Is A Comedy Course Right For Me?

Hi, Sean from ComedySportz here! I'm the person who responds to most of the emails that come to us regarding workshops with ComedySportz and I wanted to share the answers to some frequently asked questions about taking a comedy course with us.

If you're thinking about taking an improv comedy course or workshops in stand-up comedy I hope these answers will give you the confidence you need to book a space today - but please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like more information!

What courses do you run?

We currently run two regular 8 week courses; Foundation in Improv and Beginning Stand-Up Comedy. These courses run Saturdays for 8 weeks plus a showcase/jam for workshoppers. We also run shorter courses (including Longform Improv, Musical Improv, Presentation Skills and Sketch Writing) and regular advanced Improv Drop-Ins.

Who are you guys?

We’ve been entertaining audiences across the UK, USA and Europe since 2001 and host Manchester’s longest running improv comedy courses. Our facilitators are all professional comedians and improvisers and are fully accredited by CSzWorldwide, one of the world’s largest comedy schools. Our workshops have appeared in The Stage, Cosmo UK and The Guardian Online. As well as their own wealth of personal experience many of our workshop facilitators have also trained with the likes of iO, Second City and Keith Johnstone.

Oh, so you know your stuff then?

Yep. And we’re really nice too.

What happens on the Foundation in Improv course?

Over the 8 weeks we will cover the core skills of an improviser. Starting with “Yes, And” we explore listening and focus, creating characters, storytelling and object work. Each session builds on the last to create a tool belt of useful skills. Exercises have a big focus on group work and play. As the weeks progress we introduce you to scene work and improv games. You will receive active feedback and coaching that is constructive and encouraging. Above all, you’ll have a lot of fun and laughter.

What happens on the Beginning Stand-Up comedy course?

Over the 8 weeks, participants look at different aspects of stand-up performance. We take a look at the use of persona, point of view, attitude, performance techniques, and a multitude of different writing exercises. You will receive regular, constructive feedback on your material and delivery. We also make time to talk shop about how the industry works and how to continue either as a hobbyist or as someone who wishes to pursue comedy more professionally. The workshops finish with a showcase where all the participants are asked to present a 5-7 minute set.

Stand Up Workshops

I’m not very funny or imaginative, is that going to be a problem?

This is the most frequently asked question we receive and the answer might surprise you. We can't teach you to be funny ...because you already are!

The first thing to know is that you’re not alone – everyone is going to feel self-conscious on the first day of a comedy course. No one is expecting you to be super confident and capable on the first day of the course – that’s why we’re here!

For those taking Stand-Up we will share a number of writing exercises to help you craft material and shape your jokes. Workshops are a safe and supportive environment to try new things and explore different perspectives. Let us guide you to find the confidence of voice and character to share your comedic skill.

Meanwhile, the best improvisers aren’t worrying about being the most imaginative or the funniest, they’re simply giving 100% commitment and focus to the moment and then reacting accordingly. If you're trying to be funny this often means you’re in your head and not just enjoying and reacting honestly to the scene.

So, take the pressure off yourself and you’ll be surprised by how naturally funny and imaginative you can be!

Okay, that’s good to know. So which comedy course is right for me?

Unfortunately we can’t answer this one for you but hopefully we can help you make the decision that is right for you. It depends on what you want out of the course and chances are your gut is already pulling you in the right direction.

It’s important to remember that not everyone that takes a course wants to be a performer. For some classes are an opportunity to play and meet new people or to build confidence in a specific area (public speaking, networking, communication). We are always happy to discuss how skills can be applied to life both on- and off-stage.

The ability to adapt and improvise to situations is increasingly useful in both the performing and business worlds. Workshops can help build the resilience to face difficult situations with an open and enthusiastic mindset.

Although both Improv and Stand-Up courses run at the same time, we run the courses several times a year so you can always take one now and the other later! Some people take the Improv course to build confidence and then take the Stand-Up course because they now feel ready to get up in front of people. Others might take the Stand-Up course first and then take improv to make them feel more confident ad-libbing or going “off script”.

I’m going to miss a week of the course, is that a problem?

We’ll always work hard to catch you up if you miss a week – just let us know if you’re unable to attend. If you end up missing a large chunk of the course due to unforeseen circumstances we are often able to transfer you to the next course if we feel this will give you a better experience. We do have a cut-off point for joining a course (no later than the second week) as you will have missed core groundwork and group bonding.

