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.
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. $40 to drop in, $250 includes 8-week sessions, with performance showcase, FREE admission to bonus master classes and FREE tickets to public professional shows. Bring this program to your school/community center. Our teachers are in residency all over the NYC area. EMAIL for more info
Upcoming Performances EMAIL for more info on shows, classes, group sales, private events and touring company needs.
TUESDAYS 7pm LMAO ALL STARS Times Square NYC LMAO is back in Times Square. The cast of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH veterans take stage with interactive musical comedy. Many guests invited on stage to play. The show ends with an Improvised musical. Popular
destination for college and corporate groups. PG-13 comedy OK for teens and older but designed for 18yo+. $25 plus TWO drink min
SATURDAYS/SUNDAYS 3pm Times Square NYC EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH takes stage for interactive musical comedy show based on audience suggestions and participation. Bring the whole family! Popular destination for birthday parties, student groups, families,
scout groups etc. $25 plus a ONE drink minimum.
IMPROV 4 KIDS Farmingdale, Long Island, NY Sundays 7pm Sept 9, Nov 4. Bring the whole family! $25 ticket includes general admission to the show, pizza and other snacks, and FREE workshop at 6pm. 3 and under FREE with adults. Workshop recommended for 8yo
and up. $25 includes all. No additional purchase required.
STAND-UP COMEDY at the Broadway Comedy Club $25 plus two drink minimum
FREE CLASS Comedy 4 Kids, Teens Long Island Manhattan
MAY 20, 2018 SUNDAY 6pm Farmingdale Long Island New York CLICK HERE to register this class for free. If you enjoy the session, speak with teacher about signing up for the remainder of classes. FREE CLASS avail to NEW students only.
OTHER UPCOMING CLASSES with
DISCOUNT REGISTRATION LINKS
http://www.thecomedykids.com/
Classes regularly $40 to drop in, $150 for 4-week 1/2 session, $250 for full Session – Mini and full sessions include performance showcases, bonus classes and free tickets to professional shows. Classes include both Improv & Stand-Up Comedy. Each session students play warm-up, technique building and performance Improv Theater games. We try to introduce at least one completely new game each session for returning students. Most weeks students participate in a mini open mic style session where students share original stories of experience and observation, which are crafted into original stand-up comedy routines by showtime. Click highlighted links for discount registration.
SUNDAYS 6pm COMEDY 4 KIDS Long Island May 20, June 3, 10, 17, 24
SATURDAYS 10am COMEDY 4 TEENS Manhattan SOLD OUT
SATURDAYS 12pm – COMEDY 4 KIDS Manhattan Part Two JUNE 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
JUNE 30 – Student Appreciate Day – All students from all spring sessions and there families are invited to our 3pm public shows featuring your teachers and other performers from EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH. There is a one drink minimum per guest but the tickets (reg $25) and pizza are on us. Fun time to get to know students / families from other classes. This Spring we have over 40 families and over 50 students involved in public classes (Not counting the 100s of students from our programs at area schools after school programs etc) and 1000s of students via workshops for school groups.SUMMER COMEDY CAMP Manhattan Starting July 9 CLICK HERE to sign up for SIX WEEKS Just $2200 July 9-13 July 16-20 July 23-27 July 30-August 3 August 6-10 August 13-17
Bring these classes to your School / Camp
We have a growing number of schools and camps hosting our programs on their campus. Whether a one time workshop or residency, our teachers deliver the same high quality programming for kids & teens as well as professional develop for teachers and staff.
FIELD TRIPS
Bring our student group to our Manhattan Times Square / Columbus Circle area for shows, workshops and more.
PUBLIC SHOWS
EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH performs weekly at the Broadway Comedy Club, 318 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019. Most shows are fun for all ages.
SUMMER CAMP 2018 Improv Stand-Up and Sketch Comedy for Teens & Kids EMAIL for more information about public classes, summer camp private workshops and educational shows & workshops for schools,camps and community centers. In addition to offering our own summer camp we host groups daily for shows and workshops as well as send shows and teachers throughout the New York area, as well as Washington DC, Philladelpia, PA and Boston MA markets and beyond.
$500 includes 5 days of classes, 9:30a-3:30p in Improv, Stand-Up, Sketch Comedy (NEW in 2018) Watching Professional Shows, Performance Showcase on Friday at 1pm, Lunch & Snacks. Early Drop off starting at 8:45. Late pick up till 4pm
Sign up for multiple weeks and save – $150 off for TWO Weeks, $400 off for FOUR weeks, $800 off for SIX weeks
Look for our teachers at your local camp programs, too!AUGUST 6-9 in Southern Jersey / Philadelphia burbs
Mini Camp Mt Laurel NJ 9:30-11:30 CLICK HERE
Mini Camp Cherry Hill NJ 2-4pm CLICK HERE
Join us for one or more weeks of camp and dive into a full comedy program with daily classes in Improv Comedy, Open Mic style sessions in Stand-Up Comedy performance and NEW this summer, classes in Sketch Comedy writing and performance.
