Alisa, as in... "just one Lisa."ABOUT
Alisa Rosenthal is a musician, comedian, and children's teaching artist living in Chicago, IL. A humorous singer-songwriter, her natural energy and engagement infuses her music and theater classes for learners of all ages. She teaches Wiggleworms and Make Believe at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and does outreach work serving the Chicago Public Schools, children's hospitals, and senior care facilities, as well as local parks and libraries. She produces and performs her unique brand of musical and physical comedy to festivals nationwide.
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...daffy and sweetly outlandish...” |
Classes & Parties
@ OLD TOWN SCHOOL OF FOLK MUSIC
Long story short...BIO
Maker of things, plucker of strings, and singer of songs that you ... sing, Alisa Rosenthal grew up in Evanston, IL, where she took classes at the Piven Theatre Workshop, becoming a member of the Young People's Company in high school. She went to college at the University of Iowa, double-majoring in English and Theatre Arts (with honors). Never one to squander not one but two liberal arts degrees, she spent a healthy amount of time working at an awesome independent gift store while pursuing her love of music and comedy. Now she's a teaching artist, songwriter, performer, occasional model, and full-time funny girl. She fronts the kids' music band Pineapple Tree, performs vaudeville-style music and comedy under the name Plucky Rosenthal, and makes up one half of the musical comedy duo The Gimlets with longtime friend and collaborator Amelia Buzzell.
A semi-finalist for the Andy Kaufman Award (NY) in 2010, national performances include the Minnesota Fringe Festival, the Twin Cities Jewish Humor Festival, and Artscape Baltimore. Locally, she's performed at the Chicago Women's Funny Festival, Zanies Chicago, the Neo-Futurists, iO Theater, the Paper Machete, and THAW Links Hall. She is the proud emcee for the Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers. She paints the town red with summer children's shows. Recent shows include: Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Ribfest, jBaby Chicago, the Irish American Heritage Festival, and Kids in the Square. Alisa is represented by BMG Talent - Chicago |
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FAQ
Q. So wait. What exactly is your job?
A. Awesome question, Mom. As a performer, I use all that fancy improv and theater training to write and perform original pieces - sometimes songs, stories, stand up, emceeing events, the list goes on and on. My favorite gigs include opening for silent movies as a vintage vaudeville singer at the historic Music Box Theatre, and being the emcee for the Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers - an event that's just as glorious as it sounds while raising money for local theater company Sideshow Theatre along with a partner charity (past charities include the Chicago Women's Health Center, 826CHI, and Barrel of Monkeys). As a teaching artist, I teach music and theater classes at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and also do residencies in the Chicago Public Schools. These two passions combine when I perform kids' shows in the Chicagoland area. Summer and the winter holidays are usually my busiest times, so make sure to check my schedule if you'd like to catch a kids' show live!
Q. Cool cool. Hold up. What's a teaching artist?
A. I know, right? My degrees are in Theater and English, so I bring that training to all of my freelance work. After college, I trained with the Neo-Futurists, Second City, iO Theater, 500 Clown, and spent a summer at the Celebration Barn in South Paris, Maine - a physical theater school in a barn where I acquired my very own certificate in Eccentric Performing (FINALLY). As a kid, I took piano lessons for eight years, and then taught myself how to play guitar and ukulele when I was a teenager. I've been a singer my whole life, and am a surprisingly boisterous whistler. I've been teaching at the Old Town School of Folk Music since 2014, where my theater background marries beautifully with my ragtag folk music roots.
In other words, teaching artist is a fancy way of saying I'm a professional artist (in this case, an actor and musician), who teaches in multiple settings within my community.
Q. How can I get involved at the Old Town School of Folk Music?
A. I love getting this question. There are so many ways! You can take a class (guitar! banjo! drums! mandolin! dance! art! theater!), a workshop (Beatles ensemble! ukulele tricks!), volunteer, see a show, go to the cafe, and hang out in the shop! You can check the employment opportunities as well if you're interested in joining the team! All the info you could need is available at www.oldtownschool.org.
Q. How did you completely cheat life to be able to make artistic work your living? TELL ME YOUR SECRETS. TELL ME.
A. I WILL CERTAINLY TRY. I worked retail for a long time. I've worked a ton of odd jobs. For a whole bunch of years! All while pursuing music and comedy in my spare time. This meant lots of open mics, shows in bars, performing for free, taking lots of classes, submitting to festivals, and writing and trying out lots of material. I decided to make the transition out of a fun but un-challenging day gig into a fulfilling one. Adding teaching into my life and being able to channel that #hustle into events for families was a calling I always suspected I had, and it turned out, I had it. I don't know why it didn't occur to me sooner that doing kid-friendly material in late night comedy shows was perhaps in indicator that I wasn't exactly pursuing the easiest route, but hey! here we are!
