Improvised Star Trek
For ten years Improvised Star Trek explored the final frontier of comedy by turning Star Trek into an improv office comedy. Taking suggestions submitted on Twitter and Facebook, the cast (featuring some of Chicago’s top improvisors) creates a fully improvised episode detailing the adventures of the USS Sisyphus, a less enterprising starship. New episodes are posted every other week. Improvised Star Trek is a fan production. Star Trek is property of CBS.

Captain Baxter's quest for the perfect Christmas mission is a resounding success, assuming your family traditions include cabin fever and existential dread. 

Improvised on 9/3/2017. Title suggested by Nat Blackburn via Twitter

 

Matt Young as Captain Baxter

Chris Rathjen as Cmdr. Corbomite Hayes, Dirk Snowman

Mary Cait Walthall as Dr. Zarlene Zonalzo

Eli Mandel as Lt. Rip Stipley, Doug Snowman

Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem, Mr. Snowman

Julia Weiss as Ensign Spot, Jiminy

Sean Kelley as Lt. Cmdr. Crick Watson, Steve Snowman

 

Direct download: IST177_BabyItsOldOutside.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 3:41pm CDT

It's a normal day when Rip & Bobbi try to keep the new intern occupied, but the USS Sisyphus may be about to experience a divine internvention.

Improvised November 5, 2017 from a suggestion by Brian Sebby via Facebook.

Edited by Chris Rathjen

Featuring

Rayna Caskey as En. Bobbi Intern
Sean Kelly as Lt. Cdr.Crick Watson
Eli Mandel as Rip Stipley, Lt. Jeremy Swanson, Cockney Bartender
Chris Rathjen as Cdr. Corbomite Hayes, Lt. Bronson
Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem
Matt Young as Billy Swanson

With Special Guest Ashkahn Jahromi as "Terse Skipley"

Sponsored by Simplecast a member of the Chicago Podcast Coop

Featuring a special bonus Mini-sode "Strongarm Armstrong and the Strongest Arm," improvised from a suggestion by Nat Blackburn

Direct download: IST176_WhatDoesGodNeedWithAnInternship.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 10:42am CDT

A mysterious discovery from Earth's past sends the Sisyphus back in time. But a new commander may be concealing a zip best left unzopped.

Improvised June 21, 2017 from a suggestion by @blinovich via Twitter

Edited by Roger Payton

Sponsored by Overcast as part of the Chicago Podcast Coop

 

Direct download: IST175_TimsArrow.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 6:13pm CDT

When a care package from Admiral Hayes contains a top of the line Federation android, Captain Baxter reassigns Lt. Comdr. Watson to patrol the corridors with security. Will this new android render the crew obsolete or will Lt. Comdr. Watson secure everyone’s jobs by exposing a flourishing drug ring?

Improvised August 6th, 2017 from a suggestion by Ron Harvey Jr. via Facebook

Edited by Hannah Parsons

 

Starring:

Matt Young as Captain Baxter

Chris Rathjen as Comdr. Corbomite Hayes

Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch’arles Lorem

Sean Kelley as Cmdr. Crick Watson

Eli Mandel as Acting Security Chief Rip Stiply

Mary Cait Walthall as Zarlene Zonalzon

Griffen Eckstein as Lt. Comdr James and Ensign Lacky

With Special Guest Brian Holden as Info

 

This episode is sponsored by Cards Against Humanity.

 

Direct download: IST174MamasaidtheredbeDataslikethis.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 10:52am CDT

The Sisyphus crew regale each other with scary stories. It soon becomes clear that certain sinister elements overlap...

