We have been offering improv shows, workshops, and residencies to NYC area schools (DOE VENDORS) since 2003. Professional Development workshops too!
In an article for Chronicle for Higher Learning, Beckie Supiano talks to Keith Sawyer, a professor of education at the U. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Cultivating students’ creativity, experts say, shouldn’t be seen as an optional add-on to the college experience. Ultimately, it’s about how students are taught in every discipline… Sawyer argues, instructors must shift away from “instructionism,” in which students absorb information and parrot it back to professors, to a mode he calls “guided improvisation,” in which instructors provide just enough support to students as they tackle open-ended problems. That approach requires educators “to be in a mind-set where you’re open and receptive and listening to each of the students,” Sawyer says. That allows instructors to “respond in the moment, in an improvisational way.” Guided improvisation, Sawyer writes, helps students develop what he calls “creative knowledge” of a subject — the kind of deep understanding that allows them to remember and transfer what they have learned, and use it to make something new.
We are very excited to move to a subscription style service for online classes to maximize the value to our students and their parents. Get unlimited access to FOUR WEEKS of classes for just $125. Select the date/time of the first class you wish to attend. See below for current class offerings. Not ready to commit? You can sign up for ONE class for $25. FOUR classes for $75. ZOOM links sent after registration.
Stand-Up Comedy by Walt Fraser is a text book for comics and teachers looking to bring fun creative writing sections into the classroom.
Improv on Zoom by Walt Frasier is a list of games with tips and tricks to play online as well as Improv technique and wisdom.
Both books are now available via Kindle and Paperback on Amazon. Coming soon to Audible
Research at MIT and Harvard Business School demontrates Improvisation as a useful tool in business.
I stumbled upon some interesting research linking Improv training to numerous business skills. We have been focused on team building, but for years I have made the notion that Improv is a must training to be a better leader, sales/marketing pro and customer service.
In previous articles I have shared the benefits of laughter on individuals and team. Just playing Improv games develops valuable skills. These researchers reveal Improv training a must for all new reasons.
I am an entrepreneur, my own boss since 2005. I have worked with hundreds on artists and thousands of students. I have presented hundreds of workshops for corporate teams and have coached team leaders in presentation skills. I have produced 7000+ shows since 2002.
I present this information with two goals. One, of course, looking for team leaders to hire me and my team for shows and workshops, or to come take our public classes (lots of online options available Worldwide to you and your team). Two, to implore my fellow artists to embrace their talents off stage.
My success comes from employing my performing skills in my business practices. My success comes from my work running a team, marketing our services and being the customer service rep for my clients. In this time of crisis for artists, embracing your talents and your improv training could be your salvation.
I know dozens of amazing artists that are fearless on stage but shy away from the unknown off stage. They don’t embrace their “YES! And…” training in their every day lives. They don’t practice what they preach 24/7. They don’t use their skills to market themselves or create opportunities. They instead put that time and effort into a day job.
I see the benefits in my daily business, social and personal interactions. I have seen students as young as eight years old do the same. I see the game in every day life. I see the patterns that connect us all. When you truly embrace “YES! And…” your world changes. Change your story, change your life!
In 2005, Lakshmi Balachandra, MIT’s Sloan School of Management, launched into major research in Improv and is relation to entrepreneurship and negotiation.
Improvisation and Negotiation: Expecting the Unexpected
Negotiators must improvise. As the negotiations process unfolds, they work with new information, continually making decisions along the way to achieve favorable results. Skilled improvisational jazz musicians and actors perform in similar ways: they repeatedly practice song chord progressions and notes or scene guidelines before a performance; then, during the performance, they work with the information or the music they hear in order to react and respond, making decisions along the way to produce dazzling music or a compelling scene.
Several aspects of negotiation are similar to improvisation. Both negotiators and improvisational performers need to have a similar mind‐set to be successful, both need to recognize and/or change that mind‐set at times, and both must craft creative solutions.
