The Secret Benefit: Finding Real Friends Through Improv
35:20 – How to Get Involved and Help Syracuse Improv Grow
37:40 – Favorite Moments: Retro Game Con with Mark Meer
40:50 – Outro and Thanks
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Production by Click Stream Studios: www.ClickStreamStudios.com
Good News York is a podcast dedicated to highlighting the people, projects, and organizations making a positive impact in Syracuse and beyond. Hosted by Noah Chrysler, each episode features conversations with creators, community builders, and changemakers who are shaping the city’s future.
