Laughing Matters:
Christine Alexander Joins McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre As a Teaching Artist
Local comedian, performer and educator shares the tricks of the trade
at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, including Kids Comedy Camp, which starts June 1.
(Sarasota, FL) Christine Alexander is serious about making people laugh. Seriously. “If it feels good to laugh, then laugh to feel good,” is her motto. The celebrated Sarasota-based comedian, performer and educator has spread that laughing feeling as a founding member of Florida Studio Theatre’s Improv program and the founder and president of Lazy Fairy Improv and Laughing Lunches. All of these ventures are still going strong. Yes, as Alexander sees it, you can never have enough comedy. That’s why she will be lending her talents as a teaching artist at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre and Humor Institute in Sarasota.
Alexander will teach stand-up, the basics of improvisation and creating solo performance routines at McCurdy’s. This summer, she’ll also head up Kids Comedy Camp and serve as an emcee at open mics. It’s a whole lot of funny business—and improvisation is at the heart of it all.
“A great stand-up comedian might blow you away with a polished routine,” she says. “That perfect bit was born in a free-wheeling, creative state of mind where the comic was just playing around and throwing ideas out there, over and over again.”
According to Alexander, a spirit of play is the essence of improv’s power. And that power isn’t limited to comedy.
“Improv jump-starts creativity and inspires people to collaborate and support each other,” says Alexander. “Whether your goal is to become a performer or public speaker, build confidence or simply inject more humor into your life, improv can truly unleash your potential. It’s the Swiss Army Knife of human skills.”
And speaking of comedy skills, Alexander says she stands in awe of the “incomparable” Les McCurdy and Ken Sons.
“I’m deeply honored to be working with Les and Ken,” she says. “For the past 30 years, they have stood on the front lines of comedy in Sarasota. They stood up and said, ‘Hey, comedy’s an art form.’ They did it at a time when comedy wasn’t getting the respect it deserved in this area. We take that respect for granted now. Every comic performer in town owes McCurdy’s a debt.”
“We are all very excited for the opportunity to have Christine working and playing with us in our sandbox at McCurdy’s,” says Les McCurdy. “Christine is such a well respected teacher and performer. It’s a pleasure to add her energy and expertise to our programs.”
Alexander closes with a quick comedy lesson. The first step in being funny? Feeling safe to act silly.
That’s the simple commitment that animates all of Alexander’s classes. As she puts it, “I’m committed to creating a safe and courageous place for people to have fun and play in,” she says. “Once that safe place is created, anyone can come, play, laugh and have fun.”
McCurdy’s Kids Comedy Camp runs June 1-5 (8-12 years old); June 8-12 (13-17 years old); July 6-10 (8-12 years old); July 13-17 (13-17 years old); August 3-7 (8-12 years old); and August 10-14 (13-17 years old).
For more information about McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre and Humor Institute, call 941-925-3869, or visit www.mccurdyscomedy.com.
About Christine Alexander
Christine Alexander studied improv at Magnet Theater and Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City, and at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre and Humor Institute and Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota. She’s known as Sarasota’s “Locally World Famous Improv Ambassador” and has received rewards as one of the 28 Most Powerful People in the Arts (Sarasota Magazine), Best Local Actress 2008 and 2009 (Creative Loafing), and 40 Under 40 (Gulf Coast Business Review). For more information, call 941-677-0301; email [email protected]; or visit.www.christinealexander.net.
