EVERY SATURDAY at 10am during Winter, Spring and Fall we invite teens to join us for weekly classes. Just $40 to drop in, almost every session includes open mic time to work stand up comedy routines plus 75-90 minutes of Improv Comedy. Register for full sessions and you will perform on our showcases for friends and family. Our more experienced performers also perform the monthly showcases listed above (Class Clowns)
Click Here for calendar of classes. Click on date/times and complete registration
http://www.thecomedykids.com/
Do you have a teen group interested in Improv Comedy?
We have shows and workshops in Times Square or we can send our cast to your school, camp or community center.
Theater groups, Birthdays (Sweet 16s, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs), Scouts, Teen Travel Camps, Student groups from around the world all love our programs.
At out Times Square are theater we have weekly public shows and we add private programs almost daily.
2019 Summer Camp Week Two Showcase after show bows/photo
Comedy Class Survival Guide
Walter’s #1 Rule: HAVE FUN but never at another’s expense. There are no mistakes in Improv, so you have nothing to fear. Let go of ego and insecurity. Suspend judgement of self and others. Improv is all about team.
Improv #1 Rule: “YES! AND…” We say yes to everyone and everything – the only exception is personal safety – we do not allow others to cause physical, mental or emotional harm to us. Improv requires we beyond respect each other. We focus on making our team mates looks great. We accept all for who they are, what they wear, the words they say etc. We are inspired by our scene partners, and in turn we offer big choices to inspire them in return. A scene becomes a simple give and take of choices built upon the foundation of previous choices.
LISTENING – Listening is the #1 skill in life – but especially in acting, singing, comedy, directing…. Even painting.
FOCUS – Focus will save your life in the theater. A lot of what we do is less structured that most jobs. But if we do not focus and stay present / aware, we can hurt ourselves and others.
MAKE BIG MISTAKES – well, not on purpose. This philosophy is all about not fearing failure. More so, never worry about those little mistakes. Take chances! Play at your 100% best at all times. If you make a mistake, LEARN FROM IT. If someone else makes a mistake, LEARN FROM IT. Let go of that horrible feeling. The world is not ending. Don’t make yourself or others feel bad for simple “OPPS” moments. (Leaving this typo in to make a point LOL). Recover quickly and push forward.
NEVER MAKE THE FACE – When I was 5, my piano teacher said, never stop and never make the face. If you don’t tell us you messed up, we never know (except your teacher and mom – can’t help you there lol)
Journal: Everything you need to succeed as a comedian is all around you. Keeping a journal allows you to track your observations and experiences. We create our own comedy text book. Observe our world. Record it. Record what you learn in comedy class – new games, stand-up ideas etc. Write about the good, the bad and the ugly. Journals help us process a very subjective world. Having some stage fright, write about it.
Click here for tickets!!! $20 includes off Broadway Improv Comedy Show by EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH plus soft drink and popcorn or hot dog. (Regularly priced $20 plus two drink minimum)
DAILY HOMEWORK
START EVERY DAY WITH A SMILE Enter a room with a smile and get many more in return. Don’t wait for the world to make you happy. Lead by example!
OBSERVE YOUR WORLD – EVERYTHING you need to do/know for Improv and Stand-Up Comedy is all around. Reporters report. Artist interpret. Record what you see in your journal.
STAND-UP COMEDY 101
Treat every class the way a comic treats an open mic. Open mics are where young comics hone their craft. We try new bits. We often fail miserably. We get up and try again. We get to hear the words we wrote. We flesh out our stories.
WHERE TO START? Simply brainstorm a list of things. Don’t edit. We are not trying to create the end product. We are simply vomiting ideas onto paper. What makes you mad? What makes you sad? What makes you laugh? What have you observed or experienced at school, home, work, vacation, in public places etc? Simply list a bunch of ideas. List about 10 different ideas.
Now just get on stage and start reading the list. Maybe start to tell us the story of what happened. Keep talking until you get the light (The universal comedy symbol for it’s time to get off stage). Finish the bit and go.
