Ep. 2 - Improv & Actual Play w/ Erik Morrison

Off Screen: The Craft of Running The Game

This week's guest is Erik Morrison. They are one of the DMs for NPC Incorporated, an actual play collective that runs campaigns, one shots, offers DM advice, and more. Among the games Eric has ran for NPC Incorporated is Donna Avanzi’s Deception, a no magic D&D two-part mini-series in the world of Scott Lynch's Lies of Locke Lamora.

Given my own background as a musical theatre performer and stand-up comedian, my conversation with Erik focused first on the similarities and differences between Actual Play and Improv comedy, the difficulties of comparing yourself to full-time creatives with funded productions, and when narrative can supersede mechanics.

You can find Erik on Instagram, Twitter, and Tiktok at @ErikMoreover; and on Bluesky as @ErikMorrison. You can also see them live in Chicago, where they produce ⁠Thirst For Adventure⁠, a live-action, rules-light D&D show with a rotating cast of improv comedians.