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.
Spring 2026 Enrollment is Closed; Summer 2026 Pre-Enrollment Is Open!
Express your interest in a Journey by filling out the form below.
You may also sign up for Mentorship on Demand at any time.
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
Teach GWN (Fall 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.
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Fall 2025-Spring 2026)
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.
The Lead Incubator (Fall 2025-Spring 2025)
The Lead Incubator is a crucial extension of the Lead Community Change Journey, offering Mentees the space, resources, and support needed to implement their project plans and drive meaningful change in their communities. It acts as a dynamic platform where they can turn their ideas into action. Mentees participating in the Lead Incubator focus on advancing their community-based social activism projects with the support of their mentors and Girls Write Now’s resources.
Explore Tour (Fall 2025)
Explore the creative and storytelling pathways Girls Write Now offers through a multimedia, multi-genre experience with mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-on-one pair sessions. Build new skills and deepen existing ones across fiction, journalism, publishing, and formats like video, podcasting, and visual storytelling. Ideal for mentees working across media or focused on specific projects, this Journey offers the flexibility to tailor your learning experience to your goals.
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Summer 2026)
In this 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.
Explore Tour (Summer 2026)
Explore all of the creative and storytelling pathways Girls Write Now has to offer through a multimedia, multi-genre experience that includes mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-on-one pair sessions. Discover new skills and build on existing ones with offerings that range from fiction to journalism to publishing, and dive into formats like video, podcasting, visual storytelling, and more. Ideal for mentees who enjoy working across multiple genres and media or are focused on specific projects, this Journey offers the flexibility to tailor your learning experience to your individual needs.
Life Lines: Crafting Memoir and Nonfiction (Summer 2026)
This Journey invites you to explore personal truth through nonfiction and memoir writing. You’ll learn to shape real experiences into compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Through reflection, drafting, and feedback, you’ll develop your authentic voice and storytelling skills to share your unique story with confidence.
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Explore the art of storytelling through video by learning how to craft compelling narratives using visuals, sound, and editing techniques. This Journey offers hands-on experience with video production from concept to final cut, empowering you to share your unique stories on screen. Gain skills in filming, scripting, and post-production while expressing your creative vision through multimedia.
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Writing for TV: From Script to Screen (Summer 2026)
The 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.
