Testimonials

“I booked AXS TV after auditioning via one of Andy’s Showcases. After the filming, Andy put me in touch with a college agent who took me on. With them I was able to start touring, and from there get a manager and a talent agent. Andy was integral in suggesting the showcase and then connecting me with a great college agent. I recommend doing everything you can to showcase for AXS-TV—it’s a very unique, and relatively accessible TV opportunity…that is truly invaluable to people at ANY level. Go…go for it…you have to!"

"I have been wanting to do stand-up for years, and so when the time was right, the first thing I did was get myself into class at MCS. It was my time there in the classroom that I first got to tell my jokes aloud in front of a group of fellow comics, get valuable feedback and finally get up on stage for the first time! Now I am pursuing stand-up full time, and it feels great knowing that I have Andy and the great people at MCS behind me. I am grateful for my time spent there!"

"The people who run Manhattan Comedy School go out of their way to make sure you have all the tools you need to begin a career in stand-up comedy. They are available for questions, comments, information sessions, brainstorming and, once you graduate the program, they are always ready and willing to share the contacts and connections they have all across the New York comedy scene. If you are a beginner who has always wanted to try stand-up, the MCS is a great place to get started."

"I think The Manhattan Comedy School is an incredible experience that everyone should try. Whether you're serious about a career in the industry or doing it just for fun, the class gave me the indescribable feeling of being onstage in front of a live audience and getting laughs. With the feedback I got from classmates (as well as the expert teaching staff), I was able to polish my material much faster than I ever could have on my own. The class gave me direction and showed me how and when to approach the industry and I've used that knowledge to secure paid work in all the major clubs in town. I currently perform 15-20 times a week and I can't say enough about the help the Manhattan comedy school gave me in reaching my goals."

"The Manhattan Comedy School" is without a doubt the single best opportunity for new comics in NYC, or visiting NYC, to not only develop their craft with seasoned veteran comics, but to expedite their careers by getting up at the one of the best comedy clubs in the world with some of the greatest comics working today. It's not uncommon to be an attorney a desk, decide on a whim to take a class, and one month later find yourself performing to a friendly, packed house with Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan in the same show. There is literally nowhere else you can have that experience."
 

"Manhattan Comedy School gave me the tools and confidence to make the transition from acting out characters and interpreting texts to creating my own stand up comedy sets. I learned the basics of joke writing, the rules of comedy and most importantly, the confidence to just be myself in front of 300 people. Plus -- I got to say the word "ass" every week into a microphone! The 8 weeks are fast, they're funny and they get you working."

“Doing Andy's New Talent has allowed me to perform on the same show as Jim Gaffigan, Jerry Seinfeld and Judah Friedlander because they drop in quite often to work on material. Most recently New Talent has given me my first TV spot. I've booked AXS Live at Gotham from doing the New Talent show. Very worth it.”

"The Manhattan Comedy School was instrumental in helping me book my first Broadway show, Urinetown the Musical. I took the class in the winter of 2000, and along with tremendous instruction on how to be a quality stand-up, I learned invaluable lessons about how to make strong choices in creating a character, how to tell a story, and to truly commit to the choices I made. I auditioned for Urinetown while taking the class, with all of these things fresh in my head. As a result, I walked into the room and just went for it, applying the lessons I had learned from the class (lessons that apply to all forms of acting and performing). Three weeks later, I booked the show. I honestly do not believe I would have booked the show had I not attended this class."

“There is no way as an up and coming comic I would have been able to land my TV debut on AXSTV without Andy Engel. His showcases gave me the exposure I needed to get the attention of club bookers, TV producers and college agents.”

"MCS is where I got my start. Never told a joke before as a lawyer, and now I am a working comedian. The classes give you a clue about how to write a joke and actually be a comedian.  MCS also is a community. MSC was instrumental in helping me make my television debut on Gotham Comedy Live.  That can happen for you too, put one joke in front of the other and take a class."

“When I wanted to start comedy I was pretty clueless. Taking a class helped me gain the confidence to get on stage and helped me meet other people that were new and nervous like I was. I can't explain how awesome it was to do my first show at Gotham, and then 3 years later do my first TV appearance on the same stage.” 

Manhattan Comedy School offers a positive platform to enter the world of stand-up comedy. Material for stand-up comedy contains such vulnerability of yourself; learning in a supportive environment is a huge asset while defining and exploring your voice as a comic. Both of my teachers: Karen Bergreen and Cory Kahaney were badasses and instrumental in shaping my material while offering sound advice. Andy Engel, the owner, is always providing opportunities to his students.  I'm grateful for the opportunity of his New Talent Showcase competition at Gotham Comedy Club, where I won a spot on Gotham Comedy Live. We filmed my spot less than a year after taking Karen's class, which was epic. Totally epic. Thanks MCS!

“I first met Andy after joining the Manhattan Comedy School a few years ago. Because of Andy’s new talent shows and with his help, support and exposure I recently auditioned for AXSTV's Gotham Comedy Live and am currently booked on my first stand up TV debut! I can honestly say none of this would have happened without the help of Andy and his new talent shows.”

“Thanks to Andy Engel for setting me up with a live audition for Chris Mazzilli, I managed to make my TV debut on AXS TV!”

"The transformation that I underwent in 6 weeks was nothing short of astonishing. The support of our teacher and the encouragement of the group helped create an environment that was safe, creative and so much fun! As someone who performed stand-up for the first time, I am grateful that The Manhattan Comedy School was there to guide me through the process."
 

Big fan of MCS and all it can offer!  I got passed for a TV spot on Gotham Comedy Live after doing a New Talent Showcase.  The quality performance videos they provide have also helped me book work at clubs and comedy festivals nationwide.  Even that Andy Engel guy is okay.

"Whoever said 'dying is easy, comedy is hard' knew exactly what they were talking about. As an industry, comedy is extremely challenging, because it is always an on-the-job learning experience. While acting can be studied or coached through any number of programs or schools, it is only through surrounding oneself with working professionals, by struggling to discover what really works for the individual, that the novice comedian earns their chops. This is what made the Manhattan Comedy School such a unique experience for me. In both the Stand-Up and Improv classes, I studied under teachers (and along with fellow students) in the midst of their own ongoing careers. It was always challenging, sometimes frightening, but totally rewarding. It is only by really putting yourself out there that you get to experience the 'thrill of the kill' on stage."

"I loved my experience at The Manhattan Comedy School. They sharpened my act, and more importantly, I find it helps me in my business dealings particularly where I'm pitching a new TV sitcom or reality show."

"I would recommend the Manhattan Comedy School to anyone wanting to turn their dreams of being a standup comic into a reality! You'll get invaluable stage time, advice on comedy writing and great delivery tips ...do it now. You won't regret it!"

Taking comedy class at MCS was a life changing experience The graduation night on stage at GOTHAM CC was indescribable! The first time I stepped on stage AND got a laugh was better than ANY FIRST I've ever had!

When I first got into stand up, a friend recommended Andy's class at Manhattan Comedy School. Five years later, I'm doing it professionally. I get paid to make people laugh and MCS was the launch pad. The teachers are second to none and I'm still using the things I learned from them. They are pros working at the top of their field. Whether you're someone who wants to pursue a comedy career or just looking to gain confidence, these classes are a lifeline. I highly recommend Manhattan Comedy School!