Details on enquiry
Learn to write and perform your own original stand-up comedy
Programme Overview:
History:
Stand-up comedy is a fascinating and relatively modern art form, with the style we now call ‘stand-up’ emerging in the 1950s and 1960s. Stand-up comedians perform important roles within contemporary society. They do not just provide entertainment and emotional relief from life’s struggles; they encourage people to look at the world from different perspectives and often provide critical commentary on the absurdities and inequalities of the modern world.
Scope:
The programme is designed to demystify the process of writing and performing stand-up comedy by offering practical and specific instruction on how to craft and deliver comedy that stands out while remaining versatile enough to work across different audiences.
It is important to note that just studying comedy theoretically will not ‘make someone funny on stage’. The development of a genuinely funny act requires real application and experience in front of live audiences — testing material, refining delivery and cultivating stage presence. Within the programme, participants will have consistent opportunities for stage time in front of their laughmates, receiving constructive feedback on their act. Participants are also introduced to the practical pathways through which stand-up comedians build income, reputation and broader performance opportunities.
Many comedians begin performing with little or no formal training, learning the art form through observation and trial and error. There is no single ‘correct’ pathway. However, we consider the optimal approach to combine live experimentation with a thorough technical, professional and philosophical understanding of the craft.
The Philosophy of Comedy
The philosophical aspect is not just theory here either. At its core, stand-up comedy is about expressing an original personal perspective, with established comedians often having a clear and recognisable point of view. A key feature of the programme is the focused attention given to helping participants identify and express their own unique way of seeing the world, while also shaping a clear and coherent comic identity.
This programme is suitable for:
Beginners who have little or no performance experience
Performers who have stage experience but limited technical or philosophical understanding
Content creators who want to differentiate themselves online
Speakers or professionals who want to use humour to improve their leadership and communication
Individuals who want to develop their confidence or deepen their understanding of comedy
Learning Outcomes
By the end of Level 1, participants will be able to:
Write original stand-up comedy material using structured techniques and comedy formulas
Deliver 5-8 minutes of stand-up (from memory) and respond strategically to different audience behaviour
Demonstrate understanding of the philosophical foundations of comedy
Explain the fundamentals of the comedy industry ecosystem, including income pathways and industry protocols
Articulate the key personality traits of their on-stage comic identity
Demonstrate understanding of the principle of prepared spontaneity and its role in stand-up comedy
Curriculum Outline
Origin Stories (Session 1)
Session one introduces you to some of the key tools and understandings that underpin the rest of the programme. It will also provide insight into the art form itself by looking at stand-up from a broader artistic context and give some practical ways to start developing material as you go about your life day to day.
The Origin Story
Comedy, Bread & Butter
Writing Lab (Part 1)
Structure vs Spontaneity
Loose, Not Sloppy
Kafoolfling
Foundations of Comedy Writing (Session 2)
Session two examines how comedy routines are built and refined, balancing practical writing techniques with flexible, adaptive thinking. Participants will begin mining their own lives for comedy gold and turning their ideas into structured routines.
The Modular Mindset
Saying More with Less
Writing Lab (Part 2)
Breaking Through Monotony
Your Own Comedy Goldmine
Strategic Amplification
Chookas: The Performer's Game Plan (Session 3)
— 🎬 1st Video Session —
Participants will have the opportunity to test some of their raw material in a non-judgemental and constructive atmosphere. The session will also continue to build on principles from the earlier sessions while introducing some new concepts and hard-earned 'rules of the game'.
Rules of the Game
The Performance Environment
Reading the Room
The Philosophy of Comedy
The Money Game
Sequins, Systems & Saving Lines (Session 4)
This session introduces systems for capturing, organising and amplifying comedy material while developing the principle of prepared spontaneity.
Catching Lightning
Where Jokes Go
Writing Lab (Part 3)
The Duck Metaphor
Building Your Safety Net
Paradoxical Perception
Real Talk: The Performer’s Reality (Session 5)
This session examines where comedy comes from and how structured escalation works. It also includes some real talk about what it takes to consistently perform — and how fundamentally different approaches can achieve the same result.
Working the Room
Throwing Combinations
Writing Lab (Part 4)
Breaking Rules
Earning the Right
Where Comedy Comes From
Emotional Intelligence of Humour (Session 6)
— 🎬 2nd Video Session —
This 2nd video session builds on the first and includes constructive feedback about their act. The principle of subtext is just as important to stand-up as it is to theatre or film. This session deconstructs participants’ stand-up scripts to look at the story beneath the story.
Performance Psychology
The Subtext of Stand-Up
What is on-stage Credibility?
The Comic Perspective
Styles, Types, Forms & Techniques
Sharpening Your Weapons: The Performer's Edge (Session 7)
This session shows participants how to build on-stage flexibility, take their comedy with them everywhere they go, and how to earn the right to own the room.
Doing Your Time
Comedy Consciousness
Writing Lab (Part 5)
Prop Culture
Cultivating Flexibility
The Green Room: Preparing to Kill (Session 8)
This session prepares participants for their final live performance by redefining what preparation actually means. They then build a customised pre-performance process that challenges them and elevates their on-stage delivery.
The Eight Eyes of Humour
Power & Presence
Writing Lab (Part 6)
The Balance of Power
Putting it all Together
Showtime (Session 9)
— 🎬 3rd Video Session —
The 3rd and final video session is participants’ opportunity to perform their best five minutes of comedy in front of their laughmates, building on previous performances and integrating what they have learned throughout the programme.
Constructive Feedback
Punching Up Stand-up
Positive & Negative Humour
Post Mortem/Kill Sheets
Know Your Audience
Full Circle: A New Beginning (Session 10)
This final session provides perspective on the entire programme. The core material is mapped together into a coherent framework. Participants then design a clear 30- and 90-day plan to continue developing their act beyond the course.
Making Writing a Habit
The Business Show Mindset
Slow Lane or Fast Lane
The Big Picture Mind Map
The Total Package
Teaching Method
Stand-up Comedy Level 1 uses a combination of:
Structured live sessions (including recorded performances)
Complete online programme manual
Self-directed activities through member portal
Active online learning community
3 x 1-on-1 coaching sessions - 45 min each (via zoom)
Delivery
Stand-up Comedy Level 1 is delivered in the following formats:
Live (In-Person)
10 x Structured Weekly Sessions Delivered In Person
3 x Recorded Performance Sessions
Live Online (Zoom + In-Person Performance)
7 x Structured Weekly Sessions Delivered via Zoom
3 x Recorded Performance Sessions (Weeks #3, #6, #9) Delivered Live In Person
This Programme has been delivered successfully in both Live and Virtual formats.
Participants unable to attend In-Person Performance Sessions (due to location or accessibility issues) may complete the entire Programme via Zoom.
Format
10 x Structured Weekly Sessions
Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, 7:00pm start
1.5 hours per session
3 x Recorded Performance Sessions (Weeks 3, 6 & 9)
Duration: 10 Weeks | 15 Contact Hours
Recommended commitment: approximately 2.5–3 hours per week, including session time and between-session activities.
Prerequisites
Working proficiency in English
Willingness to try stand-up
Access to a computer and stable internet connection (for online participation)
No prior comedy, writing or theatre experience required
Assessment
Participants may choose to complete the programme as an assessed pathway.
A Certificate of Completion is awarded to participants who complete at least 80% of the prescribed coursework and activities, including participation in performance sessions.
Assessment is based on engagement, preparation and completion of set work — not on how “funny” a participant is.
Participants who are unable to attend a performance session may arrange an alternative submission where appropriate.