IMMEDIATELY open your journal and write – How did that go? What got a laugh? What got crickets (Dad Silence)? Now we start to edit our material a bit down to the best 3-4.
NOW we brainstorm details. For a story, think WHO WHERE WHAT. Characters? Setting? What Happened? Consider the five senses. What did you see, hear, smell, taste, touch?
Get back on stage and try out the best bits form last time with new detail. Then go back to the journal. How can we make this funnier?
ALL SIDES – try looking at your topics from all angles, different perspectives.
The Magic Three – Just like three points make a plane (geometry) or ELA teacher says to make three arguments to support a thesis in a book report, comedy likes the rhythm of three. What is over all theme? You need at least three points to support that theme, right? We can combine stories – take things from multiple events to form ONE CRAZY AMAZING STORY.
THE Nth DEGREE – Something happened. What worse COULD have happened? What could you have said? What could you have done better? What could you have done to make it worse?
Analogies – What is your story similar to? Finding similarities in seemingly different can be hilarious.
Heighten the Attitude – raise the intensity of the emotion driving this bit.
IMPROVISE! The reason comics use Open Mics to develop material is the audience. Respond in real time to your audience reactions. Listen! Comedy audiences are brutally honest. They let you know when something is funny. They often let you know when you are not.
Each season we will develop a new 2-3 minute routine. Have fun. Don’t expect to be show ready on day one. You have 8 weeks to craft your ideas. But you should never say “I’ve got nothing”. Be prepared. EVERY WEEK Brainstorm, organize thoughts, talk on stage, process that experience in your journal. SIMPLE!
Class Clowns is a comedy showcase for teens by teens! Featuring up and coming comics performing original stand-up comedy and improv.
NEXT SHOW Sunday, October 6 at 3pm Click here for tickets
FOLLOW on INSTAGRAM @classclownsnyc
Comedy Camp Final Week, Fall Classes 2019 QUICK LINKS – get discounted registration for classes and comedy show tickets by clicking links below
EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH Improv at LOL Times Square 711 7th Ave @ 47th Street. Fridays 5:30, Saturdays 5:30 fun for teens and older Click link for $5 tickets (reg $20) There is a two drink minimum.
EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH Improv at Broadway Comedy Club 318 West 53rd Street @ 8th Ave. Saturdays 3pm, Sundays 3pm, Wednesdays 1pm All ages friendly. Click link for $5 tickets (reg $25) There is a one drink minimum.
****Comedy Students are entitled to free tickets to ALL of our public shows!!!****
COMEDY CLASSES for KIDS & TEENS Monday 8/26-Thursday 8/29 9:30a-4pm $250 (reg $450/week) includes lunch, snacks and 2pm showcase on Thursday.
COMEDY 4 TEENS Fall Classes Saturdays 10am ages 13-17 COMEDY 4 KIDS Fall Classes Saturdays Noon ages 8-12
Fall classes start September 7 and run every Saturday thru the end of October. The students will showcase their original stand-up comedy and improv games on November 2, 2019. All fall students are invited to bonus / make up classes November 9, 16, 23. So if you attend every week that is 12 weeks of classes for JUST $200 (reg $250 – rates going up to $300 in 2020)
A division of Improv Theater LLC (AKA EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH Improv, LMAO Off Broadway, Improv 4 Kids, Improv 4 Teens) Shows & Classes in Times Square and Touring Nationwide.
While we are very proud of our students that have begun to get some national and professional notice in competitions and gigs on TV, commercials etc, we are much more excited to see all of our student become better students in all areas.
