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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
