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Mr. Rogers' life lessons serve Improv

7/9/2016

Almost everything that Fred Rogers talked about in his Emmy-Winning show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood applies to creating good improv that makes you feel good. Improv should never make someone feel bad, because improv is about human nature. Human nature is not about being bad. It's about being a caring part of a community.

Greed and hate had no place in his neighborhood, and there is no place for it in Improv, either. Read this article on BuzzFeed to be reminded of some life lessons that he taught us. (Read More)

New Classes in April

4/8/2016

We're starting a new round of classes Sunday April 17th. Would you like to audit and participate for free on week one of class? Click HERE to see our Monthly Newsletter with links to register and a bit more info about our classes and Student Showcases. You'll also get some fun comedy tidbits and memories with Bill Murray and Garry Shandling. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at [email protected].

April Events at Improv Trick

3/17/2016

Improv Fair

April 10th Marks this year's Improv Fair. A free improv class followed by a free student showcase and jam. Click HERE for more info and a few comedy tidbits. For example: What do Donald Duck and Steve Martin have in common? They're both in our Weekly Comedy Grab Bag.

Click HERE to get a weekly email with our Comedy Grab Bag, class listings and more.

New Classes at Improv Trick

1/9/2016

Improv Classes at The Improv Trick start tomorrow with a free class! Advanced classes and more. Click HERE to read the newsletter!

Websites for Actors

10/21/2014

Some of our students take improv for confidence, public speaking and a fun hobby. Others use the skills to boost their acting career. If you'd like to kick-start your acting efforts, you could use help from some of these websites:

CASTING NOTICES

The first place an actor can look is Backstage. Jobs are listed nationwide for on-camera, touring productions, talent searches and more! There also many places where you can take charge and post your headshot and resume' online. These include:

NOW Casting / Casting Networks / Casting Frontier /

INFO ON AGENTS, CASTING DIRECTORS, ETC.

A great source of information is the Actors Resource Guide. It lists Casting Directors, Agents, Acting Schools and more helpful at a very affordable price, only $19.95.

NETWORK

Make friends and connections. Here are a few great places online to meet other actors and learn about other fun upcoming things!

Actor's Helping Actors is a MeetUp group that plans acting related outings and free or affordable workshops. Tell them we sent you!

Improv Trick Free and Discounted Classes is Improv Trick's own MeetUp Group.

You'll need to join MeetUp, which is free! There are a lot of other great MeetUp Groups that are related to writing, film production, or just playing frisbee golf. Search around, have fun and grow your network!

Do you have any suggestions or additions? Please leave a comment and share them now so that we can all benefit! We're in this together! You can also help by sharing this post with your friends of Twitter and Facebook!

NEED A JOB?

DRIVERS - The best job for an actor, or anyone who wants to set their own schedule is LYFT. If you have a four door car and a good driving record, you can click the link HERE to get an extra $100 when you complete your first 20 rides. If you drive smart, you can earn up to $35 an hour

Not for You? Then at least ride stress-free (and money free) to your next interview or audition. Use the code: BILL595904 for a free ride up to $25!

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

PERFORMERS / TRAINERS -

You can join Balloon Distractions as a performer or trainer.
Our company was recently featured on the hit ABC show, SHARK TANK. Due to the national exposure from that show we are rapidly expanding in this area. JOIN US as we grow!

We will teach you everything, but you must meet these requirements:

- Outgoing and friendly!
- Must own a reliable vehicle.
- Must pass a criminal background check.
- Must have a professional clean cut appearance!
- Experience with children a PLUS.
- Restaurant experience a PLUS.

To read about our company in the media please go to this link: http://balloondistractions.com/balloon-distractions-media.html

Make $200 per week on our team as a part time TRAINER. Email [email protected]

Bill Chott's Newest Feature

7/28/2014

HOLLYWOOD, CA -
Bill Chott and Lauren Holly have completed photography on the feature film Marshall the Miracle Dog. Holly, (ABC's Motive) and Chott (Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place) play a couple who have kidnapped Marshall the Miracle Dog.

This is is no "Dogs Tale." It's the true life story of a dog whose spirit has been therapy for those in need. Marshall overcame the loss of his front leg, and serves as a therapy dog and is a celebrity in his own right. The film is based on a popular children's book of the same name and is set for limited release in November 2014.

