The Over the Counter workshop incorporates fun interactive games to help with listening skills ( active versus passive), energy, quick thinking skills, and self-confidence. The cornerstone of the program is to explain a few easy science concepts ( to kids in 5th grade and up) and help them nurture the right side of the brain to start their journey toward leadership, humility, and empathy.
OTC improv over the past decade
Taught 15,000+ students
TEDx speaker for leadership development www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeH_gdegpHc&t=78s
Featured article in the Charlotte Observer, Fort Mill times, and Creative Loafing
HOBY Keynote speaker (For teens) for 5 years
500+ speeches to companies across America. www.betatestimprov.com/clients
Sold out more than 100 improv shows over the past decade
Business Improv Testimonials
“I serve on the board and the experience with your improv was one of the best moments in my year” – Hank, Ronald McDonald House.
“I have had several folks tell me that was the best thing we have ever done with this group. I noticed many principals taking notes so they can use the activities with their faculties”. – Dr. Chuck Epps, Superintendent at Fort Mill Schools
“We are still talking about your program a year later”. – Jody Christenson
otcimprov@aol.com
https://otcimprov.com/teens
9600 Providence Forest Lane, Charlotte, NC 28270
Mecklenburg
7046184203
“I serve on the board and the experience with your improv was one of the best moments in my year” – Hank Talmadge, Ronald McDonald House.
“Naturally caffeinated.” -The Charlotte Observer
“Paul provides one of the most motivational, interactive, educational, and applicable sessions we have ever had in a HOBY South Carolina Closing Session of 500+” -Donna Dilanni, Corporate Board President, at Hugh O’Brien’s Youth Leadership Organization
The Over the Counter workshop is very different. It incorporates the Essential Standards into its workshop; but, it also teaches improv and right-brain thinking which kids can practice at home to become better and more thoughtful students. The OTC program helps students with listening skills ( active versus passive), energy, quick thinking skills, and self-confidence while explaining a few easy science concepts to help each student nurture the right side of the brain to start their journey toward leadership, humility, empathy, and humor.
Check out the webpage for videos with summer camps, Crestdale Middle School, and Community House Middle School https://www.otcimprov.com/teens
OTC improv over the past decade
Taught 15,000+ students
TEDx speaker for leadership development www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeH_gdegpHc&t=78s
Featured article in the Charlotte Observer, Fort Mill times, and Creative Loafing
HOBY Keynote speaker for the last 5 years
500+ speeches to companies across America. www.betatestimprov.com/clients
Sold out more than 100 improv shows over the past decade
Paul Marks
7046184203
otcimprov@aol.com
Almost any day and time will work for Kelly and Paul
Anytime after 9am
At your school or field trip location
$250 per session
OTC improv has been one of the top vendors for ASEP since its partnership started more than 10 years ago. The OTC program had evolved along with the Essential Standards to emphasize more and more how Movement, Voice, and both Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication can help students in both a fun and informative way. We do this through active games and an informal Q & A with the kids and teachers. The quality of the OTC course can be seen in its growth in the community as well. OTC improv classes for adults and children are so popular that a waiting list is the norm whenever a workshop is held. OTC improv shows are conducted at the Fort Mill Community playhouse and are always sold out. In fact, more than 3,500 people attended their shows last year.
Arts Education (Theatre Arts):
Note on Numbering/Strands:
C – Communication, A – Analysis, AE – Aesthetics, CU – Culture
Here are examples of a few games covered which are in line with the essential standards include:
Mirror in the circle (1.C.1.1; 2.C.1.1; 3.C.1.1; 4.C.1.1; 5.C.1.1) The Mirror game allows all the students to participate at the same time and use non-verbal and movement skills to communicate. First, we get into a large circle and I show them how to be a mirror. Basically, all the kids repeat my movements in unison. The kids are thrilled to imitate funny gestures and quirky faces. Once the kids are comfortable with this game, I select students to go out of the room and when they come back in all of us will be imitating each other and they must observe us and decide which ONE student is actually leading the mirror game.
Taxicab (1.C.2.1; 2.C.2.1; 3.C.2.1; 4.C.2.1; 5.C.2.1) We have the kids pretend they are talking pets or characters and play a fun game called taxicab. This game emphasizes communicating ideas and feelings in a performance. The kids use movements and voice as an animal, an old man, etc, to get their point across to the group on stage.
Dubbing Game Two students come on “stage” and a teacher and I talk for the students. They move their mouths really wide to exaggerate what is being said. The students must listen closely to our dialogue because they will handle all the nonverbal communication skills too. The students will also use mime if the dialogue calls for it. Most importantly, a voice is created for the student and their unique interpretation of that voice helps them create their own personal character. It’s an absolutely hilarious game and extremely successful all the time. At the end of each scene we always give constructive criticism to the children. And I usually have two teachers play this game as well so the kids can watch their teachers in action.
Essential Standard : Use movement, voice, and writing to communicate ideas and feelings. (1.C.1; 2.C.1; 3.C.1;
4.C.1; 5.C.1)
We use three types of games to demonstrate the difference between whole body movement and isolation of body parts (1.C.1.1; 2.C.1.1; 3.C.1.1; 4.C.1.1; 5.C.1.1).
Essential Standard : Use performance to communicate ideas and feelings. (1.C.2; 2.C.2; 3.C.2;
4.C.2; 5.C.2)
We use six types of games to demonstrate how students need to learn to adjust to the situation (game) at hand and still have a great time and communicate in an effective way. (1.C.2.1; 2.C.2.1; 3.C.2.1; 4.C.2.1; 5.C.2.1)
3 days notice.