Belushi: Getting Interesting Workshop

Getting Interesting: Giving your scene believability and resonance

When we think of improvisation our instinct is always, “make it funny.” However, this goal most often has the opposite effect. Approaching a scene as a mine for bits, or a pedestal for laughs can often alienate our partners and more importantly, the audience. Most of the comedies that we really love we find funny because we enjoy seeing people in believable situations behaving in ways we can relate to. This requires creating a world of emotions and relationships and trusting that if we are truly listening and in the moment, people will recognize it and laugh. And they do. Of course there is room for fun in all shows, but the show becomes more memorable if it is full of scenes about something and showcase us as artists with thought and not a bunch of comedians out there desperate for laughs. Rob Belushi will teach a workshop based on building a more mature scene, with substance, to leave our audiences impressed by what we can say when we are authentic. When we do this, we have almost infinite room to let the scene detour into vampire fart bits, and still have the audience come along for the ride.

Prerequisite: intermediate and higher

About Rob Belushi:

Rob Belushi grew up in Chicago and Los Angeles and graduated with honors from Wesleyan University (CT) as well as The School at Steppenwolf (Chicago).  Rob is an alum of the Second City Vegas resident company, as well as the Second City National Touring Company, and an Understudy to the Chicago Mainstage. He has taught improv for Second City in Vegas, Chicago and currently in Hollywood, as well as colleges nationwide. AFter working in equity theater houses in Chicago for years, he moved to Los Angeles. Some of his recent TV credits include: Ballers (HBO), Chicago PD (NBC),The Mentalist (CBS) Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC) How I Met Your Mother (CBS), The Goodwin Games (FOX), Pie Guys (Comedy Central) The Joe Schmo Show (Spike). Film credits include Devil's Due (20th Century Fox), Heebie Jeebies (SyFy), Valentine's Day (Warner Bros), Thunderstruck (Warner Bros). Rob is one half of the two-man improv duo, SHELDON, who have headlined comedy festivals nationwide as well as appeared at the Comedy Central Showcase Stage in Hollywood.  You may have  seen him with Peyton and Eli Manning and JJ Watt and Cam Newton, refusing to sell Gatorade to people that aren't sweating. LOOK FOR HIM IN MARCH IN THE ABC DIGITAL SERIES "THE OFF SEASON."

EARLY BIRD PRICE ENDS 2/6: $40
REGULAR PRICE: $50
Arcade Comedy Theater classes are open to adults 18 yrs or older.

About the Arcade Academy 

Registration is NON-REFUNDABLE. If you sign up for a class and are unable to attend, please contact us in advance and we may be able to switch your enrollment to a different eligible class. Location subject to change. Students will receive a confirmation email the week of the class/workshop.