Half Day with Big Grande
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Feel It– Don’t Think It with Jon Mackey
The biggest pitfall of performing live improv is the pressure to think of the funniest thing you
could possibly say in every single moment of every scene you’re in. But let’s be real– that
sucks, and is hard as hell. In this workshop, Jon focuses on emotion as the driver of the scene,
guiding performers away from the intense pressure of invention in favor of the freedom of
reaction.
Bio
Jon Mackey is a Los Angeles based director most recently working as the field director on the The Netflix Afterparty, and Comedy Central late-night show Lights Out with David Spade.
Previously, Jon has directed a wide range of commercial and digital content for such brands as Amazon, Verizon, Netflix, Warner Brothers, BBC America, Delta Airlines, IFC, FOX, Dockers, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, LegalZoom, and charities such as Bloomberg Philanthropies, Communities in Schools, The Prostate Cancer Foundation, MPTF, and more.
He has also directed a boatload of celebrity driven exclusive content for Funny or Die, working with the likes of Bruce Willis, Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Sterling K Brown, Tracy Morgan, Charlie Day, Chris Pratt, Hank Azaria, Tony Hale, Tim Simons, Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Rob Riggle, Rick Ross, Mac Miller, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Jon, Randall Park, Thomas Middleditch, and too many others to list.
He’s also directed, co-wrote, and starred in a 22 minute original comedy pilot featuring his sketch group, BIG GRANDE - with whom he also hosted the hit Earwolf improvised podcast "The Teachers’ Lounge” which recently ended a nearly 5 year run. Visit biggrandewebsite.com for more content!
Jon's dream is to one day be called a sell-out by some punks in a shopping mall.
Group Mind / Group Games with Ryan Rosenberg
Large group scenes can be some of the most satisfying, or most frustrating thing to be a part of
on stage. This workshop will use group scenes to simplify our ideas and work on communicating
and heightening the parts we like, while also teaching us what half ideas to avoid. Plan to be up
on stage, acting weird, and getting real collaborative. We’ll learn to channel eight brains into one
larger faster funnier brain.
Bio
Ryan has been studying, performing and teaching at the Upright Citizens Brigade theater for the
better part of a decade. He is part of the harold team The Dragons, the sketch/improv team Big
Grande, and is a co-host of the improv podcasts ManDogPod and The Teachers Lounge. He
can also be heard and seen many places around the internet, and on some TV and a few
commercials here and there.
Premise Improv with Dan Lippert
Monologues, audience interviews, pattern games - there’s a miillion different openings to help
inspire your scene work. This workshop will teach how to clearly initiate a scene inspired by an
opening. Using techniques honed through Dan’s experience performing on UCB’s Assscat,
improv4humans, ManDogPod, and Harold night, we’ll focus on clarifying what you think is funny,
synthesizing that into a simple premise, and letting go of control once your scene partner
responds.
Bio
Dan has been performing and teaching live improv and sketch since 2009. He performs with the
UCB house team Winslow, UCB’s staple improv show Asssscat, and Big Grande. He’s taught all
levels of sketch and improv at UCB, and loves to focus on the building blocks of listening,
connecting, communicating clearly, and finding your individual voice. If you’re looking for Dan
elsewhere, listen to The Teachers Lounge, ManDogPod - The Improv and Conversation
Podcast, Comedy Bang Bang, improv4humans, and watch Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin,
American Princess, Superstore, Brooklyn 99 or all the videos on biggrandewebsite.com,
including Live on Set - a fully improvised four episode comedy special.
Cincinnati, OH 45220