Comedy Workshops

Cleveland Spring 2024 - Dates TBA

Meet 3 Saturdays from noon to 4 pm. Includes evening performance at The Funny Bone Comedy Club

Cleveland Spring 2024 – TBA

Meets 3 Saturdays – noon to 4 pm
Includes evening performance at The Funny Bone
Space is limited to 11 people – age 18+
1148 Main Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113
Use PayPal link below to reserve your space
* Refunds available until Monday prior to start

Questions? Email dave@thecomedybook.com – thanks!

Tampa Winter 2024 – SOLD OUT!

Saturdays, February 3, 10 (skip 17) & 24 – 12:30 pm to 4:30
Performance at The Funny Bone Wednesday, February 28
Space is limited to 11 people – age 18+
Centro Ybor, 1600 E. 8th Ave. C-112, Tampa, FL 33605
Use PayPal link below to reserve your space
* Refunds available until Monday prior to start

Questions? Email dave@thecomedybook.com – thanks!

Ohio Magazine

“To say Dave Schwensen knows the comedy business would be an understatement.”

Chicago Tribune

“Schwensen certainly knows the ins and outs of making it in comedy.”

Bobby Collins – Comedian

“Sign up for Dave Schwensen’s workshops in comedy – he knows more about comedy than most comics I’ve worked with over the years.”

Jeff Wayne – Comedian

“This man knows what he is talking about! If you want to be a comedian, public speaker, increase or find out what your sense of humor is, or if you’re a comedian who just needs a refresher course, this is the guy, this is the class! (And yes he is classy guy!).”

How To Be A Working Comic #12

Put Me In Coach!

Taking the first step to becoming a standup comedian or moving your career up to the next level can be overwhelming and even a bit frightening. Especially if you’re doing it alone. But there are coaches and workshops that can help you get moving in a positive direction. And when you think about it, there is no one in this crazy business that can say they ignored any advice given to them and found success “all on their own.” They didn’t (and we all know it).

Cleveland Spring 2024 – TBA

* Meets 3 Saturdays – noon to 4 pm
* Includes evening performance at The Funny Bone
* Space is limited to 11 people – age 18+
* Workshop price is $225 (plus $7 PayPal service fee)
* Use PayPal link below to reserve your space
* Refundable until Monday before workshop starts.

Questions? Email dave@thecomedybook.com – thanks!

Tampa Winter 2024 – SOLD OUT!

* Saturdays, Feb. 3, 10 & 24 – 12:30 pm to 4:30
* Performance at The Funny Bone Wed., Feb. 28
* Space is limited to 11 people – age 18+
* Workshop price is $225 (plus $7 PayPal service fee)
* Use PayPal link below to reserve your space
* Refundable until Monday before workshop starts.

Questions? Email dave@thecomedybook.com – thanks!

** Register with Venmo or credit card…

** AFTER REGISTERING FOR THE WORKSHOP…

  • After registering please send an email to dave@thecomedybook.com with your contact information. Sometimes the email used in PayPal or Venmo is different from what you normally use and Dave will send a confirmation email with more details.

Being a stand-up comedian…

Is a serious business, with a lot of laughs. Stand-up comedy has become a giant industry and a major source of talent for movies, television and radio. The entertainment world is constantly looking for new faces.

Becoming a successful comedian takes more than just talent and luck. It involves preparation, experience, a knowledge of the business and knowing what is expected of you. Today’s top comedians developed their humor without conforming to any trends or formulas. Talent and originality are the keys to success. However, there are established business methods within the industry that new comedians should be aware of. Developing, writing and performing a stand-up comedy act, and learning how the comedy industry works from an insider’s point of view is what this workshop is all about. It’s also a LOT of fun!

Cleveland Magazine

“Think you’re funny? If so, it may be time to take your talents onstage. However, honing your craft in front of a live audience doesn’t do much for either your self-esteem or drink sales. That’s where comedy veteran Dave Schwensen enters the picture…”

The Chronicle Telegram

“The nice thing about Dave is he doesn’t tell you, ‘If you want to be funny, do this.’ He looks at what you’re trying to do and then he helps you fine-tune it.”

As seen on television…

Dave’s workshops…

Are meant to be fun, supportive and informative about the comedy industry. As the former Talent Coordinator for the television show A&E’s An Evening at the Improv, The Improv Comedy Clubs in New York City and Hollywood, and manager of The Cleveland Improv, Dave shares an understanding of what to expect on both coasts and everywhere in between. Comedy coaching best describes what these types of workshops are all about, but the difference Dave offers is an insider’s knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes.

Any good workshop will send you out with five minutes of amateur night worthy material, but most leave you wondering where to go from there. Dave will tell you how to gain valuable learning experience on stage, along with enough information on where and how to get your comedy career started.