The incorporation of improvisation techniques into the negotiation skills repertoire holds great promise for practicing negotiators and is a worthy topic of future negotiation research and teaching.
Balachandra, L., Bordone, R.C., Menkel-Meadow, C., Ringstrom, P., Sarath, E. (2005). Improvisation and Negotiation: Expecting the Unexpected. Negotiation Journal. Vol: 21, Issue: 4, Page: 415–423. Wiley Online Library.
Improvisation and Teaching Negotiation: Developing Three Essential Skills
The notion of an adaptable negotiator, who can respond to any situation he or she encounters, resonates with every negotiation expert. Unexpected things happen in negotiation, and negotiators must be able to adapt in fleet and effective ways. Dealing with the unexpected, responding “in the moment,” and adapting effectively to sudden changes — these are the skills of an improvisational artist, and they are effective skills for negotiators to learn.
Balachandra, L., Crossan, M., Devin, L., Leary, K., Patton, B. (2005). Improvisation and Teaching Negotiation: Developing Three Essential Skills. Negotiation Journal. Vol: 21, Issue: 4, Page: 435-441. Wiley Online Library.
The Art of Negotiation: How to Improvise Agreement in a Chaotic World by Michael Wheeler
Over the years, I’ve learned a lot from friends and colleagues in the field. My approach to negotiation differs in that it takes into account real-world interactions between parties by looking at the uncertainty of negotiations and how to develop flexible strategy when you have incomplete information.
Negotiation cannot be scripted. Your goals may change during the course of negotiation, a little or a lot. Unexpected opportunities and obstacles may pop up. Your across-the-table counterpart may be more or less cooperative than you expected. My approach to negotiation addresses these possibilities.
I stumbled across some actual lesson plans by the researchers. They were mediocre basic workshop skills, but clearly not designed by improvisers.
The secret to growing out of improv is application. Take a class, start a troupe but what ever you do engage in play as often as you can.
In my book, STAND-UP COMEDY, I emphasize the importance of stage time to develop as a comic, both to work out material and build the confidence needed to succeed.
To truly embrace “YES And…” in your life, at work and at play, you need to be playing. After every workshops for kids and adults, I say: If this was fun, do it every day. You will learn just by playing. And you will bring joy to your life. If this was a challenge, DO IT EVERY DAY. Practice makes perfect. E ery time you get on stage it gets easier. Every time you hide and avoid, that gets easier too. The younger you conquer your fears, the more time you have to be free.
Walt Frasier co-founded EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH in 2002 performing 7000+ shows off Broadway and top comedy clubs, plus touring Nationwide to corporate events, colleges and universities, plus k12 educational outreach. His resume includes 25+ years of international theater and TV credits: Billions (SHO), Friends of the People (TruTV), Blue Bloods (CBS), Royal Pains (USA), Lilyhammer (NETFLIX) etc. Corporate clients include JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Twitter, BING/Microsoft, BAML, Home Depot, Ernst & Young, Louis Vuitton, Coach, UBS, BDO, AMEX, Master Card, Datadog, NY Life, Accenture, Macy’s, 360i, IBM, GM, KRAFT, UNILEAVER, HBO, and 100s more…
We are very excited to move to a subscription style service for online classes to maximize the value to our students and their parents. Get unlimited access to FOUR WEEKS of classes for just $125. Select the date/time of the first class you wish to attend. See below for current class offerings. Not ready to commit? You can sign up for ONE class for $25. FOUR classes for $75. ZOOM links sent after registration.
Stand-Up Comedy by Walt Fraser is a text book for comics and teachers looking to bring fun creative writing sections into the classroom.
Improv on Zoom by Walt Frasier is a list of games with tips and tricks to play online as well as Improv technique and wisdom.
Both books are now available via Kindle and Paperback on Amazon. Coming soon to Audible!
