Jimmy Carrane has made a career out of teaching people that they can be funny and interesting just by being themselves.

Jimmy has been performing and teaching improvisation for more than 30 years. He has studied at The Second City and iO Chicago, and became one of the original members of The Annoyance Theater. He was been a member of legendary improv groups such as Jazz Freddy, Carl and the Passions, and the original cast of Armando at iO Chicago, and he created one of the first two-person improv shows, “Naked,” with Stephanie Weir. He also became well-known for his one-man shows, including the hit “I Am 27, I Still Live at Home and Sell Office Supplies” and “Living in Dwarf’s House.”

After spending 10 years interviewing celebrities on Chicago Public Radio, Jimmy launched the podcast, Improv Nerd, where he interviews legends in the world of improv comedy.

He co-wrote Improvising Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser with Liz Allen and is the author of Improv Therapy and The Inner Game of Improv. Jimmy teaches his award-winning Art of Slow Comedy classes and workshops in Chicago and across the country.

He lives in Evanston, IL with his wife, Lauren, and their cat, Coco.