Can I go straight to the Advanced Improv Drop-In?

Our drop-ins are designed for people who have done some improv training before, whether an 8 week or intensive course with us or elsewhere. If you’ve not done any Improv for a while you might want to consider taking our Foundation Course to ease back into it.

We always suggest you be honest with yourself as to where you feel you are on your improv journey. This is as much for your benefit as it is for others in the session.

Is the workshop space wheelchair accessible?

Our workshop spaces are fully wheelchair accessible. Feel free to drop us an email if there is anything you think we need to know to best assist you before a course starts.

I’m not sure I want to commit to an 8 week comedy course. Can I just take the first class and go from there?

As spaces on workshops are limited we ask people to commit to the full length of the course. You could be taking a space from someone who really wanted to do it! We are always happy to discuss any worries you might have about the course and we work hard to make classes fun, friendly and supportive.

We do understand however that 8 weeks can be a big commitment so run shorter comedy workshops and courses during the summer. These short courses cover the core skills in a much more condensed space of time. We update our workshops pages regularly with new dates. You can also sign up to our mailing list to receive monthly news about upcoming classes.

ComedySportz Comedy Courses Fun and Friendly!

Money is a little tight at the moment, do I have to pay all at once?

You can secure a space on a comedy course by paying a non-refundable £30 deposit. The remainder is due on the first day of the course. However, we do understand that circumstances can change so can make arrangements to pay in instalments if necessary.

Can I book a course as a gift?

Absolutely! There is no better gift than laughter with friends and loved ones. Just let us know when making the booking that this is for someone else. Please include the recipient’s name and contact details so we can contact them with information about the course. Let us know if you need us to contact them after a specific date so we don't spoil the surprise. We can also email you a gift certificate and info sheet to present on the day.

You must make payments for gifts at the full price of the course. If the recipient is not able to attend the course dates they can be transferred onto the next course.

Book a course for a friend or loved one, huh? Can I book a comedy course for someone I hate?

Sure, but they'll have a great time so we're not sure what you're hoping to achieve.

I mean, you would say that. What do other people who have taken courses think?

Here is just a sample of the feedback we’ve received on our courses. You can find more on our workshops page.

“Signing up to do the Improv course, then actually turning up and completing it was a challenge for me as it was definitely something out of my comfort zone. I hugely enjoyed it and that was partly because of the great group of fellow Improvers, but also the great tutors. [They] were very good at giving feedback in a positive way and pushing us to improve without ever making us feel rubbish, whatever our skill level!” Marie Rolli (Doctor)

“I can’t recommend ComedySportz Manchester enough. I’ve just done an 8 week standup course with them and it was fun, inspirational, challenging and very very worthwhile. I can’t wait to do the improv and further comedy writing courses with them.” Vicky Green (Radio Presenter)

“Improv is genuinely the MOST fun you can have on a Saturday afternoon….. learning the basics of impro at a relaxed pace, with fun teachers. It’s a treat… games, scenes, stories, characters, and lots and lots of laughing…it’s the antidote to a boring/routine life. Get out of the house and into the class!” Claire Westood (Wellness and Coach Trainer)


I hope this has given you a little confidence to book a comedy course with ComedySportz. We’re always happy to answer any questions you have over email. Alternatively, you can speak to us in person after one of our shows - we're always happy to help!

More Information

Foundation Improv Course

Beginning Stand-Up Comedy Course

All Upcoming Shows

Present Yourself In 2020!

We received great feedback for our last Presentation Skills workshop and will be running a new one day session in the New Year. If you have a public speaking engagement in 2020 and you'd like to tighten up your delivery or learn how to face a crowd, this fun and friendly workshop is for you!

Use the skills of a stand-up comic to deliver entertaining and engaging presentations. This short intensive session will cover practical methods and discussion on how to increase engagement, develop better storytelling and learn to ad-lib while staying on topic. Our safe and supportive workshop will help you unlock creative thinking and build authentic confidence in front of an audience.

