Performing Improv Comedy With Kids

Series Summary

“So what is the deal with airports? You walk in and everybody is in such a hurry. Its like the time your dad left without you at the gas station and made you chase the car down the road while your brother and sister are in the back sit giving you the finger...what?...why is everyone leaving?...sir, please don't throw your beer at me...why is my microphone off?...” Stand up comedy and improv comedy is a difficult career and making it is no laughing matter. It takes work, practice, persistence, and wit sharper than Oscar Wilde's pen. It is important for a comedian to be relevant, creative, intelligent, and accessible, even when objects are being thrown at him or her from an angry customer in the audience.

In this free video series, let comedian Les McGehee school you in the art of humor as he teaches you the importance of practicing improv comedy with kids and starting your kids with improv young. Learn different improvisational techniques and games, how to apply those techniques to different situations, and how to use the art of improv comedy to make people laugh. This step by step comedy lesson is sure to teach your children how to use their imaginations to create anything they want. The world will be their oyster as it might be said.

Video Transcript

"I'm in my living room. The reason we're doing this set of clips in my living room is that I'm helping to make the point that you need to play with your family and friends. Play is not just for your professional improv show. Play is also for your life. It'll enrich and strengthen the qualities in your life with your family and friends and those relationships just like it strengthens relationships with your fellow players or band mates in the improvisation work that you do professionally. To do this, I've enlisted the help of a couple of children. As you recognize, plays well with others, was on your childhood report card. I think it really, really matters still. As a grownup, I find that if I can't interface well and play with a kid, well that would just scare me. I would think I've grown up way too much and have gotten too far away from the things that I really am deep inside. I play with kids, and I have a couple of kids who are going to help us here in this sequence of clips."