Grafitti and The Playground are proud to announce a Solo Sketch Comedy class beginning Saturday, July 11. The class is a four week class taught by Paul Thomas (see info below). Class size will be very small to ensure all attendees get a lot of personal attention. To sign up for the class email matt@the-playground.com.

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This workshop is designed to assist, motivate, and inspire those who would like to write and perform solo character pieces. Open to the experienced and not-so experienced, it will focus on writing, stage presence, structure, tools, tricks, timing, cadence, and finding inspiration. The workshop will be limited to 6 students. Upon completion, performers will have performance slots in Thursday Happy Hour, the weekly solo showcase at the Playground, and a class show for Grafitti.

The Instructor
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Paul Thomas is a jackass of all comedy trades. He is a former member of the Defiant Thomas Brothers, winners of Best Sketch Group at HBO's 2005 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, which resulted in a development deal with Regency Television ("Malcolm in the Middle", "Bernie Mac"). His solo work includes "Waitress Wanted," which ran in Live Bait Theater's Fillet of Solo Festival in 2006, and also an appearance last summer in the festival's Sampler Superstars. Last fall he premiered a half-hour version of his solo characters show "Comedogenic" at Donny's Skybox, and will be premiering the full-length show in the New York International Fringe Festival in August. He will also be performing in the first Just For Laughs Chicago Festival in June. Currently he hosts Thursday Happy Hour, a weekly solo workshop/showcase at the Playground. Also a standup comedian, he performs regularly as a cast member of Chicago Underground Comedy. Paul, Jeff Madden, and Cork Kangas comprise Lola Balatro, the post-grunge acoustic rock band that is scorching the earth with hits like "I Got 2 Black Friends" and "Rock Star." To view an introduction to Paul, please visit http://www.bigheadpaul.com/paulthomas.html .

Info:
Saturdays 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
July 11, 18, August 1, 8
With Happy Hour slots and
With a class Grafitti show in August/September
Cost: $175

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