Recently, Samuel Van Wyk created CURFEW in response to the times. Two parents interrogate their child, the guesser, who has gotten into trouble.
The guesser will have to figure out, as defined by audience suggestions:
WHAT were you doing?
WHERE were you doing it?
WHO were you doing it with?
This is a variation on Interrogation. Two detectives interview a suspect, hiding clues in their questions. The criminal guesser must guess the crime, accomplice, and getaway vehicle.
We created Crime Boss last year. The Boss guesses similar things with their partners in crime providing clues.
VIRTUALLY all of our classes are currently offered online. All of our books and classes designed to teach creative writing, public speaking and self-confidence.
Humor and creativity work in similar ways. By creating relationships between two disconnected items, you engage the whole brain. Humor guru, William Fry, M.D., of Stanford University
Improvisation involves one or more players performing a scene, telling a story, or singing a song without a script. The show starts and we just wing it, figuring WHO we are, WHERE we are, and WHAT we are doing. We work as a team. We often use the audience to inspire scenes. Everyone in the audience becomes part of the team. Everyone in the room has agency and takes pride in the show’s success.
When the teacher from Farmington, CT schools hired my troupe back in 2003, performing and teaching comedy to kids was not even on my radar. She offered to pay us for four shows, we offered to perform clean. It was a simple transaction and one of our first paid gigs as a troupe, still in our first year of formation. We were not even completely an improv show yet, performing lots of sketch and musical parody.
Improv 4 Kids was born. 5000+ shows and 10,000s of workshop hours later, we have become the authority on comedy shows and classes for k12 schools, camps and community centers. Since 2009 I have offered residencies in NYC and area schools. In 2011, I opened my comedy school in Times Square. This past summer I published two books in a new Improv 4 Kids series geared at inspiring creative writing, public speaking and self confidence in k12 students.
In many cases, the laughter supercedes all other benefits. Bringing laughter to a classroom improve test scores, according to research at Johns Hopkins. Laughter increases cardio pulmonary function, getting more oxygen to the brain. Laughter creates community, while reducing stress, depression and blood pressure. The laughter alone increases individual and team health. Laughter tears down walls of resentment, replacing with strong bonds of trust.
One of our first public classes Fall 2011.
Improvisation develops self confidence. Our number one rule, “YES! And…,” creates a supportive environment. Our team embraces the philosophy of PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY, determined in the corporate world as the #1 factor in team success. Simply playing improv games in class creates supportive environment and builds confidence in individuals.
The Comedy Kids, our top students perform live shows in Times Square, now called The Class Clowns
Back in 2015, a group of sophomores, in a Masterclass at our Times Square club, revealed to me they lacked Psychological Safety at school, home and in their community. Simply discussing the topic, and having an adult listen, allowed these students to open up, and then thrive in Improv. They marched out with new confidence to face their world.
It is our job as educators to create a safe space for our students, physically, mentally and emotionally. Improv addresses the latter two.
Field trips to Times Square Theater, we get student groups from around the world and tour area schools, camps and community centers.
However, addressing confidence and self worth will also address the bullying behaviors. Insecurity and social anxiety leads to both bulky and victim behavior. Improv workshops teach community. Many see comedy as a form of bullying. We teach to make folks laugh without the mean edge.
Our #1 rule: HAVE FUN but never at another’s expense!
Walter and his teen students goofing around before class
Why Improv?
Improv combines so many skills it may sound overwhelming. But the beauty of Improvisation is the students are performing on day one. Improv delivers a lot but we don’t tell the students that much. We focus on playing games.
PLAY and STORY are the most effective ways to teach. Improv combines these two. While we focus on having fun, we sneak in language arts, cultural arts, life skills and wisdom.
Unlike traditional theater, everyone is a star and ensemble. Everyone participates equally. No aptitude for theater or music is required to play. And, because we have no scripts to memorize, we are performing in day one. Improv is 💯 application and practice of team, public speaking and focus skills.
