Teaching funny
Manhattan Comedy School gives lessons on standup

Adventure
They say you can’t teach funny, but Andy Engel wants to try anyway. His Manhattan Comedy School offers a series of classes that gives standup neophytes a bit of experience before they head out into the cruel world of drunken hecklers and empty venues.
“It’s a positive alternative to open mics,” Engel says if his school- a claim that will no doubt attract the attention of mainly jittery beginners. After all, while chances are that if you want to make it as a comic you’ll have to bomb sooner or later, why not get a little stage time under your belt in a friendly environment first?
Students in the school’s introductory classes work toward putting together a polished five- minute act. Because of Manhattan Comedy School’s status as the official comedy class of Caroline’s Comedy Club, students we’ll try out their stuff atop the framed club’s stage. They’ll also leave with a broadcast- quality tape they can use to, hopefully, secure a future gig or two.

Just for fun
However, not everyone comes to class dreaming of bright lights and packed houses. Plenty of pupils are there just for kicks. “Some people here are really serious, and, for some people, it’s an interesting thing to do,” Engel explains.
From doctors and lawyers out on a lark to homemakers just after a thrill, grabbing the microphone definitely make for a break from the routine.
As Engel says, describing the feeling for a first- time performer, “It’s like jumping out of an airplane.” Just consider him your parachute.