Jon Jon & Co.

The Jon Jon & Co. School of Comedy presents Denver's only short form improvisational curriculum, stand up comedy, our long-standing high school programs and ancillary improv workshops (all categorized below)! The Jon Jon & Co. School of Comedy will feature an eclectic class offering in the realm of comedy, including improv, sketch, stand-up and writing. The inaugural short-form improv comedy courses were led (& developed) by improv veteran Jon Jon Lannen. More about Jon Jon here. The dynamic short form classes will include an all-star faculty!

Short Form Improv

Short Form Improv 101
Short Form Improv 101 is class one of three of the Jon Jon & Co. School of Comedy Improv series. No prerequisite required.

101, level one of the three level program, is for anyone interested in improv comedy! This course will focus on the 'yes-and' philosophy, basics of improv, pantomime practice, scene work, and an introduction to short-form improvisation games, as seen on Whose Line Is It Anyway?

All class participants receive an e-book version or $1 for Jon Jon Lannen's popular Kindle Book, The Dollar Pocket Guide To Improv.

Short Form Improv 201
Short Form Improv 201 is class two of three of the Jon Jon & Co. School of Comedy Improv series. Prerequisite is Short Form Improv 101.

201, level two of the three level program, continues lessons from 101. The course will dive deeper into improvised scene work and short form  games! The class navigates participants through ensemble, character and advanced scene work.

All class participants receive an autographed copy of Jon Jon Lannen's best-selling book about improv, The Giraffe That Taught Me How To Laugh.

Short Form Improv 301
Short Form Improv 301 is the final course and class three of the Jon Jon & Co. School of Comedy Improv series. Prerequisite is Short Form Improv 101 & 201.

301, the final level of the program, is the culmination of levels 101 & 201. The 301 Short Form improv Course will focus heavily on short form improv comedy games to prepare participants for the Short Form Improv Graduation Showcase.

All class participants receive an autographed copy of Jon Jon Lannen's second book, The Giraffe and Cheetah Taught Me Theater.

Short Form Improv Graduation Showcase
Short Form Improv Graduation Showcase is the culmination of all three courses of the Jon Jon & Co. School of Improv series.

Elective 401 - In Deep Sh*t
The 401 Elective offering is available to graduates of the Jon Jon & Co. School of Comedy Short Form Improv series. Prerequisite is Short Form Improv 101, 201 & 301.

The In Deep Sh*t improv workshop will dive into the deeper meaning of the traditional improv scene. In this workshop, Jon Jon will be focusing on the importance of honesty, relationships and intention. Jon Jon hopes to inspire actors to explore dramatic, intense scenes, without comedy being the primary objective; rather, authenticity. Workshop attendees will understand and want to always be In Deep Sh*t... at least when it comes to improvisation.

Elective - Improv Refresher
The Jon Jon & Co. School of Comedy presents the Improv Refresher drop-in workshop! No prerequisite required. Improv Refresher is a workshop drop-in for any level of improviser. This course is designed to be different each time. The primary focus can range from monologues, duologues, scene-work, pantomiming and character development. Get refreshed with a little improv.

Elective - Improv Comedy for Queens
The Jon Jon & Co. School of Comedy presents Denver's only workshop for Drag Queens! No prerequisite required. Improv Comedy for Queens is a workshop designed for Drag Queens, Kings, Burlesque Performers, Pageant Queens & their allies. The focus of Improv for Queens is to guide class attendees through warm-ups, develop on-the-spot characters and work through the traditional improv scene. Participants will learn the basics of improvisational comedy!

Stand Up Comedy

Stand Up Comedy 101
Stand Up Comedy 101 is a workshop that leads participants into developing an act, writing jokes, hone, practice and, ultimately, perform at the Jon Jon & Co. School of Comedy grad showcase. Class requirements: No prerequisite required. Please bring a notebook/journal and a pen for writing.

Stand Up Graduation Showcase
Stand Up Comedy Graduation Showcase is the culmination of the comedy course of the Jon Jon & Co. School of Comedy.

High School Programs

Please click here for the High School Programs.

Ancillary Improv Workshops

Please click here for Workshops with Jon Jon Lannen.

Jon Jon & Co. is thrilled to have you join the family and jump into the wonderful world of improvisation and stand-up comedy!

If you have any questions, please click here to contact us.

• Last updated: 03/15/2020

Short Bio:

Jon Jon Lannen is a media personality and best-selling author, residing in Denver, Colorado. He is the owner of Jon Jon & Co.— a firm specializing in coaching, comedy and consulting. Jon Jon is currently a co-host for the televised Denver Pride Parade, San Diego's WhatItDo Podcast and #ThatPodcast with LPiddy and Jon Jon. Currently, Jon Jon Lannen is focusing his creative energy on his new YouTube channel and sixth book.

Full Biography:

Jon Jon Lannen is an entertainer, life coach & writer living in Denver, Colorado. Jon Jon has been performing improv comedy for over ten years and wants everyone to fall in love with the art of improvisation.

He curates and writes a successful blog on the Jon Jon & Co. website. Currently, Jon Jon is a co-host on That Podcast and WhatItDo. He also has a new YouTube channel that he is putting much of his creative focus.

He formerly co-founded and ran FORK Productions, along with executive produced the Denver Improv Festival in 2008. Most notably, Lannen has performed and taught in improv festivals across the country, including Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City, among others. In 2012, Lannen competed and won the improv reality show, Denver's Next Improv Star at the Bovine Metropolis Theater. Jon Jon Lannen is most known performing alongside Gay vs. Straight at Avenue Theater, Tracks Denver & Voodoo Comedy Playhouse, On The Spot at the Bovine Metropolis Theater, Queerbots at Hamburger Mary's & The Clocktower Cabaret and The Second City at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Most recently, Jon Jon hosted Improv's Gay at Grafenberg Theater & Lipsync for your Laugh at Tracks Denver.

Jon Jon Lannen currently owns and operates Jon Jon & Co. and is the author of the award-winning Giraffe arts book series; The Giraffe That Taught Me How To Laugh, The Giraffe and Cheetah Taught Me Theater and The Giraffe and Bunny Taught Me How To Be Funny. Lannen is also adjunct faculty, teaching improvisation, at numerous schools throughout the state. He recently launched the School of Comedy through Jon Jon & Co. and is focused on his sixth publication.

Jon Jon Lannen is a certified life coach, graduating from the Life Coach Institute of Orange County in 2016. In 2017, Jon Jon & Co. opened its first space in Denver, Colorado.

• Last updated: 03/16/2020