Teachers and parents often see major changes in confidence and focus after just one class.
Improv is Social Emotional Learning
Improv teaches all that and more. We can teach teachers to us Improv in the classroom to develop your team of students.
Improv teaches empathy, listening with the whole body becoming self aware and more mindful of our thoughts. We become aware of our spacial relationships with people and things.
“YES! And…” is more than a governing tool, it is a way of life. Saying yes inspires hope and trust in others.
Improv teaches making better choices.
Improv teaches us to observe our world. While looking for creative inspiration we open our eyes to those around us. We become socially aware of our place in the greater world. We engage the world around us.
We create Psychological Safety.
Improv Teaches Language Arts
Improv is a cultural art, learning about theater and music, but while performing original scenes and stories, we are also engaged in creative writing.
Improv gets students excited to learn about story. We teach character, setting, and plot development. We create rich worlds in which to play.
2006 – Improv 4 Kids taught workshops for Ohio National Guard kids – specifically using Improv to deal with one or both parents being deployed in combat zones.
In our warm ups, with games such as One Word Story, we teach grammar. We encourage projection and annunciation so our team can respond to our offers. Improv demands listening so we can be our best during our turn. Improv demands focus to keep story on point and to avoid distracting the team focus. In these simple games, the shy are brought out of their shells, while the anxious are brought into the team vibe.
Improv Creates Better Students in All Courses
Students that overcome stage freight, also become students willing to engage in the classroom. Improv students are more prone to be willing to read in class and participate in class discussions. These students absorb and retain information during the initial presentations, rather than cramming for tests.
We encourage students to study all areas. Great improv players engage knowledge of the arts, literature, history, contemporary events and the sciences to create character and story. Knowledge is power for improv too. The ability to talk on all subjects opens our story options infinitely.
Improv Makes Better Leaders
Without self confidence leaders make bad decisions. They fail to share necessary information, fearing social interactions.
Leaders need to be good listeners. Leaders need great presentation skills. Leaders need be great team players.
Storytelling is one of the most effective tools for a leader. Crafting a message engages your audience. Shaping the story avoids individual interpretation of facts that causes lack of team focus.
Improv 4 Teens Comedy Camp in Times Square NYC
Improv teaches us to make better choices. We teach to make big choices. Go bold. If the mistakes does not work out, we learn. Wimpy choices allow us to squeak by, learning nothing. Lack of choices leads to others making choices for us.
Making student leaders great helps motivate the entries student body. Students more likely to listen to other students than adults.
Improv Makes Teachers Better Educators
We use these same games to teach corporate groups team building, leadership, sales and service. A teacher is responsible for all these things.
A teacher is part of a team. You have department planning meetings. You have to communicate with admin, parents and students. Creating an effective team with all these individuals betters your students and your own work (and your own Psychological Safety).
Sam Van Wyk works with team from JP MORGAN CHASE. Team building with Improv great for teachers!
Teachers are leaders. Teachers are the most important leaders in society. Every year you have 100+ students to guide to success. Strong leadership skills are a must for teacher success.
Teachers are sales people. We have difficult students daily. Sure we can issue detention slips and send our problems elsewhere, or we can learn to convince a student to stay and benefit from our teaching. Effective sales techniques through Improv will make your job so much easier
Teachers are customer service reps for the school. Parent Teacher night is one example.
In all of the above, learning to better listen with your whole body (empathy), YES AND…. techniques, and story telling will make you a better teacher, make your staff a better team and make your students better learners.
Online Classes and Shows
Now we are thriving online, with public shows and classes, residencies, virtual field trips and professional development for teachers. Email for more information, dates and rates
We are very excited to move to a subscription style service for online classes to maximize the value to our students and their parents. Get unlimited access to FOUR WEEKS of classes for just $125. Select the date/time of the first class you wish to attend. See below for current class offerings. Not ready to commit? You can sign up for ONE class for $25. FOUR classes for $75. ZOOM links sent after registration.