Improv and Stand-Up Comedy help students discover their best selves building self confidence, creative writing, critical thinking and public speaking. We offer weekly classes Winter, Spring and Fall, plus Summer Camps. We also have teachers at schools, camps and community centers on weekends and after school. Each session starts with Improvisation, playing games that are a ton of fun while teaching valuable life skills. These are the same games we play with corporate groups to develop better leaders, team building, sales, service etc. For our public sessions we include Stand-Up Comedy, taking stories of experience and observation, then crafting original comedy routines. Each session ends a performance showcase of original and improvised comedy skits. The classes and workshops integrate perfectly with cultural arts, language arts and character building/guidance programming.
Ethan Harkavy, Improv 4 Teens Student, on Netflix “Master of None” with Aziz Ansari
CLICK HERE for calendar of classes for kids/teens
– JUNE 12pm Bonus spring 2019 classes for kids & teens – FREE for those that registered for FULL spring session.
– CLICK HERE for July Camp Dates
– CLICK HERE for August Camp Dates
LIVE FROM TIMES SQUARE – Thinking about taking a class with the cast of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH? May see a show first and check out their style. FRIDAYS/SATURDAYS 7:30pm at LOL Times Square 711 7th Ave SATURDAYS/SUNDAYS 3pm at Broadway Comedy Club 318 West 53rd Street
The cast of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH delivers high energy fast paced interactive comedy improvised on the spot based on audience suggestions. Every 5 minutes the MC interacts directly with the crowd and you decide what the next scene or song is about. Politics, Sports, your favorite TV shows and films and New York City itself all serve as topical subjects. Many games require the help of audience volunteers on stage to more directly steer the comedy pros. NO TWO SHOWS ARE EVER THE SAME!
All professional comedy cast includes international talent from STAGE, TV and FILM including WALT FRASIER (Billions, Friends of the People, Royal Pains, Blue Bloods, Letterman, MTV), AMELIA FOWLER (Top Five w/ Chris Rock, Power, Bull, Mysteries of Laura, Orange is the New Black, Blue Bloods), THOMAS BURNS SCULLY (Comedy Central’s Broad City, HBO’s The Rock n’ Roll Project, and IVANA MENDEZ (StartUp on SONY Crackle, Wrecked on TBS).
Did you register for one of our winter and/or spring classes? Then you are welcome to all 4 classes in June at no extra charge. Registering for a full session entitles you to bonus classes AND free tickets to public shows. simply RSVP and we will have you on the list.
SUMMER CAMP
Join us for another summer of amazing fun with seven weeks of camp featuring improv, stand-up AND sketch comedy. Monday-Thursday classes start at 9:30 (drop off as early as 8:45a). Each day includes 2-3 90 minute classes alternating with watching the professionals perform for other summer camps via our field trip program and open-mic sessions where students perform for each other in a more formal mock performance style. On Fridays, after a warm-up, the entire camp is in get ready for a show mode. Morning sessions are focused on a dress rehearsal. Then every Friday at 2pm the campers take stage to perform for friends and family. Invite the world so we have an amazing audience. ONE Week $450, SEVEN weeks $1200
– Fridays/Saturdays 7:30pm (ages 13 and up) at LOL Times Square Comedy Club 711 7th Avenue (10036) at 47th Street – Saturdays / Sundays 3pm (ages 5 and up)Broadway Comedy Club 318 West 53rd Street (10019) at 8th Avenue
– Saturdays 10am Comedy 4 Teens Class
– Saturdays 12pm Comedy 4 Kids Class
– SUMMER CAMP for kids & teens starts July
Judah, a winner form last year, headlined the show with other winners form around the country. He has been touring with the team around the country. 11yo Carolyn won over 15 other new comics performing April 14, 2019 at Caroline’s on Broadway Comedy Club.
CLASSES for KIDS & TEENS
Improv and Stand-Up Comedy help students discover their best selves building self confidence, creative writing, critical thinking and public speaking. We offer weekly classes Winter, Spring and Fall, plus Summer Camps. We also have teachers at schools, camps and community centers on weekends and after school. Each session starts with Improvisation, playing games that are a ton of fun while teaching valuable life skills. These are the same games we play with corporate groups to develop better leaders, team building, sales, service etc. For our public sessions we include Stand-Up Comedy, taking stories of experience and observation, then crafting original comedy routines. Each session ends a performance showcase of original and improvised comedy skits. The classes and workshops integrate perfectly with cultural arts, language arts and character building/guidance programming.
