Fall 2026
The Power of Punchlines:
Stand-Up Comedy for Change
In this Journey, mentees and mentors 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, mentees and mentors will 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. Mentees and mentors will develop creative voice, confidence, advocacy abilities, storytelling, and performance skills while using comedy to engage with real-world issues and connect with audiences in meaningful ways.
Ready to Apply? Applications Open July 15
Learn more below or get started now. If you do not already have a Girls Write Now Portal account, you will be asked to create one in order to apply.
Pre-Enroll Now
Ready to Apply? Applications Open July 15
Learn more below or get started now. If you do not already have a Girls Write Now Portal account, you will be asked to create one in order to apply.
- JOURNEY REQUIREMENTS
- Cycle(s) 1 Cycle (3 months, Nov 1 – Jan 31)
- Time Commitment a minimum of 4 hours per month
- Journey Meetings Attend all Journey Meetings & Live Showcase (see dates below).
- Mentoring Have at least 2 Pair Sessions per month
- Journey Project Write your own 5min stand-up set
Learning Objectives
The Power of Punchlines Community Experiences
Participants will attend two Journey Live Meetings each month. Additionally, you can schedule 1:1 office hours with the Journey Instructor for individual assistance as needed.
The cycle will conclude with a hybrid Stand-Up Comedy Show, where participants can perform their sets for a live audience.
Fall Cycle Journey Meetings:
- November 7th & 21st, 1-2:30 PM ET
- December 5th & 19th, 1-2:30 PM ET
- January 9th & 23rd, 1-2:30 PM ET
Fall Cycle Stand-Up Comedy Show:
- Saturday, January 30th at 3-4:30pm ET
The Power of Punchlines Courses
Intro to Stand-Up Comedy
This course is designed to guide aspiring comedians through the art of writing and performing stand-up 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 participants to develop their material progressively and refine their unique comedic voice.
The Power of Punchlines Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in the Power of Punchlines Journey will be matched for one cycle. Each pair will meet for at least two hour-long sessions per month. Mentees will develop a 5-minute stand-up comedy set, while mentors will provide support and guidance throughout the process. This journey is open to both mentor/mentee pairs and peer-to-peer pairs.
Journey Teaching Artist
Performance 360 & Lead 360
All Journeys within the Lead 360 Adventure emphasize leadership, aiming to help mentees and mentors develop their leadership skills and work together to create a better future. Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.
The Power of Punchlines is a Journey in the Performance 360 and Lead 360 Adventures.
Explore All Journeys
Explore All Journeys
Book Club: Summer Read (Summer 2025)
Book lovers, unite! Each cycle, we’ll close read three new books and discuss them at monthly fixed meetings. When you apply, you can recommend a book that might be chosen for the journey! We’ll focus, in particular, on reading as writers and taking note of the ways each author crafts their story.
College & MFA Preparation (Summer 2025)
Preparing an application for college or graduate school can be a daunting experience. Join us for a Journey that unpacks everything you need to know about finding college and graduate school programs, applying to school, preparing personal essays, and getting the most out of your college or graduate school experience.
Teleplays: Writing for TV (Summer 2025)
The Teleplays: Writing for TV Journey is designed to help develop the skills and understanding needed to work as a writer in today’s TV industry. This Journey provides insight into the work of a scriptwriter – a deep understanding of TV storytelling and professional scripts, drama vs comedy scripts, professional working practices, and employment strategies. Specific topics range from story structure and formatting scripts to actually seeing a script to fruition.
Teach GWN (Summer 2025)
In this journey, members of the GWN community will develop curriculum and facilitate a community studio for one or more cycles within GWN’s Collaboratory structure. Each cycle involves facilitating three community studios, one per month. Participants will gain valuable skills in leadership, teaching, and community building. Mentees and mentors can facilitate a community studio either solo (if they are 18 or older) or together as a pair.
On-Demand Mentoring Sessions
On-Demand Mentoring sessions are available for young writers who would like support or advice on a specific topic. These sessions are offered for Career Development, College Preparation, Creative Writing, or Wellness.
Independent Study (Summer 2025)
Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to help you plan creative projects and meet your goals.
Community Togetherness (Summer 2025)
Come together in this wellness-focused Journey based in collaborative writing prompts and support for one another.
Explore Tour (Summer 2025)
Explore all of the topics that Girls Write Now has to offer with mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-on-one pair sessions. Discover new skills and build on existing ones with courses and experiences that touch on a range of topics from horror writing to journalism to publishing and much more!
Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion (Summer 2025)
Our words can change minds and the world. Discover what you can do with yours… Mentees will learn how to persuade audiences on issues that matter to them. By the end of the journey, they will not only gain confidence in self-expression and analytical thinking but also develop and deliver a final speech that showcases their growth in civil discourse and persuasive communication.
Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word (Summer 2025)
Mic check! Enhance the power of your words by speaking or singing them aloud. In this journey, we’ll examine a variety of ways to share creative work using our voices and audio techniques with open mic events, podcasts, and songwriting.