Walt Frasier, Artistic Director, Player, Piano, MC, Teacher, Founding Member of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH since 2002. TV credits include Billions (CBS), Friends of the People (TruTV), Blue Bloods (CBS) Royal Pains (USA), Lilyhammer (NETFLIX),Naked Brothers Band (NICK), Fat Pants (Dr. Oz Promo), Late Night with David Letterman (9 eps), Hair Trauma (2 eps, WE).Walter is a New Yorker since 1997, but grew up in Maryland, getting his theatrical start in Washington DC area. If you have called to book a gig or groups sales you most likely talked with this guy. Walter has also performed internationally in theater, music and even Opera.
Upcoming Sketch online class with Sam starts October 3. Click here for more info.
Political Sketches
These sketches shine a humorous light on the politics/politicians of the day. This has become the bread and butter for late night shows and SNL. They can be very effective, but also have a short shelf life as most political news moves quickly.
Example: SNL- Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton
Genre Parody
These sketches poke fun at the tropes of specific genres either by applying them to normal situations or heightening them to the level of absurdity. One example is the Scary Movie franchise which parodies Teen Scary movies.
Example: College Humor: Who Got Me Sick
Commercial Parodies
These sketches parody commercials. It may parody a specific commercial or brand marketing strategy.
Example: SNL -Kotex Classics
Musical Parody
Changing the lyrics to an existing song to make it about something else.
Example: Inside Amy Schumer- Girl, You Don’t Need Makeup
Fish out of Water
A character is completely out of their element. The fun of the sketch is watching how they react to the new environment.
Example: Substitute Teacher: Key & Peele
Clash of Context
The set up of the scene makes it seem like things will go one way, but then it ends up going very differently.
Example: Audition Mr. Show
Inappropriate Response
A character does not react like we expect them to. Instead they respond based on their particular perspective or idiosyncrasies.
Example: Debbie Downer
Satire
One of the earliest forms of comedy. It holds a mirror up to society, often ridiculing a popular convention or idea.
Example: Be Blacker- UCB
Simple but Impossible Task
A character attempts to do something that seems simple, but proves to be impossible. The obstacles start small and quickly grow absurd.
Example: Monty Python- Accident Prone Man*
Blackout Sketch
A short sketch. Usually just a setup and a joke followed by a blackout. Usually used as a pallet cleanser in a sketch show.
MC, Teacher, Corporate Event Specialist. Member of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH since 2017.Sam is a versatile actor based in New York City. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. Since moving to New York, he trained with the famous Upward Citizen’s Brigade Theatre where he completed their full curriculum in improvisation and sketch writing. With this training he has worked professionally as an improvisor in short form, long form, and interactive theatre. He has also lead hundreds of classes and workshops from kindergartners to senior executives. Additional credits include regional theater, commercials, and indy films.
Developing Strong Leadership Skills Using Improv starts with simple game play. As you pick up tips to perform scenes and stories, you also develop better presentation skills, out of the box problem solving, and a deeper listening and focus. You can better serve your team when you have a better understanding as to what they really need. You can manage any challenge by inspiring collective team mentality. But, perhaps one of the most relevant skill from Improv, is the storytelling, itself.
Telling stories is one of the most powerful means that leaders have to influence, teach, and inspire. What makes storytelling so effective for learning? For starters, storytelling forges connections among people, and between people and ideas. Stories convey the culture, history, and values that unite people. When it comes to our countries, our communities, and our families, we understand intuitively that the stories we hold in common are an important part of the ties that bind.
Sure, we can simply present the facts, but story gets our audience engaged. Your audience will retain what they hear. Whether managing a sales force, financial whizzes or teaching children, storytelling will inspire.
By creating story around your message you also help shape its reception. A list of facts can be interpreted in many ways. Creating story shapes the facts the way you intend. The more specific you get the more the audience will see your vision.
