Blake Anderson is a versatile and talented actor, comedian, producer, and writer best known for his role as Blake Henderson on the hit comedy series “Workaholics.” His unique sense of humor and style have earned him a dedicated following and inspired educators to incorporate his work into their lesson plans. Here you will find an engaging approach to teaching students about the life and career of Blake Anderson through a creative learning journey.

Early Life and Career

Begin the lesson by providing students with a brief overview of Anderson’s early life. Born in 1984 in Sacramento, California, he developed an interest in comedy at a young age. Encourage students to research more about his background, education, and experiences that led him to form the sketch-comedy group “Mail Order Comedy” with fellow comedians Anders Holm, Adam DeVine, and Kyle Newacheck.

Discuss how this partnership ultimately led to the creation of their popular TV show, “Workaholics,” which ran for seven seasons on Comedy Central, allowing them to showcase their comedic talents.

Acting Portfolio

Introduce students to other film and television projects that Anderson has been involved in throughout his career. Some examples include “Dope” (2015), “Game Over, Man!” (2018), “Woke” (2020), and “Voltron: Legendary Defender” (2016-2018). Engage students in a class discussion exploring these projects’ themes or comedic styles compared to “Workaholics.”

Improv Comedy Techniques

As Anderson’s comedic foundation lies heavily in improvisation, dedicate a section of the lesson plan to teaching students about various improv techniques. Allow students to practice these methods through interactive activities – both individually and as a group. This hands-on approach not only allows for collaboration but also demonstrates the importance of improvisational skills in shaping comedy performances.

Analyzing Anderson’s Comedic Style

Encourage students to analyze Anderson’s unique comedic style and distinctive approach to humor. Present a selection of his stand-up routines, interview clips, or social media content that showcases his humor. Students can then discuss Anderson’s style, including timing, delivery, wordplay, and physical comedy elements.

Creative Project

For a more immersive experience, ask students to create their own comedy sketch or short film inspired by Blake Anderson’s work. They can use elements from his comedic style or draw inspiration from the content themes featured in his projects. This exercise allows students to express their creativity while applying what they have learned about Blake Anderson’s comedy techniques.