Improvised on September 3rd, 2017 from a suggestion by Katie Utke via Facebook

Edited by Eric Scull

Starring:

Sean Kelley as Lt. Cdr. Crick Watson, Buddy, Rocker
Eli Mandell as Rip Stipley, Skip, Borg
Christopher Rathjen as Cdr. Corbomite Hayes, Rick
Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem, Borg, Cpt. Benjamin Sisko
Julia Weiss as Ensign Spot, Amanda, Moon
Mary Cait Walthall as Dr. Zarlene Zonalzon, Ace, Rocker
Matt Young as Cpt. Julius V. Baxter, Lt. Greg, Thomas Riker

With Special Guest Appearance by Shad Kunkle as Lt. Gary Williamson

This episode is sponsored by Cards Against Humanity.

Direct download: Ep_173_Happy_Holo-ween_Tales_from_the_Holodeck.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 12:36am CDT

Captain Baxter explores a bleak future where Corbo and Rita are finally on the same page.

 

Impovised on July 9, 2017. Title suggested by Robert Fontenot via Facebook.

 

Featuring:

Matt Young as Captain Baxter, Cmdr. Greg

Julia Weiss as Cmdr. Rita King, Captain Starling Mastro

Sean Kelley as Cmdr. Crick Watson

Nick Wagner as Cmdr. Ch'arles Lorem

Chris Rathjen as Super Admiral Corbomite Hayes

Eli Mandel as Acting Admiral Rip Stipley, Jeremy Swanson

Rayna Caskey as Janelle

 

 

 

Direct download: IST172-TheDankestTimeline.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 10:14pm CDT

Rip has the Captain right where he wants him, and is prepared to go all the way for the Sisyphus' command codes.

This episode was improvised as a warm-up scene on September 3, 2017 from a suggestion by Matthew Thomas Antosh via Facebook.

Edited by Eric Scull

Starring:

Eli Mandel as Acting Security Chief Rip Stipley
Julia Weiss as Lt. Rita King
Matt Young as Captain Julius V. Baxter

News and Announcements:

The next full episode of IST will be released 10/15/2017. Then, the following episode on 10/29.

Check out Eli Mandel on the MBSing Podcast, talking about his passion for Jackie Chan.

Direct download: B116_No_Mr_Baxter.mp3
Category:extras -- posted at: 2:20am CDT

Rayvek's seven year itch has the crew on pins and salves.  But will the USS Sisyphus's latest rescue mission lead to Vulcan hello, or some other discovery?

Improvised Mat 21, 2017 from a suggestion by @CountCarver via twitter.

Edited by Chris Rathjen

Featuring
Rayna Caskey as En. Bobbi Intern
Eleanor Hollingsworth as Counselor Rayvek
Sean Kelley as Lt. Cdr Crick Watson, Delphine Chancellor
Chris Rathjen as Cdr. Corbomite Hayes
Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem
Mary Cait Walthall as Dr. Zarlene Zonalzon
Julia Weiss as Lt. Rita King, En. Spot, Vilek
Matt Young as Captain Julius Valentine Baxter

Sponsored by Cards Against Humanity through the Chicago Podcast Coop.

Featuring music from Star Trek: The Next Generation

Direct download: IST171_GoneFarr.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 2:07pm CDT

When Baxter & Rayvek find themselves stranded in subspace, the rest of the crew end up rudderless. There’s some ugly crying in here.

Improvised on May 14, 2017 from a suggestion Paul Nichols via Facebook

Edited by Roger Payton

Featuring

Dan Granata as Jeb, DeFarge, Arboretum Punk
Eleanor Hollingsworth as Counselor Rayvek, Arboretum Punk
Sean Kelley as Crick Watson
Eli Mandel as Zeke, Rip Stipley, Jeremy Swanson
Nick Wagner as Ch’arles Lorem, a Ferengi
Matt Young as Cpt. Julius Valentine Baxter, Greg, Arboretum Punk, a Ferengi

Featuring music from "Cuttin the Mullet" by the South Austin Jug Band

Sponsored by Cards Against Humanity, a member of the Chicago Podcast Coop.

Direct download: IST170_StrandedintheSubSpaceofLove.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 1:27pm CDT

A quantum entanglement threatens to endanger the crew of the Sisyphus and takes root right where it hurts most - within the ship's handheld loose meat. DuFarge and Lorem get to know each other. Rip upgrades his communicator.

