The Serious Business of Kicks

The Serious Business of Kicks is a long-form improvised theatre piece inspired by the Beat Generation poets and writers of the 1950s and ’60s. Set in a fictional North Beach coffeehouse, the show weaves together improvised Beat-style poetry and fully realized theatrical scenes, each continuously inspiring the other. Drawing on audience responses about what gives them their “kicks,” the performance creates an evolving portrait of art, rebellion, longing, and ecstatic searching. Part spoken-word concert, part improvised play, the show channels the rhythm and restlessness of the Beat era.

The Players:

In addition to working together in The Serious Business of Kicks, Diana Brown and Michael Shaffer also perform in the improvised Shakespeare Trio Gamesome Frolic.

Diana Brown is half of the internationally touring duo Bingewatch. She plays with Fleeting Reminiscence, the trios Slumber Party and POPTOP and the Twilight Zone Inspired ensemble But Of Mind. She’s appeared at Improv Fest Ireland, Gather Fest, Impro Amsterdam, Liverpool Improvisation Festival, Vancouver Improv Festival, SAVI Fest, Rise Comedy Festival, Countdown Improv Festival, Dramatic Improv Festival Chicago, NYC Improvised Shakespeare Festival, Uptown Improv Festival, Northwest Improv Festival, New York Improv Festival, Twin Cities Improv Festival and others. Diana is a voice over artist, has appeared  in commercials, and independent films. Diana also performs in scripted theater productions including Playground Solo Fest 2025 and at theaters and theatre festivals in around the country including New York, Los Angeles, D.C., including Spoleto, USA.

Mick Shaffer is an improv actor, & comedy writer who worked in New York City & Los Angeles for over 16 years as a member of the award-winning First Amendment Comedy and Improv Troupe.  He has appeared in television commercials, episodic television, voice-overs for radio and television, and performed off-off Broadway in several original one-man shows. He has worked with the likes of Robin Williams, Bruce Willis, Alan Arkin, Gilbert Gottfried, Kathy Kinney, Denis Leary, & The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.  Now residing in San Francisco, Mick has performed at the Leela Improv Theater, Made-Up Theater, and All Out Comedy Theater as part of improv ensembles Objectively Speaking, Poetic License, Gamesome Frolic, Foolhardy, and The Serious Business of Kicks. He has performed at various improv festivals around the U.S. Additionally, he is appearing in the folk-rock musical Flight Lessons around the Bay Area.

 Mick is also an accomplished singer, songwriter, and guitarist and has released 3 full-length albums of original songs.  All are available on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon,YouTube, and Bandcamp.