Aim
To coach pupils via a 6 week stand up comedy programme, culminating in a live performance. This course was funded as part of Sefton Comedy Week.
Objectives
* By engaging the young people in stand up comedy techniques to boost their confidence and self-esteem, communication and presentation skills.
* By using stand up comedy as a vehicle to improve the young people’s speaking and listening skills.
* Encourage creativity amongst the group through the generation of comic material and delivery.
Workshops
Each week the group of 15 students worked with stand up comedian Sam Avery and creative practitioner Elaine Owen at their school. The sessions began with demonstrations of different comic styles and gave the young people a platform to start generating their own ideas for material. Tutors were there to guide the students towards creating as many unique comic viewpoints as possible to aid this process.
The young people were given coaching on stagecraft, delivery methods and microphone technique to assist them with the performance. Improvisation games were played to keep the workshops moving in a fun and constructive direction.
Outcomes
The young people all performed between 3-5 minutes in a final showpiece event at their school, compered by one of the tutors. Teachers, friends and family were invited along to make up the audience and gave the performers plenty of support on the night. Several of the young people expressed a strong desire to continue performing stand up and wished to come along to the monthly Stand Out Club in Liverpool City Centre.
Feedback
“There is no question that the project has aided students’ personal development, each and everyone has risen to the challenge, supported by the 2 tutors. Pupils have enjoyed the experience and have come on leaps and bounds during the 6 weeks.” Jamie Lynn, Head of English, Maricourt Catholic High School.
“The games at the start really helped my confidence and everyone was so encouraging.” Pupil, Maricourt Catholic High School.
“I wanted to do this to give me a confidence boost and now I’m not afraid to stand up in big crowds and speak.” Pupil, Maricourt Catholic High School.
Links
Maricourt Official Site: http://www.maricourt.net/system/index.asp
BBC link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/03/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/343_4621.stm
Funders: http://www.sefton.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=6634/default.aspx