This episode was improvised on May 14, 2017 from a suggestion by Joel Svensson via Facebook.

Edited by Eric Scull

Starring:

Eleanor Hollingsworth as Counselor Rayvek, British Child

Sean Kelley as Lt. Cdr. Crick Watson, Lt. Carl, Historian

Matt Young as Cpt. Julius V. Baxter, Lt. Greg, Federation President

Eli Mandell as Rip Stipley, Luis

Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem, British Child

Dan Granata as Lt. DuFarge

 

Sponsored by Cards Against Humanity, a member of the Chicago Podcast Co-Op

 

Direct download: Ep_169__Taco_Doomsday.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 4:02am CDT

When a talent-stealing alien visits the USS Sisyphus...oh no, he took my skills at writing episode summaries!

Improvised April 2, 2017 from a suggestion by Joe Redhead via Facebook

Edited by Chris Rathjen

Starring

Rayna Caskey as Ensign Bobbi Intern
Eleanor Hollingsworth as Counselor Rayvek
Sean Kelley as Lt.Cdr. Crick Watson
Eli Mandel as Acting Security Chief Rip Stipley
Christopher Rathjen as Cdr. Corbomite Hayes, Scooter
Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem
Matt Young as Cpt. Julius Valentine Baxter, Gorbulus, Greg

Sponsored by Cards Against Humanity, a member of the Chicago Podcast Coop

Featuring Music from The Best of Jazz Vibes

Direct download: IST168_SkeletonWasInsideYouAllAlong.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 6:23pm CDT

Ep 167: Like Literally Forever

Captain Baxter steps on some sentient grass on an alien world and gets sentenced to another stint in a mind-prison. Meanwhile, the crew cascades through his mind palaces with LITERAL abandon.

Improvised May 28th, 2017 from a suggestion by John Godwin via Facebook

 

Featuring:

Matt Young as Captain Baxter, Greg and Reporter

Chris Rathjen as Comdr. Corbomite Hayes and Alien

Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch’arles Lorem and Alien

Sean Kelley as Cmdr. Crick Watson

Eli Mandel as Acting Chef Rip Stiply, Lt. Jeremy Swanson, Publisher and Alien

Mary Cait Walthall as Zarlene Zonalzon and Alien

Julia Weiss as Lt. Rita King, Henrietta the Wish Queen Fairy and Henrietta the sick child

 

Edited by Hannah Parsons

 

Sponsored by Cards Against Humanity, a member of the Chicago Podcast Coop

Direct download: IST167LikeLiterallyForever.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 10:27am CDT

When Rayvek takes a break from her counseling duties, the rest of the crew follows her lead and takes a break...from their sanity

 

Eleanor Hollingsworth as Lt. Rayvek

Mary Cait Walthall as Dr. Zonalzon

Sean Kelley as Lt. Cmdr. Crick Watson, Holographic Abraham Lincoln

Chris Rathjen as Cmdr. Hayes, Stock Suburban Character

Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem

Rayna Caskey as Intern Bobbi

Julia Weiss as Lt. Rita King, Spot

Eli Mandel as Rip Stipley, Brandon, Brandina

Direct download: IST166_OnlyTheBroken.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 10:43pm CDT

Lorem embraces other peoples' heritage.

Improvised as a warm-up on April 2, 2014 from a title by Ryan Soto on Facebook

Starring
Sean Kelley as Crick Watson
Nick Wagner as Ch'arles Lorem

Featuring
Rayna Caskey as Intern Bobbi
Eleanor Hollingsworth as an Ensign
Eli Mandel as Rip Stiply
Chris Rathjen as Corbomite Hayes

Plus The News:

Check out our new website!

Thanks for all the iTunes Reviews! Keep 'em coming!

Music: Jupiter by Gustav Holst, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Well done Juno Mission!

