Comedy is a skill like any other profession. Most of us don’t think we are funny because we have never been shown how. There are no “natural” comics in the world.

The funniest people in our class are usually those that are not funny normally. The class is about learning the skills to be funny and included in this is an individual writing session. From this, your individual routine will be created. Everyone can be funny, even you.

Classes

Participants will be introduced to the skills and techniques used by professional stand up comedians. Joke writing, use of puns, exaggeration, word play, segue, handling hecklers and others types of humour are all discussed. Participants will learn to be comfortable on stage and adopt a rhythm used by Stand Up Comics.

There are 6 two hour classes followed by a live performance at the Blackfoot Inn, Calgary. Also included is a private routine writing session. This class is perfect for anyone who is interested in a career in Stand Up Comedy. It is also for those who simply want to improve their self confidence, their presentation skills and who love to make laughter a central part of their lives.

For more information on Start Up Stand Up Instructor Trevor Campbell click his name.

October 25 - November 22 2007 Code B014 7 - 9:30 pm for 5 Weeks Graduation show November 26, 2007! $349.00 + G.S.T.

This is not for the faint of heart! You must be comfortable with at least 5
minutes of your original material. You will be required to be writing
throughout the class. Practical aspects of doing comedy will be covered
during class time along with your new material.

Students are required to participate in the 2 amateur nights at local bars.
You will receive feedback from your instructor on these performances. The
final graduation show will be a competition. More on that later!!! Your
instructor for this class will be Tony Binns who has been headlining across
Canada with Yuk Yuks for 8 years now.

No class currently scheduled.

The struggles and joys for mothers are truly only understood by other mothers. The use of humour as a method of communication, coping and ‘joie de vivre’ is frequently forgotten. Whether you are a new mom or an ‘experienced’ mom, come and join others to network, laugh, and learn. Participants will learn the benefits of humour, practice presentation skills, and search for the humour in their daily lives. Don’t be frightened, but a final show at a local comedy club will allow you to show off your humorous side and new found confidence to a friendly audience.

For more information on Funny Mommies Instructor Bev Stevenson click her name.

No classes currently scheduled 10 am - noon Code FM005 Five 2 hour daytime classes and a private writing session

In the first Funny Mommies course you learned the basics. This time the kid gloves come off and together we take it to the next level!! Course instructor Trevor Campbell will guide you through a surplus of exercises designed to turn you into a comedy Pro. You've performed for an audience, now learn how to "read" an audience, win back an audience that has turned on you, get more laughs. You have written jokes, now learn how to "mine" jokes, re-write existing material for larger laughs, be more selective. You have learned joke structure, now learn how to change a joke on the fly and target a specific demographic.

The Funny Mommies Course is also about learning to love life and laugh more. In Part One we learned to take material from your own life. Your life IS funny. In Part Two complete the circle as your material becomes your life. (What the hell does that mean??) Well... it means the comedy Zen will become clear. In "Funny Mommies Want More" not only will you find material out of every day experiences you will learn to put your material back into you life. (Oh, ok then.)

For more information on Funny Mommies Want More Instructor Trevor Campbell click his name.

No classes currently scheduled 10 am - noon Code FM2001

Always wanted to try your hand at Improv? We have just the class for you. Improvisational games and techniques are demonstrated and acted out on stage. Every class is a new experience and there are no lines to memorize- it’s Improv! Comedy and acting all in one!

For more information on Improv Class Instructor Rick Hilton click his name.

Class will run when full- sign up now! code IMP005 6 Tuesdays $249 + G.S.T. IMPROV ALUMNI CAN DROP IN FOR $20 + G.S.T. PER CLASS

Only the elite may join the Funnies Alumni! You must have completed one course in Stand Up or Improv to qualify to be an alumnist. For a small annual fee and a monthly drop in fee, you can join other comics for laughing and learning at our studio on the third Friday of each month.

Workshops

Comedy Boot Camp 2007 Early Bird Sign up $120 plus gst

Q: Will I really perform to a live Audience at the end of a Stand-Up Comedy Class?

A: Yes, in fact often as big as 250 people. But don't worry, it's all family and friends. Once you go up for the first time, you'll be hooked!

Q: What if I'm not that funny?

