‘School of Laughs’ Comedy Writing Sign-ups

school_of_laughsStand UP Comedy Level ONE: Writing class is scheduled for MONDAYS October 19, 26 & TUESDAY, November 3, 5:30-7:30p.m. at Zanies. (The club was unavailable on Nov 2nd due to a fund rasier). To save your spot you must request a sign-up sheet from me at comedyhomework(at)aol(dot)com. Space is limited, so let me know asap. The 3 session class fee is $200 total. 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?
Are you tuned into which techniques you use that 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!

Sign ups are now available. Request at form at comedyhomework(at)aol(dot)com.

Stand UP Comedy Level Two: Performance class is tentatively scheduled for November 9, 16 & 23 5:30-8:30 at Zanies. Class fee is $200 total for the 3 sessions.

Sign ups start November 2nd.

About the class:

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 priority when signing up, followed by new students who have had SOME performing and writing experience outside of the School of Laughs.

In each class you will go on stage for 3 minutes. 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 suggestions, 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.

Students who successfully navigate the writing and performing class are invited to a GRADUATION show at Zanies where they will perform a 3 minute set. The set will be video taped and given to you on a DVD along with an evaluation of that set. The graduation set must be CLEAN.

Additional class description on www.schooloflaughs.com.

The Business 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 mp3 or audio CD – that’s no joke! Just request a copy today by e-mail at comedyhomework(at)aol(dot)com. The cost is $75 and I’ll waive the shipping cost on the workbook if you order before October 14th.

Why a Business Class???

Because you will earn 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!!!

E-mail me at comedyhomework(at)aol(dot)com to request your workbook and mp3 today!

GRADUATION SHOW

Thanks to all the students who graduated onstage at Zanies on Wednesday September 23rd. All 7 had their best set yet!

TONIGHT! D.L. Hughley, ‘Ultimate Comedy’, ‘The I Have No Friends Comedy Contest’

Tonight there are several fantastic choices for hilarious comedy in Nashville:

20090925_ultimatecomedyULTIMATE COMEDY!

Featuring Stand-up, Sketches, and a LIVE LIVE performance by Heavy Metal Comedy Duo: THE DEAD DEAD! TICKETS ARE ONLY 5 BUCKS!
(link to the facebook event)

20090925_NOfriendsThe I Have No Friends Comedy Contest

Open mic stand-up comedy contest. $50 to the winner (as decided by the audience). Be there at 8:30 to sign up, show starts at 9. Everybody gets 5 minutes. Hosted by America’s Favorite Comedian Of All Time, Chad Riden.
(link to the facebook event)

dl_hughleyZanies presents.. D. L. Hughley

One of the most popular and highly recognized standup comedians on the road today has also made quite an impression in the feature film and television arena, but it was ‘The Original Kings Of Comedy’ that launched D.L. into superstardom. D.L. recently premiered a one-hour comedy special for HBO entitled “Unapologetic.”
(link to the event on Zanies site)

Here is a clip of D.L. from “Def Comedy Jam” –

This Week In Nashville: Mike Birbiglia, Tom Rhodes, Sugar Sammy

This week doesn’t look too bad for stand-up comedy in Nashville. We’re lucky enough to have several heavy hitters in town and one of these great shows is even a breast cancer benefit.. so there’s no guilt in going out and having a good time:

Tuesday, September 15
8am Get Up, Stand Up (91.1 WRVU-FM)
8:30pm OPEN MIC Contest (Spanky’s Sportsbar & Grill)

Wednesday, September 16
7:30pm Jeff Allen / “Best Of Nashville” (Zanies)

Thursday, September 17
7:30pm Mike Birbiglia: I’m In The Future Also (TPAC: James K Polk Theater)
7:30pm Sugar Sammy (Zanies)

jokes_mike_birbiglia_tour_r13

Jokes.com
Exclusives – Mike Birbiglia Interview
comedians.comedycentral.com
Joke of the Day Stand-Up Comedy Free Online Games

Friday, September 18
7:30pm Tickled Pink – Comedy For The Cure – Tom Rhodes, Beth Donahue, Brian Bates, Shawn Tidwell, Matt Holt (Belcourt Theater)
7:30pm, 9:45pm Sugar Sammy (Zanies)

tickledpink

Saturday, September 19
7pm, 9pm, 11:15pm Sugar Sammy (Zanies)

Sunday, September 20
7:30pm Sugar Sammy (Zanies)
8pm Laugh At Joe’s OPEN MIC (Joe’s Place)

Rik Roberts’ School Of Laughs Stand-Up Performance Class Sign-ups

school_of_laughsRik Roberts’ School Of Laughs is now taking sign ups for:

Stand-UP Comedy Level Two: Performance

Starts in 6 days!

