Monday, March 28, 2016

FRIDAY APRIL 15 IMPROV 4 TEENS 8 & 9:30 seatings

We have added special shows just for our Teen Audiences and their families

Friday April 15, 2016

8pm CLICK HERE
9:30pm CLICK HERE  ALMOST SOLD OUT with Teen Group from Miami

Click links above for Discount tickets
$10 General Admission (regularly $25) requires 1-drink minimum
$25 VIP includes front row seat, Pizza and beverage (Reg $45-60 just includes drinks)
- NO ADDITIONAL PURCHASE REQUIRED with VIP tickets

Group and Private event requests email eightimprov@gmail.com

Do class clowns make good comedians? Q&A Answered

But as they sat quietly in the corner, they watched. They observed. Beyond learning what teachers and books had to teach, They observed the world. They thought of hundreds of things they would have liked to say to their bullies, friends, potential girl/boy friends, teachers, parents etc.





Do class clowns make good comedians?

This is a popular question from teachers, but I thought it profound today hearing an 8th grade student from Brooklyn ask this question.

Do class clowns make good comedians?

Usually, NO! WHY?

The problem with a lot of traditional class clowns is that they do not listen. They are so focused on making noise, they cannot listen. 

My answer to this 8th grader's question? No, I was not always the perfect student, but a great comic usually is very intelligent. In their formative years (Middle School especially) they focused on school work. They studied. The learned stuff. 

They may not have been great test takers. Many comics have learning disabilities. Many comics were socially awkward as kids and teens. Many were bullied. Many were abused physically and/or psychologically. 

Their have been great debates about the pain that inspires comedy. Some of the best comedians in the world are full of pain inside. Comics joke about their set as being therapy. Instead of paying a psychologist, you pay us to complain for 5-90 minutes.

SPRING COMEDY CLASSES START APRIL 2

By the time they decided to try comedy, they had a lot to say. They have been holding it in for years. 

Unfortunately, while class clowns are busy clowning, the rest of the world is passing them by quickly. Then you get to be a certain age and wonder, "WHAT HAPPENED?"

Lets talk about what a class clown is for a second. Most "attention getters" - including bullies - actually have just as much insecurity as the typical bully victim. The difference is, while many us retreat within, these scene-stealers over compensate to hide the fact they are really scared or ignorant. 

Think about the Trump effect. Every time Trump is asked a question he clearly has no answer, Donald deflects by attacking his opponents or throwing focus back on himself. Yes DT, we know, your building a wall...

IMPROV v CLASS CLOWNS

Class Clown types are terrible for Improv. Class clowns are not fearless. They are over compensating for fear or ignorance. EGO is just as bad as FEAR when it comes to being a great performer. While I feel you need a few drops of arrogance to get up on stage and be "fearless" too much blinds us. We stop listening. We stop sharing. We stop supporting our team. 

The clowns you see in our Improv shows and workshops don't waste time on ourselves. Instead we observe our world. On stage we recreate what we see, 

Class Clowns are a distraction to great comedy as much as they are disruptive to a great classroom experience. 

Are you a class clown?

If so, why?
Are you anxious?
Do you have trouble understanding things in class?
Are you having troubles at home?
Are you lacking a challenge?

It can be scaring asking one self these questions. But I hope, if you answer yes to any of the above, ask for help. Don't wait till your an adult. The sooner you address an issue, the sooner you can move on and build a bright future for yourself.

Many students have un-diagnosed learning disabilities. Perhaps you have minor anxiety issues. Or perhaps their are deeper issues resulting from abuse etc Schools have resources. Some students need  little extra help. This does not mean you are bad or less worthy. Most likely with a small adjustment - something other students will never even know about - you can turn your entire life around.

In comedy we say sarcasm and cynicism does not equal intelligence. 

Some students are simply not challenged enough. Their boredom really comes from being smartest in the room. If this is your situation, maybe you need to be in more advanced classes. I actually fell into this category for a while. I was unchallenged, bored and then lazy. BUT instead of doing something, I fell behind. While I was complaining about being bored and unchallenged others passed me by. In fact one year as a result, I was moved down a level in some classes. So I worked very hard and was quickly bumped back up to honors classes. 

If you don't turn things around now, the world will pass you by. Those of us that are focused on the task at hand, listening to our teachers, doing our homework, and observing life - instead of acting like an idiot for a cheap laugh - will pass you by and never look back. 

Don't be the guy or gal that makes fun of others for being a great student. Worse, don't be the guy or gal that stops being a great student because some idiot made fun of you. WHO CARES ABOUT THOSE IDIOTS! In 10 years, they will be begging you for a job. You can politely delete their emails without comment, or use them as great punchlines in your comedy routines!!!

SUMMER CAMP 2016




Thursday, March 17, 2016

It's Not That Easy Being Green (Kermit's Song Cover) Happy Saints Patric...





Walt Frasier sings and plays piano. I've has always been a major Muppets fan. Anything Jim Henson I suppose.



http://www.waltfrasier.com

http://www.8improv.com

http://improv4teens.com

http://improv4kids.com



It's not that easy being green;

Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.

