Tag Archives: writing

From Improv Ashes: The Second City Rises as a Comedy Powerhouse

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Chicago’s Second City, a name synonymous with comedy legends like Tina Fey and Bill Murray, wasn’t born in a vacuum. It sprouted from the embers of another innovative troupe: The Compass Players.

A Legacy of Games:

The Compass Players, founded in 1955, were a group of University of Chicago students led by David Shepherd and Paul Sills. Inspired by the teachings of Viola Spolin, Sills’ mother, they honed their craft through improvisation exercises rooted in children’s games. This playful approach fostered a unique comedic style that relied on quick wit, audience interaction, and sharp social commentary.

Setting the Stage:

By 1959, The Compass Players were facing internal conflicts. Seeking a new artistic space, Sills, Bernie Sahlins, and Howard Alk established The Second City on a snowy December night. Their small cabaret theater, located on North Wells Street, became a breeding ground for a new brand of improvisational comedy.

From Satire to Broadway:

Early Second City shows were known for their biting satire. They tackled political figures, social norms, and the absurdities of everyday life. This signature brand of humor resonated with audiences, propelling the theater to local fame.

Their success wasn’t limited to Chicago. In 1961, a Second City cast ventured to Broadway with the musical revue “From the Second City,” garnering critical acclaim and Tony Award nominations. This marked a significant step, showcasing the troupe’s talent on a national stage.

A Launchpad for Legends:

The early years of Second City were a hotbed for comedic talent. Names like Joan Rivers, Alan Arkin, and Fred Willard graced the stage, honing their skills before captivating audiences worldwide.

The legacy of The Second City’s early days extends far beyond its initial success. It established a unique approach to improv that continues to influence comedy to this day. Countless future stars, from John Belushi and Gilda Radner to Stephen Colbert and Amy Poehler, would find their comedic footing at The Second City, proving that the “ashes” of The Compass Players truly gave rise to a comedic powerhouse.

It’s all BS so NONE of it is!

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My latest “waltism” usually gets some WTF double takes from students. This new phrase is as much an example of my point. I am equally the victim and benefactor of getting high on my own supply of BS any given day.

It’s all BS so NONE of it is!

In the world of an artist, we constantly do things that disconnect us from reality, as a way of discovering a deeper meaning to reality.

The games we play are ridiculous. And quite often, when working with middle school students and corporate teams alike, we get strange eye rolls and lifted eye brows.

Within our world there are more so called acting techniques and methods than I will ever know of their existance. There is always a new way to teach the same old thing, and once in a while someone stands out with a radial new idea, not that often.

I literally just deleted 5 paragraphs of BS from this blog because of a Facebook Post

WHAT IS LOVE, IN YOUR OWN WORDS?

What an amazing example of my point.

LOVE is a word used to describe an emotion, a state of being. But can any of word truly describe love. Poets have tried for 1000s of years through words, symbolism, metaphor, etc. But do we ever truly describe it. Perhaps. But we inspire feelings, physical and emotional responses through the poetry. We can truly co.prehend but we can at our core recognize it. Except when we confuse it for lust, dependency, infatuation, pain, etc.

Similarly, techique is not acting. Acting is not living.. But we play games, perform exercises, meditate, journal, or serve our world, etc to discover this thing called acting.

We find ways to trigger our emotional life, our creative spirit. But, for me at least, once I get there I feel silly, all the thing I did to get to that heightened, deeper-focused place.

When you see a martial artist perform Tai chi, it looks silly to those that don’t respect the process. But over time that trains the mind, bod and soul to battle. If you are a fan or practiced, you know of many of the numerous techniques – Kung Fu, Karate, Ju Jitsu, all the animal inspired methods of the Panda movies etc. Warriors will swear by their methods. True artists will dis8and draw upon many.

Acting is a martial art. We discover our best selves inside and out by breaking out mind, body and soul down, develop a physical and mental agility and then put ourselves back together again, reconnected to the real world at our best.

Another way to think about it, whe wvee we are not performing, break everything down, look for new ways to better yourself. Train a new skill (speech, stage combat, yoga etc) Read a book, take a class, learn a new song, monologue, dance step etc.

But when it’s time to perform, warm up get focused and be in f he moment. Thinking about the technique when trying to be a character loving in an inaginary world disconnects us from the moment.

I call it BS because that how those who don’t get it write it off. One artists BS is another’s salvation.