Stand UP Comedy Level Two: Performance class is scheduled for August 3, 10, 24 & 31. Class fee is $200. There are two sessions to choose from: Early (5:30-7:15) and Late (7:30-9:15). The early class will probably fill up first so if you can be part of the later session that would help out.

About the class:

I limit the sessions to 8 people so we can have enough for an “audience” and can give everyone ample time for feedback.

Students who have taken the writing class have priority when signing up, followed by new students who have had SOME performing and writing experience outside of the School of Laughs.

In each class you will go on stage the first time for 3 minutes. 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 suggestions, as well as constructive criticism on your stage presence, delivery and ability to relate.

The second time you get onstage I will interrupt you at some point and have you either explore a premise deeper or exaggerate a performance technique to get a different response.

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.

Students who successfully navigate the writing and performing class are invited to a GRADUATION show at Zanies where they will perform a 3 minute set. The set will be video taped and given to you on a DVD along with an evaluation of that set. The graduation set must be CLEAN.

Additional class description on www.schooloflaughs.com.

ASK FOR A SIGN UP FORM NOW!

E-Mail me: comedyhomework [at] aol [dot] com

Stand UP Comedy Level ONE: Writing class is tentatively scheduled for MONDAYS September 21, 28 October 19, 26 5:30-7:30p.m. at Zanies. Class fee is $200.

Rik Roberts
Rik Roberts

Many have asked, “Which class is best for me?” 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?

Are you tuned into which techniques you use that 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!

Sign ups will begin a few weeks before the class starts.

If you have any questions about any of the classes feel free to e-mail me and ask.. otherwise here’s a look at what’s coming up..

The Bu$ine$$ of Comedy class is tentatively scheduled for Monday, September 14th. Thanks for your patience. This will be a one evening seminar, from 5:30-8:00/8:30 at Zanies, cost is $75. Sign ups will begin September 1st.

Why a Business Class???

Because you will earn more about the comedy business in this 3 hour session than some comics learn in their entire career. After you pre-register you can submit ANY and ALL questions to be answered at the class. 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 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?

Am I too old to start a career in comedy?

What do I need to have before going “on the road”?

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!!!

Stage time for former students at ZANIES!

Zanies has asked if I would run an open mike twice a month on TUESDAYS specifically designed to get my graduates more stage time. The open mic’s have been a huge success! Typically 8 – 12 comics get stage time each show. That is 16-24 spots for comics each month!

Set lengths will vary from 3-7 minutes and there will be opportunities to emcee the shows as well. These shows are a direct result of all the quality new faces who have taken the classes and their material to the next level.

I do want to make it clear, though, that ZANIES books the show. I just HOST it. So, if you want to participate, go to ZANIES.com and click on the open mic link for details on how to sign up!

I will be hosting the OPEN MIC on August 11 and 25. Show starts at 7:30pm. Call or e-mail me for FREE TICKETS

Gift Certificates

Don’t want to spend the money on yourself for classes? Have someone else do it! You can let people know you want to take these classes and have them pay your tuition with a gift certificate. Just have them e-mail me and I will guide them through it. The gift certificate is available for any of the 4 week courses for $200, and for the Business Class for $75. All pre-paid certificate are fully refundable if you decide not to take the class.

This week in Nashville: Dale Jones, Arnez J, more..

dale_jonesMonday, July 20
7pm Dale Jones, The Three Brians (Bongo Java After Hours Theater)
8:30pm Celebrity Showcase – Billy Gardell, Etta May, Cowboy Bill Martin, Brian Haner, Michael Loftus, Tim Wilson, Alex Reymundo (Zanies)

Tuesday, July 21
8am – 9am Get Up, Stand Up (91.1 WRVU-FM)
8pm OPEN MIC Contest (Spanky’s Sportsbar & Grill)

Wednesday, July 22
7:30pm Rik Roberts + OPEN MIC (Zanies)

Thursday, July 23
7:30pm TBA (Zanies)

Friday, July 24
7:30pm, 9:45pm Arnez J (Zanies)
9pm (East Side Performing Artist Co-Op)
9pm Chris Loyd & Friends Comedy Show – Chuck, Perry Redd, Scott D. Hill, X-Man, Wix (Music City Bar & Grill)

Saturday, July 25
7pm, 9pm, 11:15pm Arnez J (Zanies)
8pm Dan Whitehurst (PJ’s Bar & Grille, Fairview, TN)
8:30pm Brandon Sams, Chuck, Kate Lucas-Sams, Terry Cliburn (Joe’s Crab Shack)

Sunday, July 26
7:30pm Arnez J (Zanies)
8pm OPEN MIC (Music Row Bar & Grill)
8pm Laugh At Joe’s OPEN MIC (Joe’s Place)

More details can be found in the NashvilleStandUp show calendar in the sidebar.