Beginner Stand-Up Comedy Workshop – 7 Weeks

Ready to step up to the mic and make people laugh? Our 7-week Beginner Stand-Up Comedy Workshop is designed for anyone with a funny bone and a willingness to try. Through a mix of writing exercises, performance labs, and constructive feedback, students will learn how to craft jokes, structure a mini-set, and develop their unique comedic voice. Each week builds confidence on stage while honing timing, delivery, and audience interaction skills in a supportive, hands-on environment.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have a polished 3–5 minute set, experience performing in front of peers, and the tools to take their comedy beyond the classroom. The final week culminates in a live showcase, giving students a real taste of performing at a comedy night. Whether you’re chasing a career in comedy or just want to make friends laugh, this class will give you the skills, stage confidence, and courage to shine under the spotlight.

Week 1 – Welcome to Stand-Up: Finding Your Voice

• Overview of the comedy landscape: styles, goals, and expectations.
• Discussion: Why do you want to do comedy?
• Warm-up exercises to spark ideas (journaling, observation drills).
• Homework: Write 5 premises (seeds of jokes) from real life.

• Anatomy of a joke: setup, punchline, tags, callbacks.
• Practice taking raw premises and turning them into first-draft jokes.
• Group writing exercises and punch-up practice.
• Open-mic style circle: students share 1–2 jokes.
• Homework: Expand 2 premises into short bits (30–60 seconds each).

• How to structure 2–3 minutes of material: openings, transitions, closers.
• Editing: economy of words, timing, rhythm.
• Stage skills intro: mic technique, posture, pacing.
• Performance lab: each student runs their first mini-set (2–3 min).
• Homework: Refine your mini-set based on feedback.

• Deep dive: dealing with nerves, timing, silence, and laughter.
• Delivery practice: voice, energy, facial expressions, pauses.
• Performance lab: each student runs their refined set.
• Group feedback: focus on clarity, timing, and physical presence.
• Homework: Polish set, add one new bit or tag.

• Intro to crowd work: engaging without losing control.
• Strategies for handling hecklers or interruptions.
• “Hot Seat” drills: practice responding to improvised audience lines.
• Performance lab: test your polished set with some light audience interaction.
• Homework: Tighten up your 3–5 minute set for showcase.

• Final workshop: full showcase rehearsal.
• Each student performs a 3–5 minute set for the group (recorded if possible).
• Feedback session: strengths, growth areas, road map for open mics.
• Discussion: how to start hitting mics, networking, building confidence, and writing consistently.
• Graduation showcase: invite friends/family or perform at a local open mic.

🔥 By the end: Each student has a polished 3–5 minute set, on-stage practice, and a toolkit for continuing in comedy.