Lisa Bany-Winters - Funny Bones: Comedy Games and Activities for Kids

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bany-Winters, Lisa

Funny bones: comedy games and activities for kids / Lisa Bany-Winters.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Summary: Provides information on how to be funny, including ideas about comedic styles and routines, how to use props, developing a distinctive character, using music, improvisational techniques, as well as the history of comedy and some well-known people in the field.

ISBN: 1-55652-444-7

1. GamesJuvenile literature. 2. AmusementJuvenile literature. 3. Creative activities and seat workJuvenile literature. [1. Comedy. 2. Amusements. 3. Games.] I. Title.

GV1203 .B317 2002

793dc21

2001052477

The author and the publisher disclaim all liability for use of the information contained in this book.

Cover design and illustration: Fran Lee

Interior design and illustration: Rattray Design

2002 by Lisa Bany-Winters

All rights reserved

First Edition

Published by Chicago Review Press, Incorporated

814 North Franklin Street

Chicago, Illinois 60610

ISBN 978-1-55652-444-8

Printed in the United States of America

5 4 3 2 1

To my family
And everyone who laughs with us
In loving memory of Skylar Nicole Baney

Index

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

Victor Borge

A straight line may be the shortest distance between two points, but laughter is surely the shortest distance between people. Nobody seems to understand this truth better than Lisa Bany-Winters. Having thoroughly enjoyed her first two books, Show Time! and On Stage (how wise that the judges at the Parents Choice Association were to confer their Approval Seal for Excellence on her delightful On Stage: Theater Games and Activities for Kids), I was eagerly awaiting her workshop at a professional conference in the fall of 2001. The room was filled with teachers, directors, librarians, social workers, actors, recreation leadersgood-hearted people one and all hoping to make a difference in the lives of children. But the atmosphere in the room before the workshop started was hushed and, well, awkward. Participants sat stiffly in their chairs. The room was polite and quiet and reserved. Then Lisa Bany-Winters entered. Everything changed. In moments, the room was filled with laughter. We were up and on our feet and Lisa was guiding us through an exercise and everyone was laughing. The workshop flew by, with participants commenting, I cant remember when Ive laughed so hard while learning so much. It was clear to all of us that we were in the presence of a very gifted teacher who loves what she is doing. When I complimented her afterward on the exceptional work, she said simply, I had a good time, too. My husband teases that I do this work so I will always have someone to play with me. If I had a magic wand, I would love to make it possible for everybody who wants to bring light into the lives of children to take a class with Lisa. But she has given us something better than a magic wand; Lisa has given us a wonderful resource in the form of Funny Bones: Comedy Games and Activities for Kids.

Neil Postman warned us of the consequences for a society that compels its children to grow up too quickly in his groundbreaking work The Disappearance of Childhood. I cant think of a better way to help children stay children than by giving them the gift of laughter. As British poet Margaret Slackville once wrote, Laughter is ever young! In Funny Bones, Lisa has assembled a marvelous array of exercises, games, songs, and scenes designed to keep us all forever young. How can you take yourself too seriously when singing Waddily Acha? What better remedy for the blues than a round of Boppity Boppity Bop? And just try thinking Shakespeare is stuffy and boring after exploring the excerpt from Twelfth Night! In the words of Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss), I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.

Humorist Bennett Cerf once wrote, A person who can bring the spirit of laughter into a room is indeed blessed. Clearly, Lisa Bany-Winters has been blessed with this gift. How fortunate for teachers and youth leaders and camp counselors and drama directors that she has chosen to share her gift with all of us in this well-written, user-friendly resource book. Funny Bones will make a welcome addition to many a library, empowering adults to help children experience the richness and joy of comedy. Few gifts could be more valuable; perhaps as we face the future we would do well to heed the advice of Mark Twain and Laugh until our cheeks hurt! The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.

Rives B. Collins, Northwestern University Department of Theatre Head, Theatre for Young Audiences

I am indebted to the following people and organizations: Stephanie and Joe Albright, Josh Andrews, Arnold Aprill, Bree Baney, Martin Bany, Nancy and John Bany, Megan Baskin, Brian Boller, Margo Chervony, Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, Geoff Coates, Martin de Maat, Drama Disciples, Jayme Ernsteen, Paul Finnigan, Bryce Friedman, Richard Friedman, Melanie Gordon, Barbara Heaton, B. J. Jones, Michele Klemm, Jason Lubow, Dan Macsai, Dana and Anthony McKinney, Emily McNish, Mari Meyer, Emily Mott, Northlight Improv Comedy Kids, Northlight Kids Players, Northlight Teen Players, Sheldon Patinkin, Darlene Pearlstein, Jerry Proffit, Danny Robles, J. R. Rose, Rebecca Rubenstein, Philip Schuster, Mara Silver, Neal Simons, Cheryl Sloane, Joyce Sloane, St. Athanasius Roman Catholic Church in Evanston, Amy Weiss, Brian Winters, and Gavin Witt.

The following people were coadapters of the plays included in this book (character names are in parentheses). All plays were originally directed by me for Emanon Theater Company. For Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind Id like to thank Barbara Kanady (Sally), Chas Vrba (Pa, Mike, and Davey), Marcy Konlon (Ma and Bear), and Joe Albright (Lucy and Tree). For Alice in Wonderland (both the tea party and court scenes), adapted from the book by Lewis Carroll, Id like to thank Stephanie Repin (Alice), Joe Albright (White Rabbit), Danny Robles (Caterpillar and Cook), Ed Nishioka (Cheshire Cat), Geoff Coates (Duchess and Dormouse), Brian Winters (Mad Hatter), Anthony McKinney (March Hare), and Klahr Thorsen (Queen of Hearts). For Rapunzel, adapted from the story by the Brothers Grimm, Id like to thank Amy Harmon (Demon Radish/Bird), Julie Lockhart (Witch), Janet Tuegel (Rapunzel/Rapunzels Mother), Ashley Hugen (Bingo/ Rapunzels Father), and Joe Albright (Prince/Ogre). For Jemima Puddle Duck, adapted from the book by Beatrix Potter, Danny Robles (Jemima), Joe Albright (Fox), Stephanie Repin (Farm Dog), Geoff Coates (Narrator/ Ensemble), and Laura Holliday, Laura Pruden, and Rick Schnier (Ensemble).