Find Your Funny 101
In this introductory workshop, students will explore, discover and develop their individual sense of humor through fundamental, accessible techniques anyone can use to make others—and themselves—laugh.
What's included
1 live meeting
2 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursMastery Evaluation
includedCertificate of Completion
1 after class completionClass Experience
US Grade 4 - 6
Beginner Level
WHAT WILL BE TAUGHT? Students will learn the basics of how to make others laugh through simple, technical tools that focus on embodiment (using the body) as well as text (saying funny stuff). WHAT TOPICS WILL WE COVER? How to use your face to make others laugh How to use gesture and action to make others laugh How to use your words to make others laugh How to use your whole body (physical/emotional state) to make others laugh HOW IS MY CLASS STRUCTURED? The class begins with establishing respectful vocabulary and community guidelines. Learning to make others laugh is a vulnerable proposition, so it is essential we establish a non-judgemental and supportive foundation from the get-go. We then move onto games that, through play, introduce each student to one another and sets a foundation for humorous physical expressivity. We will then move into a 4 part system guiding students through simple, technical tools. We will work for 45 minutes, take a 15 minute break, work for another 45 minutes, take a 15 minute break, then work for 30 minutes. WHAT'S MY TEACHING STYLE? In my class, we build a foundation of trust and ease by learning and consistently reinforcing a vocabulary of support, generosity and collaboration. Students should expect to be on their feet for the majority of the class, but also expect built-in rest periods of watching others. There are no physical or vocal limitations for this class, so students can work to whatever extent they are able to move and speak. HOW CAN LEARNERS EXPECT TO INTERACT WITH ME? The class will consist of games, individual & collaborative experimentation, show & tell, discussion and, when necessary, instructor demonstration.
Learning Goals
Develop facial vocabulary (i.e. a more expressive face)Develop humorous gestural vocabulary (communicating with gestures)
Other Details
Parental Guidance
N/A
Pre-Requisites
No prerequisites
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
N/A
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been teaching extensively both in-person and online for 14 years, primarily to college and conservatory aged students. The majority of my performing arts teaching has been in professional training programs, training students who have enrolled to learn to be professional actors. But I also teach college-age students who want to try something new or are interested in acting but have no experience. I have 6 nieces and nephews under the age of 12 and have found that what and how I teach is immediately accessible to them. In some ways, they are already light years ahead of my professional students without even trying! My teaching content spans the broad landscape of the performing arts but I have primarily taught Intro to Acting (suited for true beginners but also those with some experience but looking for a more fun way in), Physical Comedy, Commedia dell'Arte, Clown, Embodied Movement for Actors and a variety of mask classes. I have taught elementary students at The Taipei American School, high school students at The Duke Ellington School for the Arts and The Friends School and college students at Middlebury College, State University of New York (SUNY Purchase), American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York University (NYU), Columbia University, American University and New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$50
per classMeets once
150 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-12
8-12 learners per class
