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.
OH MY! Mick delivers a hilarious routine. You will never think of pet stores the same
From November 4, 2017 comedy showcase from our Times Square NYC fall classes. EMAIL us for more info about shows, classes and more.
See both shows (kids and 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.
AMAZING stand-up routine in which Christian has hit bottom with his addiction – Video Games.
From November 4, 2017 comedy showcase from our Times Square NYC fall classes, this amazing stand-up performance by Christian shows the ills of playing too many video games. Christian has previously been a student of our kids’ classes for 23 years. At age 13 he is already a star among our teens. At this rate we expect Christian – and a few of his classmates – may join the ranks of 3 former students now performing shows with our professional cast. Another student has already booked his first TV gig at age 13. EMAIL us for more info about shows, classes and more. See both shows (kids and teens programs) from Nov 4 in full CLICK HERE
NEW – LONG ISLAND CLASSES
FORMING THIS WEEK
Sundays 6pm Comedy 4 Kids & Teens
New session starts November 5, 2017 – 5 week sessions in Improv Comedy for kids & teens for just $100. 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.
We now have two NYC venues great for a Birthday Party. Interactive Improv Comedy is the perfect party for any comedy and/or theater fan. Our cast is filled with professional singers/actors/comics that create an original show based on your suggestions and participation. VIP Seating guarantees your guests will be the focus of audience interactions. Private Party reserves our theater and cast for 2 hours. Want to go alla carte? Our general admission $5 discount ticket offerings via Improv 4 Teens is actually better than most of our group rate offers. We will still recognize your birthday VIP in the crowd but does not guarantee special seating, etc. General Admission tickets at any rate require a drink purchase (Two Drink Minimum for evening shows).
$300 for 10 kids/teens plus 2 Parents/Adult Chaperons $30/ Additional Guest
VIP Seating – Best Seats in the house reserved (reg $50-60)
Pizza Slice (From top local pizza joints) and a Beverage (Soda, Juice, Bottled Water)
MEET THE CAST – After the show the cast will help serve cake (provided by parents) and sing
Birthday Parties Greenwich Village
PRIVATE PARTY OPTIONS
We can shut down our 3pm show or add shows to the calendar with enough notice, including after school times
$600 for up to 20 kids/teens plus 2 Parents/Adult Chaperons $20/ Additional Guest
larger groups – $1000 for up to 50 guests – $20/ Additional Guest
NYC Pizza Slice (From top local pizza joints) and a Beverage (Soda, Juice, Bottled Water)
Alla Carte Drink Specials for Adult (21yo+) Guests
MEET THE CAST – After the show the cast will help serve cake (provided by parents) and sing
Minimal Decorations. We cannot do any decorations for public show as they are distracting to other guests, however for private party we can allow minimal balloons, signage. No confetti and other decorations that create a difficult clean up operation.
PRIVATE PARTY w/o CATERING
Want to cater the party yourself? Want to just do a show w/o food & beverage?
$600 SHOW ONLY up to 50ppl
$1000 SHOW ONLY up to 150ppl
Remember, these rates reflect a bare bones model and do not include any service staff. Our cast will help set up the theater for a show. Additional set-up/clean-up, catering,food service etc is your responsibility. No outside alcohol admitted. If we provide beverage service, no outside drinks either.
Additional Options
Add a Workshop $5/guest
30-45 minute session gets you playing some Improv Comedy games
Cake or Cupcakes
We can supply cake, cupcakes, cookie cake and other sweet options
T-SHIRTS $15/Guest (min 10, reg $20-30)
Get a EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH Improv Comedy T-Shirt for all your guests
Additional Catering Options
We run corporate events year round with catering options $20-200pp. We can offer a number of menu options for any taste/budget including kosher, gluten free and other dietary needs. BBQ, Deli Sandwiches, Pasta, Greek, Mexican and more
TOO YOUNG TO VOTE APRIL 22 SHOWCASE FROM THE BROADWAY COMEDY CLUB NYC
Scroll down for complete video playlist of stand-up and improv April 22 Showcase of TOO YOUNG TO VOTE starring Che, Syriah, Monty and Sammy and Hosted By Walt Frasier. Want to perform on these monthly showcases? Sign up for our classes (Winter, Spring, Fall weekly sessions plus Summer Camp) or send us your resumes via email. We also send shows & workshops to schools and community centers around the NYC area and beyond. Bring Improv to your community today!
NEXT TOO YOUNG TOO VOTE May 21 1:30pm
CLICK HERE for CALENDAR of UPCOMING SHOWS and Drop In Classes at the BROADWAY COMEDY CLUB by professional Comics and Improv Artists 3pm Matinees for the whole family
SUMMER CAMP for KIDS & TEENS WEEK ONE July 10-14 WEEK TWO July 17-21 WEEK THREE July 31-August 4 WEEK FOUR August 7-11
Click links for discount registration $320/Week (reg $400)
Additional discounts for multiple sessions sign-ups
TOO YOUNG TO VOTE APRIL 22 SHOWCASE AT BROADWAY COMEDY CLUB NYC
Too Young to Vote April 22 Improv Objections & Opening Stand-Up
Too Young to Vote April 22 Improv Voice & Monty Stand-Up
Too Young to Vote April 22 Improv World’s Worst & Che Stand-Up
Too Young to Vote April 22 Improv Press Conference & Syriah Stand-Up
Too Young to Vote April 22 Improv Freeze Tag Emotions & Sammy Stand-Up
Take comedy classes in Times Square / Midtown West Manhattan at the Broadway Comedy Club. TONS OF FUN, Our classes combine Improv & Stand-up to best teach both Performance and valuable life skills – creative writing, critical thinking, public speaking, self-confidence, team, respect, listening, focus etc
