Stand-Up Bootcamp with Luke Messina
In its now-fourth iteration, professional educator and comedian is bringing his high-demand stand-up bootcamp back to the Comedy Schoolhouse. In addition to incorporating students’ feedback, Luke has added an extra session so it is now eight weeks instead of seven.
Classes take place on Thursdays starting on Jan. 16, 2025, from 19:30-21:30 at Ynspire Studios (Av. del Marquès de l’Argentera, 19, Ent 1, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona). The final class show will be on March 8 at 18:30 at the Comedy Clubhouse.
Full Price: €230 for 8 weeks + Show
Early Bird (Sign up before Jan. 1, 2025): €210 for 8 weeks + Show
Luke Messina is an improviser and stand-up comedian from Massachusetts (USA). Luke has trained at Second City, Annoyance Theatre, and Improv Olympic in Chicago, performed comedy all over the world, with shows at the Fringe (Edinburgh and Brighton), Kung-Fu Comedy (Shanghai), Cosmic Comedy (Berlin), Village Underground (New York) and Cruilla Comedy XXS (Barcelona). Currently, Luke runs an improvised drinking and debate show called Drink Drank Drunk (via FB), a Hot Sauce show Hot Juans, a hip hop and poetry night Bardhouse, and the weekly mic at the Clubhouse Funky Chunky.
Stand-Up Bootcamp Syllabus Winter ‘25: 8 Weeks and Class Show
Classes 1-3: 16/1 + 23/1 + 30/1 (Developing Your Comedic Voice)
In the first three classes we will analyze classic and contemporary styles in comedy and comedic
archetypes as we begin to craft our own stage personas and identify our comedic voice. For writing, we
will focus on storytelling in the form of short personal narratives, finding the humor within these stories,
and revising them in order to highlight the strongest bits.
Classes 4-5: 6/2 + 13/2 (Jokes Writing and Stage Presence)
For weeks 4-5, we will explore different types of joke structures. During this time, we will generate the
majority of the material for our sets, complete with teacher feedback and peer-to-peer revisions. Lastly,
we will utilize physical and vocal exercises to better connect to the audience when onstage integrating
mic techniques, movement vs. stillness, and voice modulation in ‘act-outs’. During this time, students will
try some of their material at an open mic and receive teacher feedback.
Classes 6-8: 20/2 + 27/2 + 6/3 (Honing our Sets, Crowd-work & Hecklers, and Final Show Prep)
Our goal here is to polish our sets by editing out unnecessary info in our setups and punchlines and
letting go of jokes that aren’t connecting. After making some changes, we will create a setlist, placing our
bits in a specific order to create cohesion and get the biggest laughs. Lastly, we will briefly address the
unexpected onstage through ways to deal with hecklers and a bit of crowd work techniques.
Assessment and Evaluation:
● Participation in class discussions and activities
● Completion of writing assignments and comedic exercises
● Progress in developing and refining a stand-up comedy set
● Performance in the final showcase
Required Materials:
● Writing materials (notebooks, pens, etc.)
● Access to a recording device (smartphone, camera, etc.)
● Open mind and a sense of humor
Prerequisites:
No prior experience in stand-up comedy is required. Enthusiasm, creativity, and a willingness to learn are
essential.
Note:
This syllabus is a general guide, and adjustments may be made based on the specific needs and
progress of the class. Students are encouraged to actively participate, support one another, and embrace
the journey of finding their comedic voice.
Select your ticket quantity and click “GET TICKETS” to secure your spot:
In its now-fourth iteration, professional educator and comedian is bringing his high-demand stand-up bootcamp back to the Comedy Schoolhouse. In addition to incorporating students’ feedback, Luke has added an extra session so it is now eight weeks instead of seven.
Classes take place on Thursdays starting on Jan. 16, 2025, from 19:30-21:30 at Ynspire Studios (Av. del Marquès de l’Argentera, 19, Ent 1, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona). The final class show will be on March 8 at 18:30 at the Comedy Clubhouse.
Full Price: €230 for 8 weeks + Show
Early Bird (Sign up before Jan. 1, 2025): €210 for 8 weeks + Show
Luke Messina is an improviser and stand-up comedian from Massachusetts (USA). Luke has trained at Second City, Annoyance Theatre, and Improv Olympic in Chicago, performed comedy all over the world, with shows at the Fringe (Edinburgh and Brighton), Kung-Fu Comedy (Shanghai), Cosmic Comedy (Berlin), Village Underground (New York) and Cruilla Comedy XXS (Barcelona). Currently, Luke runs an improvised drinking and debate show called Drink Drank Drunk (via FB), a Hot Sauce show Hot Juans, a hip hop and poetry night Bardhouse, and the weekly mic at the Clubhouse Funky Chunky.
Stand-Up Bootcamp Syllabus Winter ‘25: 8 Weeks and Class Show
Classes 1-3: 16/1 + 23/1 + 30/1 (Developing Your Comedic Voice)
In the first three classes we will analyze classic and contemporary styles in comedy and comedic
archetypes as we begin to craft our own stage personas and identify our comedic voice. For writing, we
will focus on storytelling in the form of short personal narratives, finding the humor within these stories,
and revising them in order to highlight the strongest bits.
Classes 4-5: 6/2 + 13/2 (Jokes Writing and Stage Presence)
For weeks 4-5, we will explore different types of joke structures. During this time, we will generate the
majority of the material for our sets, complete with teacher feedback and peer-to-peer revisions. Lastly,
we will utilize physical and vocal exercises to better connect to the audience when onstage integrating
mic techniques, movement vs. stillness, and voice modulation in ‘act-outs’. During this time, students will
try some of their material at an open mic and receive teacher feedback.
Classes 6-8: 20/2 + 27/2 + 6/3 (Honing our Sets, Crowd-work & Hecklers, and Final Show Prep)
Our goal here is to polish our sets by editing out unnecessary info in our setups and punchlines and
letting go of jokes that aren’t connecting. After making some changes, we will create a setlist, placing our
bits in a specific order to create cohesion and get the biggest laughs. Lastly, we will briefly address the
unexpected onstage through ways to deal with hecklers and a bit of crowd work techniques.
Assessment and Evaluation:
● Participation in class discussions and activities
● Completion of writing assignments and comedic exercises
● Progress in developing and refining a stand-up comedy set
● Performance in the final showcase
Required Materials:
● Writing materials (notebooks, pens, etc.)
● Access to a recording device (smartphone, camera, etc.)
● Open mind and a sense of humor
Prerequisites:
No prior experience in stand-up comedy is required. Enthusiasm, creativity, and a willingness to learn are
essential.
Note:
This syllabus is a general guide, and adjustments may be made based on the specific needs and
progress of the class. Students are encouraged to actively participate, support one another, and embrace
the journey of finding their comedic voice.