I am gearing up to teach a comedy workshop. It has me thinking about whether everything worth knowing can be taught. Can you really teach hitting a fastball? Can you train to be an affective minister? Can you learn the courage to jump out of an airplane or cliff dive? Or are some talents just something you have to be born with?
I know as far as performing goes. I honed my craft and am better for it. I have learned from biographies I have read from stand up comics, YouTube videos and I even took a clown class. But I also was in a lot of classes where some of he folks next to me couldn't act their way out of a traffic ticket and no amount of training could have them mastering Shakespeare. They just didn't have it.
But what the hell is "it"? The best answer I have heard is "You'll know it when you see it." That works for me.
As far as comedy goes. I think it is a worthy pursuit. I can't see any occupation where a little sense of humor wouldn't go a long way. I'm not suggesting that an oncologist deliver bad news with a limerick. But I am suggesting that there comes a sense of calm, community and happiness when people are laughing.
I believe anybody that wants to be can be funny. We all at least see funny things everyday; fat people eating fries and diet soda, a dog humping away on a sexy shin or a conservative blaming the gays for the weather. See it. Interpret it. Find the funny. Now go get 'em.
Blog Author
Michelle Tomko's comedy is a fervent blend of tomboy sensibilities courtesy of the older brothers she grew up with in the Midwest and the barrage of perimenopausal chaos the East Coast world has heaped upon her. She pulls her humor from everyday observations and classic stories of family, travel, pets, and adversity. With razor-sharp crowd work and improvisational skills to the rock-solid timing of a veteran performer, Michelle’s act is not to be missed!