Direct download: IST_Bonus20170711_ItsEarthDayCharlieLorem.mp3
Category:extras -- posted at: 2:48pm CDT

Corbomite, Rita, & Ch'arles go antiquing, but will the real steal be a vintage endtable, or the theft of their futures?


Improvised on February 26, 2017 from a suggestion by Saskia Slottje on Facebook

Eleanor Hollingsworth as Counselor Rayvek, Ujevenivia
Sean Kelley as Lt.Cdr Crick Watson, Horace
Christopher Rathjen as Gerard, Cdr. Hayes
Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem
Julia Weiss as Rougie, Lt. Rita King, Cordelphia
The Sponges as Themselves

Sponsored by Cards Against Humanity, a member of the Podcast Coop

Direct download: IST165_YoureOnlyOldOnce.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 6:59pm CDT

There is more below the surface when the Sisyphus encounters a group of Federation hopefuls. Rip and Lorem begin adjusting to their new roles on the ship, Crick takes a side-job, and Intern Bobbi intercepts some interesting transmissions.

Improvised March 19, 2017 from a suggestion by Mckenzie Alexander Boyle via Facebook

Edited by Eric Scull

Starring

Rayna Caskey as Intern Bobbi, Deeny
Eleanor Hollingsworth as Counselor Rayvek
Sean Kelley as Gerlis, Lt. Cdr. Crick Watson
Eli Mandell as Rip Stipley, Jeremy Swanson, Dad
Chris Rathjen as Cdr. Corbomite B. Hayes
Nick Wagner - Clorvis, Lt. Ch'arles Lorem
Mary-Cait Walthall - En. Operator, Jeeny, Dr. Zarlene Zonalzon
Matt Young - Melvis, Lt. Greg, Cpt. Baxter

This episode is sponsored by Field Notes Brand through the Chicago Podcast Coop.

Direct download: 164_Ep_164__The_Stupidest_Planet_in_the_World.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 12:22pm CDT

Rip takes Ch'arles and Crick to his home away from home on the range, while Counselor Rayvek helps the crew face the varmints within.

Improvised February 12, 2017, from a suggestion by Scott Morales via Facebook.

Edited by Chris Rathjen

Featuring

Rayna Caskey as Bobbi the Intern, Lupe the (Holo)wolf
Eleanor Hollingsworth as Counselor Rayvek, Jonathan the (Holo)wolf
Sean Kelley as Lt. Cdr. Crick Watson
Eli Mandel as Rip Stipley, Lt. Jeremy Swanson
Nick Wagner as Ch'arles Lorem, Holographic King Kong
Mary Cait Walthall as Dr. Zarlene Zonalzon
Julia Weiss as Lt. Rita King, Mama (Holo)wolf

Sponsored by Know Your Company, a member of the Chicago Podcast Coop

Direct download: IST163-WolfWhoCriedBoy.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 4:40pm CDT

Talents emerge and a new crew member starts at the most important location on the ship: Starboards.

 

Rayna Caskey joins the cast as Ensign Bobbie Intern!

 

Also, you can see Chris, Sean, and Julia at the Cards Against Humanity Live! show at the Greenhouse Theater on Friday April 26th. 

https://www.greenhousetheater.org/cardsagainsthumanitylive

Direct download: ISTBonus-ChChanges.mp3
Category:extras -- posted at: 7:23pm CDT

Ensign Operator gets major warning signs when the Sisyphus encounters the Maulvic Empire, which has a pretty sweet ski slope, brah.

Improvised January 8th 2017 from a suggestion by Lyara Malv via Facebook

Edited by Hannah Parsons

Featuring

Mary Cait Walthall as Ensign Operator, Dr. Zonalzon

Matt Young as Capt. Julius Valentine Baxter, Lt. Greg

Chris Rathjen as Captain Gordo, Holographic Abraham Lincoln, Holographic Matt Smith

Eli Mandel as Maulvic Lieutenant 

Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem

 

Sponsored by Field Notes brand

Some music by Thievery Corporation

Direct download: IST162_RedFlagShip.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 9:46pm CDT

Enjoy this lost episode from 2013, 2373, when the crew get embroiled in a seedy starbase ensign fighting ring.

