When I was a kid, I loved the movie Yankee Doodle Dandy, with James Cagney as George M. Cohan. I was obsessed with tap dancing early on. Then, of course, I discovered Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain. Around middle school, I discovered breakdancing. In college, I studied modern, jazz, and ballet.
As a 52-year-old man teaching team building and leadership via improv comedy, I think if I had one piece of advice to kids and teens, it would be to learn to dance.
Here’s why:
- Develop grace in your walk. Dance teaches us to have presence.
- Develop self-confidence. There’s nothing like mastering a new skill to boost your self-esteem.
- Have more fun. While folks are bored at the wedding, you can be on the dance floor tearing it up!
- As you age, you will know how to stretch and move through the pain, and even reduce pain. Staying active is crucial for healthy aging, and dancing is a fun way to do it.
All of these skills will transfer to just about any profession. And even as Santa Claus, when I whip out a triple time step, the kids are in wonder!
Don’t worry about being good or looking good. Just have fun. My #1 Rule is HAVE FUN but never at another’s expense. Ignore the critics. Learn to do more than bop your head. This post is especially for the guys that think dancing is, well, you know, for girls.
So, my advice to you is this: find a dance style that speaks to you and give it a try. You might just surprise yourself.
- Upcoming Shows & Classes Times Square NYC
- Saturdays 2:45pm EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH Off-Broadway Musical Comedy Improvised based on audience suggestions and participation! Added shows December 15, 27, 28, 29, 30, January 1. These shows are recommended for ages 12 and up.
- Sundays 12pm Improv Comedy Jam / Class 4 Adults (16+ Welcome)
- Saturdays 10am Comedy Classes 4 Kids & Teens
- 12/8 Sunday 2:45 THE BOTTOMLESS BUNCH Uncensored Post Brunch Improv Comedy. Recommended for 18+
- 12/15 Sunday 2:45pm EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH Off-Broadway Musical Comedy Improvised
- 12/22 Sunday SOLD OUT – Private Birthday Party
- 12/29 Sunday 2:45pm MADCAPPED MURDERS The immersive improvised murder mystery show! Recommended for 18+
- 1/26 Sunday 2:45pm YES AND… THE EXPERIENCE You become the show! Recommended for 18+
- EMAIL for group sales, private events and more information. We daily host corporate teams and student groups from around the world and send talented artists DC to Boston and beyond.
- Comedy 4 Life Series
- Improv Comedy: No Script? No Problem! “YES! And…”
- Improv for Business Success
- Stand Up Comedy
- Sketch Comedy
- Quit Your Day Job
A division of Improv Theater LLC Improv Theater LLC is a one stop edutainment center for corporate team building, office / holiday parties and more. Our comedy shows and workshops deliver high impact results. Clients include Google, Mercedes Benz, META /Facebook, TikTok, JP Morgan Chase, Accenture, Morgan Stanley, Twitter, Roblox, Rimowa, EI Digital, Accenture, Datadog HQ, Milbank, BING/Microsoft, Band of America – Merrill Lynch, Home Depot, Ernst & Young, Johnson & Johnson, Louis Vuitton, Coach, UBS, BDO, AMEX, Master Card, Macy’s, 360i, IBM, GM, Kraft, UNILEAVER, HBO, Prudential, Convene, Conference Board and many more…
Providing College / University campus activities at Harvard, Syracuse, Seton Hall, Princeton, Georgetown, Vaughn, Molloy, Montclair State, Bloomberg College, High Point, Williams College, Lynchburg College, Southern New Hampshire University, Ferris State, Mount Isa, Misericordia, Sacred Heart, Hastings, Pace, Vaughn, College Misericordia, University of Vermont, Stone Hill, Yeshiva, Columbia, NYU, Hofstra, Cooper Union, John Jay, Fordham, Sacred Heart, Seton Hall, and more.
Additionally, 1000s of public and private events at The Smithsonian Portrait Gallery, Wolf Trap, The Argyle Theater, Emelin Theater, Gerold Opera House, 72nd Street Pier, Cherry Point Marine Base, Disney Resorts, Ohio National Guard, Connecticut DCF, First Nights Winchester VA, Binghamton First Night, Haddonfield First Night, Chateau Briand, Babylon Carriage House, retirement homes, numerous libraries, YMCA, JCC, Parks and Recreation, 1000s of k12 schools and summer camps in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska.
Artistic Director, Walt Frasier has 25+ years of professional credits in comedy, Theater and music. He got his big break in TV performing comedy sketches on MTV’s Stankervision, Late Nite with David Letterman, TruTV’s Friends of the People, and most recently on HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay. As an actor, Frasier has appeared on NBC’s Blacklist, CBS’s Blue Bloods, USA’s Royal Pains (Filmed in Puerto Rico), Netflix’s Lilyhammer (filmed in Norway) and NICK’s Naked Brothers Band. In addition to 1000s of live performances around the world, Frasier has also appeared in numerous commercials, industrials, webisodes and reality TV shows. Arthur Avenue regulars may also recognize Walter, if you add a white beard and red suit, as he has been official Little Italy Santa for the past 15 years.
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