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Dave's Fall 2010 Comedy Workshop at

The Cleveland Improv

Meets Saturdays October 2, 9 and 16 (noon to 4 pm)

Includes an evening performance at The Improv

On Wednesday, October 20th at 7:30 pm

Space is limited - see information below on how to register

Email Dave to receive notice of upcoming workshop dates

Dave's Blog - "How To Be A Working Comic"

 

"To say Dave Schwensen knows the comedy business would be an understatement." - Ohio Magazine

 

Being a stand-up comedian is a serious business, with a lot of laughs. Stand-up comedy has become a giant industry and a major source of talent for movies, television and radio. The entertainment world is constantly looking for "new faces." Becoming a successful comedian takes more than just talent and luck. It involves preparation, experience, a knowledge of the business and knowing what is expected of you. Today's top comedians developed their humor without conforming to any trends or formulas. Talent and originality are the keys to success. However, there are established business methods within the comedy industry that performers should be aware of. Developing, writing and performing a stand-up comedy act and learning how the comedy industry works from an insider's point of view is what this workshop is all about.

 

Email us with "comedy workshop" in the subject line to be on our mailing list. We'll let you know when upcoming workshop dates are confirmed. 

 

Dave's comedy workshops have been the subject of numerous television, radio and print features. Among those we'd like to thank are... 

 

PBS Television & Radio, The Hollywood Reporter, Chicago Tribune, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Back Stage Performing Arts Weekly (NYC & LA), Creative Loafing (Charlotte, NC), The Joey Reynolds Show (NYC), The Lanigan & Malone Show (Cleveland), The Dan Brennan Show, (St. Louis), Charlotte (West Virginia) Observer, Ohio Magazine, The Comic Bible (NYC) - and many other national and regional television, radio, newspaper and magazine features.

 

"Think you're funny? If so, it may be time to take your talents onstage. However, honing your craft in front of a live audience doesn't do much for either your self-esteem or drink sales. That's where comedy veteran Dave Schwensen enters the picture..." - Cleveland Magazine.

 

Dave's workshops are meant to be fun, supportive and informative about the comedy industry. They're based on similar workshops in New York and Los Angeles, brought together to give participants an idea of what to expect on both coasts and everywhere in between. "Comedy coaching" best describes what these types of workshops are all about, but the difference we offer is a knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes. Any "good" workshop will send you out with five minutes of audition night-worthy material, but most leave you wondering where to go from there. We'll tell you how to go about finding work, with enough information on where and how to get your comedy career started.

 

In addition to the aspiring stand-up's who've taken our workshops, we have many who come to us with different interests. Teachers and public speakers want to add more humor to their presentations. We've worked with doctors, lawyers, psychologists, grandparents, students and others who are looking to add more humor into their lives. Even those interested in only trying something different... well, we've been told it beats the heck out of a basket-weaving class.

 

The bottom line is talent. We work to bring out your own individual and creative sense of humor and take the time to do it - that's why these workshops are limited to no more than ten people. You already have the ideas, (whether you know it or not), and we help you to bring it out and organize it to a level that can be performed on a comedy stage.

Comedy workshops are not uncommon and quite a few clubs have their 'local' favorites teaching these. That's another area where we're different. Dave Schwensen Entertainment supports local comics, but also has an experienced knowledge of what the industry is like in the entertainment capitals of New York and Los Angeles. If you want to remain a 'local' comic, then choose to work with the best in your area. If you want to know what it takes to go beyond that, then contact us.

 

"Listening to his insider stories is worth the price of admission. But the purpose of the name dropping isn't to impress - it's to illustrate how comedians make it in the business as well as demonstrate that anyone can do comedy with the right amount of luck, dedication and laughs." - The Sunday Register

 

 

Since we're based in the Cleveland area, our main workshop is designed to take place over a three week period at The Cleveland Improv Comedy Club. We meet for three Saturday afternoons between noon and 4 pm, followed by a weeknight evening performance at The Improv. Each workshop is limited to ten people due to the time spent working with everyone on an individual basis. Each participant has performance time on stage during every meeting and members of the workshop are encouraged to help with ideas, suggestions, punch lines, jokes and experiences. To make a long story short, a lot of friendships have been made through the workshops and we laugh a lot while getting the job done.

 

 

"The nice thing about Dave is he doesn't tell you, 'if you want to be funny, do this.' He looks at what you're trying to do and then he helps you fine-tune it." - The Chronicle Telegram

 

 

HERE'S WHAT'S INCLUDED:

 

* Tips, techniques and top secret information on how professional comedians write comedy. Each workshop member will write an original five minute stand-up comedy routine.

 

* Performance coaching. It's one thing to create and develop a comedy act and another to deliver it successfully, (get laughs!),  in front of an audience. Each member will have in class performance time on stage at The Improv during each session..

 

* Three Saturday afternoon sessions from noon to 4 pm.

 

* Accepted and effective business methods used within the comedy industry. Included are examples on how to use your creativity to your advantage when developing promotional material, along with insider tips on how to contact talent agents, comedy club bookers and use open-mic rooms to your advantage. 

 

* In class discussions aimed at answering all your questions about the comedy industry and pursuing a career in comedy.

 

* Insider stories about your favorite comedians and behind the scenes experiences.

 

* An Evening At The Improv. Each workshop member will perform an original comedy routine at The Cleveland Improv in front of a "real live audience." Of course your family, friends, co-workers and anyone else can also be there to show support and share in the fun and laughter. An unforgettable experience!

 

 

"As everyone who's read How To Be A Working Comic, Comedy FAQs And Answers, or taken one of my workshops knows, I don't make this stuff up. It's either been learned through experience from dealing with the best in the biz, or told to me by comics, agents, managers and talent bookers who are all 'working' in the comedy industry." - Dave Schwensen

 

 

The Cleveland Improv comedy workshop is limited to no more than ten people and pre-registration is required. Total price is $200, which is refundable up until the Monday before the first Saturday meeting. To reserve a space in the next workshop, visit the page for Sign Up Now!

 

Dave Schwensen Entertainment

P.O. Box 318

Vermilion, OH 44089