BE A SPONGE. Be open to everything.

But catch ourselves getting high on our supply. Because all the things that help us get to where we need to be to nail a performance is BS to oir audience. They don’t care about process. They don’t want to see our choices. They want to see the result of those choices. At hat point we leave the BS behind and JUST DO.

And as for this blog post what a crock of 💩 lol

Observe Your World

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The most important acting class exercise wver assigned was going to the college cafeteria to simply people watch. It was a moment class with Roberta Gasbarre at Montgomery College, Rockville Maryland. I’ve turned people watching into an art.

Journalists observe their world, reasearcha topic and then report what the see, hear, taste, experience.

Artist observe the world than interpet life through words, movement, music, paint, sculpture, etc. But too often I see artists skip the observe part.

Roberta would direct us to first notice group dynamic. See those is isolation, pairs, groups. In a group, who is the dominant force.

Over the years I would love to jist sit at an outdoor cafe or ride the subway and just watch.

In my comedy classes, for both improv and stand-up, I would tell students they could walk to TKTS, the red steps of Times Square NYC, and back in about 15-20 minutes. If they truly observed the people, the shops, the construction, traffic, bike riders, street vendors, tourists, locals, actors on way to auditions/shows, promoters selling g Broadway shows, Comedy and scam CDs…. they could probably deliver a 60-minuye stand up special. It may or may not be funny, but the material is there.

EXPERIENCE YOUR WORLD

If you want to be an artist, LIVE. Do stuff. Talk to people. Ride a bike. Learn to dance. Sing. Swim. Discover off the beaten path corners of your city/town and towns around the world. Move past the facade of tourist traps and marketing behemoths.

Our imaginations can create the sense of a lot of things but nothing replaces DOING. Use all five senses in discovering your world.

Dont let fear of the unknown take away amazing life experiences and memories.

JOURNAL YOUR WORLD

Observe your world, experienceyour world, and then journey al your world. Keep a record of the good, the bad and the ugly.

As a comics or playwright you are creating a text book for future story ideas.

As an artist, we are putting an objective anchor to our subjective chaos.

Journaling doubles and triples our rehearsal time, embedding a sense memory (especially if writing in a notebook old school). When we go to play a character, or perform an Improv or write something, the mind flows with inspiration.

SELF AWARE?

Something I’ve added over the years. Catch myself making s ap judgments about those I observe. It’s human to folks in a box. But with a little empathy, a little deeper observation, we can start to imagine the WHY behind things we observe. We catch people being irritated, annoyed, jerky, clumsy, arrogant, ignorant, embarrassed, anxious, scared etc. We see fol kids look completely disheveled, distroyed. We judge financial status, cloths, language etc.

But usually those snap judgements are somewhat shallow and hollow. At times, out right bigoted.

We wrote off a shy person without considering a lifetime of folks putting them in a box, including loved ones trying to protect.

We see total arrogant jerkes, but if you catch them in a moment of solitude we see the are.just as terrified and hide behind false confidence.

As an artist we need to dig deeper, but I wish the whole world would follow suit. Imagine a world where no one felt scared, or felt the need to be an ahole to hide their fear. Forgive the vulgarity, but I ant the point to be made and clear.

Empathy is such a misunderstood thing by so many. But it’s so simple. Next time you see someone sleeping on the street, before you make a snap judgement, imagine that what the REAL story could be. Even someone like a violent gang member, what was the condition of their childhood thay made them say, THIS is my best or only choice. THIS is who I am. THIS is who I need to be.

We all started as babies. Depending on our parents social economic situation, our upbringing, access etc, other adults, friends, family, neighbors, etc we make a series of choices. Many of those choices will be mistakes. Some will learn from those mistakes. Some won’t. Some will choose to aggressively pursue education. Some will not see the point. Some will be victims of any number of situations. Some will choose to be bullies, etc, probably as a defense mechanism first, a survival choice. Fight or flight. Some will over come fears, many will be held back by them. Etc Etc etc

So take a break from the games. Take a break from TV. Invest some time into yourself.

THEN when you go to improvise, perform a scripted play/musical, write, paint, dance etc etc etc, YOU will make choices. The more you truly understand the world, your world, empathy for truly walking in another’s shoes the more you will thrive as an artist.

There are dozens,thousands, of exercises, techniques and games that help us, but truly, it all starts with observing and experiencing YOUR world.

