Lifelong Learners

COMEDY WORKSHOP with Dave Schwensen

Requirements:
Laughter, creativity and having fun.

This is an interactive one hour program that entertains and tickles the funny bone by encouraging audience members to take a memorable turn in the stand-up comedy spotlight. Sharing tips, tales, and top-secret information from his comedy workshops and career as talent coordinator for television and The Improv Comedy Clubs, you will have the opportunity to become the “star” of this fast paced and energetic showcase of laughter!

To set the stage, Dave looks back with a brief (and humorous) history lesson into the world of stand-up comedy. From its beginnings in the mid-1800’s through the opening of the world’s first comedy club in the early 1960’s.

Dave also talks about his experiences in New York and Hollywood as a talent coordinator for television and live venues, comedy coach, and working with many of the nation’s funniest comedians (and he’s not afraid to name-drop).

After that, the attention turns to the audience…

We start with two simple guidelines: “Good comedy is based in truth” and “If you have a story, you can be a stand-up comedian.“ Audience members are given a one-page handout with four questions:

1. Name
2. Tell us something about yourself that our audience might not know.
3. Do you have a funny experience or story to share? Yes or no.
4. Do you have a favorite joke to share? Yes or no.

After collecting their answers, the setting becomes The Tonight Show with Dave playing host, interviewing and introducing volunteer comedians to entertain with their stories and jokes. The program ends on a high note with an improvisational game played between two “audience nominated” volunteers who hilariously demonstrate the importance of listening – since they will have no idea what will be said next!

Dave Schwensen is a nationally recognized comedy coach, former comedian talent coordinator for television, films, and live venues in Hollywood and New York, and author of the books How To Be A Working Comic, Comedy FAQs And Answers, How To Be A Working Corporate Comedian and Something To Laugh About. He is a CILC (Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration) 3-time Pinnacle Award Winner for educational programs and has earned the Seal of Alignment for Lifelong Learning. He has also created and taught courses in Communications and Presentation Skills for adult learners at Cleveland State University, Youngstown State University and other halls of higher learning. Yes, he can really be called the nutty professor!

For more information and to schedule call 440-315-4077 or send an email to dave@davelaughs.com. Thanks – and keep laughing!

“Our residents have come to us with many compliments, seems they really enjoyed their time. We look forward to working with you in the future!!!”

“I wanted to let you know that the audience really enjoyed your comedy workshop. I hope you will consider coming back next year!”

“Thank you for coming to Bushnell, it was fun meeting you. We had a great time!”

“We had a great time today and the seniors really enjoyed something different for a change. Some of them need to laugh a little more and they can be a tough crowd, especially after they’ve eaten, but it was fun and we appreciate you coming back for an encore. Enjoy what’s left of the summer and we will touch base again for next year.”

“Awesome! They had a great time!”

“Thank you for the joy you bring to the world. We’ll continue to appreciate your work as long as you keep those one-liners coming. And hey, if you ever get tired of being funny, remember, there’s always a career in motivational speaking!”

“I just wanted to let you know how much the residents enjoyed the program today. You did an excellent job of telling your stories and keeping everyone engaged. I know it can be hard when you are not able to see and hear everyone, but you had them smiling and laughing and that is not an easy thing to do. Thanks again and I hope you have a great year ahead.”

Dear Dave – Want to thank you for a great presentation last night for College Club West (CCW). You kept us entertained and let people feel at ease sharing their stories – it was hilarious! Thank you again for a wonderful evening. Sincerely, Special Events Coordinator CCW

Stand-Up Comedy Workshop Showcase at The Funny Bone Comedy Club, 1148 Main Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113. See tomorrow’s comedy stars today! Doors open at 6:30 pm – show time is 7:30. Tickets available at ClevelandFunnyBone.com or at the box office night of the show. For more information visit TheComedyBook.com or call 440-315-4077.

The Beatles: Makin’ The 60’s FAB! at Four Seasons at Chestnut Ridge, 300 Brookhaven Drive, Elyria, OH 44035. Program at 7 pm. For more information call 440-382-7275.

Comedy Workshop / Performing Stand-Up Comedy at Cleveland Public Library, 325 Superior Avenue NE, Cleveland, OH 44114. In partnership with The Cleveland Comedy Festival. Program at 3 pm. For more information call 216-902-4947.

Stand-Up Comedy Workshop via video conference for Adult Learners. Program starts at 6 pm. For details about Dave’s video conferences visit CILC.org (Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration).

