"There were not many women in improv when we started," the co-founder of Chicago's ImprovOlympic (iO) Theatre Charna Halpern told Start TV. Her theatre and classes paved the way for "longform improvisation" and forever changed the landscape of improvisational comedy, working with now-famous comics like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Stephnie Weir. Halpern said, "Women are constantly coming out of our theatre now and doing well in the entertainment industry."

As a teacher of improv, Halpern offers this advice to her students: "Don't worry about becoming a star right now. Just become the best."

Watch the video for more beginner tips from iO co-founder Charna Halpern:

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