Workshops help comedians fine tune their craft
Jordan Shandley
Though they may not have their own HBO specials, for many amateur comedians, telling jokes is serious business. ASU student Phil Provencio, 22, is an amateur comedian who has been performing at local comedy theaters and bars around the state for more than four years.
“I was always the joker in high school,” Provencio said.
He started his career at the age of 18, while living in Flagstaff.
A friend talked him into performing his first show at a comedy venue called Laffs in Tucson.
Since then, Provencio has performed a countless number of shows at locations across the state, and has opened for major acts like comedian Pablo Francisco.
He is also featured monthly at the popular Comedy Draft night at the Tempe Improv.
The Comedy Draft is organized by Tempe Improv manager and amateur comedian, Bryan Ricci.
Ricci organized the Comedy Draft in 2007.
He brought up the idea to Tempe Improv owner Dan Mer to start an amateur comedy night once a month, and in August that year, the draft was set as a monthly attraction at the Improv.
The show sells out almost every month now, according to Ricci.
He feels he is doing a good thing for the comedy scene by allowing amateur comedians the stage time he said is so important.
Ricci and Provencio say that stage time is the key to improving a comedian’s skills and routine.
To develop a routine, Ricci said, “You need to write down everything funny that comes to mind during your day.”
Ricci keeps a notebook on him constantly and when he finds something that he thinks he could use on stage he writes it down. This is his process of developing his first joke.
Provencio said he uses the same strategy, and that he only performs material he finds funny.
He said he tends to stay away from performing at bars because people who are at a bar are there to get drunk, not hear comedy.
Both Provencio and Ricci have worked hard to improve their comedic skills by enrolling in classes to help improve their stage presence and delivery.
Eddie Brill’s Comedy Workshop is a service that is offered to anyone interested in being a comedian. While traveling through Arizona, the Workshop is held at the Tempe Improv and aims to help budding comedians.
Rebekah Trainor teaches an instructional class in the Phoenix Metro Area similar to Brill’s workshop. She has performed all over the country in the 10 years she has been doing comedy. Her class is open to anyone interested in being a comedian.
She offers the class once a month at varying locations including the Tempe Improv.