The Beatles: Makin’ The 60’s FAB! at Parma Snow Branch, Cuyahoga Public Library, 2121 Snow Road, Parma, OH 44134. Program at 7 pm. For more information call 216-661-4240.

The Beatles at Shea Stadium: The Beginning of Stadium Rock at Rose Senior Living, 23611 Harvard Rd, Beachwood, OH 44122. Program at 2 pm. For more information call 216-284-4763

Comedy Workshop / The Business of Stand-Up Comedy at Cleveland Public Library, 325 Superior Avenue NE, Cleveland, OH 44114. In partnership with The Cleveland Comedy Festival. Program at 3 pm. For more information call 216-902-4947.

The Beatles: Making the 1960s FAB! at Rohan Recreation Center, 3571 Kiessel Road, The Villages, FL 32163. Program at 4 pm. For more information call 352-674-1800. First program of the day!

Stand-Up Comedy Workshop at Rohan Recreation Center, 3571 Kiessel Road, The Villages, FL 32163. Program at 6 pm. For more information call 352-674-1800. Second program of the day!

The Cleveland Funny Bone

Video Conference CILC

Old Firehouse Community and Senior Center

McGregor Senior Living

Arya at Windermere

The Tampa Funny Bone

Sonata Senior Living – Assisted Living

Sonata Senior Living – Independent Living

Watercrest Winter Park

Comedy Workshop – Rohan Center

The Beatles – Rohan Center

Bushnell Community Center

Aberdeen at Ormond Beach

Fran Carlton Recreation Center – The Beatles

Fran Carlton Recreation Center – Comedy Workshop

Westminster Winter Park

The Commons of Providence

Coventry Branch Heights Libraries

Jewish Federation Seniors

Pioneer Ridge by Del Webb

2nd Program – The Commons of Providence

Longwood Junior High – Video Conference CILC

Women’s College Club West

The Waters Community, Lifelong Learning. Video Conference CILC

Beachwood Senior Center

Elyria Public Library

Rose Senior Living

Community Center

Western Reserve Masonic Community

Video Conference CILC

St. Charles Jubilee Senior Center

Video Conference CILC

Vitalia Active Adult Community

Cardinal Retirement Village

The Funny Bone Comedy Club

Album Monterey Point

Aberdeen at Ormond Beach

Beatlemaniacs of The Villages

The Tampa Funny Bone Comedy Club

Savoy Gracious Retirement Living

Savannah Court & Cottages

Orchard Heights

The Mayflower

Comedy Workshop Rohan Center

The Beatles: Rohan Center

Overture Dr. Phillips

Sonata Lake Mary

Arya at Windermere

Westminster Winter Park

Danbury in Tallmadge

Serving Our Seniors

Donna Smallwood Senior Center

Seniors Luncheon / City of Independence

Baltimore County Department of Aging CILC

Sprenger The Commons Independent Living

Breakwater Normandy Independent Living

Donna Smallwood Senior Center (2nd program)

Lorain Estates Senior Living

Broadview Heights Senior Center

Concord Reserve

Donna Smallwood Senior Center (3rd program)

Westlake Senior Center

Donna Smallwood Senior Center (4rd program in 2024)

Brooklyn Senior Center

McGregor Senior Living

Mentor Senior Center (3rd program!)

Laurel Lake Retirement Community

Parker Place

Pioneer Ridge by Del Webb

The Elden of Bradford – Video Conference CILC

The Tampa Improv Comedy Club

The Mayflower at Winter Park

Westminster Towers

Bushnell Community Center

Overture Hamlin

The Cleveland Improv Comedy Club

Middleburg Hts. Community Center

Parkview Community

North Olmsted Senior Center

Wesleyan Village

Mentor Senior Center

Donna Smallwood Senior Center

Avon Oaks Country Club

Community Center (2nd program!)

Westlake Senior Center

Danbury Senior Living

Brookdale Camelot Life Long Learners

Parma Snow Branch / Cuyahoga County Public Library

The Enrichment Academy

Bainbridge Senior Center

Middlefield Branch / Geauga County Public Library

Niagara Falls High School – Video Conference CILC.org

Coventry Village Branch of Heights Libraries

Middlefield Branch / Geauga County Public Library

Normandy Independent Living

Avon Lake Senior Center

Donna Smallwood Senior Center

Four Seasons at Chestnut Ridge

Jennings Center for Older Adults