"When I began in comedy I remember feeling like this Stand up game was a huge cloud clearing mountain. Clearly, you have to have talent, drive, and a little bit of luck. No class can help you with this, but Jeff Lawrence provided me with the equipment I needed to climb this mountain. Things like stage opportunity, industry connections, and positive, yet constructive feedback have helped me perform in festivals, open for comedy legends, and even get cast in TV pilots. Thanks Laughing Buddha!"
Instructors
Instructors >>
Jeff Lawrence
Jeff appeared in the New York Underground Comedy Festival and The New York Comedy Competition
Jeff Lawrence is the founder and Director of Laughing Buddha Comedy. He takes a keen interest in all of his students whether they are advanced comics, or the aspiring novice. Jeff's workshop for newcomers in Tampa, Florida culminated in a standing ovation from almost 200 people at the Cuban Club Theater, and found him on the cover of the Sunday edition of the St. Petersburg Times. You can read the article in our "press" section. His teaching methods are "out of the box' focusing on the students material and what it reveals about themselves as opposed to just telling jokes. He places emphasis on originality, making sure every students act is unique unto themselves. Jeff has been entertaining audiences for over twenty years, having began as a rock singer in Los Angeles in 1990. He has toured worldwide, releasing records, garnering airplay, and performing for large crowds across the globe. He has appeared on MTV, in numerous commercial, film and TV roles, most notably a Grammy Awards appearance with Bob Dylan. As a stage actor, he played a comedic Ernest Hemingway in the Wings Theater Production of "Scott and Zelda" in NYC. Jeff recorded his first comedy song "We're All Fucked Up" in 1996 and the song continues to delight audiences to this day.
In 2006, Jeff discovered the joys of stand up comedy and is now a regular at many of the city's top clubs, performing alongside such stars as Dave Attell, Judah Friedlander, Nick DiPaolo, and countless others. He has headlined numerous road gigs throughout the United States and has been featured in the St. Petersburg Times, and GALA Magazine, as well as being heard on Mancow Radio. He has appeared in the NY Underground Comedy Festival, the NY Comedy Competition, Music is a Joke Reality Series, and the Stand Up 360 Festival in NYC. He is available for travel, private one on one sessions, corporate teaching, and video conferencing for those out of town or with schedule conflicts.
Vanessa Hollingshead
Vanessa Hollingshead has appeared on her own Comedy Central Presents, has toured internationally and is working on her fourth full length DVD. She has also appeared in the prestigious Montreal Just for Laughs Festival four times. Her one person show in the Aspen Arts Festival drew critical acclaim. Vanessa has over twenty film and TV credits and just shot Hip Priest which will be a part of the Sundace Film Festival. Vanessa coached Christa Miller (Scrubs, Cougartown, The Drew Carey Show) and has worked with Vocation Vacation teaching comedy to writers from the Daily Telegraph in London. She has also worked privately with many comics that have gone on to have very successful careers. She has opened for Richard Pryor, Chris Rock, and Jim Norton and has performed with Jerry Seinfeld, Dane Cook, and Ray Romano among others.
Frank Santopadre
Frank has created material for hundreds of performers and personalities, from Bill Murray to Matt Lauer to Donald Trump. He has polished stand-up acts for national headliners, and his work has been seen on HBO, Comedy Central, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, ABC and ESPN as well as in the pages of National Lampoon, Vanity Fair and the New Yorker. In addition, he has scripted network pilots, developed national ad campaigns and written awards shows, roasts, and other live events. Frank is currently a writer/producer on CNN's The Joy Behar Show.
Steve Shaffer
Steve Shaffer began his comedy career in New York City and soon began performing on television.
Steve’s numerous TV appearances include The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Merv Griffin Show, The CBS Morning Show, The Late Show, Friday Night Videos, Evening at The Improv, VH1’s Stand-up Spotlight, MTV’s New Year’s Eve Special, Short Attention Span Theatre, The “A” List and Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. Steve also had a recurring role on the CBS series Murphy Brown. Steve has toured with the legendary George Carlin.
Jeffrey Johns
Jeffrey H. Johns is a fast-talking, frenetic comedian/actor, who was trained by the famous Don de Pollo at Second City. Jeffrey is a regular on the NYC comedy circuit and you may have seen him opening for Lisa Lampanelli at Caroline’s or on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Jeffrey also just shots scenes in two theatrical releases (An Affirmative Act/ The Great Fight) with Tom Waites and Robert Loggia. Jeffrey is definitely one to watch. “Talented, Charming and Lethal” best describe this true “ORIGINAL” talent!
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Laughing Buddha Comedy works with a wide variety of talented artists.
All Laughing Buddha Comedy Instructors are carefully chosen. We look for a unique blend of talent, experience, and most of all heart and soul. On occasion we will call in special guests to teach classes and assist with workshops. We are always looking for top level talent as we grow. The guest instructor will be listed on the individual class description, located on the register page.
Nancy Goldman
Nancy Goldman spent 8 years working on the Montel Williams Show, eventually becoming the head of East Coast development. Additionally, during her time with Montel, she launched Letnom Management, a boutique talent management firm specializing in comedy which she developed with the use of her experience as producer of live comedy shows.
In 2002, Nancy was the first elected Chair of the Gotham-based Producers Guild of America East, tripling its membership during her tenure.
