If you test positive for Covid – Don’t come to class until you test negative. But let your teacher know and we’ll work to give you access to your missed classes via Zoom.
If you show Covid symptoms OR If you have been exposed to someone with Covid – Don’t come to class for at least 5 days after showing symptoms or exposure, and then take a test to confirm that you are negative. Let your teacher know and we’ll work to give you access to your missed classes via Zoom.
If you have any questions about this, you may call (212-974-8377) or email us ([email protected]).
Stand-Up Comedy Writing
Stand-Up Comedy Writing is a 10-week workshop, which includes lectures, exercises, and the critiquing of student projects. It’s for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals. Farther down, you can view a syllabus for this course. As a bonus, the course culminates with an optional performance at an NYC comedy club.
Comics say it’s the greatest high. You step into the light, take a swig of water, pick up the mic, then reduce a crowd of people to a mass of helpless laughter. Sure, the risks are great—silence, heckling, humiliation—but on a good night a stand-up feels richer than Notaro and Rock combined.
You “kill” or “die” depending on your material. Here you will learn techniques for writing and performing stand-up comedy, as well as how to market yourself.
Whether you favor shtick or sophistication, we’ll show you how to write standup material that makes ‘em laugh, and laugh some more.
The teacher is a comedy treasure who is very generous in sharing his insights, skills, and time.
Paul Kelly
video engineer
Upcoming Classes
NYC COVID Info
10-Week
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Zoom
Real-time videoconference
Tuition: $439 (returning students: $409)
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One-on-One
Tuition: $1,895
Syllabus
This course gives you a firm grounding in the basics of stand-up comedy writing and gets you putting together a five-minute set, which you may perform in a club on a “class night in NYC.” Course components:
Lectures
Writing exercises
Workshopping and rehearsing material
Week 1
What is a Joke?: Joke analysis. Subject/point of view/twist. Information part/funny part.
Week 2
Point of View 1: Understanding point of view. Working on material for established comics to practice point of view.
Week 3
Ways to Improve a Joke 1: Editing. Repetition. Shock. Choosing the best words.
Week 4
Ways to Improve a Joke 2: Joke dissection. Adapting to circumstance. Adding relevance.
Week 5
The Audience: Knowing your audience. How to appeal to a particular audience.
Week 6
The Performer: Discovering your persona. Communicating your persona. Timing.
Week 7
Point of View 2: Find out what others think is funny about you. Refine your persona.
Week 8
Prepare for Show 1: Assemble your act. Microphone and stage technique. Working on delivery. Rehearsal.
Week 9
Prepare for Show 2: Continuation of above.
Week 10
Prepare for Show 3: Continuation of above.
Note: Content may vary among individual classes.
Teachers
David LaBarca
David LaBarca has appeared as a stand-up comic in New York City at Gotham Comedy Club, New York Comedy Club, Symphony Space, Anthology Film Archives, Broadway Comedy Club, the Knitting Factory, and Stand-up NY, as well as numerous clubs across the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Virgin Islands. He was featured on Comedy Central's Stand Up Stand Up and Short Attention Span Theatre. His material has appeared in many publications, including Women's Own Magazine and the New York Times. He holds a BS from Baruch College.
Read moreDavid LaBarca
David LaBarca
has appeared as a stand-up comic in New York City at Gotham Comedy Club, New York Comedy Club, Symphony Space, Anthology Film Archives, Broadway Comedy Club, the Knitting Factory, and Stand-up NY, as well as numerous clubs across the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Virgin Islands. He was featured on Comedy Central's Stand Up Stand Up and Short Attention Span Theatre. His material has appeared in many publications, including Women's Own Magazine and the New York Times. He holds a BS from Baruch College.
