One of the best ways to be truly successful, be someone folks want to work with again. In my business – acting, corporate entertainment and education etc, there is no shortage of talent. But I know a lot of folks in the business that are out of work and bitter. Ego and insecurity sets in, and then the blame game follows. But usually the simple answer is, did folks want to work with you a second time.

My success comes from being very diligent when it comes to self promotion, sure, but more so, cultivating long term relationships. The image above shows me as the Santa for Arthur Avenue, the real Little Italy of New York City, and America as far as I’m concerned. I’ve been playing Santa there since at least 2012, .maybe before.

At least 70% of my clients this year were my clients last year. Another 10% were clients in the past and came back to us, in a few cases the first time since 2019. We have to keep developing new clients because staff changes at the companies we work for, student activists directors change at colleges, PTA parents move on to college parents.

I learned a valuable lesson as a waiter at Clyde’s of Georgetown 30 years ago. Great service sells and develops great clients for life. These students, fans and clients become your extended family.

Meanwhile, I’m surrounded by actors and comics that complain about every minutia. Every little thing unexpected becomes a chore. But you can’t teach a student that does not want to learn.

It’s not rocket science. In a world more and more driven by corporate greed and tech, the personal touch of a warm smile goes a long way for a small business entrepreneur in any field.

But it has to be genuine, otherwise you become that bad used car salesperson.

What ever product or service sell, stop worrying about the commissions and work. Focus on how much you want to see your clients succeed. Focus on making the world a better place. Focus on making your team look amazing.

These are all skills of a great improvisor. We let go of ego and insecurity and focus on the story. We play. We spread joy and laughter. For my company that means going into schools and offices from DC to Boston and giving everyone a break. Hopefully everyone takes the lessons we teach and spread those to others.

• My #1 rule: HAVE FUN but never at another’s expense!
• Improv #1 rule: YES AND…. Develop the word YES and your instictive answer AND follow up with words and actions in support of your team, staff, client or scene partner!
• #1 Skill: Listening!!!! Listening with your eyes. Listening with the willingness to change.

Adopt these three #1s of ours and your life will change. If enough of us follow suit, the world will change!

• 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, 26 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
• 12/15 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+
• 1/5 Sunday 2:45 THE BOTTOMLESS BUNCH Uncensored Post Brunch Improv Comedy. 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.

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.