EDITOR’S NOTE: Comedian Rik Roberts’ “School Of Laughs” has several fantastic classes available covering writing, performance, improv, and the business of comedy. Rik is a seasoned veteran and a well respected comic. His classes are well worth every penny and are highly recommended to anyone who would like to learn the ins and outs of the business from somebody who knows what they’re talking about.  Here’s the latest from Rik:

 

Happy Global Warming,

I can’t believe how nice the weather has been this winter. The hot air from all these campaigning politicians must have something to do with it.

I wanted to send one last reminder about the upcoming writing class starting Monday. We still have some room in what looks to be an exciting group of students. If you miss this round the next earliest opportunity would be in May or June. Read on for more information on how to sign up.

Thanks!

Rik

Stand-UP Level One: Writing
Mondays, February 6,  20 &  27
5:30-7:30 PM @ Zanies Nashville

The 3 session class fee is $200 total

E-Mail me at comedyhomework@aol.com
with the following information to reserve your spot:

First & Last Name
Address
Cell #
Past Performance Experience (if any)
Method of payment (check, cash, PayPal, Credit Card)

If you are starting from scratch this is your class. If you have “dabbled” in stand-up and can’t find the consistency you need from your material, this is your class. If you write, blog, tweet or just want to find out how to be funnier … this class is for you.

Ask yourself the following questions. Be honest with yourself!

• How solid is your material now?
• Do you know the reason each joke gets a laugh?
• What techniques suit you the best?
• Are you able to mix it up for different types of crowds?
• Can you turn a story into a comedy bit?
• Do your jokes get consistent laughs?
• Are you able to get a laugh every 15 seconds or so?

If you don’t know some of the answers, then you’d benefit enormously from the writing class!

Stand-Up Level One: Writing comes with a ”Lifetime” membership which allows you to attend any and all of the future writing classes at no extra cost.

==========

Performance Class tentatively set for March 5, 12 & 19.

Registration will begin after the writing class is complete. Students who have already taken the writing class have first choice in signing up.

Typically the class fills with these students. If any spots remain open, I will send a notice via this newsletter.

==

Improv Class tentatively April 16, 23 & 30

==

Business of Comedy Class dates TBA

==

Rik Roberts
Principal / Janitor
School of Laughs

JOIN S.O.L. on FACEBOOK

Check out videos of former students:
http://schooloflaughs.tumblr.com/

www.schooloflaughs.com
comedyhomework@aol.com

Here’s a sketch video NashvilleStandUp’s own Chad Riden did with American Idol’s Scotty McCreery to promote Scotty’s ACM New Artist Of The Year nomination. Since Scotty posted the video online a week ago, his fans have warmly embraced Chad as “cousin” JIMMY DALE. Some YouTube comments even go so far as to say Riden should get his own show on CMT.. and we wholeheartedly agree. wink wink

For more Chad Riden’y goodness, visit:
ChadRiden.com
Twitter.com/ChadRiden
Facebook.com/comedychad
YouTube.com/ChadRiden

SmartyPants NerdCore Stand-Up Comedy Show EVERY SUNDAY @ Steve’s:
featured comics plus semi-open-mic
(If you are dirtier than you are funny, you’re not welcome. Smart and funny WINS.. stupid and filthy goes home.)

HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS:
- $2 Domestic Drafts / bottles
- 2-for-1 wells
- $4 House Wine

Hosted by America’s Favorite Comedian Of All Time, Chad Riden.

Every Sunday at 8pm. No Cover. Smoke-free.

Steve’s Restaurant & Bar
604 Gallatin Avenue #217
Nashville, TN 37206
615-227-8383

More infos:
StevesEastNashville.com
(facebook event)

An “Iron Songwriter” update from Lacie at NashvilleComedyTheater.com:
Mark Anundson made it into the final for this weekends show and we’re excited to have him! We have 2 shows this weekend, Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th. Friday’s show is awesome Holiday Improv and Improvised Shakespeare and Saturday’s Show is our Holiday show and the Iron Songwriter Championships!

NSUP asked Mark Anundson about how his first round of “Iron Songwriter” went down. This is what he sent:

Through the magic of Twitter and the fine Interwebs I discovered a
little competition called Iron Songwriter. I clicked on the fancy
link and signed up for one of the few open slots left in the
competition. A few short hours later I received one of the most
professional e-mails of my life and it stated I was accepted into the
competition. I arrived at the Next Level Theater at a very early hour
and was happy to do one of the first sound checks of the night. I sat
just outside the theater and listened to the other six competitors run
through their sound checks. As I sat there and listened I realized
that every other performer was pretty awesome at playing an instrument
and\or singing. I was up against a bunch of musicians that could
musically school me and my gut instinct was to get out of dodge before
the competition started.