PS, THIS BLOG is my journal. Flushing out ideas about acting, comedy, getting work and other wise mentoring my students, allows me to babble less in the classroom. As flaky as I may seem at times, I would be fat worse without these moments to flesh out some ideas. Half the time I write a blog post or Facebook post and then delete it. It’s unintelligible (as are a few I don’t delete, I know.) But when I go to do a self tape/audition, or get on stage/camera to perform, or hop on a client call to sell a show/workshop, my mind is focused. I am constantly looking for better ways to entertain, teach and promote, to create a better experience for colleagues, students and clients. And it gives me a space to unload ego and insecurity driving thoughts. Those get deleted OR left in a private journal, comedy notes file etc. The day we stop learning and growing, or at keast being open to NEW is the day we should retire as artists, or just dig the dirt ourselves. What a boring stagnat life that would be.

In the Wings: Mastering the Moment Before Your Entrance

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The spotlight beckons. The audience waits with bated breath. But before you step onto the stage and steal the show, there’s a crucial, often overlooked moment – the one right before your entrance. This brief period, according to the teachings of Constantin Stanislavski and his influential protégés, is a vital opportunity to prime yourself for peak performance.

Stanislavski’s Inner Life

Stanislavski, the revolutionary acting teacher, believed in the power of the actor’s “inner life.” For him, the moments before an entrance were a sacred space to cultivate your character’s emotional state and intentions. He advocated for a series of techniques to achieve this:

  • Emotional Recall: Tap into past experiences that evoke the emotions your character might be feeling. Did you experience a similar moment of nervousness, excitement, or anger? Recalling the physical sensations associated with those emotions can imbue your performance with authenticity. OR (as per Meisner) totally use imagination to “get there”
  • The Given Circumstances: Review the specific details of the play – the time of day, the characters you’ve just encountered, your character’s recent actions. Understanding the context helps you step seamlessly into your character’s mindset when you enter.
  • Physical Adjustments: Are you tense or slouched? Stanislavski emphasized the mind-body connection. Adjust your posture and take a few deep breaths to mirror your character’s physical state.

Building on the Foundation

Stanislavski’s students further refined these ideas. Here’s what some of his prominent protégés added:

  • Sense Memory (Sanford Meisner): Imagine the sights, sounds, smells, and textures that your character might be experiencing just before their entrance. This sensory detail can ground you in the moment and spark authentic reactions.
  • The Beat (Stella Adler): Adler believed in the importance of the “beat,” the silent pause or action that precedes your character’s spoken words. Use the moment before your entrance to establish this beat, building anticipation and focusing your energy.
  • Alignment with Scene (Harold Clurman): Clurman emphasized the importance of aligning your emotional state with the overall mood of the scene. Is the atmosphere tense or playful? Understanding the scene’s energy allows you to seamlessly integrate into it upon your entrance.

Making the Most of the Moment

These techniques can be employed in a pre-show ritual:

  • Find a Quiet Space: Briefly isolate yourself backstage to focus on your character’s inner life.
  • Repeat Your Mantras: Silently rehearse your character’s objectives and motivations.
  • Body Adjustments: Use physical adjustments to embody your character’s emotional state.
  • Sensory Immersion: Imagine the sights, sounds, and smells of the scene.

By mastering the moment before your entrance, you transform the wings from a waiting area into a launchpad. You’ll step onto the stage not just as yourself, but as a fully formed character, ready to captivate the audience. So, the next time you hear your cue, remember – the magic starts before the spotlight hits.

YOU WILL NEVER BE READY, so you might as well start today!

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Every marathon starts with a first step. And we had years of shorter runs in preparation. Every great relationship had a first date. We all had lots of bad first dates before figuring out howto court. We’re are never ready to be a parents. Usually by the second or third we’ve learned enough to mess them up less.

Similarly, the world is filled with those waiting to jump into the stock market, start s company, buy a house, start a family, start a hobby, etc. They are waiting for some magical perfect moment. Meanwhile life passes them by as their rents escalate, complaining about their miserable.

Comedy is like everything else in life. We all started somewhere. We all finally had the nerve to get on stage and share something we wrote, or just shared some stories, or just stood there before running off terrified. And like life there are millions thinking they could do comedy, write a book, act, paint etc etc etc. Meanwhile there are billions thinking they could never do comedy, get on stage etc etc etc.