Improv classes will teach you to shape your story. We learn to focus in on the WHO WHERE WHAT of a story. We then dig deeper and discover the HOW & WHY that makes a story interesting.
Improv teaches to dig a little deeper, to paint the picture with words and body gestures.
Story telling is so much more than words. Presentation is 70-97% of the game. In marketing and Advertising, the copy is 7-30% of the overall effectiveness of the campaign. The fonts, the colors, the layout and other visuals craft the story.
#1 Fear in the World
Public Speaking fears cannot be understated. Most of us fail as managers due to our own social anxieties, which leads us to avoid necessary engagements or over compensate and get far too aggressive.
Improv Comedy gives us the experience and practice we need making up story in a safe un assuming environment. When we apply these techniques in the real world we now do so with the confidence.
We will all stumble and fall. “failing” is part of life. It’s how we learn. Improv classes and workshops give us a fun place to make our mistakes and learn without the exposure. Every mistake in Improv is a gift, a chance to think differently, a chance to learn.
The most important part about Improv is the laughter itself. Through playing these games, we learn to be comfortable in our own skin, laughing at our own stumbles. We develop the skill of surviving awkward unknown moments. we keep our eyes and ears open for knew and exciting, instead of shutting down with impenetrable walls.
Further, Improv is a huge skill to develop our team, but often a waste if not embraced at the top. The power of “YES! And…” is TOP DOWN. A individual must feel valued in order for the team to thrive. The leader must LEAD BY EXAMPLE. Show an honest concern for the well being of every team member.
Over the past eighteen years, Walt Frasier has worked with hundreds of corporate teams as well as teachers and K12 school children, using Improv comedy to teach team building, leadership, sales and service skills. Since March 2020 Frasier and his team from EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH deliver online shows & classes. Other credits include TV (Billions, Friends of the People, Royal Pains, Blue Bloods, Letterman, MTV, NICK, WE), Commercials and international credits in theater, comedy and music.
We are very excited to move to a subscription style service for online classes to maximize the value to our students and their parents. Get unlimited access to FOUR WEEKS of classes for just $125. Select the date/time of the first class you wish to attend. See below for current class offerings. Not ready to commit? You can sign up for ONE class for $25. FOUR classes for $75. ZOOM links sent after registration.
We can also prorate our current session that ends October 31, 2020 (Originally $200 for eight weeks)
Stand-Up Comedy by Walt Fraser is a text book for comics and teachers looking to bring fun creative writing sections into the classroom.
Improv on Zoom by Walt Frasier is a list of games with tips and tricks to play online as well as Improv technique and wisdom.
Both books are now available via Kindle and Paperback on Amazon. Coming soon to Audible!
Thursdays 7pm Improv Comedy Open Jam – After a quick warm-up, let’s play. Stick around for professional show featuring your teachers and others from the cast of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH at 8pm.
