How to use comedy as a coping mechanism and a diplomacy tool, and how to harness your creativity to build confidence

This workshop aims to address various issues that ignite self-doubt in its participants, with a focus on resilience, reflection and moving forward by utilising effective forms of expression through comedy. Comedy is a valuable medium to help break down any barriers participants have. In this way, humour can be used to relate, express and cope with complex situations. If pain is the basis of the shared human experience, then comedy, which is, seemingly, the antithesis, is best borne from those experiences and as the foundations for effective diplomacy and communication.

Opening with a speech that delicately balances humour and motivation, individuals are strongly encouraged to participate. After speaking through various different ‘joke types’ and how comedy is merely the reframing of observations of life and an invitation to deliver ‘individual perspective’ types of stories, participants will be invited to either create a group and deliver some stand-up comedy, or tasked with doing this on an individual basis. This is dependent on group size and the participation levels of the group.

Upon presenting to their classmates, participants are invited to consider if they’d like to pursue further opportunities to perform. Depending on dates and numbers, this will be facilitated by your host and further mentorship can be offered at this time.