My entire 6 week stand-up class for free(ish)!

Watch me tank my business

I have been running authentic stand-up comedy classes since 2016 with my very own Berlin Stand-Up School. These classes are my proudest achievement, and sell out many weeks in advance through word of mouth.

One of my first beginners classes in 2016. I had a whiteboard? It probably said “What is comedy” or something. Photo grzegorz.czaplicki

I thought, what the hell. Why not provide the course outline for free(mium)? Not everyone can make it over to Berlin, or can afford my modest prices.

I say free, most of this is just for paid subscribers as well it should be. BUT! you could access this with a free trial or whatever. If you decide to use this material to teach your own classes and/or forward it around, please please please credit me and my little Substack, it’s only fair isn’t it?

Is this a terrible business decision? But I thought maybe it’ll be a great Substack decision? Let’s see 😬.

I teach this class to 12 person groups but I am presenting it here as a solo/small group class. Its definitely more fun in a group.

I don’t recommend performing at mics until you’ve completed the course. This is because it’s so necessary to get used to free form writing, before thinking of sets and jokes which will block you.

Also, if you’re doing this class with a group, it’s nice for you to go to your first mic together - or even better, put on your own student show!

Workshop 1 - Turning off the internal editor

Read this

Authenticity and Comedy

Ignoring the internal editor

It’s really important to get used to the idea of ignoring the internal editor in workshop 1. All of your ideas are valid at this stage. We’re not writing comedy yet, just writing true things.

If you get blocked doing any of the written exercises, this is because of the internal editor! Get it all down on the page even if its the worst shit ever!

Exercises

Exercise: The Power Of Lists

Exercise: What I really mean is...

Optional but highly encouraged

Go to some open mics - Hopefully the low quality will boost your confidence. What do you like/dislike about the acts?