CLICK HERE to register for February 17-21 Winter Comedy Camp. Ages 7-17 welcome. Daily registration includes lunch and snacks. Full week includes performance showcase on Friday. You can also register now for Spring Break April 13-17 and Summer Camps, nine weeks starting June 29.
February 17-21 Winter Comedy Camp
We have been running summer comedy camps since 2014. This summer we will have nine weeks. February 17-21 will look similar. Sign up for a day, or the full week.
Monday-Thursday Feb 17,18,19,20
8:45 early drop offs and open mic, Microphones are on for anyone wanting extra stand up practice.
9:30 official start time. After a brief morning roll call, we start our Improv comedy class. Every improv session starts with warm ups and technique building games. Each session will include playing at least one performance game.
11:30-1pm Lunch and open mic. We take a solid 30-minute lunch break. The rest of the time is dedicated to stand up comedy. Monday starts with sharing a story of personal experience or observation. Throughout the week we build that into an original comedy routine.
1pm Afternoon Improv Comedy. After a brief warm up/focus game, we jump back into performance games.
2:45 snacks
3pm Fun Time. Once a week campers watch a professional show by EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH Improv, featuring teachers and counselors. Other days teen counselors run various team bonding games. Mafia is a favorite. Typical camp fun time.
4-5pm late pick ups as needed for working parents.
Fridays
Friday is show day.
8:45 early drop off and open mic
9:30 warm up
9:45 Dress Rehearsal. Run a mock show
11:30 notes
12:30pm lunch break and free time
1:30 house opens for show. Invite family and friends. Campers help seat
2pm Showcase. Each camper will perform their stand up comedy and a few Improv Games. Video of show will be posted unlisted for parents and grandparents that could not make the show.
A monthly showcase of our top students. Next show March 1. CLICK HERE to schedule and tickets.
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
Interactive improv comedy is the perfect birthday for any theater fan. We host groups at our public shows in Times Square, private events at our NYC Theater and send shows anywhere in New York and surrounding counties – Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey.
HIGHLY INTERACTIVE!!!
Our show features top talent, most with TV and/or Film Credits performing hilarious musical comedy skits and songs improvised on the spot based on audience suggestions and participation.
Our most popular package is our Pizza Party. For groups of 10 or more we offer our VIP ticket for just $25 (regularly priced $50pp). We have the best seats in the house waiting for you upon arrival along with pizza (the BEST NYC pizza in midtown delivered from Luigi’s) and a non alcoholic beverage. This package is available Saturdays/Sundays 3pm at the Broadway Comedy Club (318 West 53rd Street).
Saturday Nights at 7:30 at LOL Times Square (711 7th Ave). We have a new series in Times Square. Tickets for this show run $20 and requires a 2 drink minimum. For teen groups of 10 or more- birthdays, student travel, theater groups, etc – we offer a $5 ticket. The venue has a fairly extensive menu that includes sandwiches, personal pizzas and lots of shareable finger foods.
Whether booked with a show or as a stand alone event Improv workshops are also a ton of fun. We host groups almost daily and offer public classes as well. Playing a series of theater games, we develop strong understanding of Improv performance as well as life skills – creative writing, critical thinking, self-confidence, public speaking, listening and so much more. We offer these same programs to corporate groups to teach team, leadership, sales and service.
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.
Shaping Young Minds Since 2011
FALL 2018 started Sept 8. If you want to join late email us ASAP eightimprov@gmail.com
SHOWCASES October 27, Bonus Classes November 3, 10, 17 at NOON for all sections
WINTER CLASSES 2019
January 5, 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2, SHOWCASE March 9.
Winter class has 2 weeks built in to accommodate our usual 8-week program for Multiple 3-day weekends, winter break and weather issues.
SPRING CLASSES 2019
March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, May, 4, 11 SHOWCASE May 18. Spring classes have a strict 8 week schedule to get the showcase in before Memorial Day. However we will ad FOUR weeks of bonus classes open to all students from 2018/2019 sessions.
TEEN SUMMER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Have you been a student of ours for the past few years? We have a new program that started in 2018. Teens available for four or more weeks of camp get a scholarship for extremely reduced registration fees in exchange for helping teachers manage classes as you learn all aspects of running comedy shows and classes – MC Games and Open Mics/Stand-Up Comedy, House Manage, Basic Stage Tech and play more advanced games, training to be future professional cast members with EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH. In interested, EMAIL Walt Frasier eightimprov@gmail.com Students will be vetted by entire teaching staff. To be considered one must exhibit leadership and team qualities – on and off stage – rising above and beyond expectations in our teen classes/students.
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!
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. Regular students – those signed up for FULL week of camp or 8-week winter, spring or fall sessions – invited to perform at the club, FREE admission to bonus masterclasses classes added between sessions and get FREE tickets to public professional shows.
Kenan Thomson from SNL wants you to join him on stage this Sunday in NYC
Calling all students from our classes in NYC and Long Island. Are you in town this Sunday? Do you want to get on stage with Kenan Thompson (SNL, Kenan and Kel, All That). The producers have contacted us directly looking for some fresh comedy faces from our classes to perform THIS SUNDAY. Contact Walter ASAP if interested at eightimprov@gmail.com
Kenan Thomson from SNL wants you to join him on stage this Sunday in NYC
Actor and comedian Kenan Thompson’s “Road to NYC” nationwide talent search for kid and adult comedians will culminate with a grand finale show at Times Square comedy hotspot Carolines on Broadway (1626 Broadway at 49th Street) on Sunday, May 6 with shows at 4:00 p.m. (kids) and 6:00 pm (adults). The event is presented by Atlanta-based Simply C Productions, LLC.