Saturdays 9:30am IN PERSON Improv Comedy Class in Central Park NYC with Andrea
Sundays 5pm Comedy 4 Kids with Andrea
Mondays 5pm Comedy 4 Kids with Ryan
Wednesdays 5pm Comedy 4 Kids with Walter
Artistic Director Walt Frasier (Billions, Blue Bloods, Friends of the People, Royal Pains, Lilyhammer, Letterman, MTV etc) co-founded the show in 2002. Since then EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH has entertained 7000+ audiences in Times Square and touring nationwide to colleges, corporate events and even K12 schools. Walter also has international credits in theater (off-Broadway, National Tours, Regional) and music (Opera, Choral etc).https://www.youtube.com/embed/6FCROljHfpk?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Samuel Van Wyk is a versatile actor based in New York City. He has a passion for singing, stage, and on camera acting.Born and raised on a farm in Iowa, he quickly fell in love with acting and music. He began performing in school, church, and community theaters. He received a BA in Theatre from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA. After graduation, he immediately started working professionally in national tours, summerstocks, and regional theatres.For several years he called the Twin Cities his home. He worked regularly as a singer, actor, and dancer. In 2010, Samuel moved to New York City to continue pursuing stage work. Since moving, he discovered a real love for film work. Since then, he’s been honing his skills performing in pilots, independent films, and web series. He has also begun writing his own material including a web series called “15 Minutes…” and most recently a short film called “Thirty.”Samuel loves stretching himself as an actor. Recent roles have included a quirky boy next door, a passionate purveyor of love and lust, and a hardened criminal.https://www.youtube.com/embed/DjOpQ7Yw9Ww?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Ryan Hudzik brings a life time of musical training and performance into every class, marrying the artistic with the science of vocal production to create a strong healthy instrument that delivers warm expressive musicality. Every week will include a check in with your body and voice, a warm up and an musical exploration. Bring your favorites songs or Ryan will help select into the music you were born to sing. For professional singers and/or those with big aspirations Ryan will help demystify the audition book. For those just looking to create beauty, or even just rock out your next karaoke night, Ryan is here for you too.
Andrea Hernandez Mieres MC, Movement/Dance specialist, Improv
Andrea is a Mexican & Spanish singer, actress and dancer. Originally from Mexico City where she debuted professionally on the Musical Theater scene in the Mexican Broadway versions of The Fiddler on the Roof and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Recent AMDA NY graduate, Andrea is venturing on the New York City scene. Andrea has been with EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH Improv since early 2019. She appeared in our Holiday Show, Santa’s Sing Along Adventure, as a singing and dancing Elf.
Nathan Armstrong created this first game Saturday 9/12. He created the latter option earlier this summer. Nathan hosts every Saturday 8pm show as well as Monday Night 8pm ON THE SPOT.
We recently published the book IMPROV on ZOOM. Geared towards a younger audience this game probably would not have made the cut. But the book also released two weeks before this games creation.
TINDER DATE
We have played a traditional dating game in the past.
In this version, one player, as demonstrated by Amelia Fowler above, is someone perusing a dating app. Unlike the apps, these pages are a bit more interactive, taking on the speed dating quality. Other players enter as various characters looking for love.
RADIO CALL IN SHOW
This show is driven by a player in the role of radio DJ, demonstrated above by Pat Reidy. MC gets a generic topic for the call in show. The DJ introduces the show and then takes calls from the characters created by the other players.
Both of the above games were created after 100s of shows on ZOOM and 1000s of classroom hours.
We are very excited to move to a subscription style service for online classes to maximize the value to our students and their parents. Get unlimited access to FOUR WEEKS of classes for just $125. Select the date/time of the first class you wish to attend. See below for current class offerings. Not ready to commit? You can sign up for ONE class for $25. FOUR classes for $75. ZOOM links sent after registration.
RADIO CALL IN SHOW is one of many games found in IMPROV on ZOOM.
Stand-Up Comedy by Walt Fraser is a text book for comics and teachers looking to bring fun creative writing sections into the classroom.
Improv on Zoom by Walt Frasier is a list of games with tips and tricks to play online as well as Improv technique and wisdom.
Both books are now available via Kindle and Paperback on Amazon. Coming soon to Audible
In a time when most companies are working remotely, getting your employees to work as a strong team is more important than ever.
Research has shown that improv can be a fun and effective way to encourage teambuilding, improve both communication and collaboration, and cultivate better problem-solving skills.
As improv professionals during the time of Covid 19, we have had to adapt from working in person to performing and teaching improv solely in an online setting.
This has given us the tools to share these same benefits of improvisation with your organization, even with the constraint of team members being in separate locations.
The Problem is Not New
Before COVID-19 forced millions online, this was most challenging question faced at team building workshops. We worked with many international firms, meeting in New York for annual bonding and strategy sessions.
