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  • The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Spring-Summer 2025)

Spring – Summer 2025

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.

Girls Write Now Collaboratory

This Journey Is Closed, but You Can Enroll in a Summer 2026 Journey Now!

Enroll This Summer

Learning Objectives

Critique and Workshop Comedic Works

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

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.

Develop Comedy Writing and Performance Skills

Practice writing and performing stand-up with a focus on social impact.

Understand the Role of Comedy in Social Change

Explore how humor and comedy have been historically used to critique societal issues and drive social movements. Identify current social issues (e.g., inequality, justice, climate change) and learn how to frame them in comedic narratives that engage and inform audiences.

Learn to Write Six Different Types of Jokes for Standup

We'll demystify different styles of joke writing such as absurdity, understatement, the rule of three, the double down, misplaced sincerity, and observational joke writing.

Balance Humor and Sensitivity

Learn how to use humor responsibly, balancing humor with sensitivity, to avoid reinforcing stereotypes or causing harm while delivering a meaningful message.

Explore Diverse Voices in Stand Up Comedy & Find Your Comedic Voice

Study diverse comedians from various backgrounds who use humor to address social issues, expanding perspectives on comedy's role in activism. Work on identifying your unique comedic voice and perspective, especially as it relates to social issues you’re passionate about.

The Power of Punchlines Courses

Participants will be enrolled in two courses during the Power of Punchlines Journey, which spans two cycles: Spring 2025 and Summer 2025. The first course, Intro to Stand-Up Comedy, will take place in the Spring Cycle. The second course, Stand-Up Comedy: Cookin’ & Poppin’, will follow in the Summer Cycle, building on the content from the first course.

  • Intro to Stand-Up Comedy (Spring)
    This course teaches the fundamentals of joke writing, comedic structure, and crafting punchlines.

  • Stand-Up Comedy: Cookin’ & Poppin’ (Summer)
    This course is designed to build on the foundational skills of stand-up by focusing on refining material and delivery.

Apply to Journey Explore Courses
Writing

The 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 community-based social activism projects, while mentors will provide support and guidance throughout the process. This journey is open to both mentor/mentee pairs and peer-to-peer pairs.

Apply Here Explore Mentorship Opportunities

The Power of Punchlines Community Experiences

Participants will attend two Journey Live Meetings each month as part of the course for that cycle. Additionally, you can schedule 1:1 office hours with the Journey Instructor for individual assistance as needed.

Each cycle will conclude with Stand-Up Comedy Shows, where participants can perform their sets for a live audience. There will be one in-person show and one virtual show per cycle.

  • Spring Cycle Journey Meetings:
    March 8th & 22nd
    April 5th & 26th
    May 10th & 31st

  • Spring Cycle Stand-Up Comedy Shows
    June 7th and 8th

  • Summer Cycle Journey Meetings:
    July 12th & 26th
    August 9th & 23rd
    September 6th & 20th

  • Summer Cycle Stand-Up Comedy Shows
    September 27th & 28th

Apply to Journey Explore Community Experiences
Journey Circle: Community

Lead 360 Adventure

The Power of Punchlines Journey is a part of the Lead 360 Adventure.

All journeys within this 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.

See All Adventures

Find Your Journey

Find Your Journey

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