Presentation Skills

"I attended John’s Presentation Skills workshop based on techniques used in Improv and Stand-Up Comedy. It was a different and refreshing way of looking at the skills that we use in presenting. I have been to a number of masterclasses on presenting and got little out of them. I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop and I would be happy to attend again."
- Raj Patel MBE

 

Make public speaking fun again with this interactive one day session which will run Saturday 11th January 2020 12.30-4.30pm. The course will be run by comedian John Cooper.

The workshop will be held at the ThoughtWorks space in Federation House, Balloon St, Manchester. The full cost of the course is £50. You can pay in full now or reserve your space with a £20 deposit (non-refundable) with the rest payable on the day of the course.

You will find a few tips that we shared before our last Presentation Skills workshop here. CSzUK is part of CSz Worldwide and has been delivering effective communication training since 2001.

All Upcoming Workshops

All Upcoming Shows

Presentation Skills Workshop

We're running a Presentation Skills workshop on Saturday 28th September run by ComedySportz player and Stand-Up comic John Cooper. This one day class will show you how to use the skills of a stand up comic to help deliver engaging, entertaining presentations for your work and business.

This fun and friendly session is perfect for anyone looking to build confidence in public speaking or learn new tricks to help spice up their presentations.

Below you will find a few tips and tricks to get you started!

Use the skills of a stand up comic to deliver entertaining presentations

Make A Connection

Whether you're talking to ten people or over a hundred, before rolling out pie charts and bar graphs, you must make a connection with your audience. You're speaking to people, not performing a monologue.

Try sharing a short personal story with a positive outcome in only three sentences; beginning, middle and end. Show your audience that you don't fear them, and you're human.

Once More With Feeling

Like a good comic would, approach your presentation topic from as many angles as you can think of. Try finding fresh ways of expressing the subject. Don't cram too much in. Let your personality come out, it's not an exam.

Give your brain and mouth room to breathe during rehearsal and delivery. Keep the language simple and natural, the way you would normally speak. Don't become a mechanical delivery automaton.

Watch A Stand-Up Comic

If you have a favourite comedian, go and watch them live. Observe how they move and speak. Aside from their jokes, great comedians have a pace and rhythm that complements their personality. They have a strong sense of their own identity and how they are perceived.

What is yours?

Deliver fun and engaging presentations

The Bridge

There's a phrase in stand-up comedy: "Put your best jokes at the beginning and end, and let the middle sort itself out."

As a metaphor, imagine columns supporting a bridge. Place the strongest points of your presentation at the beginning and end. Then think of each topic in your presentation as a pillar, evenly spread across the bridge.

This helps build rhythm to your delivery.

Keep It Clean

Making people laugh is a great way to deliver a talk that will be memorable. It's also a minefield of personal taste, sense of humour and knowing when it is and isn't appropriate within the context of subject you're speaking on.

Comedians learn this the hard way. Three words of advice: Keep. It. Clean.

Take A Presentation Skills Workshop With ComedySportz

If you'd like to learn more you can sign up to the presentation skills workshop here. There will be plenty of laughter and learning and valuable feedback from John. The workshops will run Saturday 28th September 12.30-4.30pm. Workshops are held at the ThoughtWorks space in Federation House, Balloon St, Manchester.

The full cost of the presentation skills workshop is £45. Price includes £10 non-refundable deposit. Alternatively, you can pay the £10 deposit here and pay the rest on the day.

Want to take your learning even further? We're also running an 8 week course in Stand-Up Comedy for those wishing to develop their own material with regular practice performing in a safe and supportive environment.

Looking to build connections, develop your listening and communication or get comfortable with going off script? Why not try our 8 week Improvisation classes?

Both Beginning Stand-Up Comedy and Foundation in Improv commence 5th October and will run Saturdays 12.30-2.30pm for 8 weeks. Visit our workshops pages for more information or get in touch and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Our workshops and classes are fully accredited by CSzWorldwide so when you take a workshop with ComedySportz you're not just drawing from our 18 years+ experience teaching and performing but from the combined experience of over 30 ComedySportz teams worldwide.

All Upcoming Workshops

All Upcoming Shows

 

 

Improv Classes - Last Few Spaces!

There are just a few spaces left on our 2 day intensive workshops coming up in June. Sign up today to secure your space on these exciting short courses and improv classes.