For updates about this project, please visit: marshallthemiracledog.com

Classes in March/April Postponed

3/23/2014

Dear Tricksters,

Class will be postponed for a week or two. In a situation beyond my control, the management of 72 North and their landlord have ended their business arrangement, and therefore will not be open, per a text I received a few minutes ago. It seems that there was a disagreement about the increase in rent that 72 North was asked to pay. Art (the owner of 72 North) was very apologetic.

I'm also very apologetic, especially for those of you who waited patiently as we transitioned from Hutch's to 72 North. This was absolutely unforeseeable and I'm very sorry.

I am open to any suggestions or leads of locations which would be open to an arrangement of class location in exchange for bringing new customers to a location, or an affordable and artist-friendly location near Old Town Pasadena. Once again, the location, time and date should be Tuesdays 5pm in Pasadena in order to keep my arrangement with those of you who are expecting continuity of that schedule.

For a third time, please accept my apologies and I hope that this temporary postponement does not affect your view of Improv Trick in a negative way.

My apologies,
Bill

Daylight Savings - Fall Back!

11/3/2013

If you're reading this, you should have already set your clock back an hour. Share this and remind people to Fall Back, because if you don't do it some really awful stuff will happen:

If not monitored properly, time could run backwards. The Goverment would have to shut down again, only this time IN REVERSE! You know they want it to. They're the ones that started this whole Daylight Savings thing. Without your help it all crumbles today.
You might accidentally show up an hour late All the fun stuff is happening this Sunday. Improv Trick Free class tomorrow is at 1pm and our student showcase and improv jam start at 3pm. Both are located at The Nosotros Stage above the Hayworth Theater - 643 S. Carondelet St. Los Angeles, CA 90057. Fall back on a friend, and bring them along with you! We'll be at Shakey's after the showcase: 7001 Santa Monica Blvd Hollywood, CA 90038
The rule of 3's could become irrelevant, since we're counting back a number. That means that the third beat of this email was actually the second. In other words, don't miss the class at 1pm and jam at 3pm.

Big New Improv Comedy Jam in Pasadena!

10/24/2013

A brand new Improv Comedy Jam comes to Pasadena Tuesday October 29th at 7:30pm. It's going to be at 72 North, which is a great bar/dining/performance venue. It's been around Old Town for a while and now it's the host to our weekly Improv Jams.

What's a Jam? It's like an open mic for improvisers. We'll have some great players coming in from L.A. and everyone is welcome to join us onstage.

Don't miss the first one! It's going to go from 7:30-9:30pm, and will be followed by music from Northern Strangers. This is going to be the kick-off for a series of really cool jams. Show your support for jams like these by coming to the opening night.

It's FREE!!! You don't have to pay for a thing. Just come out to support.

New Location for Classes and Jams in Pasadena

10/19/2013

At Last! We have a new location for our Tuesday night classes and Jams in Pasadena. We hope you'll join us for the first of many jams at 72 North on October 29th. 7:30pm will be the time to join us at 72 North (at 72 North Fair Oaks Blvd.) We've been celebrating after our jams at 72 North for over 2 years. Now we won't have to leave our classroom location.

We'll be in their downstairs lounge, a private area that will be even more suitable for classes, then upstairs to the main showroom for even more fun! Student Showcases and jams will be in a more lively and festive environment.

Also on October 29th, we'll be starting a new round of Lifetime and Enter the Zone classes. Be sure to reserve your seat in class if you haven't already. Need help walking through the process? Please don't hesitate to call 323 359 8588 for more info. New Students will be able to join us for the last half of class.

New Hollywood Classes start on November 3rd with a Free Class and Student Showcase and then Lifetime and Enter the Zone start on November 10th.

Click on any of the links above for more info. You'll be seeing even more from Improv Trick around Pasadena. At the Ralph's on East Colorado, you can see the ad below on carts and we'll be on the screens at Buffalo Wild wings. Take a friend to lunch and then brag: Hey, my improv school is on TV!

Our new waitlists make it easier for us to reserve a space for you in class, and it also helps us keep you up to date about all the upcoming events at Improv Trick. We hope you'll share this with your friends on Facebook, and all over town!