When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold

or something much more colorful like that.



It's not easy being green.

It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.

And people tend to pass you over

'cause you're not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water

or stars in the sky.



But green's the color of Spring.

And green can be cool and friendly-like.

And green can be big like the ocean,

or important like a mountain,

or tall like a tree.



When green is all there is to be

It could make you wonder why

but why wonder? Why Wonder?

I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!

And I think it's what I want to be.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Dino Adventures by Ethan Harkavy (Improv 4 Teens Student)

SERIOUSLY!!! Ok, just two days ago we help Ethan Harkavy raise $1500 for Green Chimneys. We performed. Ethan did his stand-up from class. A bunch of folks showed up and even more donated. AMAZING!!!

And now I see on Facebook, Ethan is a published author. check it out!!!

Dino Adventures 

by Ethan Harkavy




Spring Comedy Classes Start April 2

IMPROV IRISH JIG "Clogged Toilets" from Green Chimneys Fundraiser

IMPROV IRISH JIG "Clogged Toilets" from Green Chimneys Fundraiser

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

SPRING & SUMMER COMEDY CLASSES

CLICK HERE for SPRING CLASS GUIDE

April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
May 7, 14, 21
Bonus/Make-up Class May 28
SHOW June 4

COMEDY 4 TEENS  (13-17yo)
COMEDY 4 TWEENS  (10-13yo)
COMEDY 4 KIDS  (7-10yo)

SUMMER CAMP 2016

For the 4th summer we will be offering our summer comedy camp for kids and teens aged 7-17. Every day will include classes in Improv and Stand-Up Comedy performance. NEW this year will be sessions in Movement for the Performer including Mime, Stage Combat, and Alexander Technique.

TWO WEEKS of Comedy Classes and Performance!

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Click the following links based on your preference. See Below for details. Links include a Early Bird Discount of 20% off when you purchase before May 1.

comedycamps
Our youth programs for kids, tweens and teens incorporate both Improv and Stand-Up Comedy. for 60-75 minutes every week students play warm-up, technique and performance games. Then each students is encouraged to share original stories that are eventually crafted into stand-up comedy routines. By combining both skills this class maximizes creative writing / thinking, public speaking, performance skills and so much more (self confidence, $200 for 10 weeks.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

COMEDY FUNDRAISER March 13 3pm COMEDY FUNDRAISER for GREEN CHIMNEY’s at the Broadway Comedy Club NYC

COMEDY FUNDRAISER March 13 3pm  for GREEN CHIMNEY’s at the Broadway Comedy Club NYC

EVENT: LMAO for GREEN CHIMNEYS
WHERE: Broadway Comedy Club at 318 West 53rd Street NY NY 10019
WHEN: March 13, 2016 2-5pm
TICKETS $20-50 CLICK HERE
FEATURED: 3pm performance by EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH- Bring the whole family for fun and to support this great cause. The cast of 8-Improv creates original music and comedy skits based on audience suggestions and participation.

SPECIAL GUEST HOST: Ethan Harkavy – Ethan is a big fan and student of EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH Improv. We first met Ethan and his parents, Dan & Jody, back in 2010 while performing off-Broadway at the Midtown Theater. The whole family become regulars overnight. Ethan was one of our first students when we created our educational programs in 2011. Now, Ethan is a star in the program and becoming a great stand-up comic.
This entire event is a service project for Ethan’s Bar Mitzvah. Every penny via ticket sales will be donated to the amazing program.
MORE ABOUT…

MISSION: Helping our young people to maximize their potential by providing residential, educational, clinical and recreational services, in a safe and supportive environment that nurtures connections with their families, the community, animals and nature.

From the start, Green Chimneys’ philosophy has been based on the belief that if children are given a chance to explore and discover their inherent strengths in a safe and structured nature-based environment, their self-esteem, compassion, coping and social skills will improve. The concept of an enriched treatment setting that brings people together with animals and plants in a mutually beneficial relationship lies at the foundation of the Green Chimneys approach.
Human-animal contact—and contact with all aspects of nature—can have a profound effect on people; these elements are an integral part of the Green Chimneys campus and organizational identity. Each of our programs celebrate the dignity and worth of all living things and our goal for our children, our staff, and all who partner with us is to bring knowledge and meaning to our relationships with the world, and with each other.

A Commitment to Culture & Community

We are proud of our long history as a leader and innovator in education and therapeutic treatment for children with special needs and as such, our organizational philosophy supports a safe and healing environment. Green Chimneys therapeutic treatment and management practices align with a trauma-informed approach to creating and maintaining an optimal environment for safety and recovery. Established universal values and a shared language help create an environment in which everyone feels safe, respected, and included. It is how we teach skills, set priorities and make decisions, which ultimately, affect those we serve.

Our policies and practices are guided by:

  • Creating a Safe and Nurturing Environment
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Social Learning
  • Shared Governance
  • Open Communication
  • Social Responsibility
  • Growth and Change
This approach is most visible in therapeutic education and behavior management programs for our students but it is fully integrated into our staff culture—from hiring practices to performance evaluations—helping us to maintain a strong sense of community and a passion for what we do.