BIO, Performance and Training Experience
Al has always been interested in the stage and how performance works. Possessing a degree in Psychology he was always a connector and wondering how do people work when humor is a factor. 1970’s TV was an early influence. Naturally funny people were an attraction and he was drawn to doing stand-up comedy. While in the corporate world he would day dream about how to make people laugh. After pursuing comedy he realized humor could impact the corporate world and designed inside joke shows for various corporate companies. Along the way he was attracted to improv, joining Comedy Sportz in downtown Raleigh and from there founding his own group, The Village Idiots, which survived for many years. As comedy critic for Spectator Magazine he gained insight into what worked and what didn’t on stage. Interviewing people like George Carlin and Bryan Regan taught him that comedy was a job for anyone as long as he or she dedicated himself to the task. He was drawn to improv because people are reacting to each other and in the moment. Unpredictable, exciting and unscripted, improv is a real art form. The most attractive characteristic of improv was the teamwork. Performers had to work together for it to work but when they did, the results were powerful. The world always needs teamwork and teaching improv fulfills the desire to bring people together, impacting their relationships and careers.
Approximately 15 years ago he discovered Toastmasters which is an opportunity to learn and practice speaking skills as well as training skills. For years Toastmasters has taught him how to get to the point, share the focus and make others look good. The meetings are never about one person getting all the attention and Improv is similar. He combined these skills with his Improv background to go into the corporate world and show the benefits of working together.
Corporate Training 2015
Customized training for corporations such as Victra, Siemens, Pfizer, GSK and many Toastmaster clubs.
After conducting in-depth interviews and a discussion of goals for an event, I would design interactive, innovative workshops getting people moving, laughing and interacting. I have conducted workshops for groups up to 100 attendees and performed for up to 800 attendees.
Comedy Critic, 1990’s
Raleigh’s Spectator Magazine, Durham’s Independent Weekly
For several years I reviewed national touring comedians and entertainment acts including, George Carlin, Bryan Regan and many others. I conducted personal interviews with Carlin, Richard Jeni, Heywood Banks and many others.
Corporate Comedy Performances
The corporate world can always use a good laugh, especially at its own expense.
After conducting in-depth interviews, I designed customized performances for Glaxo Smith Kline, Project Managers Intl., Toastmasters and others. See highlights here.
Village Idiots Improv Group
Its hard to admit I was an idiot but I was the founder of this long running Improv group. Have you ever founded a band? It’s like that, except replace the music with comedy. I can confirm you should never adopt an adult. Using the elements of improvisational theater, innate talent and risk, we were good.
Performance Training and Education
Paul Sills – Summer Workshop- Paul Sills was a legendary improvisational guru and the original director of Chicago’s The Second City. He conducted summertime INTENSIVE workshops in his barn in Wisconsin. These were instrumental in my improvisational theater education.
Frank King Comedy Class, 1990’s. This was hosted by Charlie Goodnights Comedy Club, Raleigh. King offered a great class on writing and stand up comedy.