Learn stand-up comedy in Melbourne
August 9 – 13, 2020
Imperial, South Yarra
Only 12 spots left
(Until early bird price ends)
Learn stand-up comedy over 5-evenings from Sunday to Thursday, 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, from August 9 to 13, 2020. You’ll get the SHKK comedy manual, our complementary online course, video of your graduating performance, and loads of one-on-one coaching from our resident comedy coach, Brad Oakes, our returning alumnus, Mazz Matta, and guest celebrity comedian, Lehmo!
PRICES:
Student and Concession – $450 + GST
Early Bird – $500 + GST (before July 26 only)
Bring-a-Mate-Rate – $800 + GST (2 people)
Full Fee – $700 + GST
Pre-Course: Online course access
Access the entire School of Hard Knock Knocks stand-up comedy curriculum ahead of the face-to-face course via your phone or PC. Narrated by the legendary Greg Fleet, this online course includes videos examples, audio advice, activities and feedback to ensure you don't feel like a noob on day one. Learn more by clicking here.
Day 1: Sunday - The Basics, Finding Yourself, Joke Structure and Preparation
Get introduced to the basics of stand-up comedy and the jargon of the comedic industry before jumping into the deep end with your very own mini comedy set. Then, it's time to learn the 'Normal-Normal-Twist' technique, and developing your own original jokes, before trialling them on stage and giving them a polish.
Day 2: Monday - Generating Content and Building Confidence
Learn to gauge your audience and how to recognise and manage taboo topics while learning confidence building/fear smashing techniques. You’ll also get input on your set from our guest comedian, Lehmo, meet the other SHKK alumni and develop more of your original material.
Day 3: Tuesday - Delivery and Controlling a Room
Learn to write a strong open to your comedy set. Tonight students will also have the opportunity to refine some of their own writing, and learn about the open mic circuit, the Australian comedy festivals, such as Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festivals, as well as life after graduation, with a visit from our returning alumnus, Mazz Matta.
Day 4: Wednesday - The Close and Graduation Preparation
Receive your own full colour physical manual AND online course access, filled with advice, jokes and links to videos, as well as a video of your final performance.
Closing your set strong is this night's goal, as well as putting the extra polish on tomorrow night's graduation performance. This is where the chaos of writing is converted into a succinct 5-minute set.
Day 5: Thursday - Graduation Night and Performance
The moment you have been working toward! Perform your stand-up comedy routine in front of family and friends, conquer your fears and perform alongside professional stand-up comedians. Watch previous graduation videos by clicking here.
BONUS!
Graduates of the School of Hard Knock Knocks also get the opportunity to perform at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and Sydney Fringe Festival as part of ‘The Best Of’ show, produced every year. Be part of a life changing experience AND get paid for the privilege!
Meet Your Comedy Coaches
Resident Comedy Coach - Brad Oakes
The resident comedy coach is responsible for moving our nervous nobodies into confident comedians, throughout the five night course. This month the resident comedy coach is veteran comedian Brad Oakes. Brad is considered by many to be comedy royalty, and has over 29 years of stand-up comedy experience. He has performed on Australian classic comedy shows, which include The Comedy Company, Jimeoin, Full Frontal, and Hey Hey It’s Saturday. Learn more about his career by listening to his podcast interview.
Celebrity Guest Comedian - Lehmo
The School of Hard Knock Knocks is not only about learning the skills required to become a stand-up comedian, but also connecting with some of Australia's most accomplished comedians and learning first hand how they overcame challenges and built their stand-up comedy career. Each month we invite a celebrity stand-up comedian to coach and perform with our students. In August we welcome the amazing Lehmo, one of Australia’s favourite comedians – both on stage and on TV. Star on Utopia, That’s Not My Dog, and a regular on The Project, Lehmo’s comedy naturally dabbles in satire, showmanship, and current affairs. He’s also one of my favourite Aussie comedians, making this last show of 2018 all that extra special. Listen to his podcast interview.
Returning Alumnus - Mazz Matta
At each course we pay a previous graduate (alumni) to perform at the School of Hard Knock Knocks graduation. This is how we give back to the community, and ensure that post-graduation our students continue learning. We also pay our students to perform at Punchlines Comedy Club in Port Melbourne, Adelaide Fringe Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. This month the returning alumna is Mazz Matta, a very funny man in his own right, and also the brother of US comedian, Maher Matta.
CONTACT US TODAY
Start your comedy journey today.
We are available to chat, any day of the week, via the chat button below or phone. Otherwise, we are contactable by email.
We currently hold workshops in the following capital cities:
Adelaide
Melbourne
Sydney
Brisbane (Coming soon!)