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
Perspectives on Public Policy (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)
The Perspectives on Public Policy Journey offers a comprehensive overview of public policy and its role in addressing societal challenges with a focus on inequalities, public policy frameworks, design, analysis, and justification.
Investigative Podcasts (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)
In this journey, you’ll collaborate as a production team to produce a podcast series about the Cop City project that includes research, pitching episodes, outlining episodes, hosting the podcast, and editing. We’ll try to understand why these cop cities are popping up, why people are resisting their construction, and different ideas around what makes a community “safe.” Great for mentees who are interested in social justice, journalism, and podcasting.
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Spring-Summer 2025)
In this 2-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. Through workshops and performance coaching, you’ll develop your own comedic voice. Discover how satire and personal storytelling can raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and challenge the status quo— all while keeping your audience laughing. By the end of the journey, you'll have developed a 5 -10-minute stand-up routine that not only entertains but sparks meaningful conversations about the world around us. 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.
Careers for Creatives: Unexpected Opportunities (Spring 2025)
The Careers for Creatives: Unexpected Opportunities Journey is perfect for mentees and mentors who are looking to turn their passion for storytelling, content creation, or journalism into a career. Through a dynamic online course, mentoring sessions, and live networking events, you will explore various career paths available to writers today, learn practical skills to help you succeed, and discover how to build a sustainable career that aligns with your interests and strengths. Discover career paths in finance, technology, corporate communications, publishing and more!
Read: Memoir (Spring 2025)
Each cycle, we’ll close read a new book and discuss it at monthly fixed meetings. We’ll focus, in particular, on reading as writers and taking note of the ways each author crafts their story. This cycle, we'll be reading How to Say Babylon: A Memoir by Safiya Sinclair.
