NEXT IMPROV COURSE COMING
2023
Ever wanted perform on stage?
Ever wanted to write jokes?
Ever wanted to to perform instant comedy?
Ever wanted to be part of a comedy team?
Ever wanted the confidence just to get up on stage
in the first place?
Why not join up for Shoe Cake Comedy’s Stockton On Tee-Hee’s 'Intro to Improv' - Beginners Comedy Course?
Hosted at the historic Green Dragon Studio's in Stockton over 3 consecutive Sundays, you’ll learn all the important aspects of improvisation comedy… from how to make instant comedy from scenarios - to having the confidence to get on stage and perform in your very first improvisation showcase.
Each session is tutored by a critically acclaimed improvisation comedian along with an experienced award winning promoter….
What’s not to gain?
It’s also a great way to meet new friends, improve your confidence, take those first steps onto the stand up ladder if you choose to do so, and above all… have some fun.
You may have already dipped your toes into the deep end of comedy before and perhaps want to fine tune your skills to the next level ? Improv will definitely help! ... Or you may be a total newbie who has always wanted to try improvisation comedy but never had the opportunity? Whatever your reason, everyone on the course will receive support and guidance at a pace suitable for your own level of confidence and ability.
The Course
Each week you and your fellow course members will explore a carefully tailored programme that will take you through the stages of performing improvisation comedy to a level where you a re ready for your first performance as a group. You then have the “option” to perform in front of a live audience in week 3 on the Green Dragon Studio’s stage.
Week 1 - Sunday July 3rd - 12 - 5pm
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Introduction and Meeting Course Mates
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Basic Rules of improvisation
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Warm Up Exercises
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Working in Pairs
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Working as a Team
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Improv Games
Week 2 - Sunday July 10th - 12 - 5pm
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Characters and Accents
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Working with Genres
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Improv Games
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Improv Tips and Tricks
Week 3 - July 17th - 12 - 5pm
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Improv Games
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Set Lists
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Showcase*
* The graduation showcase is held in the Green Dragon Studio's on the small stage.
This is where you can invite all your friends and family along to show their support.
Each act will also receive:
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A link to a recording of the graduation show
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A graduation certificate
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An advice sheet on what to do next / how and where to keep performing comedy
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2 Free tickets to a local Shoe Cake Comedy / Discount Comedy Checkout Show
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20% Discount off one of the next ‘Continuing Comedy’ courses
Meet your Tutor
Chris Lumb is a comedian, actor, and impressionist. He has run 'The Discount Comedy Checkout' improvisation comedy group for over 15 years since completing the world famous improvisation course at the Second City over in the USA. The course has had many "well known" students over the years ... including Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, John Candy, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Chris Farley, Colin Mochrie, Ryan Stiles, Mike Myers, Steve Carell, Amy Poehler ... and many others. Chris then used his training to develop his own unique brand of improv comedy here in the UK.
Chris has also appeared on 'Russell Howard’s Good News' performing his wide range of Star Wars impressions. He is also an award winning film maker, winning several competitions for his comedy films through his company Lumbfilm Productions.
Winner of 'Best Nationwide Show'
Morecambe Fringe 2019
Nominated for "Best Kids Show'
Leicester Comedy Festival 2022
"The comedy is creative and crude, quick and quirky, the performers commit completely
to the games and create funny & fantastic characters at a moment's notice"
★★★★★ - Remotegoat
"There's a wonderful slapstick nature to it all but they are all impressively literate in film culture and
genres too, creating brilliant, quick draw pastiches of popular cinema that will have you in stitches"
★★★★ Manchester's Finest
"Total fun and instantly engaging"
★★★★★ - WHODARESGRINS
"True Masters of what they do"
Hull comedy Festival
"They blew the roof off"
Toby Hadoke
"The best improv group i've ever seen"
Phil Walker
Meet your Organiser & Assistant Tutor
Phil Allan-Smith is an experienced comedy promoter, actor, improviser, podcaster, and character comedian. With over 5 years industry knowledge as a comedy promoter and 8 years experience as a performer. Phil’s knowledge within the comedy sector can help new acts move in the right direction and avoid making any of the obvious and easily made mistakes.
Phil is the owner of Shoe Cake Comedy and produces pro and semi-pro comedy nights all over the north. He performs stand up as the Boro mad character act Ted Hanky, and is also a member of the award winning improvisation group 'The Discount Comedy Checkout' who were recently nominated for ‘Best Kids Show’ at The Leicester Comedy Festival.
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Pic by Andy Hollingworth (c)
Phil also starred in BBC1 show ‘This is My House’ with Stacey Dooley and has popped up on our screen in roles with John Malcovich and Rupert Grint in Poirot, a small role in Storage Hunters UK, and numerous TV gameshows and radio programmes.
“An excellent promoter who develops and progresses acts as much as possible… really knows his stuff”
Fran Garrity, Comedian and Broadcaster
"Very Talented, very funny indeed"
Gary Philipson, BBC Radio Tees
“Very good indeed … Phil is a Doyle”
Vaun Earl Norman, Vic & Bob’s Big Night Out
"... a splendid approach to production, vibes of Reeves & Mortimer"
★★★★★ Podcast Radio
The Cost
Introductory cost for the 3 week programme is
£100 per person (plus ticket platform booking fee) - paid in full ahead of sign up
Limited Spaces Available - BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW ⤵️
ANY QUESTIONS OR WISH TO JOIN THE WAITING LIST FOR FUTURE DATES?
EMAIL US AT: shoecakecomedy@gmail.com
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR OUR NEXT INTRODUCTION TO STAND UP COURSE - FEB 2023
AND OUR ADVANCED STAND UP COURSE - COMING SOON IN SEPT 2022
Terms and Conditions
Please book early as the course has limited places.
The Shoe Cake Comedy Course Refund Policy:
£25.00 of your course fee is a non-refundable deposit to cover our admin costs.
30 days before the course start date - refund (minus non-refundable £25)
Within 30 - 15 days of course start date - 50% course fee refund (minus non-refundable £25)
Within 14 days of course start date - no refund.
In certain circumstances we may be able to transfer you to another course date if required. Please speak to us in advance.
If you miss a week or more - we can not refund any amounts for non attendance.
Rules
The course is an inclusive course and we want everyone to feel happy and welcome.
We encourage your behaviour to be respectful of the other attendees. Your material you perform may be a little rude, cheeky, tongue in cheek ... thats comedy ... but we don't accept any material or behaviour that is overly offensive, racist, homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic ... etc.. you get the idea!
We will operate an open door policy and you can come and talk to the tutors anytime if you have any concerns.
By booking a place on this comedy course you are agreeing to the refund and rules policy.
Age Limit:
You need to be 16 years old or over to join this stand-up comedy course. Ages16 & 17 will need parental permission.