• Summer Camp WEEK 1 July 9-13
• Summer Camp WEEK 2 July 16-20
• Summer Camp WEEK 3 July 23-27
• Summer Camp WEEK 4 July 30-August 3
• Summer Camp WEEK 5 August 6-10
• Summer Camp WEEK 6 August 13-17
  
• $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
  

Last year we started including Musical Improv forms….

This year we plan to introduce students to sketch comedy – first by exposing to some of the classics (Abbott & Costello, Lucille Ball, Three Stooges, Carol Burnett etc) and then by writing and performing their own material.

Stand-up and Sketch comedy have a similar process at the beginning. All creative writing starts with brainstorming ideas and stories. Our method is to draw from real life experience and observation then brainstorm the details about what happened for real, and then brainstorm ideas of what could have happened. How can we make this funnier? What can make this more exciting? What can we do to raise the stakes of this story?

For stand-up we then go into monologue mode’ for sketch – dialogue. Stand-up is more talking about what happened, perhaps drawing some funny conclusions and offering some potential lessons learned, solutions to our problems we could not find in the moment, etc.

Meanwhile sketch shows us the scene in a mini play/video. We act our the story, often with props, costumes and sets.

I encourage all to use Improv to develop these stories and sketches. Simply writing out a story/scene usually does not capture the funny we discover on our feet in front of a crowd or in rehearsal.

Think of the word REHEARSAL.

My theater teachers used to say, we rehearse, not practice. When we practice we just repeat the same motions to develop sense memory. But in rehearsal we RE-HEAR the material every time. The words have a life, that changes ever so slightly with every performance, rehearsal, take etc.

Comedy requires rhythm few can hear via their pen and paper alone. It requires being spoken and acted out. The words and movement require experimentation. And they require and audience, the final piece of the puzzle.

I often hear folks say, without a laugh track that sit com would not be finny. I think I have said these words. But consider a live comedy show. MOST folks require a leader to tell them when to laugh in a live show as well. Hopefully you have a great laughter near the stage that gets the audience going. Sometimes, nothing. Laughter is awkward for some. Various audiences laugh at different elements in your routine.

This is way an open mic element is so important to our class process. Mock performance, and actual performance, force to rise to the occasion. Most performers are lazy. They do not push themselves in class and rehearsal. The result is a failure to develop those sense and muscle memories a master actor/comic embodies. Learning how to deal with performance anxiety as well as simply being on a stage, communicating your ideas and manifesting your talents takes time and experience. Professional performers get on stage almost every day, sometimes 2-5 times. A students plays for a week  then showcases for friends and family. Maybe Grandma will show up this time?

So we try to create as many mock performance scenarios as possible.

Warm-up, focus, play, brainstorm, perform, analyse and critique, REPEAT…\

THEN JOURNAL THE EXPERIENCE!

Recording your journey as an artist is imperative to faster development. Reinforce your rehearsal and performance time by reflecting the good, the bad, and the ugly. be honest but not overly harsh. If you mess up WHO CARES. Write about and discover how to improve for next time.

Don’t try to be a genius. Just do! Then reflect. And do better next time.

Repeat your success!
Learn from your mistakes!

No ego!!!!
No Anxiety!!!
Just creative fun!!!