Improv Classes Manchester

Longform Improv 1st-2nd June £75

Deposit - Full Price

Attended a few improv classes and jams and always wondered who those Armando and Harold guys are that everyone talks about? Then this short introduction to longform improv has the answer! This two day course will:

A great way to take a deeper dive into the possibilities of improv performance, be in the moment and create engaging characters and relationships. This course will be run by Braínne Edge, ComedySportz UK founder and manager. Braínne has over 15 years experience teaching Improv performance skills around the world and teaches on the University of Salford's Comedy Writing and Performance degrees, one of the first degrees of it's type in the UK.

Whilst some previous improv experience is useful this is a session for all ability levels. Attendees will also receive free entry to Improv Mullet (1st June, 7.30pm) our mixed short and longform improv show.

Musical Improv Workshops Manchester

Musical Improv 15th-16th June £85

Deposit - Full Price

Hate playing musical games in your improv scenes? Terrified of singing in public? ComedySportz players Rachel and Felix will teach you the fundamental skills to create fun, off-the-cuff showstoppers.

This class is a great way to build confidence and learn a challenging but exciting new skill to add to your improv games and scenes. You don't need to have any singing ability or musical knowledge to attend and this workshop is open to all skill levels.


Both courses will run 12.30-5pm each day and be held in the main theatre space at The Kings Arms, Salford. All our workshops are designed to be a safe, supportive environment for you to play, learn and discover.

To secure your space you can pay in full now or just pay the non-refundable £30 deposit. If you would like to attend but know you won't be able to cover the costs until the next pay day please don't hesitate to get in touch so we can make alternative arrangements for you.

There are also two spaces that have just opened up on our Stand Up "Your Next Five Minutes" 1 Day workshop. Find out more here.

These will be our last workshops before the summer so don't delay and sign up today!

All Upcoming Workshops

All Upcoming Shows

Intensive Workshops - Don't Miss Out!

There are just a few spaces left on our intensive workshops this May/June so don't miss out on your chance to sign up to Manchester's longest running  comedy classes this Summer!

Whether you're looking to learn new skills, brush up on some old ones or just want to spend a fun weekend rediscovering your playful side there is something for everyone with our fun, friendly and affordable range of courses.

Musical Improv Workshop Manchester

2 Day Intensive Workshops

Foundation Improv (Full Price - Deposit)

Learn the core skills of Improv comedy with ComedySportz including Yes, And, Listening, Objects and Storytelling.

Beginning Stand Up (Full Price - Deposit)

We'll help you hone your comedic voice with this short course covering everything from material generation to mic technique.

Sketch Writing (Full Price - Deposit)

Craft your sketches in this two day course covering everything from the perfect premise to the killer punchline.

Longform Improv (Full Price - Deposit)

This short introduction to longform improv will explore popular formats and edits. A deeper dive into creating whole improvised worlds and narratives.

Musical Improv (Full Price - Deposit)

Find the key to unlock the skills needed for improvised songs and rhyme. You don't need a great singing voice to take part just a strong desire to have some fun!

1 Day Intensive Workshops

Character Improv (Full Price - Deposit)

Do all of your improv characters feel a little flat? Explore ways to bring new life to your on stage creations.

Presentation Skills (Full Price - Deposit)

Discover ways to engage your audience by employing performance skills to enliven your work presentations and brush up on your networking with confidence.

Stand Up "Your Next 5 Minutes" (Full Price - Deposit)

Completed one of our courses or looking to hone your new material? Stuck in a rut and want to put a bit of spark back into your jokes? Then this stand up comedy class is for you!

 

All prices include a non-refundable deposit (£30 for 2 Day classes, £10 for 1 Day classes). You can pay in full now or pay your deposit to secure your space and pay the rest later.

If you've taken one of our (or similar) improv comedy classes before we will also be running a six week intermediate improv course. This will run at the same time as our intensives so there are discounts for anyone who signs up to multiple courses - get in touch today to find out more.

Our courses and workshops are accredited by CSz Worldwide - one of the world's largest schools for shows and comedy classes.

comedy classes manchester improv stand up sketch

Feedback from our latest 8 week stand up course.

Want to know more about our courses? You can also come along to our Intermediate Workshops Showcase on Sunday 28th April at The Kings Arms (starts 7.30pm) which will be followed by a short improv jam and an opportunity to talk to course facilitators about our comedy classes.

All Upcoming Workshops

All Upcoming Shows