Kids 'N Comedy Delivers Laughs With New Season Of Monthly Kids Stand Up Shows And Teen Classes

One of the best things about raising your family in the New York City area is the eclectic and diverse options of experiences available to help educate, inspire and entertain it's developing youth. For 22 years, Kids 'N Comedy has done just that, with its widely popular stand up comedy classes and rave reviewed club stand-up shows for teens that attracts kids from all five boroughs and beyond.

Kids 'N Comedy returns this fall with a new season of classes for local teens as well as monthly shows for families in the area. Whether you are looking for a creative outlet for your funny and clever kid or searching for an outing that will make the whole family smile (or fall out of their seats laughing), Kids 'N Comedy has a spot for you.

Kids 'N Comedy classes teach kids 10-18 how to creatively write comedy. What sets their approach apart from some other unorthodox class experiences in New York City is that they allow young adults to find their own voice and express themselves at an age where they might find it difficult to clearly communicate their thoughts and observations. The class philosophy of always thinking, refining, and "seeing" the world for inspiration helps develop important life skills that can surely benefit any child, not just an aspiring comedian. At Kids 'N Comedy classes students also develop self-confidence as they hone their craft, another much welcome perk for any teen. Also, in addition to pursuing their passion, students also get to make local friends with similar interests, building their own comedy circle. Class instructors are a mix of professional comedians and former and present students who help newcomers by providing guidelines but no rules, welcoming each student's individually and encouraging them to support one another. Each 8 or 9 week session ends with a graduation show where students perform a show at Gotham Comedy Club, one of New York's most respected comedy spots.

The Kids 'N Comedy monthly public comedy shows consist of the school's best comedians performing for audiences of kids (ages 9 + up), families and the general public. The highlighted talent at these monthly shows are selected because they are the best in class and have spent multiple years with the organization developing their acts. Ranging in age from 12-18, these performers are as good as any adult comic, but keep it clean for a family audience. For the young audience members, they will appreciate the camaraderie and perspective from their peers plus they'll get an idea of what they are in for if they are considering taking the classes as well. Being a teenager is tough, and nobody knows it better than these guys. They encourage audiences to come laugh with them at their pain. As the New York Times said 'Like many standup comics (they) enjoy drawing on their wacky childhoods, the only difference is they're still living them."

Each show will feature 6-10 kids from the troupe including Julian Gerber, Ben Jenkins, Spencer Kahn, Avery Lender, Joe Schlafer and the new faces of Evan Breckman, Mark Timanovsky and Parker Slaton as well as some other fresh talents. The MC's for the fall season will be a rotation of Ashley Brooke Roberts, Nick Maritato and Lucca Libera. Ashley and Nick are the Kids 'N Comedy teachers and stand-up comedians. Lucca is a K'NC alumni and intern from Brazil and who is currently a sophomore at NYU and performing around the city at night.

CLASSES:
Saturday classes begin September 15 for 9 weeks
Ages 10-13: 11:30 AM -1:30 PM / Ages 14-18: 2-4 PM
Sunday classes begin September 16 for 9 weeks.
Ages 10-18: 10:30 AM -12:30 PM

FALL SHOW SCHEDULE: Monthly on Sundays at 1PM
September 30 "THE BACK TO SCHOOL SHOW"
October 28 "THE TERRIFIED OF EVERYTHING HALLOWEEN SHOW"
November 18 "THANKS, I GUESS?"
December 16 "CHRISTMAKWANZUKAH"

SEPTEMBER 30 "THE BACK TO SCHOOL SHOW"
Pencils, books and plenty of shenanigans are to be had at the kick off show to the fall season. Our class clowns will share their witticism and neuroses of back to school making you laugh and squirm until you feel as awkward as they do. Better pick out your outfit the night before.

OCTOBER 28 "THE SCARY PRE-HALLOWEEN SHOW"
At Kids 'n Comedy, they think it's okay to admit you're scared. Like, if the thing you're afraid of is flesh-eating zombies who can successfully navigate the subway (terrifying!). The funniest teenagers in the tri-state area discuss their deepest, darkest, most hilarious fears.

NOVEMBER 18 "THE PRE-TURKEY SHOW"?"
It's Thanksgiving, and that means being thankful for everything good in your life. Pilgrims, turkey, and long overbearing family dinners. What could be worse? Come down and watch our kid comedians give you their personal guidance in surviving this wonderfully painful holiday, and how best to enjoy the food!

DECEMBER 16
"CHRISTMAKWANZUKAH"
It's that time of the year again! Time to rediscover family togetherness and strange religious traditions! Come stop on by and chat with us about our very deep struggles with finding the joy in the holidays and how these feelings of anguish are great for family gatherings! Let us explain which Christmas sweaters are itchy, and what menorahs are tacky. Tis the season, right?

Shows are at 1:00 PM at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 West 23 Street
The information number is 212-877-6115 and online ticketing is available on the Kids 'N Comedy website, www.kidsncomedy.com.

ABOUT KIDS N COMEDY
Kids 'N Comedy originated in 1996 as a talent show for kids at a The West End Gate restaurant on the Upper West Side that was owned at the time by Associate Director Stu Morden, Art D'Lugoff and Manny Roth (Cafe Wha). The talent of the kids caught the attention of BBC-TV, which filmed a documentary about them, which resulted in more media attention. Demand spiked among kids wishing to perform and this prompted Artistic Director Jo Ann Grossman and her husband Stu Morden to establish Kids 'N Comedy to serve these budding comics, through classes, an intensive summer comedy camp, both taught by a rotating staff of professional comedians and for the kids, professional gigs. Their performance series started at The Knitting Factory in 1996 and moved to Caroline's in 1998 and to Gotham Comedy Club in 2000. The founders point out that there's a ten year ramp-up to a comedy career and stage time is essential to becoming a good performer. Before there was Kids 'N Comedy, getting that stage time was nearly impossible, since comedy clubs are primarily bars and therefore off-limits to teens. Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

This program has been made possible in part through the sponsorship of The Field, a not-for-profit, tax- exempt, 501(c)(3) organization serving the New York City performing arts community. Limited partial scholarships are available.

Kids 'N Comedy Demo from Jo Ann Grossman on Vimeo.