Standup Comedy Workshops for Experienced Performers, Saturdays 1-4pm

Moving to a 20 Minute Set:

THE REASON FOR THE EXPERIENCED COURSE: Since we started these workshops 5 years ago, many people who did the workshops asked could they do it again, the reason was they needed the time to go through the same process again to polish and write new material and work out and test new ideas on stage. It is also to move to a larger set and develop a 20 minute routine to break through that 10-15 minute barrier.

It’s a very different thing to come back to a workshop after performing.We all have different experiences and different gigs behind us. From this we have a wealth of experience to apply to everyone’s style, approach and material. We intend to create the forum to tap into that collective experience and allocate proper time to write and brainstorm new ideas. What we do is channel that experience back into the group so that everyone can improve their game. From speaking to a comedian recently, they said they would like to do it because… ‘You never really get a chance to write or perform new material as when you get a gig you want to make sure you get another, so you go with the solid material’ It seems we are so busy that there is never time or gigs to write or test new material so it’s a very rare opportunity to do that among your peers who have also been performing and test it in the gig at the end of the workshops. The experienced workshops are a way of cutting to the chase and getting down to the business of testing material with people who have seen you perform and to greater amalgamate your material and style with your stage persona.

HOW DO I SECURE A PLACE?

We have a limited number of places and so the best way is to have a first come, first served, basis.It is 300€ (250€ unwaged) for the 6 workshops this includes the gig at the end which is your 'performance night' if you like. Anyone who has done the workshop already will get the concession rate for the experienced course. We hold places for people with a non-refundable 100€ deposit. Owing to the nature of the small classes there is an informal chat so that we can get the best idea of where to place you in the workshops. Because the places are limited we prefer to choose people who would work well together as a group, so it may be that the group or workshop that you are best placed in begins earlier or later or depending on availability of places. This informal chat can be arranged in advance most evenings two weeks prior to the course no later than 8pm. The remaining balance must be paid on the first night, without exception.

ON THE FIRST WORKSHOP:

The workshop begins at 1pm downstairs on the Trinity side of Doyles pub(opp. the Screen cinema, Pearse Street Garda Station, end of D'Olier St. and the O Connell st. side wall of Trinity College - if you cant find it then, there is no point in showing up!) We will have a coffee and then go upstairs for the workshop where they will be held every week starting 1pm Saturdays . We will have a break about 2.30pm and finish up by 4pm or 4.30pm at the latest on the first workshop.

YOU MUST BE JOKING- IM A PROFESSIONAL!

In the experienced course we are going to stand everyone up so they need to have a minimum of 7 minutes of well-practiced, ‘gold’ material for us all to get an idea of where you are coming from -in the first workshop. Then we can see where we are going and what needs to be worked on. The beginners workshops is for people who have never done stand up to get a set together, the experienced workshop assumes you have a set you have performed over three times and is about getting to know your style and stage persona. The intention is to see your stage persona and style and polish your old material, and also produce new material to write and perform by the end of the course.

The task is for everyone to work together to write and critique each others style and material to best improve your stage performance and material. It is also to iron out any bad habits that may have developed over your performances and polish, challenge and develop your style so your performance is all the better. Creating a Positive Writing Environment: This is not a confrontational or critical workshop, but it is there to build on what you have in material stage presence and audience awarenessand improve it.

We are here to create an environment where people can create and critique each other. Anyone who abuses that position will be weeded out and shot. So it requires discipline and cooperation to do that, if you are not suitable, you will be asked without hesitiation, to leave. If you have any ideas for your set bring them in with you. We'd love to have a look at them so anything that you might have been thinking of in terms of jokes or style, or stories all the better. If you like, bring a friend there is nothing like having someone to bounce off, even if they don’t come along the second night. (Maybe they will stay and you will leave!)

THE RULES:

Bring a little notebook and a pen that fits in your back pocket, its helpful to jot down any ideas that might help you write your material in the first two weeks, before we work on stage crafting it into a set! Its also good to have an A4 hardback beerproof notebook to take any notes in the workshops. • Attendance is critical, each night we move through a lot of points, so it is expected that you have work done for every workshop and you are willing to participate in every part of the process. • NOTES: We will be giving you notes that follow up what is said within the workshops but there is no harm on having a pen around as something always clicks for people that works for them at different times. What we hope you get out of this: This is very important.

We really want this to be of great benefit to you, both in going through this process and the performance at the end. For the sheer volume of ideas and creativity that happens there is nothing better and it works as a catalyst and stimulus for new material. Most material will occur to you after the workshop as it works as a generator of ideas. So much of the writing is done outside the workshops, thus the process happens both inside and outside the course. Be prepared for this undertaking it is good to plan to have at least 2 slots booked in clubs during the course so as to work on the ideas and themes that are generated. THIS IS TO PRODUCE MATERIAL TO EXTEND OR DEVELOP YOUR STAND UP COMEDY! Its not our workshop, its yours, that means that whatever you put in you get out.

BE PREPARED: THERE IS COURSE WORK AND HOMEWORK

Usually people get 20-30 minutes of material out of this, what is important is the idea of working old and new material into a style that suits your stage persona. So we will expect you to write something for every week. The point of this is to develop materal for doing a longer or new set that can be added or developed into a whole new act. Or at the least a new 10 minutes

PARKING: Forget about it! you can drive around the block for a half hour and you might get a lucky space when the guards finish their shifts at 1pm, otherwise you are on double yellows and I know a guy who got clamped the first night of the course earlier this year. The whole night cost him about 400€. So, cycle, walk, or leave early, there isn’t any guarantee of parking (its the middle of the city centre! what did you think!) So you might be better just putting it in the carpark... but do a drive- by you might be lucky...

DRINKING: We will be doing the workshops in the function room above the bar, that means there is no bar upstairs while the workshops are going on, nor are we encouraged to steal pints, but the bar is open downstairs and if you want to get a pint (for the nerves) at half time or at the beginning thats fine, but be it on your own shoulders if your driving!" We want to make this as comfortable as possible, but it is not an excuse to get plastered. You are there to use your wits its far better without alcohol. So, Saturdays at 1pm in Doyles Pub, Fleet street.

STARTING SATURDAYS EVERY TWO MONTHS: Contact Ciaran at workshops4comedy@gmail.com Specify in the subject box whether you are interested in beginners or experienced workshop. Please provide your name, telephone number and experience to date, and a brief description of what your influences and favourite comedians are.