Improvised from a suggestion by Justin Kavanaugh

Scored by Dan Granta

Starring
Griffen Eckstein as Lt. Cdr. Fritz Fassbinder, Ensign Lackey, Cpt. Alistaire Cookie
Sean Kelley as Lt. Cdr. Crick Watson, Bouncer, MC
Irene Marquette as Lt. Lady Cola, Cocktail Waitress
Christopher Rathjen as Cdr. Corbomite Hayes
Nick Wagner as Ensign Ch'arles Lorem, Cdr. Manny Chartruse
Julia Weiss as Cdr. Moe Philmore

Direct download: ISTBonus_The3PipClub.mp3
Category:extras -- posted at: 12:43pm CDT

Space & buckets, together at last.

Improvised December 18. 2016 from a suggestion Rob Taffen

Edited by Roger Payton

Griffen Eckstein as James T. Jamms

Eleanor Hollingsworth as Counselor Ray ek

Sean Kelly as LtCdr. Crick Watson

Irene Marquette as En Holga

Chris Rathjen as Cmdr. Corbomite Hayes

Mary Cait Walthall as Dr. Zarlene Zonalzon

Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem

Matt Young as Cpt Julius V Baxter

Sponsored by Know Your Company, a member of the Chicago Podcast Coop

Direct download: IST161_Spacebuckets.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 6:00am CDT

The Cheloxian diplomatic mission, if that's even the right word for whatever this is, is getting complicated as Cmdr. Hayes and the crew try to decide whether they're really feeling what they ought to be feeling by this point in a diplomatic encounter. Meanwhile, Counselor Rayvek explores the relationship between Ch'arles and Lorem.

Chris Rathjen as Cmdr. Corbomite Hayes

Eli Mandel as Cheloxian Prime Minister

Mary Cait Walthall as Prittania and Ensign Operator

Sean Kelly as Lt. Cmdr. Crick Watson

Eleanor Hollingsworth as Counselor Rayvek and Porter

Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem

Direct download: IST160-FifthContact.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 6:13pm CDT

A special bonus episode, suggested by Ben Syn. Improvised on March 19, 2017.

Direct download: ISTBonus-Elementary-Crick-Watson.mp3
Category:extras -- posted at: 3:28pm CDT

Words can kill! But what else can they do? ...When the Sisyphus transports one of the Federation's top-ranked poets, a rivalry may spell bad things for the crew. Meanwhile, Rip Stipley finds himself in a different kind of prison...

This episode was improvised on October 2, 2016 from a suggestion by Eddie Krakhmalnikov via Facebook.

Edited by Eric Scull

Starring:

Rayna Caskey as Mrs. Buttersbee
Eli Mandell as Rip Stipley, Lt. Jeremy Swanson, Cockney Bartender
Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem
Christopher Rathjen as Cdr. Corbomite Hayes
Mary Cait Walthall as Dr. Zarlene Zonalzon, En. Operator, Computer
Matt Young as Captain Julius V. Baxter, Lt. Greg, Cockney Rough, Audience Member

Sponsored by Cards Against Humanity via the Chicago Podcast Co-Op.

Direct download: Ep_159__Mrs_Buttersbee.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 6:11pm CDT

Responding to a distress call on a distant moon, the crew finds themselves treading water in the salty space ocean of their deepest fears. They'd probably all drown too but their cultural insensitivity to Rayvek and Tricorder 7Plus's keep them buoyed with self-importance. SHARK!!!

