New Edge Comedy Boot Camp Starts April 2nd 2008!!!

New classes start soon. Get in on it!

Edge Stand-up Comedy Boot Camp Classes

Learn the Art and Business of Stand-Up Comedy @ The Edge Comedy Club

Edge Comedy Boot Camp is a comprehensive guide to everything you will need to know in the business of stand-up comedy from the subtle nuances of networking and promoting yourself to writing and developing material. The classes are half lesson (which has been described as things that would take years to learn on your own) and half writing workshop, where the students are assigned writing exercises and get to perform them in front of the class to work out the kinks in an open forum. There is an open mic right after the class so students can test out the material they just tried in class.

There are 8 classes total in each session, and there will be a graduation class where you will not only get paid, but be able to perform in front of alive audience. Topics will include, The 16 Rules of Comedy, Anatomy of a Set, Reading Your Audience, Your Press Kit, Marketing Yourself, Performing as an Emcee/Feature, Getting Booked, and Your 15 Minute Set.Edge Comedy Boot Camp guarantees tuition reimbursement through bookings at Edge Comedy Shows across Chicagoland if you go through all the classes and are actually a bookable act.

Classes are taught by Dave Odd, a 10+ year comedy veteran, road and club comic, alternative scene comic, promoter, club owner and booker. Dave has worked with Dave Chappelle, Mitch Hedberg, Todd Barry, Greg Fitzsimmons and others. He has appeared on NBC, the BBC, ABC, XM Radio and the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom Radio Show. Dave has experienced the comedy business from every angle and has been known as the go to guy in Chicago for new, relocated and upstart comics for years.

The next session starts Wednesday, April 2nd and will run Wednesdays April 2, 9, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28 with a graduation show May 29th at The Edge Comedy Club. Tuition is $250, if you get your tuition in by March 29th its only $200 (you save $50). Wednesday classes are available. Payment arrangements can be made.

Call Dave at 847-409-8623 or email him at edgecomedy@hotmail.com for more information or to make arrangements to start our Edge Comedy Boot Camp.

* Comics that have already done Edge Comedy Shows or are known by me can work out alternative arrangements or a special deal with me.

Testimonials
Here is what the first group of students had to say about the class.

The class is packed with business information that I would hate to have to figure out myself. Booking, agents, venues, promo packs - I'd rather someone tell me about it than have to experiment to find out. The class gives you that information before you even need it.

The best part of the class is the interaction with other comics. Seeing their styles, watching how they write, and hearing their thoughts on my own material was invaluable as a starting stand-up. I met some people who will go far in comedy and I'm hoping that I'll go with them.

- Adam Briner

Dave's class taught me everything I feel like I need to know about how to manage and promote myself as a comic, and from a guy who knows what he's talking about. I would recommend his class to anyone new to comedy.

- Bryce Wissel

I rather enjoyed the class. There was much comiserating and comraderie
among us would-be comics and I found the lessons both informative and
helpful on a few different levels.

- Michael Sanchez

The Boot Camp was tough. Dave made us write jokes!?! We had to perform the first day! We had to go to Open Mics! I nearly pee'd in my pants... C'mon people, its stand up. He's got tons of experience. He was completely helpful and it's a great way to start if you're interested.

- Jonathan Jones

I really did look foward to it every Wednesday evening. I felt like the class was well suited for the person who is serious about making a living at stand-up comedy. You gave some good pointers, tricks, and inside info on the workings of standup comedy as well as how to promote yourself and what a comic needs which I think is often neglected. It was not a class where you'd write the jokes for the students but rather gave a good environment where people's creativity could flourish and grow. I enjoyed the workshopping and the writing exercises, most enjoyable and helpful.....In spite of your smugness you're a good teacher haha. Good shit Dave. Now hire my ass. I bet you can't wait until I become famous and tell people that Mike Joyce took your comedy class, so you should get a little excited about that. Haha I'm having fun over here.

- Michael Joyce

I thought your class fucking rocked.... the class we had were I got on stage with a banana was the most insightfull events ever. Everyone agreed that my joke wasn't funny, but my explanation of it was.... that changed my entire out look on stand up.
I have to say, 4 months ago I was only thinking about getting back into the entertainment (My Band was the last time I did any thing in the entertainment business) in the last 4 months I have done this:
an extra on the movie the express
lead role in a comedic viral commercial for down town marketing firm.
I will be playing the lead role in a student film this coming week
i will be playing the lead role in an independent film.
I have performed stand up in front of large audiences
I am building a web site right now
I am waiting to do a call back for a real deal tv pilot (i guess it is faith based, which makes me nerves)
I am waiting to do a call back for another student film

Your class gave me the confidence, networking, and ground work for all of the things I have and will accomplish, and I would recommend your class to anyone.

- Don Phillips