Power2Improv

10/10/2024

Dear Friends and Festival Supporters,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of this year’s Orlando Comedy Festival. As you may be aware, the recent hurricane has had a significant impact on our community, and the safety and well-being of our attendees, performers, and staff must always be our top priority.
After assessing the damage and ongoing concerns in the area, including power outages, flooding, and transportation disruptions, we have determined that moving forward with the event would not only put people at risk but also detract from the recovery efforts happening across the state of Florida. The safety of our community comes first, and we feel it is not the right time to gather for a celebration while many are still facing the challenges caused by this natural disaster.
We understand the disappointment this decision may bring, especially for those who have been looking forward to the festival. However, we hope you will stand with us in recognizing that health, safety, and recovery efforts are of utmost importance right now. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the storm, and we encourage everyone to take the necessary precautions and support each other during this difficult time.
If you have a reservation for a room, the Resort has stated they will give a full refund on your reservation. Anyone that bought tickets for shows or workshops will be refunded. I have personally called everyone that did not already cancel their appearance, many went to voicemail; I am sending this email along with making changes to the page and website. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please let me know.
We are grateful for the love and support the festival has always received from this wonderful community, and we look forward to bringing laughter back next year as we celebrate our 10th year of love, joy and laughter.
Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe.
Warm regards,
Matt Gervia
Orlando Comedy Festival Organizer

10/08/2024

Good Morning Everyone,
This is the Hurricane Mitton and Festival Update for Tuesday, October 8th.

Unfortunately, several performers have had to cancel due to flight cancellations caused by the approaching storm. This is completely understandable, as many airlines have implemented safety measures in response. As a result, there are now open slots in the festival schedule. Once the storm has passed and we have a chance to reassess, we will explore our options. At this time, we are considering shifting the festival start time from 5 PM to 6 PM. Any and all changes will be communicated as soon as possible.
The current weather forecast for Friday and Saturday shows sunny skies with temperatures around 80°F. However, key factors that will determine our plans include power availability, the status of the resort, and whether it is safe for everyone to proceed on Friday and Saturday.
This hurricane's timing is heartbreaking, but my priority is your safety. If circumstances prevent you from participating in the festival, please know that it’s perfectly okay. We are all equipped with the flexibility to adapt, and your well-being comes first.
If you need anything or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You have my phone number, email, and Facebook contact information, and I will be checking them all regularly.
Stay safe and thank you, I will keep everyone posted as we move forward.
Festival producer
Matt

10/06/2024

To all the guests and attendees planning on coming to the Orlando Comedy Festival on Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th. We are monitoring the storm and will update everyone as we move forward.

At the moment, it’s still far out in the Gulf, so it’s too early to predict exactly where it will make landfall. It could impact areas from Tampa to Miami, but much is still uncertain. The storm is expected to pass over Florida by Wednesday and move into the Atlantic by Thursday night. Which would level us good for the festival, But we ar prepaid to adjust and make changes as needed to keep everyone safe.

Safety is our top priority, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely. As the path and impact of the hurricane become clearer, we will assess all options for the festival and keep you informed every step of the way.
Sending love to everyone, be safe!

09/30/2024

Wow, what an amazing afternoon! The standup comedy workshop was packed with awesome folks eager to dive into the world of Orlando’s comedy scene. We kicked things off by exploring every angle of standup—breaking down different styles and honing in on the basics, we went over storytelling and punchlines. Then, we shifted gears into refining our jokes and mastering the art of owning the stage.
Everyone shared a bit of their journey, and we even had a lively Q&A where no topic was off-limits. The energy in the room was electric, with many ready to hit the stage at an open mic near you soon!
Huge thanks to all who joined—it was a blast! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next. Keep writing, keep laughing, and keep the jokes rolling!

09/23/2024

Only 3 spots left for this Sunday’s Standup Comedy 101 Workshop! We cap it at 25 to guarantee everyone gets plenty of stage time and expert feedback. Don’t miss your chance to shine—or at least avoid being the only one without a punchline!

Welcome to the World of Stand-Up Comedy!

Ready to turn those witty one-liners into a full set? In this fun and informative 2-hour workshop, you'll learn the essential skills to kickstart your stand-up comedy journey, including:
• Crafting the perfect punchline with basic joke structure
• Joke writing techniques to turn everyday moments into laugh-worthy material
• Owning the stage with confidence and presence (because jokes are better when people can actually hear you)
• Performance techniques to keep the audience laughing, not just staring
• A sprinkle of crowd work to make any heckler wish they stayed home
• Plus, a few Do’s and Don’ts so you don’t accidentally insult your grandma’s knitting club

You’ll also get insider tips on how to connect with the local comedy scene and find open mics where you can show off your new skills.
Join us for this free workshop on the main stage at the Orlando Public Library (101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801) on Sunday, September 29th at 3pm. It’s a chance to sharpen your comedic chops, meet fellow aspiring comedians, and—who knows?—maybe discover your path to stardom.

This workshop will be hosted by Comedian, Improvisor and puppeteer, Matt Gervia.
For over 15 years, Matt has been navigating the hilarious (and sometimes awkward) world of comedy in all its forms. From stand-up to improv and everything in between, he’s been there, done that, and sometimes bombed a few times along the way. But hey, that’s part of the fun!

In this workshop, Matt will share his hard-earned wisdom and techniques, providing you with a road map to start your own comedy journey. Whether you're aiming for open mics or just want to up your joke game at parties, Matt’s got the insider tips to help you get there, and maybe even leave people laughing on purpose!
Register online at https://attend.ocls.info/event/9585033
This class is free, and it’s designed to add to your skillset and open up new opportunities. Whether you're aiming for Netflix or just a killer set at the next family reunion, we’ve got you covered!