I decided to stay and make the best of a weird situation. At the
start of the show they called all of the competitors to the stage and
then asked the audience members for song ideas. The audience was slow
to throw out ideas and may have stalled a little after the ideas of
basketballs and bicycles were shot down by the competitors. Finally
an Angel from the crowd yelled MUSTARD and we all had a good giggle.
We settled on mustard and a calmness came over me unlike ever before.
I know about mustard, I love mustard, I used to tell people I was
going to start my own mustard business. My confidence was restored
and I was off to the back to write what I thought would be the
greatest song about mustard ever told.

The first performer was a guy named Seth, he did a version of
Coldplay’s Yellow but made it about getting a mustard stain on your
shirt before a big meeting. The song was genius! The next competitor
was a guy named Matt who went up there and did a five minute power
ballad about how mustard plays second fiddle to ketchup. It was an
amazing song filled with piano riffs, emotional swells and it was
super funny. I was next and I don’t remember exactly what happened
but I think I made a few jokes before I started my song, got a few
laughs then went into a song that was about how much I love mustard.
It was a pretty dumb song but I was able to rely on the old set-up
punch format, interacted with the audience during the song and made
fun of how bad I performed the song. At the end of my song I had the
audience laughing and win or lose I had a good time. The rest of the
competitors were all fantastic and worthy of moving on to the next
round. Once the show was in full swing I didn’t care about winning or
losing I just enjoyed the process and made some new friends. At the
end of the night they announced the winners and I was shocked to come
in second place. Matt and his power ballad came in first and Seth
tied for third. I look forward to competing in the finals on December
17th.

The final NCT Holiday Show of the season and the BIGGEST Songwriter Challenge to invade Nashville. The day has finally arrived. 3 months ago songwriters started arriving at the steps of The Nashville Comedy Theater. Now 4 of the best of the best will be fighting for a chance to prove they are truly an Iron Songwriter.

Boo Detch
Justin Covergeist
Andrew Thornhill
Mark Anundson

Four songwriters. One audience suggestion. 45 minutes to write a complete song. They’ve done it once before, but can they do it again?

Their suggested topic could be anything from spatulas to zombies to the Dewey Decimal System, but they will need to create a song that will win the hearts (and votes) of you the audience.
And this time the stakes are even higher, pride, bragging rights, a trophy and cash:

1st — $200, a trophy and the title of “Iron Songwriter 2011″
2nd — $100
3rd — $75

While they are writing their song the cast of Nashville Comedy Theater will entertain you with our high energy Holiday themed improv comedy show, and this will be your last chance to catch the amazing delightful, magical, “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Improv” show until next year. Featuring Christmas Carols, an “It’s a Wonderful Life” styled look at the impact of one person’s life on the world and at least a dozen more entirely new Holiday Themed games like Spin the Dreidel, Reindeer Games, Toybox Theater, & HO HO HO, Now I have a Machine Gun.

This Iron Songwriter Championship is going to be epic, with all of the 1st and 2nd place champions from previous months, bringing their rowdy fans, pianos, guitars, ukuleles, and unbelievable musical talents in one apocalyptic showdown.

Beer, wine, soft drinks, bottled water, candy, and snacks are available in the lobby. Tickets are available for purchase online at NashvilleComedyTheater.com (credit card and PayPal accepted). You may also purchase tickets at the door with cash or check, if tickets are still available.

two shows – 8pm – Friday, December 16th & Saturday, December 17th
(but, seriously, go see Mark on Saturday)

The Writer’s Stage / Next Level
1008 Charlotte Ave; Nashville, TN

Facebook events:
http://www.facebook.com/events/199981183418392/
http://www.facebook.com/events/289839074389405/

Traditionally, on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Zanies puts together an all-star lineup of comedians from Nashville who are off the road and back in town to spend the holiday with friends and family. “Comics Come Home” is a showcase style line-up of the guys (and ladies) who came up through the open mics, starting getting work.. and at some point hit the road to do comedy full time. It’s always fun. If you’re looking for an excuse to ditch your family and go have a few drinks / laughs.. this is the perfect show for you.

This year, our own Keith Alberstadt (“Late Show with David Letterman”, CMT, etc) will host AND headline the event which also features Dan Whitehurst, Dawna Kinne, TC Cope, Chad Riden, Brian Bates and Rick Wey.

Keith Alberstadt grew up the son of a Vanderbilt professor and a craft artist. The result . . . a very clever comic with sharp perception, unmatched creativity, and a treasure trove of unique material. His likable personality and down-to-earth charm invite people into his brand of humor—one that is smart but not brainy and relatable but not hacky.

While performing, Keith takes pride in laughing at himself and his “inner dork”, which he attempts to prove is something in all of us. Current events, popular trends, personal details… Keith shares his witty insight on everything, all the while doing it with a mischievous smile that quickly becomes infectious.

A regular performer for the U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Keith has been described as “absolutely hilarious” by Armed Forces Entertainment and “a hidden gem” by the Boston Globe. He’s also a contributing writer for Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update, National Lampoon and various online magazines.

Here’s a video of Keith’s Letterman appearance:

“Comics Come Home”
Wed. Nov. 23, 2011, 7:30pm
(facebook event)

Zanies Comedy Showplace
2025 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37204

Tickets are available online or by calling 615-269-0221.