A Funny (Unscripted) Thing Happened On The Way To The Convention!

What do you get when you combine a group of funny speakers, a whole slew of audience suggestions, and one (slightly) unpredictable emcee?

We don’t know either, but we can’t wait to find out! In this fun, interactive, hilarious, and speaker-themed improv show, a group of professional speakers will create comedy on the spot in the style of the TV show, “Whose Line is it Anyway?”

It’s the only improv comedy show that’s by speakers, for speakers, and about speakers! Be there or be the geometric shape of the audience’s choosing…

(Bonus: If you are interested in learning the principles of improv and how to use them to add humor to your presentations, be sure to check out Avish’s breakout session, Unleashing Your Inner Comedian! Using Improv Comedy to Add Humor to Your Program—Without Telling Jokes, on Sunday at 3:15PM in Room 407-409)

Logistics

When: Friday, July 26^th, 8:30PM

Where: Philadelphia Marriott Downtown

Who: See Below…

The Players

Gilda Bonanno www.GildaBonanno.com	Gilda Bonanno is a speaker, trainer and coach who helps people improve their presentation and communication skills so they can be more successful. She achieves these results by combining her business background with her improv comedy performance experience and a conviction that with the right training and practice, anyone can become a more effective communicator. She has worked with executives throughout North America and in South America, Europe, China and India. Gilda is also a founding member of the World Class Indifference improv comedy team, which since 2004 has performed comedy shows and taught classes in New York City and Connecticut. She incorporates improv techniques into her speaking, training and coaching, helping people learn to think quickly, be creative and develop confidence.
Robert Bradford www.cssp.com	As a nationally acclaimed speaker, Robert blends a unique combination of broad knowledge and humorous insight to produce programs that are lively and practical at the same time. A master trainer, he has spent the last fourteen years converting management theory into real-life application. Most clients engage Robert Bradford again and again to learn from his ever-growing experience in strategy that works today. Robert always stimulates great strategic thinking and leaves the audience with practical, “how-to” steps they can take home to apply their learning.
Molly Cox www.MollySpeaks.com	Rarely do you find a combination of original material, solid content, and hysterical delivery. Molly delivers. As the former director of sales and marketing for two hotels, the general manager of an upscale athletic club and the co-founder of an improv and sketch comedy company, Molly understands business and people. She is the co-author of “Improvise This! How to Think on Your Feet so You Don’t Fall on Your Face,” twice on the CEO READ top 25 list and the producer of the award winning film, Note to Self — about engaging caregivers in their own self care.As an expert in stress management she works with people to use humor to increase positive energy, gain perspective and live a healthy, happy and productive life.
Patrick Maurer www.PMaurer.com	Patrick Maurer is an entertainer, educator, and motivator who presents to over 30,000 students each year throughout North America in such venues as Six Flags Magic Mountain, and to such renowned student groups like the National Association of Student Councils, Key Club International, DECA, 4-H, and FFA. He is a past improvisational cast member of Comedy Sportz San Jose, recently served as the 2012 Youth Chair for the National Speakers Association, and currently serves on the Volunteer Council for the world-renowned Sundance Film Festival.
Avish Parashar www.DingHappens.com	Avish Parashar is quite possibly the world’s only Motivational Improviser. He uses his 20+ years of experience performing, teaching and studying improv comedy to show organizations and individuals how to think quickly, get creative, and master change. He is the author of “Improvise to Success!” and “Say ‘Yes, And!'” as well as dozens of other products designed to help others use the power of improvisation to be funnier, happier, and more successful.Avish founded and ran Polywumpus Improv Comedy in Philadelphia for 7 years, has performed improv on national TV 3 times, and has performed at quite a few Cigar PEG Charity Auctions over the past 7 years…
Melanie Szlucha www.redinc.biz	Throughout her life, Melanie Szlucha’s heard “hey, you’re pretty funny,” but it wasn’t until she became a founding member of the Stamford, CT-based group World Class Indifference that she had the chance to put that to the test. Now 9 years later, and owner of her own business coaching job seekers, she integrates the communication, listening and mental flexibility aspects of improv into presentations to help job seekers become better at interviewing and networking. She has taught improv skills at Duke University and to hundreds of executives throughout the New York City area. And they’ve even invited her back! Melanie is always developing her improv abilities through classes at the University of Massachusetts, including a class with TJ and Dave, the lead characters in the Sonic fast food commercials, and with CT Improv in Hartford, CT.