From Jan 2022 – March 2022 & Jan 2023 – March we ran a 10-week comedy workshop programme taking place in Hangleton with local young people aged 11-15 and in partnership with Hangleton & Knoll Youth Project.
Jan – Mar 2022
Across the weeks we had a range of comedians and writers who came in including Sarah Davies (Clowing), Suhayla El-Bushra (writer), Laura Lexx (Stand-up comedy), Michael Akadiri (Stand-up comedy), Robin Hatcher (Improvisation) who delivered workshops that were interactive, ensured everyone got involved, encouraging and fun. The workshop programme was led and delivered by Tom Veryzer.
Jan – Mar 2023
Across the weeks we had a range of comedians and writers who came in including Sarah Davies (Clowing), Callum Donnelly (Slapstick), Victoria Melody (Performance / Writing / Stand-up comedy) and Michael Akadiri (Stand-up comedy) who delivered workshops that were interactive, ensured everyone got involved, encouraging and fun. The workshop programme was led and delivered by Tom Veryzer.
Activities included:
Alongside learning skills in stand up comedy, the young people involved in the project took part in a range of activities that helped them to understand the power of oneself, they worked in groups to write their own stand-up or sketches and the whole project helped young people to come together, socialise, build confidence and feel less isolated.
One young person said ‘The Comedy Workshops helped me to develop my creativity. It was fun to explore lots of different ways to be funny. I made new friends with people from older years.’
One parent said ‘This was an amazing experience for my daughter, she enjoyed every session and always left smiling. Her confidence grew and grew. The only thing she was upset about was that it came to an end! Amazing team and a lovely group of kids! I feel that she was privileged to be part of this and would love to see another one.’
The workshops culminated in the young people taking part either performing their stand-up, working as a group improvising or helping with front of house, lighting, sound in a showcase at Komedia.
Comedian Michael Akadiri said: “I was fortunate enough to lead one of the workshop sessions as well as MC the showcase finale so I can say first hand what a fantastic initiative it is. Giving these young people the chance to explore their creative side, assisting their development of public speaking and above all providing the platform to showcase their humour. We have to invest in our youth, our future, and I hope these workshops can continue to help our young people flourish in the years to come.”
We are planning to continue our Comedy Workshop programme for young people so please watch this space for more info coming soon….
