FINAL WEEK OF SUMMER COMEDY CAMP August 26-30, 2024 Times Square NYC

  • CLICK HERE use discount code EARLYBIRD and get 10% off any registration. Additional savings for TWO or THREE registrations. You can use these for siblings/friends!
  • EMAIL for more information. Bring these classes to your community! We are NYC DOE VENDORS offering shows, classes, workshops, residencies and professional development programming DC to BOSTON and beyond. Regular students in all our programs get FREE tickets for the show family to Saturday/Sunday 3pm Shows featuring your teachers and other professional actors, singers and comics. ASK about our field trips and other private shows & workshops Live from Times Square.

Unleash Your Inner Comedian in Times Square!

Calling all teens (and kids 10 & up) ready to laugh, learn, and let loose! New York Improv Theater presents an exciting improv comedy class led by the renowned Walt Frasier, held at the legendary Broadway Comedy Club in Times Square. This class is the perfect opportunity for teens to:

  • Master the fundamentals of improv comedy: Learn the essential skills of scene work, character development, listening, and collaboration through fun games and exercises.
  • Build confidence and self-expression: Step out of your comfort zone, embrace spontaneity, and discover the power of your own unique voice.
  • Develop valuable life skills: Enhance your communication, creativity, teamwork, and quick-thinking abilities – skills that will benefit you both on and off the stage.
  • Make new friends and have a blast: Connect with other like-minded teens in a supportive and encouraging environment filled with laughter and positive energy.
  • Showcase your talent: Each session culminates in a fun performance where you can share your newfound skills with friends and family.

EVERY WEEK AT CAMP

  • 8:45-9:30 Morning Drop Offs – Also student may take turns using the stage to work on Stand-up as well as sketch and improv. These sessions are loosely moderate by teen counselors. Others are encouraged to write in their journals.
  • 9:30 Morning Improv Session. We start every morning with a brief role call and morning meeting, wisdom of the day, and / or comedy writing exercise, followed by Improv warm up and performance Masterclass.
  • 11:30 Lunch Break and Open Mic. Before and after lunch campers take turns on stage turn personal experiences and observations into original stand up comedy routines.
  • Monday-Thursday
  • 1pm Afternoon Improv Session
  • 3pm Afternoon activity. This may be watching a pro show performed by teachers and other cast mates from EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH Improv, team bonding games, etc
  • Fridays
  • 1:30pm Friday showcases are exclusively for students signed up for full week of camp. Campers dismissed after the show.

DAILY HOMEWORK

  • SMILE Start every day with a smile! Physically smiling makes us feel great. Usually we smile when someone makes us feel good. It works both days. YOu can actually loosen stiff muscles and minor aches inside and out. Also, when you lead with a smile most smile back. Ignore that one judgemental hiding in the corner. They will judge you no matter what you do. If you want most folks to smile at you, LEAD BY EXAMPLE!
  • EXPERIENCE and OBSERVE YOU WORLD Every thing you need for comedy is right in front of you. LIVE with wide open eyes and ears. At school & home, on the subway, in the park, at the store etc etc etc things happen to you and to others around you. 
  • RECORD YOUR WORLD Keep a journal. What every observe and experience, write it down. Also record your process. Describe every Improv game you play in your own words. EVERY time you get off stage, record how that experience happened. Process your world, your anxieties, fears, joys etc. Getting things out of your head, frees you to focus in the moment. 

HAVE FUN but never at another’s expense! – Walt Frasier’s #1 Rule

Each week is a self contained session with classes in improv and stand-up comedy. Monday starts with a master class in Improv Comedy, introducing a number of warm-up, technique and performance games. Then we move into an open-mic style session where students develop original stand-comedy routines, starting with personal stories of observation and experience. Tuesday – Thursday are more like rehearsals than classes. A series of mock performance sessions develop experienced performers. Every week we introduce new games, review class faves and develop a new 2-3 minutes of stand-up comedy which get presented at our weekly showcase, Friday at 2pm.

We have two to three adult teaching artists plus a number of teen interns every day, allowing us to break into smaller groups based on age and skills level.

YES AND… #1 Rule in Improv

Always say yes! Then support “YES” with words and actions. Never say YES to physical, emotional or mental harm, however, most NOs are we habitual lazy and insecure choices. And in improv oir job is to make our team look amazing. No need to watch our when the rest of the team has our back.

LISTENING is the #1 Skill in Comedy

Listen with your eyes. Listen with the willingness to change. Never think. Simply listen and focus. Make simple choices, Listen & Respond in support of team.

RATES

  • SUMMER includes five days of classes, weekly showcase SUMMER $450/Week includes five days of classes, weekly showcase
  • SEPTEMBER – JUNE Weekly Classes Saturdays 10am EIGHT classes, performance showcase and bonus sessions built into price $450/session.
  • We offer a number of discounts for sibling/friends, multiple sessions for same student etc
  • ALL STUDENTS get admission to professional shows (all at same location), free copies of our books, free access to ebooks, zoom sessions (bonus sessions added for Stand-Up Comedy etc.)

Health info, emergency contacts and other info – We will contact all for this info at least a week before camp starts. If we do not get responses to these emails, forms are available the first day of camp. You can email us anytime at eightimprov@gmail.com

Artistic Director, Walt Frasier

Walt Frasier has been producing comedy shows in New York since 2002. Mostly known for his work in improvisation and corporate comedy, Frasier has hosted 5000+ shows. TV credits include PAUSE with SAM JAY (HBO), Billions (SHO) Lilyhammer (NETFLIX), Blue Bloods (CBS), Friends of the People (TruTV), Royal Pains (USA), Naked Brothers Band (NICK), Fat Pants (Dr. Oz Promo), Late Night with David Letterman (9 eps). Also international credits in Music, Theater and Comedy.  

Andrea Hernandez Mieres

Member since 2019, is a Mexican & Spanish singer, actress and dancer. Originally from Mexico City where she debuted professionally on the Musical Theater scene in the Mexican Broadway versions of The Fiddler on the Roof and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Recent AMDA NY graduate, Andrea is venturing on the New York City scene.