Stand Up/ Storytelling Workshop (CHICAGO)

READ ME: this event is intended to "put out the feelers" of interest. Clicking "join" is not a commitment, rather will just keep you in the loop as details develop. By all means, decline if you know it ain't yo thang and you'll never hear another word about it! *********************************** Ever thought about trying stand up comedy? Interested in storytelling, public speaking, or think you have a one man show in you? I will be teaching a class (sometime in 2013- ignore the October thing) for people of all levels of experience and interest. The course will end with a LIVE showcase for your friends and families to attend. All ages (mostly) welcome but minors will need written parental consent. The full course with the live showcase is $150 (scholarships available- don't let money stop you if you can't swing it) It will include a copy of my new paperback book "Famous on the Inside" as well as 1 on 1 coaching. PLEASE SHARE WITH PEEPS YOU THINK WOULD BE INTERESTED Here's a little more about me: "Thornton toiled at Nashville area coffee shops for many years chasing the elusive record deal with his band Waves On Waves. His first musical effort "Had A Sword" won the Nashville Scene Music Award for Best Experimental Rock shortly before they disbanded in 2008. Frustrated, he relocated to Los Angeles and on the dare of a friend began frequenting Hollywood stand up comedy open mics. Within a few months he was named a Los Angeles Times "Best Bet," had been featured on NPR's All Things Considered and became a "New Faces Winner" at The Comedy Store in Hollywood. In 2011 Thornton was a guest lecturer at University of California, Berkeley where he spoke about the successful use of his podcast and social media in connection with his national touring act. The self-proclaimed "gay male Oprah with a potty mouth" produces a weekly Podcast on Sunday evenings also called "Strange Dreamz." Each Sunday Thornton and occasionally a guest irreverently discuss touring adventures, current events, and issues affecting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. Thornton's podcast is the highest rated program on the LGBT related online radio station "Click Click Expose" based in Miami, Florida. He's also an author. His most recent book "The Universe Sock Puppet" is available on his website and retailers worldwide Awards received on Thornton's 2011 15-city tour include the Audience Choice Award for Favorite Show and the Fringe Crush Award in Orlando as well as the League of Cincinnati Theatre Award for Best Writing and Performance. Matthew J. Palm, theater critic for the Orlando Sentinel, called Thornton "an enthusiastic musician, a quick-witted comic and a really funny storyteller" and Cincinnati's CityBeat said "he kept the audience in the palm of his hand during the sold out performance... he's a fast-talking, high-energy powerhouse of a performer." Audiences can follow Kevin year round through his podcast and video updates at http://www.kevinjthornton.com/ “Best Bet” - Los Angeles Times Featured on NPR's All Things Considered WINNER "New Faces" -The Comedy Store in Hollywood WINNER 2004 Nashville Scene Music Award Best Experimental Rock “Darkly Funny” -Nashville Scene 2011 Guest Lecturer at UC Berkeley “New refreshing territory” -Washington DC CityPaper “Intimate Brilliance… A Must See…” -Showbiz Chicago “a riveting and rewarding experience” -Cincinnati CityBeat “Funny and poignant… beautifully executed” -Frontiers Los Angeles “Exhilarating” -Gaywired “Hilarious”- Cincinnati Enquirer “Infused with great imagery and heart… Really good” -LA Splash “Thornton is engaging and funny and cute as Hell…” -Newcity Chicago “Thornton’s comedic timing is spot on” -NUVO Indianapolis “Hilarious” -Unzipped “A sexual and romantic odyssey” -EDGE Los Angeles “Groundbreaking” -Out and About “Striking a remarkably different chord… Wide reaching appeal” -Shepherd’s Express Milwaukee “Memorable and Moving” -NUVO Indianapolis "Audience Choice Awards Favorite Show" -Orlando Fringe Festival "Best Writing & Performance" -Cincinnati Acclaim Awards "Kept the audience in the palm of his hand during the sold out performance... he’s a fast-talking, high-energy powerhouse of a performer." -Cincinnati CityBeat "charms with honesty and laughs" -Watermark Orlando "...an enthusiastic musician, a quick-witted comic and a really funny storyteller." -Orlando Sentinel "the audience was on the edge of their seats" -The Daily "Hilarious...you sure as hell want to know what Thornton will do next."-Orlando Theatre "The sold out audience was the most vocal and appreciative one I have seen so far this year at Fringe. JUST. GO." -Behind The Curtain