The LineBenders are teaming up to help out with another amazing cause in the Fargo-Moorhead area. The YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties are hosting a special benefit show entitled, “Laughter is the Best Medicine”. The show is scheduled for Thursday, January 28th at the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre with show times at 7:00PM and 8:30PM

All proceeds go towards providing financial support to the YMCA’s LiveStrong program, which has designed a workout program to help cancer survivors regain their physical health after receiving cancer treatment.

“This is near and dear to our hearts,” says J.J. Gordon – Artistic Director of The LineBenders. “Several of our members have dealt with the pain of cancer in their own families. This is the sort of program that makes me proud to be from the Fargo-Moorhead area and I hope that the community comes out to support such a worthwhile and noble cause”

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the show. You can purchase tickets at either YMCA facility in Fargo. This show is part of the LineBenders “Our Year to Volunteer” program.

“The LineBenders invade North Dakota’s Destination Imagination full day workshops”

On Saturday November 7^th and the 21^st, The LineBenders traveled out to Casselton, North Dakota as an invited workshop for students involved in the Destination Imagination program.

The day was filled with everything from Teambuilding to Improv Basics. The LineBenders were definitely kept on their toes by these youngsters. Ages ranged from 5 year olds to 16 year olds…unless you count Bill too – then up into their 50s!

A few members of The LineBenders were members of Destination Imagination during their time at Fargo Public Schools so getting to come back and teach some workshops was a real honor.

“We had a blast! There is nothing like working with such a diverse age range and getting people excited about Improv,” said Natalie Deutsch (former D.I. participant)

The LineBenders are extremely pleased to announce their latest charity effort – “Our Year to Volunteer”. Starting on September 10^th. 2009 and ending September 10^th, 2010 – The LineBenders are attempting to raise $150,00.00 through various charities and fundraising groups. The LineBenders are providing their signature Improv comedy show as a way to aid groups looking to put on events to raise money for their organizations. They kick off with a double show for The Fargo Jaycees at the Holiday Inn on September 10.

“It is our way to give back to the communities that have supported us over the last decade,” says LineBenders Director JJ Gordon. “Whether it is a last minute spaghetti feed to benefit an individual who is ill or something on a larger scale to add some extra zip to an already established annual fundraiser!”

The LineBenders are looking beyond just the jokes during a show and pitching in, in other ways as well. They have adopted a highway in North Dakota to clean, spearheading the FM area’s first “Spread the Bread” campaign and even starting a food drive tentatively titled “The Far-ditarod.”

If your organization is a non-profit or directly benefits an individual or family and you would like to get more information on The LineBenders “Our Year to Volunteer” program – please contact JJ Gordon at 701-306-6268 or email info@onlinebenders.com. We look forward to helping you out!

The LineBenders are pleased to open up their signature Improv Workshops as well as their Corporate Training Workshops to the general public.

Over the past 10 years LineBenders Director JJ Gordon has been teaching Improv workshops all over the state of North Dakota and Minnesota. Sharing his love for performance and a passion for Improv, his workshops are perfect for beginners, intermediates or experienced improvisers.

“The workshops are a great way for groups such as churches or schools to get involved with Improv to start their own troupe. I especially enjoy working with organizations that plan on using these skills to put on a fundraiser as the culmination of the workshops,” says Gordon

The LineBenders are also informing every one of their unique corporate training workshops. With topics that range from Communication to 21^st Century Business to Leadership – The LineBenders corporate training is perfect for groups of any size.

“These are not your typical afternoon lecture workshops,” says Gordon. “Our aim is to get people out of their chairs and interact with each other. Comedy is the component that we use to help the message stick.  Laughter and learning are such a huge part of what we do.”

Don’t take it from us though – here is a recent quote from Gwen Start (Performing Arts Teacher at Fargo South High in Fargo, ND)

“JJ Gordon is a dynamic improvisation artist and workshop teacher. I am astounded by his management and leadership skills and proud of his care and concern for all of humanity. JJ Gordon is one of the finest individuals I have worked with in thirty-eight years of teaching”

For more information about The LineBenders Improv Workshops or Corporate Training contact LineBenders Director J.J. Gordon at 701-306-6268 or email info@onlinebenders.com We look forward to hearing from you!

The LineBenders are pleased to announce that a stork dropped off some new members on our front door this fall. We are excited to welcome the new members and welcome back some old ones.

• Matt Miller joins LineBenders as our newest “Joe Everybody” cast member. Matt’s pop culture knowledge and physicality add the perfect fit in LineBenders and allow him to come off as the “kid next door” Welcome Matt!
• Scott Ecker joins LineBenders fresh from Donkey Hotey’s Improvcicles, the Improv club at Fargo South High in Fargo, ND. Scott has a razor wit and has already pushed for the LineBenders to continue their work in long-form improvisation. It is not often that you encounter a performer with as much passion for improvisation as Scott. Welcome aboard Scott!
• Shelly Pherson was a student of LineBenders Artist Director J.J. Gordon’s during his time working for Entertainment Unlimited’s Summer Theater Camp in Rutland, ND. Now a college student in Fargo, Shelly was an obvious choice to join the Ladies of LineBenders. “She has one of those personalities that you simply can’t ignore,” says Gordon. With a love of everything country, Shelly will add that special spice to help The LineBenders continue to appeal to every audience. Welcome Shelly!
• Shaun Myhre has been a friend with almost every member of LineBenders since it began in 2001. A talented artist and animator, The LineBenders are lucky to have Shaun share his immensely funny personality and talent with them. An instant favorite during rehearsals, Shaun fit in with The LineBenders right away. Welcome Shaun!

The LineBenders would also like to welcome back previous members Jake Hartje and Bill Lucas. Both Bill and Jake had taken a hiatus from LineBenders to explore other projects, but are back for more.

• Bill Lucas, the former owner of LineBenders, might better be known by his day job Mr. Lucas – educator with Fargo Public Schools or his alter ego, Ole from the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks. Previous clients will remember his energy and top-notch emcee skills.  Welcome back Bill!
• Jake Hartje rejoins LineBenders after a 4-year break, and without missing a beat, has already taken audiences by storm. “He is EXTREMELY creative. You know that when Jake is on stage anything, and I mean ANYTHING, can happen. It usually does,” says LineBenders Artistic Director J.J. Gordon. Jake’s unique characters are the perfect example of how an Improv comedian tries to make everyone else look good. Jake’s characters always make the rest of us look good. Welcome back Jake!

We’ve hit the web…running around…anyone know where the Dairy Queen is?