Jester-itoZ : Teen Improv Troupe
JesterZ Teen Comedy Troupe : Jester-itoZ
The Jesterito’Z are the Jester’Z teen performance troupe. We will be having weekly rehearsals every Friday from 4:30-6:30 PM, with shows every month! Come to the orientation and information session this Friday, Sept. 25th, for more info! The number of spots in the troupe are limited, and as of right now are first come first serve, so be sure to be there this Friday!
If you love performing, or have improv experience–or even if you don’t and just want to learn more about how to improv–this is a great opportunity to get stage time as well as quality training. Plus, there will be frequent guest instructors from the Jester’Z performers–so your favorite performers will be stopping in throughout!
Your regular instructor/captain of the comedy ship will be me–Yichao Wang. I’ve been a main stage Jester’Z performer for 2 years now, and have taught and directed improv and scripted youth theater throughout the valley. I’m really very excited for this troupe!
Hope to see lots of you guys this Friday! If you’re interested, please give us a call at 480-423-0120 to reserve a spot.
See you soon!
Ken Kaz : Unplanned Parenthood
Ken Kaz : Unplanned Parenthood
Long time Jester Ken Kaz has been bringing his stand up comedy show to Theater 168 for the last 4 years. This unique outlook on parenthood is hilarious! This is an all ages show
From Ken Kaz dot com
Ken has tailored several acts that are perfect for corporate/private events and fundraisers. His one man show entitled Unplanned Parenthood is a hilarious introspect into the modern day challenges of parenting as he relives his experiences thus far as a husband and father raising three boys. “When you’re a dad you don’t relax on weekends anymore, noooooo….we relax at work! For dads, Monday is the new Friday…it can’t get here quick enough!” If you’ve had kids, have kids or are thinking of having kids you must see this show!
Show Details:
October 24th @ 6pm (last a little over an hour)
Theater 168 (home of the JesterZ)
$12 admission
Reservations required: Call 480-423-0120
If you are on facebook, RSVP the event.
Best Comedy Fans in Phoenix (and the World)
Help with the Phoenix New Times Best of 2009
Over the last couple of weeks we have been really working hard on our social media sites (facebook, twitter), on our website and at our shows to let people know that we had been nominated for two categories in the Phoenix New Times Best of 2009 (Best Place to See a Comedy Show and Best Place for a First Date).
It our utter elation we were not the only people working hard on this, JesterZ fans began posting the voting link on their facebook status, literally hundreds of people were voting at our weekend shows and people came up to our booth last Saturday at the East Valley Tribune Get Out Expo and asked where they could vote for us. We always knew we have the best fans in the Phoenix… but the way everyone helped out was overwhelming.
Facebook Fan Page
Event started to encourage people to vote
The voting ended Sunday night and we are confident that we will win in both categories, but if by some fluke we don’t win it has been so wonderful to see everyone jump at the chance to help us out. Proving once again the JesterZ Improv fans are the best fans in Phoenix and probably on the planet!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU… everyone who voted and helped spread the word about voting!
We’ll let everyone know if we hear anything from New Times, otherwise the winners will be announced in the September 24th issue of New Times.
Phoenix Comedy Classes
JesterZ Improv Comedy Classes
We are coming to an end of what has been a brilliant round of classes. The showcases have been great and the audience attendance for the class showcases has been really high. With all this positiveness, we are very exited to get our next round of comedy classes started.
Advanced Class after a Showcase
Here is a list of the classes that we have coming:
(step 1) Adult Beginning Improv:
Beginning September 30th
Wednesday night 7-10pm
12 weeks : $350
2 showcases
(step 2) Character Development:
Beginning September 28th
Monday 7-10pm
12 weeks : $350
2 Showcases
(step 3) Adult Advanced Improv:
Beginning October 1st
Thursday 7-10pm
12 weeks : $350
4 showcases
For more information, click on the links above or visit: www.jesterzimprov.com
We are also working on putting together a Beat & Sketch Improv Class : call: 480-962-9262 if your interested.
