Fall 2025-Spring 2026

The Power of Punchlines:

Stand-Up Comedy for Change

In this two-cycle Journey, participants will explore the power of comedy as a tool for social change, with a special focus on stand-up comedy. From climate change and economic inequality to LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and mental health, you’ll learn how to write and perform material that blends humor with meaningful social critique. Comedy is a form of intelligence—whether you’re new to comedy or a seasoned performer, this Journey will help you use humor as a force for social impact.

Spring 2026 Enrollment Is Now Open!

Spring 2026 enrollment is currently open!

You may also sign up for Mentorship on Demand and/or membership at any time.

Enroll in a Spring 2026 Journey Get Involved Now

Learning Objectives

Develop Comedy Writing & Performance

Learn to write and perform socially impactful material using six core joke structures, including absurdity, understatement, rule of three, double-down, misplaced sincerity, and observational humor.

Critique and Workshop Comedic Works

Engage in peer review and feedback sessions to refine comedic material, focusing on its effectiveness in conveying social messages.

Understand the Role of Comedy in Social Change

Study how comedians use comedy to critique social issues and develop your own comedic voice around the issues that matter to you.

Produce a Final Comedy Project with a Social Message

Create a final comedic piece (stand-up routine) that addresses a specific social issue, incorporating the techniques and insights learned throughout the journey.

The Power of Punchlines Community Experiences

Mentees in this Journey are required to attend two monthly 90-minute Journey meetings and participate in two Stand-Up Comedy Shows, as listed below. Mentors are strongly encouraged to attend with their mentees. Additionally, Mentees can schedule 1:1 office hours with the Journey TA for individual assistance as needed.

Fall Cycle Journey Meetings:

Saturday, November 8th & 22nd, 2025, 1 pm ET
Saturday, December 6th & 20th, 2025, 1 pm ET
Saturday, January 10th & 24th, 2026, 1 pm ET

Stand-Up Comedy Show:

Saturday, January 31st, 2026, 3-4:30 pm ET

Spring Cycle Journey Meetings:

Saturday, March 14th & 28th, 2026, 1 pm ET
Saturday, April 11th & 25th, 2026, 1 pm ET
Saturday, May 9th & 30th, 2026, 1 pm ET

Stand-Up Comedy Show:

Saturday June 6th, 2026, 3-4:30 pm ET

If you’re unable to attend a Journey meeting, you must notify your Staff Lead in advance and attend a community event to make up for it—strongly recommended options include Community Studios, Community Conversations, and Salon Experiences.

Apply to Journeys Explore Community Experiences

The Power of Punchlines Courses

During the Power of Punchlines Journey, participants will take one course each cycle, for a total of two courses.

Intro to Stand-Up Comedy (Fall 2025)
This course is designed to guide aspiring comedians through the art of writing and performing standup comedy. We will explore the various components that make up a successful set, including joke structure, timing, and stage presence. Each week, we will tackle a specific concept, allowing students to develop their material progressively and refine their unique comedic voice. Specific topics range from Finding Your Comedic Voice, Spot-On Observation & Absurdity, the Rule of 3, and more!

Stand-Up Comedy: Building a Stronger, Longer Set (Spring 2026)
This course is designed to build on your foundational stand-up skills by focusing on refining both your material and delivery. We will begin with an in-depth review of last cycle’s material, then dive into developing new bits, seamlessly integrating them into your existing sets. Along the way, we’ll sharpen your performance skills and take a closer look at your material to uncover the purpose and passion that make your comedy uniquely yours.Course material and lesson plans are curated and developed by the teaching artist, Hollie Harper of StandUP Girls!

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The Power of Punchlines Mentoring

Mentees and mentors in The Power of Punchlines Journey will be matched for two cycles. Each pair will meet two times per month and, as a pair, attend all of the community events listed above.

Apply to Journeys Explore Mentorship Opportunities

Journey Teaching Artist

Hollie Harper

Guest/Teaching Artist

Hollie Harper is a South Jersey comedy nerd/writer/actress/content creator. In 2021 she created and co-exec-produced Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV for which she was nominated for best actress at the 2021 NYC Web Fest. She’s a board member of Standup Girls where she teaches standup and sketch comedy and also teaches both for Gold Comedy. She was also a recent semi-finalist in the NBC Standup Competition.

Hollie is a creative consultant for the Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest and The Lake Placid Film Festival and has been featured on NY1, Black Enterprise Magazine, Black SD Magazine, Thrive Global, Confessional Magazine and was profiled on the nationally recognized Motherly podcast.

This past summer she won Best Actress at the Act One, One Act Festival, and her live, sold-out comedy show F.D.K with Emily Flake was selected for this year’s New York Comedy Festival.

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