Humor Writing 4-Class Series
Participants in this four-class series with Dr. David B. Axelrod will discuss what makes things funny. After a lifetime of arguing, they will also be instructed on popular formats for humor/comedy writing. Each session will offer a chance to tell a joke, present a short-standup routine, or even stage a brief skit. Creations, of course, will be critiqued. Those who fail to be funny will be given a choice of boos or booze. Because what people find funny is so variable, the contents of each session will be spontaneous, though some tried and true principles will be shared.
All humorists and writers are welcome. Stagecraft, stand-up, memoirs, stories, even limericks will be the subjects of study. Caution, the class will not be “censored,” though as with any venue, participants will show mutual respect. “The single, abiding rule,” says Axelrod, “will be to treat each other nicely. Other than that,” he says, “no holds barred—though we do have to be careful where we hold each other.”
Please note, this class takes place outdoors, in the garden gazebo. Bench seating is provided, but if you’d like to bring a foldable chair please do. Please bring a notebook and something to write with, and water/drink if you’d like. The nearest public restroom is located at The Casements (one block away).
P.S. If you don’t think it’s funny, you had to be there.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
♦ NEW DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
♦ LOCATION: OMAM’s Garden Gazebo
♦ COST: $60 members; $67 future members
♦ DEADLINE: Class registration closes at 10am Monday, Oct. 4
About the Instructor:
Dr. David B. Axelrod, of The Creative Happiness Institute, has written and sold jokes to magazines, published a humor magazine, worked on the set of the TV show Cheers, performed and emceed at numerous comedy clubs. Author of books like The Man Who Fell in Love with a Chicken, his career as a performance poet was built around making poetry entertaining for the mass public. Dr. Axelrod has also sold memoirs, stories and satire, and won both a playwriting award and a Gilman Fellowship in theater at The Johns Hopkins University. As an actor, he was Mr. Smith in Ionesco’s The Bald Soprano, and Thisbe in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.