Kenan Thompson’s “Road to NYC” launched in 2011 when Thompson and his friend, executive producer Cherie Chiles-Buchanan, invited young comedians to come to New York to spend time with Kenan at SNL and to perform at a comedy club in the city. Since then, there have been comedy showcases in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Miami.
As part of the “Road to NYC” search, two youth winners and two adult winners will be attending SNL on May 5 (the kids will attend the dress rehearsal and the adults will attend the live show). Thompson will have one-on-one meetings with all of the winners at the show.
The 4:00 p.m. kids show will feature a special performance by Instagram sensation Russell Horning, aka “The Backpack Kid,” best known for his SNL appearance with Katy Perry.
Kenan Thomson will host the 6:00 p.m. adult show that will feature special celebrity guests.
To purchase tickets to Kenan Thompson’s “Road to NYC” visit www.carolines.com. For more information, call 212.757.4100. Ticket price includes a special VIP reception with complimentary food and drinks with celebrity guests.
“I’m so thrilled that we have engaged so many talented performers at our various events across the country!” Thompson said. “We’ve found some great comedians during our search and I can’t wait to share in their excitement of performing in New York City for the very first time!”
Kenan Thompson is in his 15th season on “Saturday Night Live,” making him the show’s longest-running cast member.
Thompson has made numerous contributions to the show with his slew of hilarious impressions that include Rev. Al Sharpton, Charles Barkley, Steve Harvey and David Ortiz, and by playing memorable characters such as D.J. Dynasty Handbag, the scathingly fierce co-host of “Deep House Dish,” boisterous second wife Virginiaca Hastings and “Weekend Update” correspondent Jean K. Jean.
Thompson recently garnered praise from audiences for playing characters Lorenzo McIntosh, a convict who uses “scare tactics” with delinquents, and D’Andre Cole, the disruptive singing talk show host on the wildly popular sketch “What Up with That?” In 2017 Thompson received an Emmy nomination for co-writing “Last Christmas” from the popular “Jingle Barack” sketch.
A native of Atlanta, Thompson made his television debut as a member of Nickelodeon’s all-kid sketch comedy series “All That.” He and his partner Kel Mitchell debuted on a spin-off show, “Kenan and Kel,” in 1996. Thompson also had a recurring role on the WB’s “Felicity.”
Thompson showcased his voice talents as Greedy Smurf in the animated films “The Smurfs” and “The Smurfs 2.” His past projects include starring opposite Samuel L. Jackson in “Snakes on a Plane,” “Wieners” and “The Magic of Belle Isle” with Morgan Freeman. Thompson has also lent his voice to the animated comedy “Space Chimps,” the television series “Sit Down, Shut Up” and the Kobe Bryant/LeBron James Nike puppet campaign during the 2009 NBA Playoffs. Other feature film credits include “Fat Albert,” “D2: The Mighty Ducks,” “Good Burger,” “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle,” “Brother Nature, ” “Heavyweights,” “My Boss’s Daughter,” “Barbershop 2,” “Going in Style ” and “They Came Together.” He was the voice of Austin “Impresario” Sullivan in the Hulu animated series “The Awesomes” and Riff in the film “Rock Dog.”
Thompson lives in Florida and New York City with his wife and daughter.
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!!!
From November 4, 2017 comedy showcase from our Times Square NYC fall classes. EMAIL us for more info about shows, classes and more.
Our students develop these routines all by themselves. We help direct our kids and teens to better performances and give them some basic structure. We help find better ways to tell a story. We sometimes step in to say a certain idea/claim is factually incorrect, because the young mind has not been exposed to certain truths yet. But sometimes you just have to let the mind of this 10 year old go. I also tell our students if what you do is funny – if it works – EVERY rule can be broken. The best artist redefine the rules for their own work and generation. Only a egomaniac of a teacher stands in the way of progress and creativity for the sake of technique (too many of those in acting as is).
See both shows (NOON kids and 10am teens programs) from Nov 4 in full CLICK HERE
NEW – LONG ISLAND CLASSES
Sundays 6pm Comedy 4 Kids & Teens
Improv Comedy Class for kids & teens.. These were previously private programs now open to the public. Great group of students already meet every Sunday night. COME PLAY WITH US!!! All students are invited to bring their family to our professional shows Saturdays/Sundays at 3pm in NYC
http://www.thecomedykids.com/
TIMES SQUARE classes winter session starts January 6, 2018
NYC Comedy Classes include instruction in both Improvisation and Stand-Up Comedy. Each week students play various warm-up, technique and performance Improv games designed to teach performance and life skills. We run 8-week programs (actually 9-11 weeks with bonus classes and showcase) Winter, Spring and Fall as well as Summer Camp. Regular students also receive FREE tickets for the whole family to our public shows by the professional cast.
WINTER 2018 Registration includes
January 6, 12, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24
Bonus Classes March 3, 10
Showcase 17
Over 6000 professional Improv Comedy Shows in Times Square and touring nationwide since 2002. The cast of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH
COME BE A PART OF THE SHOWS
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
Field Trips to Times Square
Touring K-12 Schools, Camps and Community Centers
Workshops
After School Programming
Residencies
Professional Development for Teachers
NYC DOE VENDOR via Improv Theater LLC
Improv 4 Kids / Improv 4 Teens plays 300+ shows for K-12 groups in Times Square and touring Schools, Camps and Community centers throughout the New York City Tri-State Area and beyond. We host student groups for day time field trips and at our public shows. We present school assemblies, PTA Nights, Fundraisers and more. Many schools use our teaching artists for after school programming where we recreate our public classes. EMAIL us for more info about shows, classes and more.
Saturdays February 16, 23