08/27/2024

The Orlando Comedy Festival is excited to offer three incredible workshops this year that will take your skills to the next level and elevate your play! We've kept these workshops both affordable and packed with value to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 12th, because you won’t want to miss this. But heads up—there are only 20 spots per workshop, and once they’re filled, that’s it! We like to keep things intimate so you can get hands-on experience and personalized attention.

Our custom-tailored Performance Workshops are designed to:
• Sharpen your ensemble performance skills
• Enhance your individual talents
• Provide a positive, fun, and educational experience
• Boost your confidence and self-esteem

Meet the all-star lineup leading this year’s workshops:
• JR Riley & Mitchell Mulkey – Shaping Improv Narratives
• Dash and Ali – Improvisors in Space
• Daniel Scott Dagesse – Create Your Inner Puppet

For more details and to grab your spot, head over to the Orlando Comedy Festival website. See you there—if you’re fast enough to snag a spot! www.orlandocomedyfestival.com

08/26/2024

🎉 Big News Alert! 🎉
The Orlando Comedy Festival is thrilled to announce that tickets for our shows and workshops are officially on sale! We can’t wait to bring you a lineup packed with incredible talent.
Welcome to Orlando’s ultimate comedy extravaganza! From side-splitting stand-up to sharp-witted sketch comedy and the best improv teams from around the country, this festival is the place to be in 2024. Get ready for a celebration that’s all about TALENT, QUALITY, SUPPORT, COMMUNITY, and, of course, AMAZING comedy!
Brought to you by Power 2 Improv and The Hive Comedy Theater, this festival is a unique blend of local and national acts spanning a variety of comedy genres. Mark your calendars because this year’s festival will run from Friday, October 11th to Saturday, October 12th!
Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store:
• 🎤 39 hilarious performances
• 🎭 3 hands-on workshops
• 🥂 2 after-show mixers
• 🎶 2 open jam sessions
• 🤩 Unlimited fun—and even more surprises on the way!
For all the juicy details and to snag your tickets, head over to https://www.orlandocomedyfestival.com/ Don’t miss out on the funniest weekend of the year! 🎟️

Orlando Comedy Festival is Orlando Florida Premier Comedy Festival

08/19/2024

Attention All Improvisers, Comedians, and Funny Folks!

You are officially invited to the Improv Battle Royale—a comedy showdown where quick wit and hilarious antics reign supreme! The battle will unfold on the main stage, first floor, at the Orlando Public Library. Competitors are encouraged to dress up as characters to psych out their rivals and maybe even score some bonus points with the judges. How you approach it is entirely up to you!

This event promises to be a laugh-filled extravaganza where only one team will emerge victorious.

The Improv Battle Royale is open to 25 participants of all skill levels. The first hour and a half will be a warm-up session, where we'll cover the games, basics, and a quick review of improv rules. After that, names will be drawn, and competitors will be divided into equal-sized teams.

Then, it’s time for the main event! For the last hour and a half, the Battle Royale begins. Our delightful audience will score each team as they compete in a side-splitting series of short-form improv games, showcasing humor, character work, and game ex*****on. The winning team will claim the grand prize and, of course, bragging rights.

Ready to join the fun? Sign up online at the Orlando Public Library, https://attend.ocls.info/event/9585034.

Location:
Orlando Public Library
101 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801
First Floor, Main Stage
Don’t miss out on the funniest battle of the year!

07/29/2024

What am amazing group that we had at the Monster Company's BIG monster puppet building workshop. It was all ages and all hands on deck, as it was fully imercive. So much fun as new monsters you designed built, and brought to life. Great job to everyone.

07/18/2024

163 submissions to the Orlando Comedy Festival turns into 43 shows set for October 11th and 12th. So many performers from all across the country, so much talent, and amazing people. I thank everyone who submitted to this the 9th year of our festival.

07/16/2024

shhhhh, don't go crazy, but The Orlando Comedy Festival invites started going out tonight! there are a lot of them........ we ended up having 162 submissions.

07/09/2024

One-Day Puppet Making Workshop

Join us for a fun, interactive, and hands-on 3-hour puppetry intensive workshop! Dive into the enchanting world of puppetry as we guide you through the process of building your very own monster puppet and bringing it to life with proven performance techniques.

Workshop Details:
Part 1: Puppet Construction
• Cut, glue, and sew your unique monster puppet using our simple, easy-to-follow pattern.
• Enjoy nearly unlimited customization, allowing your creativity to shine with your glue gun in hand.

Part 2: Puppet Performance
• Learn physical acting techniques to animate your puppet.
• Engage in specific exercises, improvisation, physical participation, and observation to bring your character to life.
• Suitable for both beginners and seasoned puppet enthusiasts.

Your Host:
• This workshop is presented by Power2Improv and The Monster Company. Your host, Matt Gervia, is a master puppeteer and builder with 12 years of experience in the art of puppetry. Matt has captivated audiences with his monster puppet performances at the Fringe Festival, Orlando Comedy Festival, Fun Spot theme park, and many family festivals throughout Central Florida.
• Celebrating 11 years of teaching a variety of classes and workshops at the Orlando Library, Matt brings his expertise and passion to this exciting and engaging workshop. Join us for an unforgettable experience with one of the best in the business!
Important Information:

• Pre-registration is required as space and time are limited.
https://attend.ocls.info/event/9585037

When:
Sunday, July 28th, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Where:
Orlando Public Library
101 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801
3rd Floor (Albertson Room)

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to unleash your creativity and master the art of puppetry!