Recorded on April 17th 2016 from a suggestion by Joel Svenson via facebook

Featuring

Matt Young as Captain Baxter, Lt. Greg, Distress Caller, Martha

Mary Cait Walthall as Zarlene Zonalzon, Distress Caller and Moon Person

Eleanor Hollingsworth as Counselor Rayvek, R'Vella and Distress Caller

Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch’arles Lorem, David Carlile

Eli Mandel as Acting Security Guard Rip Stiply, Jeremy Swanson and Distress Caller

 

Edited by Hannah Parsons

Music from the Jaws soundtrack composed by John Williams

Direct download: IST158ConstantlyontheMoonlikeaShark.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 10:49am CDT

Will sparks fly when Rip and Rita crash land, or will the rest of the crew just stop responding to messages and totally ghost them for no apparent reason I mean why even bother swiping right if you won't even send a message to the person you swiped right on?

Improvised on December 11, 2016, from a suggestion from @engrpe on Twitter.

 

Featuring:

Julia Weiss as Lt. Rita King, Fairy with a Nice Face

Eli Mandel as Acting Chef Rip Stipley

Mary Cait Walthall as Dr. Zarlene Zonalzon

Matt Young as Captain Julius V. Baxter

Chris Rathjen as Cmdr. Corbomite Hayes

Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem

 

Edited by Nick Wagner

 

Direct download: IST157_Tinder.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 9:26pm CDT

Lt. Son faces his greatest test yet. Testing.

Improvised July 24th, 2016 from a suggestion by Tyson Thorp via Facebook

Edited by Chris Rathjen

 

Featuring

Griffen Eckstein as Lt. Son, Lt. Lackey
Dleanor Hollingsworth Counselor Rayvek, R'Vella
Sean Kelly as Lt. Carl, Lt. Cdr. Crick Watson, Cardassian
Eli Mandel as R.D., Rip Stipley
Chris Rathjen as Cdr. Corbomite Hayes, Past Proctor, Guild President, Dr. F'gaux
Julia Weiss as Lt. Rita King
Matt Young Cpt. Julius V. Baxter, The Proctor

Direct download: IST156_RescueDogTheDogThatRescues.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 6:00am CDT

The crew experiences trials, both in space and planet side, I do declare.

Improvised on November 16, 2016 from a suggestion by David Quinn via Facebook

Featuring

Sean Kelley as Lt. Cdr Crick Watson, J.A.G. Beauregard T. Dixison
Eli Mandel as Headman, Lt. Jeremy Swanson, Acting Lawyer Rip Stipley
Chris Rathjen as Cdr. Corbomite Hayes
Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem
Mary Cait Walthall as Dr. Zarlene Zonalson
Matt Young as Cpt. Julius Valentine Baxter, Lt. Greg

Sponsored by Cards Against Humanity, as part of the Chicago Podcast Coop.

Direct download: IST155_BeamMeUpBeforeYouGoGirl.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 6:00am CDT

Rip brings it in.

Improvised on January 8, 2017 from a suggestion by Rob Coffin

Featuring

Eli Mandel as Rip Stiply

Matt Young as Cpt. Julius Valentine Baxter

 

News

Direct download: ISTBonus_20170117_ActingCaptainRipStipley.mp3
Category:extras -- posted at: 7:00am CDT

An unexpected vessel brings unexpected complications for the Sisyphus; Lieutenant DuFarge has his day; Corbomite and Lorem take a walking tour.

This episode was improvised on October 23, 2016 from a title suggestion by Joe Redhead via Facebook.

Edited by Eric Scull

Starring:

Sherman Edwards as Brian Hemsworth
Dan Granata as Lt. DuFarge, Cdr. Toro
Eleanor Hollingsworth as Counselor Rayvek
Sean Kelley as Lt. Cdr. Crick Watson
Christopher Rathjen as Cdr. Corbomite Hayes, On*Lt.
Nick Wagner as Lt. Ch'arles Lorem
Matt Young as Cpt. Julius V. Baxter, EMH, Lt. Greg

This episode is sponsored by Cards Against Humanity, a member of the Chicago Podcast Co-Op.

Special Thanks to Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Gary Usher, and Fred Fassert.

Direct download: Ep_154__Abandoned_Ship.mp3
Category:episode -- posted at: 4:10am CDT

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