Teams from Twitter, BDO and BING play improv games at our Times Square New York Theater
After an amazing session, we always allowed time for a Q&A, mostly to discuss ways to implement their new skills and tools. The biggest challenge facing these teams was their remote access to each other.
Sam Van Wyk plays Catagories with team from JP MORGAN CHASE
As improvisers, we developed some strategies but had zero hands on experience online.
Until Now….
The whole world is online now!
Since March 14 our classes and shows have operated solely online. Improvisation via Zoom, at first, was like learning to walk or ride a bike again for the first time.
By May we had adopted many of our classic games and began creating new ones for the platform.
We have worked with a number of teams from NY Life, Milbank, Accenture and more.
We have now created a system specific to serve this growing need in your firm. Thanks to hundreds of shows and thousands of class hours, we have decoded online team building. Let us bring this program to your teams.
The New Normal?
Moving forward, even long after COVID-19 is a daily concern, companies are moving to remote learning. Recent survey of 500 tech company founders revealed up to 70% will be permanently moved out of the office.
See Entrepreneur.com article regarding Remote Work Trends
See WeWork article regarding Remote work Trends before COVID-19
We now have the tools you need to make this transition smooth and maintain strong team bonds from around the world.
Virtual teams are not just a temporary fix. We are in for the long haul. Online collaboration is the New Normal for millions. In the short term, teams are seeing more productivity. Less time commuting, less distraction, gives individuals focus.
Over time this will deliver new team collaboration challenges. The trick will be to meet the problem before it becomes one.
While keeping teams connected is a challenge, that is only a small piece of the puzzle.
We have worked with recruiting and orientation teams this past summer. Accenture and Milbank are both having us back for a second round of events this month.
Make Improv part of your internship, recruiting and team formation process. The best way to create team success is with a solid foundation on day one.
Quick note about Psychological Safety
The secret to success starts with creating a safe space. “YES! And…” is a practical application of Psychological Safety, determined to be the #1 factor in Team Success by ProjectAristotle.
see NY Times Article reporting the four year Google Study into team success.
Together we enter the Learning Zone, where no challenge is insurmountable. We learn each other’s strengths. We catch each other’s mistakes. We bounce nimbly off of each other’s contributions, without judgement. We feel part of the team and share in its successes.
Team Building and Leadership Training with EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH!
Our workshops are a launching pad to greatness. While we are happy to work with your team in multiple sessions, we teach you to play these games on your own. We give you tools to use in every meeting to continue the work long after our time together. We remove the fear of unknown, opening up new levels of communication and collaboration.
Our shows deliver much needed laughs. We specialize in a PG13 style comedy that includes the entire team in creating a show. The professional cast create original skits and songs improvised based on your team’s suggestions and participation.
Studies at Johns Hopkins, Stamford and other top universities show laughter builds these walls of trust, increases cardio pulmonary activity and reduces stress and depression.
Be our guest at an upcoming show to introduce you to our team. We also invite you to audit one of our online classes to see our teachers in action. Email Walt Frasier for more information regarding booking our programs. eightimprov@gmail.com
Check out our publication now available FREE on KindleUnlimited. While marketed to a YA audience, the book outlines dozens of games, with our tips to using online. This book is the culmination of the past six months teaching and performing via zoom, plus 18 years working with corporate teams, colleges and k12 schools.
Sunday 3pm Fun for the Whole Family! All ages welcome.
Register via links above to join is on ZOOM to be “in the room where it happens”. The cast is paid, but the shows can be accessed for free, or help us with a $5-20 ticketing option. We also stream live on Facebook and post highlights from shows on various social media platforms.
EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH is available for online private events – shows & classes online via ZOOM and other platforms. We are working with a number of corporations and schools to help deliver much needed laughs. Also, we host family events. 45-minute show plus extra time to mingle before and after. EMAIL us for more info!
New York Improv Theater 
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