Today a wonderful student thanked me for stage time last week. We’ve been chatting for two years. He’s dropped by a few online classes/mics. I was humbled by the praise but the mentor in me couldn’t help saying, “You should have done that 2 years ago!”

RIP OFF THAT BAND AID!!!

Almost every time I tell someone I do comedy, someone says, I have always wanted to try comedy. Someday I’m going to write 5 minutes of material and hit the club.

Most likely that person will never write five minutes or get on stage. A few will eventually get on stage and hate it and never come back. One or two will truly go for it.

Regardless, I say, GET ON STAGE TONIGHT. Get the first one out of the way. Don’t write anything. Just talk. Tell us something mundane. Be boring. Be unfunny. Be horrible. Chances are you will be just as boring, unfunny, and horrible in 2 years, so you might as well get that experience out of the way.

What ever is your dream, start living it today. To all the wannabes, jad you started two years ago, maybe you would be on TV today. No guarantees, except one – if you don’t start, you will never finish.

  • Stand-Up Comedy Workbook by Walt Frasier via Amazon – Paperback, Kindle, FREE via Kindle Unlimited Other books via Amazon – Register for ANY class below and get a link to the FREE PRINTABLE PDF file to download.
  • Bronx Open Mic Mondays 6pm
  • Virtual Open Mic Tuesdays 8pm
  • IMPROV 101 4-8 week sessions, Times Square NYC (16+ Welcome)
  • COMEDY 4 TEENS 8 Week Sessions, Times Square NYC (12-17)
  • COMEDY 4 KIDS 8 Week Sessions, Times Square NYC (8-12)
  • COMEDY CAMP 8-10 weeks every summer, Times Square NYC (8-17 yos)
  • EMAIL for more information, drop in for a trial class, book a group or private workshop.

Shakespeare’s Enduring Legacy: The Globe Theater and Modern Theater & Acting

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William Shakespeare, often referred to as the “Bard of Avon,” is a name that resonates through the corridors of time. His timeless plays, sonnets, and contributions to the world of theater continue to captivate audiences around the globe. One of the most remarkable aspects of Shakespeare’s legacy is his influence on modern theater and acting, which can be attributed in large part to the iconic Globe Theater.

The Globe Theater: A Beacon of Innovation

Shakespeare’s association with the Globe Theater was transformative. Built in 1599 on the south bank of the River Thames in London, the Globe became the primary venue for Shakespeare’s plays. Its unique design, with an open-air stage surrounded by three tiers of seating, created an intimate connection between actors and audience members that remains a hallmark of modern theater.

  1. Theater Architecture: The Globe’s circular design and lack of a traditional proscenium arch made every seat in the house a front-row experience. This innovation challenged playwrights and actors to engage with the audience on a more personal level, a concept that modern theaters still embrace.
  2. Natural Lighting: The absence of artificial lighting in the Globe Theater meant that performances took place during daylight hours. This limitation forced actors to understand and master the nuances of natural light, a skill that carries over into today’s theater productions.

Shakespearean Language: The Cornerstone of Modern Acting

Shakespeare’s language is a cornerstone of modern acting and performance. His eloquent prose and poetry challenged actors to convey complex emotions and ideas, fostering a level of depth and complexity that remains relevant today.

  1. Verse and Prose: Shakespeare’s works are replete with both verse and prose. This duality allowed actors to explore various rhythms and tones, providing them with a rich palette to express character depth.
  2. Complex Characters: Shakespeare’s characters are some of the most well-developed in the history of theater. Actors who tackle these roles must grapple with intricate motivations, inner conflicts, and character arcs, setting a high bar for contemporary performers.

Shakespearean Influence on Modern Theater

Shakespeare’s impact on modern theater is immeasurable. His themes, characters, and narrative structures continue to inspire playwrights, directors, and actors worldwide.

  1. Adaptations and Reimaginings: Countless adaptations and reimaginings of Shakespeare’s works exist, from modernized settings to contemporary retellings. Films like Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet” and theater productions like “Hamilton” owe a debt to Shakespeare’s enduring appeal.
  2. Acting Techniques: Acting techniques developed in Shakespeare’s era, such as iambic pentameter and the use of rhetorical devices, still influence actor training today. The ability to convey complex emotions and engage audiences emotionally remains paramount in contemporary theater.

