AJ Arts & Entertainment

November 12, 2009

Spreading laughter

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter / Photographer

With six years of improv training between to the two of them, local comedians Pat Martin and Patrick Holmes are looking to take the knowledge they’ve gained and share it.

The two will be on hand at the Vintage Theater in downtown Scranton, Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 11 to 13, 7:30 to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15, 1 to 3 p.m. to answer questions and hold registration for an improv class they will be teaching at the theater early next year.

Martin and Holmes have been performing in and outside the area for years, taking the stage at a number of different events, including NBC’s The Office Convention and the Del Close Marathon in New York City. With all that experience under their belt, they are hoping they can help others looking to get involved with live comedy.

“I think it’s just a natural progression,” said Holmes. “When you’re enjoying what you’re doing, you want to encourage more people to do it too.”

“There’s also bound to be more talent in the area that’s gone untapped and it’s good to give people the opportunity to come into the fold and learn and grow in this art form, which I think is one of the best art forms I’ve ever worked in.”

Martin and Holmes met while taking classes at Chris Barnes’ Comedy Dojo, formerly in the Scranton Cultural Center.

They said their hope is to inject their classes—which will be geared toward teaching students the basics of improv comedy and creating a scene with your fellow actors based on audience suggestions—with the same enthusiasm for the art that Barnes did. The also want to make it a worthwhile experience for all their students.

“I’m a puppeteer and I wanted to do improv to improve my puppetry characterization,” said Holmes. “I figured it would probably be a good way to learn some technical acting skills.”

“I’ve always wanted to make people laugh, so I came to this,” said Martin. “I was also interested in improv. I studied it, read all the books you could possibly read on it and it always struck me as a great form of entertainment.”

The two feel the different inspiration they had for signing up for the Barnes class is a good example of the many different ways improv can benefit a person. While people may think of it as just beneficial in comedy, the two pointed out it can also benefit a person’s acting, writing and public speaking.

“You don’t have to be funny, necessarily, to try this class,” said Martin.

“Even if you know nothing about improv and it just peaks your curiosity, I invite you to come out and check out a couple classes.”

Classes are scheduled to begin in early January at a cost of $35 a class or $120 for the month, and are open to teens and adults. Sign-ups will be held at the Vintage Theater, 119 Penn Ave., Scranton, Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 11 to 13, and Sunday, Nov. 15.

The duo will also be holding sign-ups after their show with “Here We Are in Spain,” Saturday, Nov. 14, 8 p.m. at the AFA Gallery in Scranton. Cost is $7. Sign up online at www.hereweareinspain.com.

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