All these classes have limited enrollment so call for registration asap: 480-962-9262
East Valley Get Out Festival
The East Valley Tribune’s 10th Annual GetOut Performing Arts Expo
For a number of years the East Valley Tribune has asked JesterZ Improv to participate in the East Valley Tribune’s GetOut Expo. BUT not just participant, we have also been honored to provide all the “in between” entertainment. This year the Get out Expo will be at the Mesa Arts Center and again we will be performing and providing entertainment for all the “in-between” time.
This expo highlights the finest performing arts from all around the Phoenix area. The stage at the Mesa Arts Center will be a fantastic theater for the event. It is a wonderful opportunity to see a small taste of what the different local performing art groups have to offer. The Expo allows you to interact with the various groups, see up coming performance schedules and grab general information. Whether you are new to the Phoenix area or have been around a long time make sure you “Get Out” on Saturday September 12th and check out this event.
We are honored that the East Valley Tribune trust us to be able to come up with on-the-spot entertainment through out the show. We aren’t sure when we’ll be performing but keep an eye on our social network sites and we will keep you up to date. However, we will be there all day, come visit us at our booth… and stick around, you’re sure to catch a game or two.
Here is the general information:
Mesa Arts Center – Ikeda Theater (downtown Mesa)
FREE – Open to the Public
Saturday September 12th
10am – 3pm
JesterZ Improv : Bringing Your Group
JesterZ Improv : Making Your Group Activity Awesome
We do many things at JesterZ Improv, (corporate, team building, atmosphere acting) but there is one thing that we do MOST of all, that is perform weekly show. Over the years the schedule has changed from time to time, but for the most part there have always been at least 4 shows a weekend (8pm and 10pm on Friday and Saturday).
Reservations are required. We usually sell out the 8pm show and one thing we hate to do is turn away people who don’t have reservations, when we can’t fit them in. We have so many large groups come to both shows that it is also a good idea to make reservations for the 10pm show.
Group Activities:
There are very few things in this world that we like more then large groups coming to see JesterZ Improv. What better then to share laughter with the people who are closest to you, or your co-workers. We get such great feed back from people who come in large groups. So next time you start looking for a group activity in the Phoenix area, plan no further then JesterZ Improv.
Here are just a couple of things to remember when you bring a group:
- MAKE RESERVATIONS – Check the schedule and make your reservations for your group early.
- Larger groups will be asked to pay for tickets in advance.
- Arrive early – Larger groups that pay for their tickets in advance can reserve seats for other members of their group, however make sure your whole group gets there early enough to be in their seat when the show starts. Doors open at 7:20 for the 8pm show and 9:50 for the 10pm show.
We often do special events at Theater 168, so keep your eyes on our Calendar, this blog, facebook and/or our Twitter.
Improv Comedy: Getting to the Emotion
Shortform Improv: Emotion Emotion Emotion
Longform Impov has a great luxury that shortform improv doesn’t have. Time and care can be taken to get to the emotion of the scene. On the other hand, shortform improv doesn’t have 5 to 10 minutes to find the emotion within the scene. In bad shortform, the emotion is simply skipped over for gimmick and/or bits. In good shortform, the exposition is assumed and established, and an emotional drive or punch is brought into the scene by all players involved.
How is this done?
First, the scene needs to be started with a strong emotional relationship. It doesn’t always have to be a husband and wife or parent and child. Co-Workers, friends, neighbors… recently in rehearsal EK and Brandon had a brilliant emotionally changed scene about a hot dog stand operator and his long standing customer.
Second, the tilt, punch or drive, whatever you want to call it, needs to be introduced into the scene. There will be a moment where you will feel the need for something in the scene, this is when you make an emotional statement about the other player(s) that will emotionally charge the other player(s).
Finally, the significance of the emotional change will be determined by the emotional reaction of the other player(s). If the emotional statement is deflected or denied there will be very little emotional impact to the scene, but if the statement is accepted and reacted to in a deep rooted emotional way, then you will draw the audience further into the scene and prepare them for a bigger pay off.
Please visit our Contact Us portion of the website for more detailed contact information.
Making Reservations
Call: 480-423-0120
Corporate Contact
Call Jef and Shurlin Rawls at: 480-962-9262
Email
info@jesterzimprov.com