William Shakespeare’s legacy extends far beyond the Elizabethan era in which he lived. His connection to the Globe Theater and the enduring influence of his language on modern theater and acting underscore his status as a cultural icon. The Globe Theater, with its innovative design and emphasis on actor-audience interaction, set the stage for contemporary theaters to build upon. Shakespeare’s works continue to be performed, adapted, and celebrated worldwide, reminding us of the enduring power of storytelling and the timeless relevance of the human experience.

Stand Up Comedy 4 Kids & Teens, make creative writing fun! Times Square NYC

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Do your students / campers / kids despise creative writing? We make learning to write fun teaching via stand up comedy classes and workshops. Since 2003, weve hosted student/family groups for shows and workshops as well as toured k12 schools, camps and community centers. Since 2011, our Times Square NYC public classes for kids and teens have included Stand Up Comedy writing and performance. Since 2012, we have offered our own Comedy camp. In 2019 and 2022 our students were named funniest kid in America by Kenan Thompson after winning nationwide stand up comedy competition. EMAIL for more information regarding shows, classed and private events/workshops.

Stand Up Comedy, by Walt Frasier is available via Amazon Kindle or for print for just $10. Free via Ki dle Unlimted. Free, printable digital download available for all students of our workshops.

FULL RESIDENCY

Our “system” has five steps. Usually this can occur in as few as 8-10 hours depending on class size. This could be a 1/2 day boot camp for a week, one long boot camp day, or weekly sessions. Potentially students could be ready to perform new 2-5 minute routine every 4-5 2 hour classes.

  • Step 1 Brainstorm Ideas worksheet, share stories/ideas (get on stage)
  • Step 2 Brainstorm Details worksheet, share stories/ideas, now armed with more story elements
  • Step 3 Outline Ideas/Find The Funny worksheets, get on stage with more organized thoughts
  • Step 4 Re-Outline, Find More Funny, get on stage with honed in focus
  • Step 5 Performance Showcase.

Master Class

Bring our teachers in for 2 hours. You can prepare students via workbook, hot to videos and homework to be ready for step 3.

Times Square NYC Comedy Club Showcase

How about performing at a real New York Comedy Club? Our home theater is just one block from the Colbert Show stagedoor.

Whether in conjunction with our Masterclass or full residency, a chance to perform and video your new comedy routine on a real comedy stage is beyond fun. Invite friends and family, or just run an open mic for the class students.

Every Summer we run 8-10 weeks of comedy camp. Daily classes in Improv, Stand-Up and Sketch Comedy, mock performance/open mics, and a weekly performance showcase.

COMEDY CAMP 2022 Final Week Starts Tomorrow Times Square NYC

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Register on Eventbrite
  • Final week of comedy Camp starts tomorrow
  • Fall classes start 9/10.
  • Check menu links for upcoming shows and classes in Times Square NYC,Long Island and Nationwide
  • EMAIL for more information or to bring these programs to your school, camp or community center.We offer k12 shows, classes,workshop, residencies and professional development for teachers amd staff.
  • Each week is a self contained session with classes in improv and stand-up comedy. Monday starts with a master class in Improv Comedy, introducing a number of warm-up, technique and performance games. Then we move into an open-mic style session where students develop original stand-comedy routines, starting with personal stories of observation and experience. Tuesday – Thursday are more like rehearsals than classes. A series of mock performance sessions develop experienced performers. Every week we introduce new games, review class faves and develop a new 2-3 minutes of stand-up comedy which get presented at our weekly showcase, Friday at 2pm

At least half the comics in this pic are my students, including the past two winners.

  • Saloni Singh 2022
  • Carolyn White 2019

And there would have been more wo the pandemic. Carolyn has now headlined a half dozen shows representing this organization. Saloni could probably be there medical expert , on call doctor today. This kid is brilliant. (Seriously , .medical latin terms as a high school freshman class for her). So proud of ALL these amazing kids and teens, as well as all my staff that contribute to shaping the futures of our talented cast of these up and coming comedy stars.But even more important, we never set out to be a professional kid actor creation lab. Our #1 rule is still to have fun. This is just icing. The cake is watching these kids grow up filled with laughter I their lives, and watching them mature wo growing up. I almost hope these youth DON’T follow us into the business of show. But rather take these skills and become amazing leaders in any other field.

Myra Beji now on Disney Plus in The Quest

Sway Bhatia now starring on Mighty Ducks and reoccurring on Succession

Mondays 8:15pm Stand-Up Comedy April 5, 12, 19, 26 ONLINE CLASS

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Develop original comedy routines from the comfort of your home.