The cast of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH delivers high energy fast paced interactive comedy improvised on the spot based on audience suggestions. Every 5 minutes the MC interacts directly with the crowd and you decide what the next scene or song is about. Politics, Sports, your favorite TV shows and films and New York City itself all serve as topical subjects. Many games require the help of audience volunteers on stage to more directly steer the comedy pros. NO TWO SHOWS ARE EVER THE SAME!
All professional comedy cast includes international talent from STAGE, TV and FILM including…
WALT FRASIER
Billions, Friends of the People, GMA, Royal Pains, Blue Bloods, Lilyhammer, Letterman, WE, MTV, NICK Dr Oz’s Fat Pants
AMELIA FOWLER
FILMs: Top Five (w/ Chris Rock), Learning to Drive (w/ Sir Ben Kingsley)
TV: Power, Bull, Mysteries of Laura, Orange is the New Black, Blue Bloods
THOMAS BURNS SCULLY
Comedy Central’s Broad City
HBO’s The Rock n’ Roll Project
Additional British comedy/theater/TV
IVANA MENDEZ
Film/TV: Start-Up (SONY Crackle), Wrecked (TBS), plus numerous comedy/theater/TV credits from Puerto Rico
It soon will be spring and that means student tour season is coming as well. The time when New York City is invaded by choirs, bands, theater troupe and other high school/middle school groups come to learn more about their craft and our little town. EMAIL your requests for group sales and private event (shows, workshops etc). Our theater is one block from the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and just 5 minute walk form Times Square and Columbus Circle trains, hotels and buses.
NYC PIZZA & IMPROV
Our most popular package combines two New York faves – GREAT pizza and AMAZING entertainment. Upon arrival you will be sat at great seats for our signature interactive musical comedy show, improvised based on audience suggestions and participation. Larger groups can book a private performance. Each guests will be serve pizza from a top local joint. NO TOURISTY FAKE PIZZA HERE!!! This is the pizza the locals eat.
The show resembles WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY but far more NYC flavored. Our performers are all professional stage artists – actors, singers, comics – many with TV credits.
This is ultimate in discovering the REAL New York. We are just a short walk to tourist central, Times Square but we are surround by local shops, restaurants and residential tree lined streets.
No one in New York City delivers this quality high impact programming at these rates. Most charge far more and deliver far less.
$25 includes VIP Seating at a public show (not the nose bleed seats usually given to students). Minimum 2 large slices and a beverage. These shows regularly cost $25 plus a drink minimum.
Saturdays/Sundays 1:3-4:30 (3pm show)
Mondays-Thursdays 5:30-8:30 (7pm Show)
FYI we have a number of catering options (We host corporate events with $50-200pp menus) but the students usually prefer the pizza.
ALSO Have dinner plans elsewhere? Show only tickets for student groups run $15 at matinees 20pp for evening shows.
LARGER GROUPS?
DAYTIME PRIVATE SHOWS starting at $600 for 50ppl
EVENING SHOWS $800 for 50ppl
ADD A WORKSHOP
Improv is a valuable tool for student groups. Improv is a must for any performer in 2019 – learning to be in the moment increases your audition, rehearsal and performance skills as well as creating an entirely new way to work as a performer – Improv Comedy. We also use Improv to teach student and corporate groups valuable life skills – creativity (story telling, critical out of the box thinking), community (team, respect, listening), leadership (public speaking, self-confidence) sales and service. Improv makes kids & teens better students in all areas of study.
PRIVATE WORKSHOPS Start at $300 – one teacher up to 2 hours is perfect for groups of 10-20, and perhaps a few more.
Add a 45-60 minute workshop before a show for as little as $5/student.
