SAT 1 OCT: Compering and Improv for Stand-up Workshop
Whether you’re an open mic comic wanting to learn the basics of compering or a more seasoned pro keen to
extend your skill set, join accomplished compere Ben Van der Velde for this
four hour workshop focusing on the skills of hosting and crowd work.
In this workshop we'll cover:
* How to unlock your creativity and natural improvisational skills
* Persona and status
* How to get at least 5 laughs from each audience member
* Asking better questions to mine better information and create better riffs
* Endowing audience members to create fantasy worlds to play with
* Performing one man scenes
* How to create a story of the night by weaving together different audience interaction
We'll also look at useful shortcuts for effective crowdwork, how to deal with hecklers and
how to host non-comedy events. All abilities/levels of experience welcome.
"Ben's experience and engaging style of teaching genuinely helped me to understand what it is to actually be a compere. Took to the stage the next day and already felt better at talking to the audience. And he's rather funny.”
Joe Hobbs, Amused Moose Breakthrough Award Winner, 2018
"I found Ben's workshop to be really useful as there is a lot of practical work during the sessions and lots of useful feedback. It's not only useful for developing your MC skills, but also your regular act as well.”
Kathryn Mather, Beat the Frog World Series Champion 2017