Art of the Laugh: Teen Comedy Intensive
Ages: 13-18
Days/Times: Mon - Fri, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Session 1: June 17 - June 21, 2013
Session 2: August 5 - August 9, 2013
Fee: $275 for 1-week session
Limit: 15 students
Teenagers who like to make everyone laugh aren't always the teacher's favorite - unless they come to Spark Arts this summer! This fun, supportive workshop will focus on sharpening students' comedic skills with improvisation in the morning and standup comedy in the afternoon.
Before lunch, we'll use games such as those seen on the TV show Whose Line is it, Anyway? to learn the basics of improv. We'll create outrageous characters that are grounded in reality, and learn to improvise a captivating, hilarious scene on the spot.
In the afternoon we'll tackle standup comedy; students will use stories and observations from their own lives to develop funny material. We will collaborate on writing exercises, pitch jokes to one another, edit and hone material, and improve performance skills.
This workshop will culminate in a special comedy performance for family and friends at a local nightclub!
This workshop is great for building skills in writing, memorization, and public speaking. Plus, students learn to listen and work together, and build confidence and self-esteem. Register now!
June Session Instructors: Martha Hearn & Nathan Hartswick
August Session Instructors: Natalie Miller & Nathan Hartswick
Step 1: Register for the Class:
CLICK HERE to register in under a minute!
Step 2: Payment:
To ensure a slot in the class, you must pay in full
- either by mailing a check, payable to Spark Arts,
180 Flynn Ave, Burlington, VT 05401 OR by selecting the
class below and clicking "Add to Cart."Note: If you have extenuating circumstances and are not able to meet these payment
requirements, please contact us to work out a different arrangement. We're reasonable.
< CLICK HERE to return to CAMPS
About the Instructors:
Martha Hearn (June Session, Improv) is a New York based improviser, educator and writer. She performs with Upright Citizens Brigade on the house team Huxtable. She completed the Second City Conservatory in Chicago and the UCB improv program in NYC. Martha has performed improv at ComedySportz, Annoyance, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, pH productions (all Chicago), People's Improv Theater (NYC), Out of Bounds Festival (Austin), Toronto, Chicago's Sketchfest, and Del Close Marathon (NYC). She starred in the short improvised film "As We Go Along," which was accepted into the Cannes Film Festival's student series.
Natalie Miller (August Session, Improv) is a professional actor, singer, voice over artist and teacher. She trained in voice, theater and dance in New York City, receiving her degree from the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She has performed extensively in national, regional and local theater; on camera in films and TV; and in voiceovers for commercials and films.
Natalie is the co-founder of Spark Arts and the Spark Improv Troupe, and performs standup and improv comedy throughout Vermont. She also teaches voice lessons and acting classes to students of all ages, and works as a freelance casting director for many local and regional production companies.
Nathan Hartswick (June & August Sessions, Standup) is a native Vermonter with extensive experience as an educator, performer, writer and director. He is the co-founder of Spark Arts, where he teaches standup and improv comedy to students of all ages. Nathan is also a published children's playwright, and his works are consistently bestsellers for Heuer Publishing and Pioneer Drama.
As a standup comic, Nathan won the 2012 "Best VT Standup Comic" Daysie (readers' choice award) from Seven Days. He was a semi-finalist in the Funniest Comic in New England contest in 2012, and the grand prize winner of the 2011 Higher Ground Comedy Battle. He is the founder of VermontComedyClub.com, and produces many comedy events throughout New England.