Immigration: On A Student Visa, Manish Walia Studies More Than Just Chemistry
Manish Walia, 29, grew up in New Delhi, India but he didn’t dream of the United States, even as he watched Spider-Man and X-men cartoons as a child.
Arts & Entertainment: Accomplished Comedian Finds Home in Philadelphia’s Blossoming Comedy Community
A creator, teacher and a comedian, Justin Jain is one of the founding members of The Berserker Residents, a professor at the University of the Arts, and a well-known face in Philadelphia’s theatre community. Like many theatre artists, Jain’s beginnings were early. His career started when he was 4 years old as a ballet dancer. […]
Arts & Entertainment: Kristen Schier Keeps The Audience Laughing And Students Learning
Kristen Schier wears a lot hats. She currently works as the improv producer at Philly Improv Theatre, the artistic director for The N Crowd, as a senior lecturer at The University of the Arts and as a guest lecturer at Temple University. What is your background in improv? I was always interested in comedy, even […]
Comedy: Laughing Matters
“I was wondering why stand-up is good,” said Shane Gillis, a stand-up comedian who has been performing for about six years. “It’s just because you get to pay money to sit in a room and hear a guy tell the truth and you don’t see that anywhere else.” When people go to a comedy show […]
Comedy: Using Improv To Improve Your Mental State
Improv comedy is a relatively new art form in which many of its performers advocate the benefits which extend far beyond the stage. The National Alliance on Mental Illness indicates that one in five American adults experience mental illness every year. While improv comedy has become therapeutic to many, role play wasn’t officially established in […]
Comedy: Former Ohio Comics Now Contributing To Local Communities
Dorian Vasquez and Setoiyo Ekpo are both Philadelphia-based comedians by way of Columbus, Ohio. Each giving back to North Philadelphia residents in their own way, they just happen — by coincidence — to be helping people on different ends of the age spectrum. Vasquez is as a career specialist, helping find jobs for graduates at […]
Comedy: Good Good Comedy Theatre’s Kate Banford Making Philly Fun
Kate Banford is the co-founder of Good Good Comedy Theatre, located near 11th and Race streets in Chinatown. Constantly trying out new shows with the reoccurring “Five Dollar Comedy Week,” Good Good Comedy strives to put on a variety of quality shows at an affordable price. Opening the theatre in 2016 after a Kickstarter campaign […]
Comedy: Five Open Mics You Can Find On A School Night
The Philadelphia comedy scene consists of an array of brave comics who have a close bond with each other and aren’t afraid to expand their network at open mic nights throughout the city. These free events are a way to socialize with the comedy community, as well as a chance to test your courage. Many […]
Mayfair: Eclipse Viewing, Comedy, Concerts And Christmas In August Happening This Week
The 2017 Eclipse Watch and Pinhole Viewer Craft– Monday, Aug. 21, noon. The Mayfair Arts Initiative and Mayfair CDC will co-host a crafting event for folks to construct their own “viewer” for the eclipse. Especially helpful for those people who didn’t get special “eclipse” glasses. Lincoln High School near Vista Street and Rowland Avenue. Christmas in August– Tuesday, […]
Education: Five Classes To Try In Philadelphia Today
With all the negative attention education in Philadelphia receives, the community forgets about the different opportunities laced throughout the city. While there are endless programs serving the area’s youth, there are an abundance of classes and workshops available to all ages and skill levels. From arts education to STEM concepts, Philadelphia is a hub for […]