elements of narrative | Intro to stand-up comedy

I love being immersed in a story…I love being enveloped in a new world, seeing through the new eyes of different characters, having new experiences and being exposed to new ways of thinking. I’ve heard it called being “spellbound,” which to me sounds whimsically appropriate. Movies, plays, TV, novels...I love’em all. I love stories not only because they entertain but also because of what they can mean to us, what they can teach us. Stories not only show us the world, but also provide a glimpse of how the world could be, how we could be. Storytellers add to our culture and articulate ideas that can shape perspectives and even alter lives.

In Elements of Narrative, we will take a deeper look into stories, examining their parts and how those parts work together to create that special magic we all know and love. We will explore different ways of thinking about stories and dive into tropes and genres. We will practice inventing in the room and look for ways we can improve upon what has been created. New writers will be provided a good foundation on which to build their storytelling skills. Experienced writers will approach stories from different angles and strengthen narrative abilities they may have let atrophied or even not been aware of before. Actors, directors and other people involved in productions can also learn a new appreciation for their part in serving a story. The instructor will cater the curriculum to the needs and backgrounds of the students and serve as a guide as they explore their own creativity and imagination. 

A sense of humor can not be taught. However, I am a strong believer that if one has the ability to laugh at a funny joke, then they also have it within them to write one. Stand-ups are ultimately taught by their audiences and made on the stage, hitting open mike after open mike, until they either give up or continue to get better. But how does somebody start this journey?

In intro to stand-up, we will explore how to craft a stand-up routine centered around each student’s individual voice. We will go through finding inspiration for new material, techniques for crafting jokes and review the importance of revision and editing. We will also go through what to expect on your first night on stage and what you can do afterwards to improve your set. And hopefully, there will be a few laughs along the way.