For some events occurring before 5pm we can even include the mini workshop for free. $750 for up to 30 guests to include show, mini workshop and pizza lunch. $25/additional guest.
We believe we have one of the coolest destination available to High School groups – at least that is what groups have told us for the last decade. We have schools from Canada, Australia and nationwide that return year round.
Our shows & workshops have a unique combo of feeling “Off the beaten path” while delivering high quality entertainment and educational value to students, parents and teachers from schools around the world. Because we are not on a traditionally known touristy block our rates are far less than many competitors.
Our style and talent base delivers the quality performer student travel groups expect from a professional New York show and we offer clean entertainment that can be approved by school groups. We offer 300+ shows/year for K12/family audiences. We also host corporate and college groups that also require clean content.
We have TWO primary components – the show and the workshop. Either is a great destination. Together a powerful experience. Here are our most popular options
Have you registered yet for winter comedy classes?
http://www.thecomedykids.com/
Improv and Stand-Up Comedy help students discover their best selves building self confidence, creative writing, critical thinking and public speaking. We offer weekly classes Winter, Spring and Fall, plus Summer Camps. We also have teachers at schools, camps and community centers on weekends and after school. Each session starts with Improvisation, playing games that are a ton of fun while teaching valuable life skills. These are the same games we play with corporate groups to develop better leaders, team building, sales, service etc. For our public sessions we include Stand-Up Comedy, taking stories of experience and observation, then crafting original comedy routines. Each session ends a performance showcase of original and improvised comedy skits. The classes and workshops integrate perfectly with cultural arts, language arts and character building/guidance programming.
$250 TUITION includes 8 weeks of classes (including a performance showcase on the 8th week), invitation to bonus master classes and free admission to professional performances by the cast of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH featuring your teachers (and sometimes a guest appearance by YOU). CLICK HERE for 20% off Discount Registration
WINTER COMEDY CLASSES NEW YORK NY 2019
BONUS CLASSES for all sections Saturdays February 16, 23
10am TEENS 12pm KIDS 8-12
In Town for winter break 2019, drop by our bonus classes with Sam & Ivana.
Improv and Stand-Up Comedy help students discover their best selves building self confidence, creative writing, critical thinking and public speaking. We offer weekly classes Winter, Spring and Fall, plus Summer Camps. We also have teachers at schools, camps and community centers on weekends and after school. Each session starts with Improvisation, playing games that are a ton of fun while teaching valuable life skills. These are the same games we play with corporate groups to develop better leaders, team building, sales, service etc. For our public sessions we include Stand-Up Comedy, taking stories of experience and observation, then crafting original comedy routines. Each session ends a performance showcase of original and improvised comedy skits. The classes and workshops integrate perfectly with cultural arts, language arts and character building/guidance programming.
NYC DOE PROGRAMING by EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH, IMPROV 4 TEENS IMPROV 4 KIDS
NYC DOE VENDOR #IMP928764
K12 EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS
We have been hosting New York area schools at our Times Square area theater since 2005. Each show is created on the spot based on audience suggestions and participation. Students are excited to see live comedy. In the process they are exposed to amazing music and theater.
WORKSHOP $300 up to 2 hours, 20 students, $15/additional student
While having a ton of fun playing Improv games, students learn creative writing, critical thinking, team communications, public speaking, listening, focus and self confidence. This is very similar to the workshop we present for corporate groups to develop team, leadership, sales and service skills. Full workshops recommended for grades 3 and up.
DAY TIME FIELD TRIPS $600 up to 50 students $12/Additional Student
10:30 Show is followed by a mini workshop element and time for students to eat their lunches in the theater
We have two theaters/casts and can seat up to 240ppl (inclusive of chaperones) at one time. SHows are fun for all ages Pre K and up. The shows are customized for the age group.
