news, show listings, contests, ticket give-aways and slander about Nashville's comedy community
This Thursday, September 8th, Rik Roberts will be on “The Cho Show” on Great American Country (GAC). Airtime is 7 CST.
Please tune in for some fun Stand-UP and Sketch comedy. The show will feature stand up by Henry Cho, Karen Mills, Jim Hope & Rik Roberts. Henry’s special guests include: Vince Gill, Rodney Atkins, Phil Vassar, Deana Carter and a few surprises.
Check your local listings, GAC will re-air The Cho Show several times over the rest of the week.
2010 was a big year for the school of laughs and it’s graduates. I enjoy hearing about former students grabbing stage time across the country as well as some paying gigs. I’m also impressed with the amount of stage time they’ve donated to causes and fund raisers.
In 2011, I hope to add a couple of “Field Trip” outings for everyone to get together and catch up outside of the comedy club. Networking is a big part of moving forward. Stay tuned for more on that.
That’s all for now, class dates and info below. Business of Comedy class registration is now open. E-mail comedyhomework – at – aol . com for the entry form.
– Rik
UPCOMING CLASS DATES
(descriptions below)
January 24, 2011 Business of Comedy Seminar
February 7, 21, 28 Stand-UP Level One: Writing
March 7, 14, 21 Stand-UP Level Two: Performance
April 4, 11, 18 Improv Comedy Level One: Games
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The Bu$ine$$ of Comedy Seminar
Monday, January 24
5:30 – 8:00 PM @ Zanies in Nashville
The cost is $75 for this one evening seminar
Registration is open, just request a form today by e-mail at comedyhomework – at – aol . com.
Why a Business Class???
Because you will learn more about the comedy business in this session than some comics learn in their entire career. You can take this class without any experience. It is a real eye opener into the world of comedy as a living.
Among topics we will address:
What goes in my promo kit?
When should I approach the clubs?
How do I get in with bookers?
How do I promote myself? Do I need a web site?
What is deductible?
HOW MUCH DO COMEDIANS MAKE?
What market am I best suited for?
What is a realistic time line for my career?
What merchandise sells? Where do I get it?
What should I do for free and where do I draw the line?
and MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!
In fact, send in any question you want answered prior to the seminar and I’ll find the answer for you.
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Stand UP Comedy Level One: Writing
Tentatively set for Mondays, February 7, 21, 28
5:30-7:30 PM @ Zanies Nashville
The 3 session class fee is $200 total
Sign-Ups Available Beginning January 17th, 2011
Request a form at comedyhomework – at – aol . com.
How do you know if the writing class is the starting place 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!
You can pay by check, credit card or money order. Once you’ve paid for the writing class once you have a “Lifetime” membership which allows you to attend any and all of the future writing classes at no extra cost.
===
Stand UP Comedy Level Two: Performance
Tentatively set for Mondays, March 7, 14 & 21
From 5:30-8:00 PM @ Zanies Nashville
The 3 session class fee is $200 total
Sign-ups start February 28, 2011
Request a form at: comedyhomework – at – aol . com
About the class:
In each class you will go on stage for a short set. After your set you will get feedback from myself and then the other students. Feedback will include ideas and angles to clarify your premise, punch line and tag lines. We’ll offer suggestions on how to take your jokes further, as well as constructive criticism on your stage presence, delivery and ability to relate.
Each week there will be some “homework” geared toward preparing a more solid set for the next time.
The class is 100% constructive but you will need to have a little thick skin to take advantage of everything involved.
I limit the size of the class so we can give everyone ample time for feedback and have enough for an “audience” for the students onstage. Students who have taken the writing class have the priority when signing up, followed by new students who have had SOME performing and writing experience outside of the School of Laughs.
Students who successfully navigate the writing and performing classes are invited to a GRADUATION show at Zanies where they will perform a 3 minute set. The set will be recorded and given to you on a DVD along with an evaluation of that set. The graduation set must be CLEAN.
Intro to Improv Comedy Level One: Games
Mondays, April 4, 11 & 18
From 5:30-8:00 PM @ Zanies Nashville, TN
The 3 session class fee is $200 total
Sign-ups start March 21, 2011.
Request a form at: comedyhomework – at – aol . com
Want to release the inner genius trapped inside you? Me too! In the meantime, why not sign up for the Intro to Improv Comedy Class?
I started my comedy career as part of Midwest Comedy Tool and Die – an incredible Improv group in Columbus, OH. We were one of the few traveling Improv troupes to conquer comedy clubs. Our approach was big on laughs with a respect for the art form of Improv. In this intro to Improv class we will do the same.
We will sample many of the games you have seen on “Whose Line is it Anyway?” as well as many you may have never seen. You’ll learn the ground rules that apply to Improvisational Comedy. You’ll be onstage a LOT and will learn to trust your instincts.
You’ll also benefit if you are pursuing stand-up comedy. All of the games in this course can be applied to writing and developing your material. Many students develop characters and bits that they integrate into their act.
