Everyone’s funny bone could use some tickling now and again, and a new comedy outlet in Martin County is here to help. Upon relocating to Jensen Beach after a stint in Los Angeles, comedian Megan Nager noticed there wasn’t a place for comedy north of West Palm Beach. The South Florida native soon partnered with the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce to bring some laughs to the area.
“It is a unique initiative that brings improv comedy to Martin County professionals looking to sharpen their communication, boost listening skills, and become more adaptable in everyday conversations,” says Nager of Pineapple Laughs, the introduction to improv class being offered at the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce. “Whether you’re a seasoned comedian or a total newbie, we will help you master the art of comedy in a fun, dynamic way.”
Nager, who is a SAG actor and CEO of Wake and Make Media, incorporates techniques she learned in her training with the renowned Upright Citizens Brigade comedy troupe in L.A. into the classes she leads in Jensen Beach. She starts with basic concepts such as “Yes, and…” (a rule of improv where performers are always supposed to “go with the flow” and say yes to anything another performer says to build upon the scene), active listening, spontaneity, and character work. Class participants play improv games, practice icebreakers, create scenes based off of one-word audience suggestions, recite monologues, and experiment with body language, accents, and different personas.
Launched last spring, each class session runs for six weeks on Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. The workshop culminates in a showcase during which students display their new comedic chops in front of friends and family. Classes, which consist of no more than 14 people, are open to anyone ages 16 and older. The six-week course costs $200 for chamber members and $300 for nonmembers.
Nager eventually hopes to add stand-up comedy classes to the mix, and she will teach an acting/improv hybrid class in collaboration with MartinArts later this year. In the meantime, the next Pineapple Laughs improv session starts January 13, so mark your calendar if you want to give it a go! Rather just relax and have some laughs? You can purchase tickets to the next showcase, February 28, for $15.
Facebook Comments