Bottom line, the secret is being adaptable. Questioning settling. Researching new alleys. Not being afraid to start all over. Practicing your instruments.
Q. I don't have a budget, but I'm interested in booking you. Do you ever work for free?
A. I hear ya! This is something I think about a lot, and is a debate that is near and dear to my heart. If you're with a charity, definitely drop a line and let me check if I have the date free! If you are not a charity and have plans to make a profit from the work of the artists you're hiring without compensating them, unfortunately I can't be on board with your project.
But! There are different ways to compensate your artists if money is something you just can't swing at the moment. I believe all artists should be compensated for their time and work, so consider offering other useful aspects to your artists. If your event is catered, photographed, or videotaped - these are excellent perks to offer an artist.
Q. You look familiar. Where do I know you from?
A. Most likely Jewish summer camp.
A. Awesome question, Mom. As a performer, I use all that fancy improv and theater training to write and perform original pieces - sometimes songs, stories, stand up, emceeing events, the list goes on and on. My favorite gigs include opening for silent movies as a vintage vaudeville singer at the historic Music Box Theatre, and being the emcee for the Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers - an event that's just as glorious as it sounds while raising money for local theater company Sideshow Theatre along with a partner charity (past charities include the Chicago Women's Health Center, 826CHI, and Barrel of Monkeys). As a teaching artist, I teach music and theater classes at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and also do residencies in the Chicago Public Schools. These two passions combine when I perform kids' shows in the Chicagoland area. Summer and the winter holidays are usually my busiest times, so make sure to check my schedule if you'd like to catch a kids' show live!
Q. Cool cool. Hold up. What's a teaching artist?
A. I know, right? My degrees are in Theater and English, so I bring that training to all of my freelance work. After college, I trained with the Neo-Futurists, Second City, iO Theater, 500 Clown, and spent a summer at the Celebration Barn in South Paris, Maine - a physical theater school in a barn where I acquired my very own certificate in Eccentric Performing (FINALLY). As a kid, I took piano lessons for eight years, and then taught myself how to play guitar and ukulele when I was a teenager. I've been a singer my whole life, and am a surprisingly boisterous whistler. I've been teaching at the Old Town School of Folk Music since 2014, where my theater background marries beautifully with my ragtag folk music roots.
In other words, teaching artist is a fancy way of saying I'm a professional artist (in this case, an actor and musician), who teaches in multiple settings within my community.
Q. How can I get involved at the Old Town School of Folk Music?
A. I love getting this question. There are so many ways! You can take a class (guitar! banjo! drums! mandolin! dance! art! theater!), a workshop (Beatles ensemble! ukulele tricks!), volunteer, see a show, go to the cafe, and hang out in the shop! You can check the employment opportunities as well if you're interested in joining the team! All the info you could need is available at www.oldtownschool.org.
Q. How did you completely cheat life to be able to make artistic work your living? TELL ME YOUR SECRETS. TELL ME.
A. I WILL CERTAINLY TRY. I worked retail for a long time. I've worked a ton of odd jobs. For a whole bunch of years! All while pursuing music and comedy in my spare time. This meant lots of open mics, shows in bars, performing for free, taking lots of classes, submitting to festivals, and writing and trying out lots of material. I decided to make the transition out of a fun but un-challenging day gig into a fulfilling one. Adding teaching into my life and being able to channel that #hustle into events for families was a calling I always suspected I had, and it turned out, I had it. I don't know why it didn't occur to me sooner that doing kid-friendly material in late night comedy shows was perhaps in indicator that I wasn't exactly pursuing the easiest route, but hey! here we are!
Bottom line, the secret is being adaptable. Questioning settling. Researching new alleys. Not being afraid to start all over. Practicing your instruments.
Q. I don't have a budget, but I'm interested in booking you. Do you ever work for free?
A. I hear ya! This is something I think about a lot, and is a debate that is near and dear to my heart. If you're with a charity, definitely drop a line and let me check if I have the date free! If you are not a charity and have plans to make a profit from the work of the artists you're hiring without compensating them, unfortunately I can't be on board with your project.
But! There are different ways to compensate your artists if money is something you just can't swing at the moment. I believe all artists should be compensated for their time and work, so consider offering other useful aspects to your artists. If your event is catered, photographed, or videotaped - these are excellent perks to offer an artist.
Q. You look familiar. Where do I know you from?
A. Most likely Jewish summer camp.
Class Testimonials
"The class is great. Alisa is awesome." |
“Alisa is a wonderful, nurturing teacher. She is warm and funny. She connects with every child in the class.”
“I love Miss Alisa, she has a talent in working with and understanding children.” “Alisa is a great teacher, energetic, happy, excited. We have truly enjoyed her class.” “She is wonderful with all the kids, and brings so much energy to the class. She is very talented!!” |
