I’ve just learned the sad news that Paul Sills, founder of The Second City improvisational comedy troupe has died. The Second City was established in Chicago, Illinois in 1959 and over the years helped hone the talents of some of the great comedic talents in the U.S. and Canada. It went on to be established in other cities including Toronto and Las Vegas.
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Jun 11
The Second City Founder Dies – 1927-2008
Jun 11
Two Killer Ways to Increase Your Laughter Power
I was doing my penultimate speech in an Advanced Manual at my Toastmasters club Grosvenor Square Speakers recently. There were only 16 people in the audience, including the time-keeper and General Evaluator. I was all set to go on second, when my name suddenly got read out to speak first.
I went up and did reasonably well, but not as good as I could’ve done. So what was different this time…? Continue reading
Jun 10
Public Speaking: Dress to Impress
Before you speak to an audience consider the clothes that you’re going to wear. Of course there might be a situation where you’re just giving a presentation to your team, so you would wear what you would normally at work. But if you can, and it’s appropriate to do so, try to dress smartly when you present.
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Jun 05
Secret Comedy Writing Technique – Daffynitions
The next post in my Secret Comedy Writing Technique deals with Daffynitions. I actually only heard of this technique a couple of years ago.
The term Daffynitions comes from the word daffy meaning “a little crazy” and the word “definition”, which obviously provides the meaning or a word. Hence we get the word Daffynitions. The term itself is a pun format that involves the reinterpretation of a word based upon the fact that it sounds like another word or combination of words. Making up daffynitions was popular on the BBC radio show I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue.
Some examples include the following: Continue reading
Jun 03
Pulblic Speaking: Hecklers
This may seem a bit incongruous to the public speaking arena and more associated with comedy clubs, but it does happen. But even in the comedy club market heckling doesn’t happen as often as some people think that it does. So in the corporate environment I’d have to say that it happens even less than that. Although in after dinner situations where alchohol is involved some audience members want to “join in”.
The are different reasons why people heckle. Continue reading
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