THE COMPLETE PACKAGE SHOW, WORKSHOP PIZZA for just $25/student
(minimum 10 students for group rates evening/weekends, minimum 30/$750 for daytime field trips)
Each group will get their own private teacher for a 60-minute workshop. Then enjoy NYC Pizza and beverage while helping create an original Improvised comedy show. The professional cast performs original skits and songs improvised on the spot based on audience suggestions and participation.
To book email us your choice of dates, number of students/chaperones, grade level and prefer program form the above. Ask about rates for larger groups Title 1 and other special needs.
IN SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
Improv 4 Kids played its first show when a Farmington, CT asked the cat of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH if they could play clean enough for an elementary school. In 2004 they played 4 Farmington Schools. Since then the cast has performed more than 6000 shows for K12 audience at schools, camps and community centers. A typical assembly runs 45 minutes, but we can offer up to 60 as per your schedule needs. The show is a series of 5-minute scenes and songs improvised based on audience suggestions. Most shows will invite as many as 20 students on stage to more directly steer the show.
NATIONAL BOOKING RATES – K12 SCHOOLS $800; COLLEGE/CORPORATE $1500-5000
NYC DOE RATES
$600 ONE SHOW up to 60 minute (1.5 hours with set-up) with four teaching artists.
$900 TWO SHOWS or SHOW/WORKSHOP COMBO 2.5 hours with set-up
$1500/DAY up to four shows/workshops (Can be split between sister schools) $6000/WEEK. Up to 20 shows/workshops, up to 10 schools
NO LIMIT on audience size providing school has sufficient sound system for the space. HOwever the show works best for audiences of <200.
Four teaching artist can work with up to 120 students for a single workshop
TECH NEEDS – Sound System designed for the space with 4 microphones (2 is enough for smaller spaces <100ppl). LArger theaters (500+) wireless lapels recommended. Piano or Keyboard (We can supply as needed)
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING
http://www.thecomedykids.com/
We have been presenting weekly classes in Times Square and at NYC Schools since 2009. These students become leaders in their schools, mastering self confidence, public speaking and team skills. These student become better students that listen, focus and participate in class discussions. Some of our students have appeared on TV and commercials. A few have been hired by our company after graduating.
SINGLE WORKSHOP $300 up to 2 hours, FULL DAY $500 TWO 2-hour sessions
Compress into a single week or weekly in school / after school sessions
Each two hour session can be for one group OR two back to back 45-60 minute sessions.
We can use any class room, but we do request a space that is not shared by other activities.
Let us host your class for a workshop or weekly programming at our Times Square area theater. Have a student that may be interested in our public programs? Contact us for discount rates.
Public programs include stand-up comedy writing and performance.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for TEACHERS
Groups from Microsoft BING, BDO, and JP Morgan Chase learn Improv to develop better team and individual skills for the work place.
Our professional development programming has two prime functions.
1) Our corporate style team building allows your staff to work together, better communicate with students and parents and better lead classroom discussions and lectures. We discuss psychological safety and other corporate team concepts. More advance sessions can deal with conflict resolution and other issues facing your specific team.
2) We teach how to use Improv in the classroom to engage students. As is, Improv games bring fun into the classroom. The laughter alone increases confidence and lowers stress and blood pressure. Improv teaches listening and focus. Rather than memorizing items for a test, engaged students absorb information and concepts. Use Improv to break the ice before a quiz or intense discussion. Use Improv to role play famous historical figures, characters from books and plays or demonstrate scientific principles. While we would love to work with every student every day, we understand this is not financially feasible. However learning to lead and teach Improv games is easy.
When the entire team – administration, teachers, staff and students – adopt YES AND… into their lives, the entire school changes. Suddenly all work together as a team. Everyone learns to listen and communicate their needs. Negativity due to lack of communication and understanding gives way to a collective goal.
A Scientific Case For Laughter
Humor and creativity work in similar ways, says humor guru William Fry, M.D., of Stanford University–by creating relationships between two disconnected items, you engage the whole brain.
