An Epicenter of Filipino American Performing Arts in San Francisco

When: First class begins on Sunday, July 7th at 5pm
Location: Bindlestiff Studio 185 6th St. San Francisco, CA
Cost: Early bird tuition: $125 (paid before 6/30/13); Click here for cost information...

Bindlestiff Studio present THE RIFF LAB, a 5-week standup comedy workshop utilizing the principles of improvisation, extemporaneous speech, and standup comedy in order to perform a live standup comedy set "on the spot" without prior notes or preparation. The workshops will be facilitated by Allan S. Manalo, a veteran in the Filipino American standup comedy scene and a former director at Bindlestiff Studio. No standup comedy experience is required although some stage time is preferred. A date for a "graduation" show where the participants get a chance to show what they've learned will be determined at a later time.

The workshops will begin on Sunday, July 7th at 5pm. and will hold 5 sessions culminating in an improvisational performance show in front of a live audience at Bindlestiff Studio. Regular tuition for is $225 with an early bird special of $125 if paid before 6/30/13.

Students will learn:

· Preparing for the unknown

· How to attack a topic using principles in comedy writing

· Building a bit

· Comic timing

· Engaging the audience

· How to handle bombing, hecklers, and the occasional crash of broken glass

About The Instructor:
Allan S. Manalo is a Filipino American writer, director, producer, and stand-up comic who has performed in over 400 colleges and comedy clubs throughout 47 states and 3 countries. Manalo is the former Managing Director of Bindlestiff Studies. He has taught standup comedy and improvisational theater workshops since 1997 at various institutions including Kearny Street Workshop, Ateneo de Manila University, eCircle Entertainment, and the Accenture Corp.

About Bindlestiff Studio:
Originally opened in 1989, Bindlestiff Studio became the only permanent, community-based performing arts venue in the nation dedicated to showcasing emerging Filipino American and Pilipino artists. Bindlestiff Studio provides the often under-served Filipino American community access to diverse offerings in theatrical productions, music and film festivals, workshops in directing, production, acting, stand-up comedy, and writing, as well as a children and youth theater program.

Photo Credit: Ann Borja