Home›Comedy & stand up courses›Stand up comedy›Stand Up Comedy Summer School Stand Up Comedy Summer School BOOK NOW DETAILS BOOKING & TIMETABLE VENUES TUTORS Step into the spotlight and discover the thrill of stand-up comedy in our 5-Day Stand Up Comedy Summer School. Whether you’ve never set foot on stage or have a little performance experience, this immersive week will guide you through the art of making people laugh, from writing your very first jokes to delivering them with confidence at your end-of-week showcase in a central London venue.Led by a working professional comic with experience on the live circuit, you’ll learn how to turn your unique point of view into punchlines, work a room like a pro, and build a set that’s truly yours. Along the way, you’ll gain valuable insights into the comedy industry, develop resilience on stage, and sharpen your wit through hands-on exercises and improvisation. WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS COURSE Spend five focused days turning ideas into original comedy, building your confidence and discovering the thrill of performing your own stand-up material. Build confidence performing comedy in a supportive intensive setting Discover and develop your own comic voice Learn how to turn ideas, stories and observations into stand-up material Strengthen your creativity, communication and stage presence Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone Gain practical tools for writing and performing comedy Work with an experienced professional comedy tutor Experience the excitement of sharing your material in a showcase Comic Voice Explore your own perspective, personality and sense of humour to begin shaping material that feels original to you. Joke Writing Learn how to develop ideas into jokes, using structure, setup and punchline to create stronger comic impact. Storytelling Turn personal stories, observations and everyday moments into engaging comedy material. Material Development Generate, test and refine original material across the week, building towards a complete stand-up set. Performance Technique Develop timing, delivery, pace and stage presence so your material lands with greater confidence. Confidence on Stage Practise performing in front of the group, helping you manage nerves and feel more comfortable in the spotlight. Tutor Feedback Receive constructive feedback from an experienced comedy tutor to help sharpen your writing and performance. Final Showcase Bring your work together in a showcase, performing the material you have developed during the week. Classes Starting Soon Date Day Time (BST) Duration Tutor Venue Price Booking 12 Oct 2026 - 16 Oct 2026 Mon 10:00-16:30 5 days (Monday - Friday) Kate Smurthwaite City Academy, Farringdon £505.75 15% OFF Book Now 12 Oct 12 Oct 2026 - 16 Oct 2026 £505.75 Day:Mon Time:10:00-16:30 Duration:5 days (Monday - Friday) Tutor: Kate Smurthwaite Venue: City Academy, Farringdon Offer:15% OFF BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE View All Classes × Select your Entry Level: -Select- Leader Follower Book Now Close Stand Up Comedy Summer School Example Schedule Over the 5 days on this course you will cover a variety of workshops including: Day One - The Building Blocks of Comedy Kick off the week by diving into the fundamentals of stand-up. You’ll explore different joke-writing techniques — from classic setups and punchlines to clever one-liners and observational humour. We’ll experiment with both structured approaches and free-form writing to spark creativity. You’ll begin crafting your first batch of original material and share it in a supportive environment, getting immediate feedback to shape your set. By the end of the day, you’ll have the foundations of your unique comedic voice. Day Two - Storytelling and Structure Great comedy often comes from great stories. Today, you’ll learn how to take personal anecdotes, true stories, and even everyday experiences and turn them into extended routines that keep an audience hooked from start to finish. You’ll work on pacing, timing, and building to strong punchlines, as well as finding the right emotional beats. We’ll also explore call-backs and running jokes to give your set cohesion and impact. Day Three - Characters and Improvisation This is where you start adding extra flavour to your act. You’ll explore the art of character comedy, building distinctive personas and experimenting with their quirks, rhythms, and viewpoints. We’ll also focus heavily on improvisation, giving you the skills to stay in the moment and respond to unexpected situations, whether that’s a surprise audience reaction or a topical reference that pops into your head mid-performance. These skills will make your act more dynamic, spontaneous, and memorable. Day Four - Comedy Styles and Performance Skills Today is about variety and versatility. You’ll try your hand at different comedic styles, from sharp political satire to musical comedy, surreal humour, and “set pieces” that give your performance a unique twist. We’ll work on stagecraft - voice projection, microphone technique, body language, and commanding the space. You’ll also begin your final showcase preparations, running through your material and tightening every beat for maximum impact. Day Five - The Showcase and Beyond The final day is all about rehearsal, refinement, and performance. You’ll fine-tune your set with one-on-one feedback before stepping into the spotlight for your evening showcase at a central London venue in front of friends, family, and comedy lovers. After the show, we’ll discuss practical steps for continuing your comedy journey, from finding open mics and booking gigs to networking, building an online presence, and navigating the UK comedy circuit. Showcase Performance Invite your family and friends for a comedy night full of laughter. On the last day of this course you and your fellow students will perform your material for all to see! Do I need any stand-up experience? 1 Do I need any stand-up experience? No. This course is suitable for beginners and those with some performance experience who want to develop their comedy skills. 2 Will I get to perform? Yes! The course culminates in a showcase performance at a central London venue in front of an invited audience. 3 What if I’m nervous? Nerves are natural! The course is designed to be supportive, helping you build confidence step by step through exercises and rehearsal. 4 Will I get feedback on my material? Absolutely. You’ll receive constructive, personalised feedback throughout the course to help strengthen your set. 5 What should I bring? A notebook, pen or pencil, and water. And of course, a willingness to try, play, and laugh. Want to learn more? Five days is just the beginning. Keep your momentum going with our stand-up comedy, comedy writing and improvisation courses, where you'll continue developing new material, refine your performance style and grow your confidence on stage. Stand Up Comedy – Improvers with Public Gig Acting Foundation Course – 5 Days Improvisation Classes Browse Courses You can filter Courses by month and tutor Month All Months Tutor All Tutors Kate Smurthwaite Date Day Time (BST) Duration Tutor Venue Price Booking 12 Oct 2026 - 16 Oct 2026 Mon 10:00-16:30 5 days (Monday - Friday) Kate Smurthwaite City Academy, Farringdon £505.75 15% OFF Book Now 12 Oct 12 Oct 2026 - 16 Oct 2026 £505.75 Day:Mon Time:10:00-16:30 Duration:5 days (Monday - Friday) Tutor: Kate Smurthwaite Venue: City Academy, Farringdon Offer:15% OFF BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE × Select your Entry Level: -Select- Leader Follower Book Now Close ADD ME TO THE WAITING LIST If you'd like to be added to the waiting list for 'Stand Up Comedy Summer School' fill in the form below and we will contact you if a space becomes available. First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone Number * PAYMENT OPTIONS You are welcome to join the course up to the second class. ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course. Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833. CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG. If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more places on the same course. INDUSTRY TUTORS City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance. CANCELLATIONS POLICY We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking. We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend. (For more information please see our terms and conditions) City Academy, Farringdon Closest Station: Farringdon Closest Bus Stop: Hatton Garden View Details Get Directions All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you, they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class. Kate Smurthwaite View Profile
