Fun and dynamic training for your team!
Bring the tools of professional comedians to your workplace
Are members of your team terrified by the thought of public speaking? Are you? Are you tired of sitting through unfocused and ineffective presentations that don’t advance your organisation’s goals? Help your team unlock their potential as powerful and confident speakers with a uniquely tailored speaking course from Neil Thornton, an award-winning comedian and lifelong teacher.
“The class gave me confidence to get up on stage in front of people with good assistance in tightening our writing. Neil is a really good instructor, helping build confidence and giving great feedback.”
- Clare Robinson, Wellington
Offerings
Neil is available for inspiring, exciting (and fun) keynotes and workshops, tailored to your organization’s unique needs—from multi-week courses on dynamic presentations to shorter workshops on stage presence or storytelling—all designed to reduce fears and teach the tools used by powerful speakers. Recent offerings include:
· Speaking to an Audience: Persuasive Presentations
· Secrets of Stand-up Comedy: Empowerment through Laughter
· Storytelling for the Stage
“Thank you for presenting at the 2023 CARN Conference. Your presentation was uplifting, inspiring, and a lighter experience… We received some fantastic feedback!”
- Sharon Johnston, CARN Conference
“Neil was fabulous - a stand-up stand out with tips and strategies that I can actually apply to my work.”
- CARN Conference Attendee
Neil Thornton
Neil Thornton has been teaching and coaching for more than 30 years, such courses as Professional Presentations, Creative Writing, Technical Writing, and Creative Nonfiction. He earned his BA from Carnegie Mellon and his MFA from the University of New Orleans. For more than 20 years, he was a sought-after coach for high-stakes standardized testing (SAT/LSAT/GMAT), developing course material and training instructors. He has an extensive background in pedagogy, meta-learning, memory techniques, unlocking creativity, and anxiety management.
As a comedian, Neil Thornton got his start in New York City and has toured all over New Zealand and the world. He was voted Best Comedian in the 2020 Wellington Comedy Awards, Best MC in 2022, and Best Industry Helper three years in a row for his work with the NZ Comedy School. He’s incorporated his skills as a comedian in solo shows for Fringe Festivals and the NZ International Comedy Festival. More recently, he launched the NZ Comedy School, giving a diverse range of people the skills and confidence to share their voice on stage. Through the NZ Comedy School, he teaches stand-up comedy, public speaking, storytelling, and much more.
“Neil provides a warm and inclusive learning environment, tailors his teaching to suit the students and has a wealth of knowledge and experience that he clearly loves to share!”
- Mary Little, Wellington
Interested in finding our more? Contact:
Neil Thornton
NZ Comedy School