Over the course of a week, in addition to developing creative writing and live performance skills, students are trained in public speaking, team work, listening, focus, and more. Students develop self confidence and respect, returning to school in the fall as leaders.
What can students expect at camp?
Monday thru Thursday, (see below for Friday schedule) for students arriving as early as 8:45am, we allow use of the stage to work on stand-up routines and encourage students to continue work writing in journals.
Starting at 9:30 am we run a morning warm-up and Improv Comedy Session. The students will play a series of games that develop both team and individual skills before playing performance games that may be played in the final showcase. Every week we introduce at least 1 new game while review games returning students have played in the past.
Around 11am students participate in a open mic style session, where each can share a story with the group. In each Open mic session we work towards turning stories of experience and observation into original comedy routines by weeks end.
By noon each day students are enjoying lunch. We provide a rotating menu of sandwiches, pizza and more. We try to accommodate special dietary needs but have limited resources and recommend strict dietary needs be met by food from home.
Last year we expanded our scope, introducing students to musical Improv styles
New for Summer Camp 2018, students will be exposed to classic sketch comedy routines (Abbott & Costello, Lucille Ball, as well as encouraged to try writing their own sketches. This process starts in the same way as stand-up comedy – brainstorming from personal experience and observation for sketch ideas.
In the remaining time each day we have additional Improv and Open Mic Time. At least once per week students enjoy the professional cast of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH perform.
Fridays are all about preparing and performing a showcase. In the morning students write and mock-perform a show. During lunch break our teachers provide notes and ideas to help sharpen the performance. Family and friends are invited to the afternoon performance. We video every show and provide links to you to share with friends and family that could not make the performance.
CLICK ABOVE LINKS, Select Class day/time. Select registration option. Proceed to check out.
Saturdays 10am COMEDY 4 TEENS CLASS Times Square NYC
Saturdays 12pm COMEDY 4 KIDS CLASS Times Square NYC
Sundays 6pm COMEDY 4 KIDS/TEENS CLASS Farmingdale, Long Island
SUMMER CAMP 2018 Times Square NYC Starts July 9
WINTER CLASS SHOWCASES
March 17 (NYC) ; March 18 (LONG ISLAND) Talk to your teachers this weekend about specific times.
INVITE THE WORLD so all can have a great audience.
STUDENT APPRECIATION DAYS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Saturday March 24 Winter Classes; Saturday May 26 Spring Classes Open to all students and families from ALL classes for kids/teens
1pm Master Class with Walt Frasier, Artistic Director
2:30 PIZZA PARTY for students and families – The whole family is invited for the 3pm Show. We will get pizza. There is a 1 drink minimum/guest at the show. RSVP ASAP Family Name and number of attendees for the class and show. Tickets to the show (reg $25pp) and pizza are on us for all that have attended the entire session and their families. We ask all purchase a beverage ($5-15/drink plus tax/tip includes plenty of non alcoholic options) before show starts to go with the pizza.
SPRING SESSIONS Start April 7/8
PLEASE NOTE: In the past we have often lost students for Spring Showcases in June, so we will be running Showcases before memorial day with lots of classes after the 3 day weekend.
We may run a second showcase, if there is interest, at the end of June as well.
FEES
$40/week
$150/Month (4 weeks)
$250/10-12 weeks of classes, performance and FREE tickets to professional show
MAY 26 1p-4:30p Student Appreciation Day (See Above)
BONUS/MAKE-UP CLASSES in June 3, 10
Our LI program is small so we can only build in a couple bonus classes, however you are welcome to join us in the city at any time for Saturday programs as make-up sessions
When you are in school, every thing has a clear beginning middle and end. Each semester has that first day of orientation, followed by weeks of classes, ending with a final exam. Along the way their are lectures, class projects, homework assignments, term papers, pop quizzes, and major section tests. But by the end of the semester/year there is a clear arc. The next semester may or may not relate to this semester – except for math of course.
If you were to do a play in school, you have auditions, first read through, rehearsals, tech week, opening night and just a few days later, closing night. Then you are left with that feeling of “NOW WHAT?” or something we called in school “POST MORTEM”. It is that feeling you get when you go form intense 24/7 schedule to nothing and you grasp for purpose. As a young artist it is difficult to see past this next 24 hours.
THERE IS NO END TO PROCESS
As a professional every show becomes just another show. This is not to say they are not as special. But the more shows you do the more important you pick up and continue living. Same goes true with your material.
No open mic or show is ever the finished product. The process of creating new material, developing it and performing for a real audience is never ending.