In addition to the aspiring comedians…

That have taken Dave’s workshops, there are many others who have different interests. Toastmasters, teachers and trainers want to add more humor to their presentations. Past workshop members include doctors, lawyers, psychologists, police officers, grandparents, students and others who are looking to add more humor into their lives. Its become a popular holiday and birthday gift (a fun unexpected surprise for some!) and for anyone interested in trying something different… well, we’ve been told it beats the heck out of a basket-weaving class! This workshop has also been used as a support base to conquer a popular bucket list goal of performing stand-up comedy – even if it’s only a one time thrill. It really is an unforgettable experience.

Stand-Up Comedy Showcase!

Dave works to bring out your individual and creative sense of humor and takes the time during each session to do it. That’s why these workshops are limited to no more than ten people. You already have a sense of humor (whether you know it or not) and Dave helps you explore your creativity and develop a comedy set that you’ll perform during a graduation night show on stage at The Improv. And in case you haven’t seen one of our shows – they’re also a LOT of fun!

The Sunday Register

“Listening to his insider stories is worth the price of admission. But the purpose of the name dropping isn’t to impress – it’s to illustrate how comedians make it in the business as well as demonstrate that anyone can do comedy with the right amount of luck, dedication and laughs.”

Dave Schwensen

“As anyone who’s read my books or taken one of my workshops knows, I don’t make this stuff up. It’s either been learned through experience dealing with the best in the business, or told to me by comics, agents, managers and talent bookers who are all working in the comedy industry.”

Comedy classes are not uncommon…

And quite a few clubs have their local favorites teaching. That’s another area where this workshop is different. Dave is known for supporting local comics, but as talent booker for the industry’s most influential comedy club in Los Angeles and New York, the television show A&E’s An Evening at the Improv, talent agent in the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA), for corporate events and live performance venues, he also has experienced behind the scenes knowledge of the different entertainment markets and how the business works on a national level. If you want to remain a local comic, then choose to work with the best in your area. If you want to know what the comedy business is really like from an insider’s point of view, additional topics covered in this workshop include:

* Working with talent agents and managers

* Promotional material

* Making the most of open mics and other performance opportunities

* Working in comedy clubs

* Working in the college market

* Corporate and private events

* Cruise ships

Here’s what’s included…

* Three Saturday sessions from noon to 4 pm / Space limited to 10 people.

* Tips, techniques and top secret information on how professional comedians write comedy. Each workshop member will write an original five minute stand-up comedy routine. Whether you’re a beginner or already have experience doesn’t matter. The group is limited to 10 people and you are treated as an individual based on your experience.

* Performance coaching. It’s one thing to create and develop a comedy act and another to deliver it successfully (get laughs!) in front of an audience. They may call it amateur night – but no one is looking to hire an amateur!

* Accepted and effective business methods used within the comedy industry. Included are examples on how to use your creativity to your advantage when developing promotional material, along with insider tips on how to contact talent agents, comedy club bookers, and use open-mic clubs to your advantage.

* In class discussions aimed at answering all your questions about the comedy industry.

* Insider stories about many of your favorite comedians and behind the scenes experiences.

* Stand-Up Comedy Showcase. Each workshop member will perform an original stand-up comedy set at in front of a “real live audience.” Of course your family, friends, co-workers and anyone else can also be there to show support and share in the fun and laughter. An unforgettable experience!

* The Cleveland Funny Bone – 1148 Main Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113 (The West Bank of The Flats / Nautica)

* The Tampa Funny Bone – Centro Ybor, 1600 E. 8th Avenue C-112, Tampa, FL 33605

* The Chicago Improv – 5 Woodfield Mall K120B, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Dave’s Schwensen’s comedy workshop…

Is limited to no more than 11 people and advance registration is required.

Price is $225 with a $7 service fee.

Full payment is refundable up until the Monday before our first meeting.

After registration is received Dave will send you a confirmation email with more details.

Meets for three Saturdays from noon to 4 pm

Includes an evening performance at The Funny Bone Comedy Club

Use BUY NOW link below to register!

Cleveland Spring 2024 – TBA

* Meets 3 Saturdays – noon to 4 pm
* Includes evening performance at The Funny Bone
* Space is limited to 11 people – age 18+
* Workshop price is $225 (plus $7 PayPal service fee)
* Use PayPal link below to reserve your space
* Refundable until Monday before workshop starts.

Questions? Email dave@thecomedybook.com – thanks!

Tampa Winter 2024 – SOLD OUT!

* Saturdays, Feb. 3, 10 (skip 17) & 24 – 12:30 pm to 4:30
* Performance at The Funny Bone Wednesday, Feb 28
* Space is limited to 11 people – age 18+
* Workshop price is $225 (plus $7 PayPal service fee)
* Use PayPal link below to reserve your space
* Refundable until Monday before workshop starts.

Questions? Email dave@thecomedybook.com – thanks!

** Register with Venmo or credit card…

** AFTER REGISTERING FOR THE WORKSHOP…

  • After registering please send an email to dave@thecomedybook.com with your contact information. Sometimes the email used in PayPal is different from what you normally use and Dave will send a confirmation email with more details.

Have a question?

Please use the Contact link above or send an email to Dave@TheComedyBook.com

For information about Dave’s books…

Follow the links below to open book description pages on Amazon.com.