Register NOW for April classes, Start THIS week. CLICK HERE for use form below.

Register on Eventbrite
  • HAVE A TON OF FUN while you learn:
  • Creative Writing
  • Public Speaking
  • Self-Confidence

Every artist – performer / writer – is unique. With Walt Frasier you learn to FIND THE FUNNY through a series of brainstorming exercises, open mic style performance opportunities and numerous tricks to find YOUR comedic voice.

Over the course of FOUR weeks you will develop a new 3-5 minute routine. Each 4-week session emulates a typical week in the life of a professional comic. Start Monday brainstorming some ideas for new routines. By the weekend, you are ready to role out on the road with new material for the big paying jobs at clubs, theaters, colleges and private events.

See you back in Times Square April 2, 2021

We will continue with online classes and show offerings, but starting April 2, New York clubs and theaters will be reopening at 33% capacity. Follow this blog and check menu links for upcoming events.

Improv Workshops w/ Walt Frasier Times Square NYC Online Worldwide

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  • Corporate Training – Team Building, Leadership, Sales, Customer Service
  • College Groups
  • K12 Schools, Camps, Community Groups
  • Public Classes (Currently ONLINE) for Adults, Teens & Kids include Stand-Up, Improv and Sketch Comedy from Walt Frasier and his team form EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH (AKA LMAOff Broadway and The Original Improv 4 Kids)
  • CLICK HERE to download/print one-pager PDF
  • EMAIL now for more information on public and private programming, scheduling dates, and rates.

Have fun playing games!
Share much needed laughter!
Develop valuable life skills!

Every one hour session includes a series of games. Our primary goal is creating laughter. Our #1 Rule is to HAVE FUN but never at another’s expense. While playing these games we develop creative writing and critical thinking, public presentation and team communications, and self confidence. Simply playing these games teaches empathy. The games we play on day one are the same games we play as professionals before a show to warm up. Sometimes the class will play the same games we play in our shows. Compared with most performing arts, Improv students are ready to perform on some level after the first session. In fact with in five minutes we are actually performing for each other, sharing and creating much needed laughter. You will learn soon that playing these games is so much more fun that watching the most talented artists perform, trying to make you laugh.

Professionally acting since the mid-90s, Walt Frasier has been performing (5000+ professional shows live from Times Square, NYC and touring Nationwide) and teaching Improv Comedy since 2002. In addition to his successful Times Square School, Walt Frasier works with corporate teams, college groups and K12 schools, using Improv create much needed laughter and teaching creativity, public speaking skills and self-confidence. Since March 2020, Walt has logged 1000+ hours teaching/performing online via ZOOM and other platforms.

Walt Frasier is a founding member of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH (AKA LMAOff Broadway, The Original Improv 4 Kids), former director of instruction for the Comedy Hall of Fame, and has international credits in TV (Billions, Blue Bloods, Royal Pains, Lilyhammer, Letterman etc), Theater (Off Broadway, Regional & Touring) and Music (Opera, Concert Soloist). Walt is a NYC DOE Vendor, has worked with K12 schools nationwide, hosting groups for shows & workshops at their Times Square theater and touring. Walt is also a corporate improv specialist using Improv to teach team building, leadership, sales, and service. Clients include Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, HSBC, AMEX, Master Card, Twitter, BING, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Home Depot, GM, Kraft and 100s more.

IMPROV on ZOOM We have logged 1000+ hours teaching Improv comedy to kids, teens and adults, and 150+ live shows for corporate groups, K12 outreach, family/friend events and publicly broadcast programs via ZOOM. This is both a list of 100+ games to paly on ZOOM, with some tricks we have learned the past 10 months plus universal tips to creating characters, relationships, settings and story.

STAND UP COMEDY Walt Frasier’s four step method to developing new comedy material is based on years of experience and observation of the most successful in NYC comedy. Unlock your brain’s library of knowledge and wisdom, flushing our ideas and details. Then learn to think out of the box to turn these personal stories of experience and observation into full comedy routines. Learn to FIND the funny in your work and better present the work with deeper meaning and effect.

Walt Frasier, artistic director of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH and author of the above two books, is a classically trained actor and singer that has been working and teaching in comedy since 2002. TV Credits include Billions, Blue Bloods, Royal Pains, Lilyhammer, Letterman etc. Frasier has also professionally performed live internationally including off-Broadway, regional and touring theater, opera, and music.