I want our students to stop thinking of each class cycle as a time to create 2-3 more minutes of material that will be performed once on the last day of class and never again.
Instead think of every open mic session as a show, and adopt this process.
Every time you get on stage try something new – EVERY TIME! Never waste a second of stage time.
Before getting up on stage jot down a few things you want to talk about. If you have a routine that has been worked on for a few sessions, outline your work before getting on stage. Collect your thoughts. Maybe you want to work on some old material form a year ago and perfect it. CLOSE YOUR EYES and envision yourself succeeding as a comic on that stage.
HAVE FUN UP THERE!!!
Take stage. Attack the stage with a fierceness – even if your style is to be Steven Wright-ish. Grab that microphone and show us what you’ve got to offer.
The second you get off stage, then take a moment to reflect what just happened.
How did the audience respond to the material? It is not always about getting a laugh. Especially with new material. Perhaps you have not found the funny yet, but did the audience seem to care about your story? Did they react to it at all?
Remember, Open Mic sessions are not the best reads for material. The room is filled with other comics hopelessly worried about their material. So if you get a laugh at a Mic, right that down; but even if they look up and take notice, that can be something too.
DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!
Last weekend a 10 year old comic presented a potentially VERY compelling argument having to deal with Star Wars. The comic was on to a great idea, except the support for the argument literally was “THIS” and “THAT”. A couple things said were just not true. Working against him is the fat that he is 10 years old and I am a 45 year old Star Wars geek. That being said I told the comic I do not necessarily disagree with the basic premise of the story. About 10 minutes on google could remedy this problem.
One of the reasons I love stories about personal experiences and observations is that they are never wrong. This thing happened to you. As a comic you may exaggerate reality a bit for the laugh, but it is your personal story mixed with fiction. There is no wrong.
The second you start talking pop-culture – especially in today’s world of social media and comic cons, where geeks know WAY TOO MUCH about their favorite shows and movies and performers – you need to get your facts straight. How you interpret those facts – YOUR OPINIONS – is fair game.
Same goes true with history and politics, even in this world of #fakenews and #alternativefacts.
When you make an argument for or against a real thing, the facts have to be accurate. You can make bizarre analogies, interpretations and conclusions but make sure your facts are solid.
These days this takes 2-5 minutes (10 at the most) on google. Don’t be lazy.
OR…
At least have “alternate facts” that sound real for the sake of comedy. I hate this in politics and news media, but in fiction ANYTHING GOES. It’s just sad that politics and news media appears to be more like fiction every day.
These FAKE FACTS need to be totally convincing. It can be fun to watch an audience scratch their heads and wonder “Wait, is that true?”
Warning: their will be backlash from some, but some artists want that. Like I said above, it is not always about getting a laugh. As artists we have the ability to make folks think and feel. The emotion – laughter or otherwise – is what keeps most coming back. Many like to be challenged intellectually, though. Without the wink, they will see what your doing and love it. Always Be Creating!
But it all begins with process.
Always Be Creating: Brainstorm some new ideas every week.
Get yourself to an OPEN MIC or otherwise get on stage as often as possible to try out these ideas with an audience.
Continue to flesh out the ideas on stage and paper.
EVERY TIME you get on stage try something new – new material, new way of presenting old material, changing a single word for a certain effect, changing the pace/rhythm of the same words.
Comedy is more trial and error than scientific method, but like a scientist, TRACK EVERYTHING in your journals, so you can make educated strategy the next time you take stage.
Don’t wing it. Always have plan. When that plan derails due to the audience or other factors, let those moments breathe. Don’t panic. Just keep talking. Trust yourself and see/hear/feel what happens.
AGAIN when you get off stage record the good, the bad, the ugly. What worked? Bombed? What new thing was exciting to you and the audience?
The cycle never ends till the day you stop doing comedy.
JOURNALING YOUR IMPROV COMEDY
I focus on Stand-Up with this blog because it is easier to see the process, but Improv Comedy and Acting should have a journal process as well.
Every time you take stage, record the experience in your journal.
Where did the scene take place and how did you interact with your environment?
What was the relationship and how did you and your scene partners play that relationship?
What was your character? Is this a character you might want to try again in a different scenario? Did they have a job? How Old? How was this character like you? How different?
WHAT HAPPENED? Did you have a strong action choice?
PANTOMIME? Did you create a strong WHO, WHERE WHAT with your physical performance as much as your words?
Always Be Creating
Actors can double and triple their time in classes and rehearsals with a few simple journal entries. By taking a second to write down an experience that experience is melded to your memory core. Days,weeks, and sometimes years later, you will call upon this moment to support a new moment.
PS Remember you homework! Start every day with a smile. AS my students it is your job to make the rest of the world smile and laugh. NEVER wait for the world to make you smile. It will too often disappoint. But more of us making the world smile makes for a better world!!!
Saturdays February 16, 23
