In the Moment with Emily Wilson

Emily Wilson has been performing for over ten years at places like i.O. Chicago, The Annoyance Theater and Second City. In 2007, Emily and The Ragdolls wrote Moist which they performed at the HBO/Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen and she recently completed a three year run on the Second City Mainstage, where she wrote and performed in four original revues. She has written several other shows including Devotion, which is especially close to her heart and is currently in several improv groups including Fishnutz (The Annoyance), Ginger Snaps (i.O.) and Virgin Daiquiri (i.O.). In 2011 her short film, "Special Needs" (co-written with Brad Morris) appeared at South by Southwest. It also appeared in Montreal's Just For Laughs Festival. Check it out at fultonmarketfilms.com or Funny or Die.

How were you first introduced to improvisation?

I went and saw a show at iO Chicago. I was an agent at the time and wanted to start taking classes immediately but my boss said it was a conflict of interest. So I quit my job.

What was your evolution through Second City from classes to mainstage?

I took classes at iO. I got on a team and started performing. I joined a few other groups, just to increase my stage time and grow and then I started writing my own sketch shows and putting them up around town. A director at Second City watched me, coached me, etc...and asked me to understudy some of his shows at SC. Then I was hired-about ten years after starting out! (It takes a while)

How much do you utilize improvisation in your writing?

A ton. It's key.

Can you tell our readers about your show Devotion?

Devotion was a show written by my husband Brian Wilson and myself. It was about marriage and relationships in general but, and HERE'S THE GIFT OF IMPROV, Brian and I were writing a song together and recording it so we wouldn't forget. We were annoying each other so much that we were bickering on the tape. We still wanted our director (Danny Mora) to hear the tape, so we swallowed our pride and let him hear the fight. Danny said-the song is fine. The FIGHT is your scene. the show changed after that and became more personal. Amazing director, amazing call.

What improv strengths do you feel you bring to an ensemble?

I am game for anything. Wherever you're going, I'm jumping in.

What advice would you have for improvisers that are just starting out?

Do it because you love it, NOT because of what you think it will get you. You would be surprised at how much pure love and passion brings you, as opposed to naked ambition.