Visit www.schooloflaughs.com for more information on these and other classes.
Look for The Rik Roberts School of Laughs on www.FACEBOOK.com. Friend the school for weekly news!
Nissan whistle-blower Sharyn Bovat just got written up by Punchline magazine – who embedded a video of her performing at Spanky’s last Tuesday. Of course, the Spanky’s regulars are heard talking in the background and/or heckling, so congratulations on YOUR punchline magazine debut, as well:
Punchline’s Josh Evans wrote, “Granted she’s by no means a seasoned comedienne, but Bovat shows some promise, if only for her comfortable stage presence and ability to generate at least a few good laughs.”
Sharyn will perform at Zanies Nov. 17th as part of Rik Roberts’ School Of Laughs graduation performance show.
Stand UP Comedy Level Two: Performance
Mondays, February 8, 15, 22 from 5:30-8:00PM @ Zanies Nashville
The 3 session class fee is $200 total.
Sign-ups start January 20 @ comedyhomework [at] aol [dot] com
About the class:
In each class you will go on stage for a short set. After your set you will get feedback from myself and then the other students. Feedback will include ideas and angles to clarify your premise, punch line and tag lines. We’ll offer suggestions on how to take your jokes further, as well as constructive criticism on your stage presence, delivery and ability to relate.
Each week there will be some “homework” geared toward preparing a more solid set for the next time.
The class is 100% constructive but you will need to have a little thick skin to take advantage of everything involved.
In this class we will address:
Act-outs
Characters
Comedy Etiquette
Crowd Control
Heckler Target Practice
Impressions
Mike Techniques
Performance Enhancers
Set Timing
Picking the best set
Riffing / Stream of Thought
Stage Picture
Stage Voice
Taking Stage
Thinking out loud onstage
Voices … and much more!
Students who successfully navigate the writing and performing classes are invited to a GRADUATION show at Zanies where they will perform a 3 minute set. The set will be recorded and given to you on a DVD along with an evaluation of that set. The graduation set must be CLEAN.
I limit the size of the class so we can give everyone ample time for feedback and have enough for an “audience” for the students onstage.
Students who have taken the writing class have the priority when signing up, followed by new students who have had SOME performing and writing experience outside of the School of Laughs.
Intro to Improv Comedy Level One: Games
Tentatively set for: Mondays, March 1, 8 & 15 5:30-8:00PM @ Zanies Nashville
The 3 session class fee is $200 total.
Pre-registration is open, request a form today: comedyhomework [at] aol [dot] com
Want to release the inner genius trapped inside you? Me too! In the meantime, why not sign up for the Intro to Improv Comedy Class?
I started my comedy career as part of Midwest Comedy Tool and Die – an incredible Improv group in Columbus, OH. We were one of the few traveling Improv troupes to conquer comedy clubs. Our approach was big on laughs with a respect for the art form of Improv. In this intro to Improv class we will do the same.
We will sample many of the games you have seen on “Whose Line is it Anyway?” as well as many you may have never seen. You’ll learn the ground rules that apply to Improvisational Comedy. You’ll be onstage a LOT and will learn to trust your instincts. The instincts will be beneficial in your everyday life. You’ll also benefit if you are pursuing stand-up comedy.
Stand UP Comedy Level ONE: Writing
Tentatively set for Mondays, April 5, 12 & 26 from 5:30-7:30PM @ Zanies Nashville
The 3 session class fee is $200 total.
Sign-Ups Available Beginning March 15 at comedyhomework [at] aol [dot] com.
Space will be limited. You can pay by check, credit card or money order. Once you’ve paid for the writing class once you have a “Lifetime” membership which allows you to attend any and all of the future writing classes at no extra cost.
How do you know if the writing class is the starting place 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!
Bu$ine$$ of Comedy
The annual Bu$ine$$ of Comedy seminar was held on Monday, September 14th. Thanks to the 27 fun loving and seriously interested folks who attended. I appreciate your devotion to taking comedy to the next level.
Did you miss it?
You can still pick up all the tips!
You can receive the 30 page workbook along with the seminar on 3 audio CD’s – that’s no joke! Just request a copy today by e-mail at comedyhomework [at] aol [dot] com. The cost is $75.
Why a Business Class???
Because you will learn more about the comedy business in this 3 hour session than some comics learn in their entire career. You can take this class without any previous experience. It is a real eye opener into the world of comedy as a living.
Among other topics we addressed:
What goes in my promo kit?
When should I approach the clubs?
How do I get in with bookers?
How do I promote myself?
Do I need a web site?
What is deductible?
HOW MUCH DO COMEDIANS MAKE?
What market am I best suited for?
What is a realistic time line for my career?
What merchandise sells? Where do I get the merchandise?
What should I do for free and where do I draw the line?
and MUCH MUCH MORE!!!
request your workbook and CD today @ comedyhomework [at] aol [dot] com
Visit www.schooloflaughs.com for more information on these and other classes & tell them NashvilleStandup sent you.