Splash Biography

Are you funny? Do you think outside the box, making witty comments and peculiar observations? Have you ever watched a Comedy Central special and wondered "This bores me. I could run circles around this guy?" Then this is the class for you. This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of standup comedy. We will explore how to find inspiration for jokes, dealing with hecklers, and finding your own comedic voice. The student will learn how challenging, rewarding, and frightening the world of standup comedy can be, and how, with enough practice and determination, they can one day succeed.

Throughout the ages, comedy, satire and parody have been used as both entertainment and social tools. It is comedy that not only makes us laugh, but makes us think. During the course, we will examine the science of making people laugh and view the work of noteworthy comedians (i.e. George Carlin, Robin Williams, Ellen Degeneres, Bill Cosby). We will also discuss the importance of comedy and what it does to positively affect our perspective on life. As the class progresses, we will take a consensus of what the class finds funny and then try to collectively come up with a short act. Finally, students will volunteer and try to improvise an brief act (2-3) to gain a feel for stage presence.