For years we were all about being the most fun a school ever had on a field trip or at an assembly. Thank you notes told us we succeeded in this almost weekly. Then in recent years, thanks to feedback from teachers and parents, we realized we offered so much more, inspiring and teaching creativity, community and leadership. But now science tells us that perhaps our greatest gift to the students is the laughter!
What can laughter do?: Here are just some benefits for mental, physical and social health
Lower blood pressure
Increase vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood
Give a workout to the diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles
Reduce certain stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline
Increase the response of tumor- and disease-killing cells such as Gamma-interferon and T-cells
Defend against respiratory infections–reducing the frequency of colds–by immunoglobulon in saliva.
Increase memory and learning; in a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humor during instruction led to increased test scores
Improve alertness, creativity, and memory
In children social play is critical to the development of social skills and emotional intelligence. Restricted play results in deficient social skills which can lead to life-long physical, mental, emotional and social problems. Laughter promotes childlike playful behavior. New research shows that playful adults continue to learn social skills and improve their emotional intelligence. Learning requires that one lower what linguists call the “affective barrier.” You can’t be uptight and learn much. You have to ease up and laugh to create. FROM http://www.laughteryogaamerica.com/services/laughter-education-733.php
Our program (should) always begins with a show demonstrating the art of Improv Comedy, getting the entire student body and staff laughing together. Workshops and Master Classes teach the basics of Creativity, Community and Leadership. Residencies develop future leaders while preparing for a public performance with in depth discovery into creative writing and thinking, public speaking, self-confidence and more. Professional Development programming gives your staff the tools to continue the work long after we move on to the next school.
Improv comedy shows & workshops pair well with a number of school programs.
Comedy is only the beginning
CULTURAL ARTS
Our Improv shows & workshops, while disguised as modern comedies, are actually amazing music and theater programs. Our brand of Improv is basically a modern presentation of vaudeville. Creating laughs with bigger than life characters and stories. Every show includes 3-4 songs – madrigal, blues and irish jig just to name a few. Our longer shows include a mini Broadway Musical improvised on the spot.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Improv is a powerful tool to teach language arts, both written and spoken. Improv is storytelling. In addition to learning how to perform – public speaking, listening etc, we need to create original characters, setting and plots. We teach how to be creative, how to avoid writer’s block, and how to build an idea into a full story. In our simplest games (One WOrd STory etc) we are teaching how to use good grammar, diction and projection.
CHARACTER BUILDING
One of the most powerful aspects of Improv is building self confidence. We create a fun safe space where students can create and play. We discovered the concept of Psychological Safety in our Corporate programming. We now bring this into our K12 workshops as well As a result they learn to overcome fears of failure and judgement. They learn it is OK to mess up, and by not freaking out, better learn from mistakes. These skills pour over to create team and leadership skills. We have presented many workshops and shows in line with anti-bully programming. By building self confidence one eliminates a major factor that creates both bullies and victims.
HAVE FUN! But NEVER at another’s expense!
In 2015, Google released the findings of its four year study, Project Aristotle. The biggest takeaway is the importance of Psychological Safety to team success. Improvisations #1 rule, “YES! And…” is all about psychological safety. Playing a series of games, Improv teaches us to work together without ego and insecurity. We make bold choices that support and build upon our team’s offerings.
YES AND… & PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY
PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY + PERFORMANCE DRIVE = THE LEARNING ZONE “YES! And…” is rule #1 in Improvisation. “YES! And…” is all about team communications and performance. Psychological Safety is recognized as the #1 determining factor behind team success. (See Project Aristotle)
“YES!” is all about accepting your colleagues and their contributions to the team. “YES” is Psychological Safety! As we play Improv games we are all equals, regardless of age, experience, race, creed, personality etc. We create a safe space and level playing field for all to play. We accept our colleagues 100% as is. EVERYTHING they say and do. We do not judge. We do not fear.
“AND…” is all about contributing valuable work and information to the team. We are not going to let our colleagues do all the work by simply saying “YES!” We are going to take this to the next level by accepting our colleagues work “AND…” build with our own contributions, supporting everything that comes before our new addition.”AND…” is Performance Drive, coming from within.
