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Discover the Best Comedy Classes in NYC
Do you live in New York City? Are you curious about what comedy is, and how you can learn this valuable skill? The origin of comedy can be traced all the way back to the Greeks and Romans, who developed the word to describe stage-plays that had happy endings. Any type of work that is intended to incite laughter or amusement from an audience is considered comedic in nature. Comedies can take many forms, including theater, film, television, stand-up, radio, books, or nearly any other entertainment medium. They are usually made up of discourses, jokes, or satirical sketches that are humorous in nature. Anyone can learn the skill of comedy as a hobby or a professional skill.
Why You Should Learn Comedy in NYC
Learning comedy in New York City can become a fun and interactive way to relieve stress, as well as a way for you to pass the time when you are not busy. It is a skill that involves the utilization of your entire body as your material, and you can use comedy as a way to help other people. Comedy can be a great way to entertain others, but you can also personalize comedy to make it into a gift for a special occasion.
Did you know that there is a large community of people out there who enjoy comedy, both as a hobby and a profession? After mastering the basics of comedy, it may be a good idea to research local clubs, groups, events, or organizations where you can meet others who are interested in comedy. Try to keep in mind, though, that most people who are in these groups already have some experience with comedy, and they may not be looking to teach a beginner unless the group states explicitly that beginners are welcome.
Taking comedy classes could potentially turn your new hobby into a valuable skill to put on your resume. A sense of humor is a great thing to have at just about any job, and learning comedic timing may be helpful when you need to lighten things up. And if you like spending time online, you could start a comedy focused YouTube channel or TikTok account and begin producing your own sketches and routines. Grow your following large enough and you could even make some money this way and turn your hobby into a side hustle.
In-Person Comedy Classes & Schools in NYC
If you want to learn comedy in-person, CourseHorse can connect you with classes in your area. For example, if you are in New York City, Laughter Starts Here Intro to Improv Comedy is offered by New York Improv Theatre at their location in Hell’s Kitchen. In this class, you will learn to be a more creative and confident public speaker while sharing laughter with the world. You will grow to understand basic storytelling and performance, along with fun and meaningful characters.
Laughing Buddha Comedy offers Six Week Stand Up Comedy Workshop, a five-session course that is great for beginners or those who want to fine-tune their comedic material. You will develop a five minute set while practicing joke writing, setup and punch, and crowd work.
Introduction to Stand Up Comedy is held at Comic Strip Live, featuring a seven week course and one live performance. In this course, you get hands-on instruction from a stand up comedy veteran in an intimate class setting. You will learn all the tools of the stand up comedy trade and get to hone your craft.
Improv Level 2: Free Your Mind is held at Brooklyn Comedy Collective and teaches you to approach improvisational humor with a fearless attitude. You will be reminded of what you love about improv and forget whatever may be holding your comedic development back in this seven-session course.
Stand-Up Level 2: Solidifying Your Set is also offered by Brooklyn Comedy Collective, and develops your existing comedic voice and material into a ten minute comedic stand up set. You will learn how to craft a set, host a show, and other tricks to help you perform onstage.
Brooklyn Comedy Collective hosts Drop-in Improv for those who would like to try out a single improv class, or for individuals that want more reps on stage. Each class focuses on a specific theme relating to performing great improv, with lots of scenes and opportunities for laughs.
Cagematch 2121: Improv Competition is held at Caveat, and is appropriate for all levels. This class has two teams of comedians go head to head to determine who is funny by audience vote. You will learn and have fun at the same time when you take this unique yet structured course.
4-Week Stand Up Comedy happens at Q.E.D. in Astoria, and it is a workshop taught by a veteran comedian. In this class you will learn the basics of joke writing, brainstorming ideas for material, and how to perform a five minute stand up show in front of your fellow students.
NYC Stand-Up Comedy Class is hosted by Shawn Wickens, and uses introductory principles and exercises to teach you all about stand up comedy. In this course you will learn basic stand up, joke writing, storytelling technique, and much more.
Improv Level 3: Advanced Scene is put on by Brooklyn Comedy Collective and is designed for advanced learners. This seven-session course will layer on more complicated improv techniques while teaching you to authentically ground your characters and keep your scenes surprising.
Long Form Improv Comedy happens at New York Improv Theatre, and it is designed for intermediate learners who want to go beyond the basics. You will strengthen your improv skills through various drills, exercises, and games, and learn how to build rich characters and raise the stakes of your scenes.
Virtual Comedy Classes & Schools
If you live in New York City but you do not want to commute to an in-person comedy class, then a virtual comedy class can be a good way to learn comedy skills. Some of the advantages of online comedy classes include allowing you to attend from just about anywhere, including your home or an outdoor space such as your backyard or a nearby park. There is also no commute to and from an online comedy class, which saves you time and money. One possible disadvantage of taking an online comedy class is that you will most likely have to provide any required materials or equipment. Luckily most comedy classes do not require much beyond your attendance.
If you are interested in taking online comedy classes, CourseHorse can help you find a great fit for the style of comedy you would like to learn. For example, 2-Week Comedy & Drama Intensive with Jeremy Gordon is a class that will teach you scene study and audition techniques revolving around the comedic genre. You will be learning from an experienced casting director in an interactive environment that includes a Q&A session. The Comedy Intensive Online is a four-session course designed for all levels of experience. You will experience an interactive workshop environment that explains comedy and comedy writing from the inside out. You will learn best practices for comedy that will allow you to further broaden your horizons in the genre. And Virtual Stand Up Comedy is a four-session online class that will help you develop a five minute stand up comedy routine in a supportive environment. You will learn how to develop original material, as well as visible digital content to support your stand up set.
Private Group Comedy Classes in NYC
Do you live or work in New York City, and are you wondering if you can schedule a comedy class for your coworkers or a group of friends? The answer is yes you can, and CourseHorse has comedy classes for private groups that they can deliver to you. For example, Virtual Comedy Show is a group comedy experience that everyone can enjoy, with a capacity of up to 50 people. Sit back, relax, and enjoy some belly laughs with your group as you take in stand up jokes from a top-notch comedian. This event pairs well with a virtual happy hour or one of CourseHorse’s virtual games for a dynamic and fun experience. Virtual Public Speaking Through Stand-Up is great for a group of up to 30 people, and is a team building class taught by a professional comedian. This one-session intensive course will teach stand up comedy to your team as a way to enhance aspects of their professional lives and collaboration skills.
Do not worry if you do not see a class listed publicly that interests you–CourseHorse can provide a group comedy class even if it is not currently listed on their website. Simply reach out through the contact form on their website to learn about available options. And remember that when you book with CourseHorse, you can change your group size after booking if needed, you will receive a confirmation within 24 hours, and there are no booking fees. Plus, CourseHorse supports multiple platforms, so everyone can join the fun no matter where they are.
