Classes
DaveOdd.com
If you have taken the class before (even if you haven't) and you send me a referral, you get $20! Join the class with a friend and you each get $50 off! One on one classes also available.
NEXT CLASS STARTS DECEMBER 3rd 2009
Edge Comedy Boot Camp is now in it's second year and has had over 150 students pass through it's ranks. Many of whom are now staples in the Chicago comedy scene, and some even on the national scene.
Edge Comedy Boot Camp covers everything from tightening up and polishing your set, reading your audience, open miking, emceeing, featuring, getting your press kit together, marketing yourself, networking and getting booked, tons of tips and tools of the trade that would take you years to learn on your own, along with fun writing exercises and workshops in every class all culminating in a big grad show.
Edge Comedy Boot Camp is the only comedy class in the city that can GUARANTEE you stage time after the class is over and will continue to mentor you and help you grow long after the class is over. Currently The Edge Comedy Club doles out over 12 hours of stage time a week to Chicago comics 4-5 nights a week putting upwards and sometimes over 100 comedians a week on stage. Edge Comedy is also the go to for new and new to Chicago comedians to get started in Chicago comedy since 2001. Up and coming Chicago celebrities such as Kumail, TJ Miller, Tommy Johnagin, Michael Palascak, and Hannibal all got their first Chicago showcases at Edge Comedy Shows.
Classes are taught by Chicago comedy veteran and producer and founder of Edge Comedy, Dave Odd. Dave has been performing stand up since 1997 and producing Edge Comedy since 2001. He has performed in 18 states from comedy clubs, colleges, casinos, VFWs, bars, and all places in between. Dave has also been producing shows under the Edge Comedy banner since 2001 giving him a unique perspective as a alternative comic, a club comic, a college comic, and a producer unmatched by any other comedy teacher in the city.
Classes start every 8 weeks or so, email edgecomedy@hotmail.com for the next start date. Classes are immediately followed by our Big Fancy Open Mic, the largest stand-up comedy open mic in Chicago (and possibly the Midwest), so big in fact, it has to be split into two different rooms sometimes (we get upwards of 60 comics every week). So you can literally spend the entire night at the club learning, performing, and watching stand-up comedy.
Classes are taught at The Edge Comedy Club inside The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts at 777 N Green Street in Chicago, 60622 near the intersection of Chicago and Halsted Avenues (800 N, 800 W). The Blue and Brown Line trains are nearby and there is plenty of permit free or metered street parking available. Refreshments are served during class as well.
Classes are only $200 if you get your tuition in before September 1st, $225 thereafter. One on one lessons are also available in 4 double time sessions for only $300 on your own schedule, even if you live a couple hours away (we can meet halfway). Payment can be made by check or money order (to Dave Odd Productions Entertainment Inc., 4523 N Laporte Ave, Chicago, 60630) or cash in person. You can even jump into classes halfway through and take the ones you missed next session, and if you have to miss a class or two no worries because you can do a makeup class one on one before the next one! Call or email to make arrangements.
If you are interested, please send me a message or call me at 847-409-8623 or email me at edgecomedy@hotmail.com
Here are some testimonials for former students;
Dave just an FYI you rock! I really enjoyed taking your comedy class and I would recommend it to anyone interested in comedy! I cant believe our graduation class is tomorrow! I guess time does fly when your having fun! Thanks for everything I hope to keep in touch with you and possibly work for and with you soon! Love the token Mexican!
- Miguel Mancha
There are classes that try to teach you how to be funny, but there are not a lot of classes out there that teach you how to get work, get paid, and what to do when you get hired. This is the kind of information that you can't find easily, and Dave gives you everything you need to know.
-David Dravenack
Comedy Boot Camp with Dave Odd is definitely something you want to experience, whether you're serious about comedy or you just want to take a stab it, the class gets you comfortable with performing and with trying out new material. Along with fun, and sometimes challenging writing exercises, Dave gave a lot of information about the business aspect of comedy. This class offers a little bit for everyone; whether your goal is to become the next (insert favorite comic's name here) or whether you're just looking to get out of the house once a week because you hate your family and you want someone to at least pretend they're listening to you for once in your pathetic life. I can't say I'm any funnier after taking Dave's class, but I can say, I had a great time and I learned a lot over the eight weeks.
-Jeanie Doogan
The class was great, enjoyable, impressively organized. Coming from a business environment, I generally expect a lot of workshops to be "seat of the pants". Not this one.
-Mark Stewart
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 commiserating and camaraderie 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 forward 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
stand-up 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. Ha ha I'm having fun over here.
- Michael Joyce
I thought your class fucking rocked.... the class we had were I got onstage with a banana was the most insightful 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
I thought your class fucking rocked.... the class we had were I got onstage with a banana was the most insightful 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
If you are interested, please send me a message or call me at 847-409-8623 or email me at edgecomedy@hotmail.com.
Thanks,
Dave Odd (Productions Entertainment, Inc.)
The Edge Comedy Club
Chicago IL USA
847-409-8623
Stand-up comedy with a punch.