Spring 2026
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change
In this Journey, mentors and mentees 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, participants 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.
Girls Write Now Collaboratory
This Journey is Closed, but You Can Pre-Enroll in a Spring 2027 Journey Now!
Mentors & Mentees Learn New Things Together
Learning Objectives
Power of Punchlines Community Experiences
Participants are required to attend two Journey Live Meetings each month throughout the cycle. Additionally, you can schedule 1:1 office hours with the Journey Teaching Artist for individual assistance as needed.
Each cycle will conclude with a Stand-Up Comedy Show, where participants can perform their sets for a live audience. There will be one hybrid show per cycle.
Spring Cycle Journey Meetings:
- March 14th & 28th, 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
- April 11th & 25th, 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
- May 9th & 30th, 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Spring Cycle Stand-Up Comedy Show:
- June 6th, 4:30 – 6:00 PM ET
Power of Punchlines Courses
Participants will be enrolled in two courses during the Power of Punchlines Journey, which spans two cycles: Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. The first course, “Intro to Stand-Up Comedy,” will take place in the Fall Cycle. The second course, “Stand-Up Comedy: Building a Stronger, Longer Set,” will follow in the Spring Cycle, building on the content from the first course. It includes an in-depth review of Course 1 fundamentals.
Courses:
- Intro to Stand-Up Comedy (Fall)
This course teaches the fundamentals of joke writing, comedic structure, and crafting punchlines. - Stand-Up Comedy: Building a Stronger, Longer Set (Spring)
This course is designed to build on the foundational skills of stand-up by focusing on refining material and delivery.
Power of Punchlines Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in the Power of Punchlines Journey will be paired for a minimum of two cycles. Each pair will meet for at least two hour-long sessions per month. Mentees will develop a 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
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. Explore the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below to learn more.
The Power of Punchlines is a Journey in the Lead 360 & Performance 360 Adventures.
Explore All Journeys
Explore All Journeys
From Manuscript to Published Book with Gatekeeper Press (Spring 2027)
In this Journey, mentees and mentors will take the next step in their publishing experience by helping transform the creative nonfiction writing developed in the Fall 2026 Everything Is a Story: Nonfiction That Reads Like Fiction Journey into a professionally published anthology through our partnership with Gatekeeper Press.
Everything’s a Story: Nonfiction that Reads like Fiction (Fall 2026)
In this Journey, mentees and mentors will explore the ways in which creative storytelling techniques can be applied to nonfiction writing of all kinds, from memoir and personal essay to op-ed and how-to articles. We will dive into what makes a story—from structural archetypes to writing that flows—and learn how to harness the power of story to make nonfiction compelling and transformative.
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In this Journey, mentors and mentees explore how books are marketed, discovered, and reach bestseller lists in the digital age.
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Fall 2026)
In this Journey, mentors and mentees 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, participants will learn how to write and perform material that blends humor with meaningful social critique.
Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion (Fall 2026)
In this Journey, you—mentor and mentee—will build essential skills in public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking. Through hands-on activities and lively discussion, you'll learn to craft persuasive speeches, construct well-reasoned arguments, and present your ideas with confidence. You'll explore what makes communication land, sharpen your thinking under pressure, and practice responding to perspectives unlike your own in a structured setting. By the end, you'll be able to make your case clearly, engage in dialogue that goes somewhere, and carry these skills into academic, professional, and civic life.
Independent Study (Fall 2026)
Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Mentors and mentees meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to help plan creative projects and meet your goals.
Lead Community Change (Fall 2026)
Lead Community Change is a dynamic two-cycle Journey that harnesses the transformative power of storytelling to drive social impact. Aspiring young leaders and activists will unleash their creativity to develop and implement innovative community-based social activism projects, supported by Girls Write Now’s rich storytelling resources.
Dark Tales: A Horror Book Club (Fall 2026)
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