A: Don't worry, not being funny is really funny...believe me!

Q: How can I pay?

A: We love cash. But we will take a cheque. Payment must be received before the classes begin. Deferred payment schedules are available to some students.

Q: What if I have stage fright?

A: Now that would be funny!

Q: What is the average age of people in the class?

A: The average is somewhere in the 30's but every class seems to have a great mix of people between 18 and 75 years old! About 40% men and 60% women!

Q: What if I miss a class?

A: Unfortunately you will miss another night of the hilarity! On a serious note, the instructor will email the days lessons to you so that you can come prepared for the next class.

Q: The thought of taking a comedy class scares me. Is this unusual?

A: You should be more concerned if the thought doesn’t scare you. Comedy is the most difficult of all speaking skills and all comics have a level of fear before a performance. If someone says they are not frightened, they are lying or drunk…or both. That being said, one of the great benefits from taking the class is overcoming your fears. Once you have done this every other speaking engagement and communication challenge is easy. It really is a night you will never forget!

Q: How can you do comedy if you’re not funny?

A: Comedy is a skill like any other profession. Most of us don’t think we are funny because we have never been shown how. There are no “natural” comics in the world. Every person you know who is funny practices being funny. It might be by watching comics on TV or just trying stuff until people eventually laugh. No one is born funny, we learn it.

The funniest people in our class are usually those that are not funny normally. The class is about learning the skills and included in this is an individual writing session. From this your individual routine will be created. When you first learn to drive, swim or use a computer it seems daunting. Once someone shows you how it works it is less intimidating. Comedy is exactly like that. Everyone can be funny, even you.

Q: What if I don’t want to go on stage?

A: Well you won’t be the first – but you will be the second! Some people take our class just to learn about comedy and to have fun. They tell us right from the start they are not going on stage. Then something happens, they learn that they can be funny, and go on. We have had only one person out of the hundreds that have gone through the class who has not performed on stage. The class is about being safe, so if you really don’t want to go on stage, we don’t force you. The decision is totally up to you.

Q: What will I talk about on stage?

A: Your routine will be about you. The best comedy comes from your life. You will not be thrown up on a stage and be expected to make people laugh. The class will show you the mechanics of comedy and how to perform. The individual writing session will create a routine for you and is based on your life. Best of all it will be funny. We have been told the writing session is the most enjoyable of all the classes. There is something cathartic about looking at your life from the perspective of comedy.

Q: What if I can’t memorize my routine?

A: This is a comedy course, not a memory course. We have memory classes…but we forgot where we put them. You will go on stage with your routine in a form that is easy for you to refer to. This does not detract from the comedy at all. We have never had an audience member say…”How come they needed cards?” Most people leave the show saying…”Wow… I’m impressed!”

Q: How is stand-up comedy going to help me in my life?

A: The most common answer from past participants is that you develop confidence and self-esteem. This has been measured in reports done with specialty groups we have worked with such as the Epilepsy Association and Alberta Mental Health. You will have done something that less than 1/2 of 1/2 of 1% of the population will ever even think of doing. You will have climbed a personal mountain and the feeling of accomplishment will stay with you for the rest of your life.

You will also have better communication skills, and be more adept at dealing with anger and personal attack. You will learn how to use comedy in situations that are tense and difficult. We think the best result comes from looking at life in a more positive and fun way. Comedy is the rose coloured glasses of life.

We also know that laughter is healing, physically, for the body as well as mentally for the mind. Many studies have confirmed laughter destroys viruses and even cancer. Laughter is a powerful medicine.

Q: Why don’t more people perform comedy?

A: Most people still believe you have to be “born” funny. This and the inherent fear make the art of comedy seem impossible to most of us. Also in the past we didn’t know about all of the benefits of laughter and so humour was not considered important. We now understand, from medical research, laughter has a huge role in our lives. Comedy classes are now being taught in cities throughout North America. It takes time for any successful program to catch on with the general public.

Q: What happens after the class is over?

A: Most people will bask in the glow of accomplishment and maybe bring out the tape of the performance every now and then to remind them of how much fun it was. Others will keep on learning and do comedy at charity events, office presentations or service clubs. There will also be the opportunity to continue practicing your skills by participating in the Funnies Comedy Troupe.