When the whole team embraces “YES! And…” we enter the learning zone together. The entire team is now personally engaged in the success of the team. This brings out the best in all of us. We leave ego and insecurity behind. We trust ourselves and our team. We now are hyper focused on team success and its goals. The entire team accepts and overcomes challenges together. We do not fear challenges, we are not overwhelmed. The entire team wins.
The past two pages were written with our corporate programming in mind. More and more we are able to bring this valuable concept to students and teachers!
Teen Improv Comedy Programs After School and Weekends NYC. We have amazing programs for teens and student groups in Manhattan and touring nationwide. EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH has performed over 5000 shows for K-12/Family Audiences since 2003 as well as touring colleges, corporate events and performing off-Broadway. QUICK LINKS
– PUBLIC SHOWS Click Here for calendar and discount tickets
– PUBLIC CLASSES Click here for calendar and discount registration
– LONG ISLAND SHOWS Click Here NEW****
– LONG ISLAND CLASSES Click Here for calendar and discount registration
Scroll down for some very special FALL 2018 discount offers!!!
Teen Improv Comedy Programs After School and Weekends NYC
Improv comedy shows are a ton of fun. So are taking classes and dropping in for workshops. The laughter alone brings joy and health benefits. The lessons of Improv reach far deeper, however, presenting students a fun way to learn valuable life skills – self confidence, creative writing, critical thinking, community / team skills, leadership, public speaking, listening, focus, respect etc.
We offer public shows on the weekends and add shows almost daily for student groups during the day and afternoon/evening times. For larger groups (40+) we can add a show almost any time. For smaller groups we offer amazing deals at public shows and often add public shows with enough notice (2+ weeks pending calendar avails).
Programs available at your school, camp and/or community centers include private and public shows, workshops, weekly shows and professional development.
FALL SPECIALS in TIMES SQUARE
FIELD TRIPS AND GROUP SALES
JUST $20pp (minimum group of 10 at public shows, 35 to add show to calendar) for Show, Workshop and Pizza Party. Regularly priced $25-30 for non-profits ($50 for corporate groups). Weekends – Saturdays/Sundays 1:30 Workshop, 2:30 Pizza, 3pm Show After School – Monday-Thursday 4:30 Workshop, 5:30 pizza, 6pm Show Weekends and after schools shows great for teens groups, scouts, YMCA/JCC travel groups etc ALSO Birthday parties!!! Field Trips – 7 days/week before 5pm we can add a show for groups of 35 or more. Great for schools. We present shows for all ages. Workshops great for grades 3 and up. FREE Chaperone admission for every 10 students!!!
FALL SPECIALS at ANY NYC LOCATION
$600 for TWO hours at the school (reg $900), camp, library, community center.
Present two shows back to back or show & workshops combo. We will send you 4 teaching artists. Each 45-60 minute show is perfect for up to 250 students. Each 45-minute workshop session great for up to 100 students.
We send shows to schools year round for $600 (ONE show), $900 for TWO Shows, $1600 day of shows/workshops (up to 4 45-minute sessions)
PUBLIC CLASSES in TIMES SQUARE & LONG ISLAND
Saturdays 10am Comedy 4 Teens Saturdays 12pm Comedy 4 Kids Sundays 6pm Comedy 4 Kids LONG ISLAND
Our classes for kids & teens include both Improv & Stand-Up Comedy training. By combining the two, students receive a comprehensive education in creative writing and critical thinking while developing strong community and leadership skills – team, public speaking, self confidence, respect, listening, focus, eye contact and more. Drop in for just $40.
Full session $250 include 8 weeks of classes, performance showcase for friends and family, FREE admission to bonus master classes added between sessions and get FREE tickets to public professional shows.
SUMMER CAMP for KIDS & TEENS
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO. We have ONE more week in 2018.
Saturdays February 16, 23
