Five-week Standup Comedy Workshop x Natasha Vaynblat
Introduction to Standup Comedy
With Natasha Vaynblat (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, A Little Late with Lilly Singh, Comedy Central)
The Art of the Truth
Stand-up comedy is a storied tradition of using the stage as a mirror for society. From the vaudeville acts of the early 20th century to the "observational revolution" of the 1970s, stand-up has evolved from simple "setup-punchline" gags into a powerful medium for storytelling and social commentary. It is an art form rooted in the linguistic and performative structures used to express unique, personal perspectives.
To understand the craft, we look at masters of the form:
● Sheng Wang often uses a "low-energy" delivery to heighten the absurdity of mundane life, like the quiet struggle of buying a new mattress.
● Ali Wong utilizes bold, character-based perspective to tackle the realities of modern motherhood.
● Ronny Chieng leverages a high-status, fast-paced persona to critique cultural logic with sharp, topical precision.
Your Unique Perspective is Your Greatest Asset
What makes a joke actually work? Whether you are looking to nail a five-minute set or simply want to leverage your wit for professional success, this course is designed to turn your personal observations into comedic gold. This isn't just a writing class—it’s a toolkit for self-expression, verbal agility, and confidence.
What You’ll Learn
In this supportive, high-energy environment, we bridge the gap between "having a funny idea" and "delivering a polished performance". Through structured exercises and the analysis of modern comedy greats, you will master:
● The Fundamentals: Identify and employ comedic devices like repetition, incongruity, and character-based perspective.
● The Formulas: Learn the "Four Classic Joke Formulas" and the "Hamburger Method" to structure your ideas effectively.
● Verbal Agility: Learn to eliminate jargon, structure complex ideas into compelling narratives, and get straight to the point.
● Social & Self-Awareness: Develop the poise, body language, and vocal delivery to captivate any audience, from a comedy club to a corporate boardroom.
Course Structure
Each session is a hybrid of theory and practice. We begin with a deep dive into assigned viewings and skills, followed by an “open mic” workshop. As the course progresses, we shift our focus to performance, helping you recover from lackluster responses and turn moments of discomfort into opportunities for connection.
The Outcome
By the end of the course, you will have written and practiced an original standup set up to five minutes in length. You’ll leave not just with a set, but with the "ultimate professional hack": the ability to use humor to earn trust, establish control, and stand out in any field.
Schedule
● Day 1: Introduction to Standup Comedy In the opening session, we begin with a foundational introduction to stand-up, defining it as an individual and subjective art form. Students will explore various styles while setting the goal of identifying their own unique perspective. The lesson covers essential technical terms like the Set, the Callback, and Riffing. A significant portion of the day is dedicated to the anatomy of a joke: the relationship between the Set-up and the Punchline. Finally, we discuss the ethics of "Punching Up," learning how to navigate social status by focusing on privilege rather than the marginalized.
● Day 2: The Four Classic Joke Formulas This lesson focuses on the architecture of humor. Students will learn to master Misdirection, where the comedian subverts an expectation with a surprising "turn". The session also covers Reversal (finding hidden benefits in negative traits), Exaggeration (pushing a premise to its logical extreme), and Unlikely Combinations. We will also practice the One, Two, and Turn structure, a rhythmic device used to establish a pattern before breaking it for comedic effect.
● Day 3: Headline Jokes and Topical Comedy The focus shifts to the art of Writing Headline Jokes. Students will learn how to identify the Angle—the specific direction or unique perspective used to explore a news story. By examining real-world examples, you will practice isolating fertile ground for humor and applying joke formulas to create timely punchlines.
● Day 4: Extending The Joke – Act Outs & Mind Mapping Students will explore the kinetic world of Comedic Act-Outs, focusing on how to physically and vocally inhabit characters. Drawing inspiration from the surreal work of Chris Fleming, we study how to use body language to breathe life into internal monologues. We will also analyze the vocal characterizations of Maria Bamford, learning how to pivot between distinct voices.
You will learn the "Show, Don't Tell" principle, practicing the transition from a narrative set-up into a fully committed performance.
● Day 5: Structuring Your Final Standup Set In the final stage, we move from individual jokes to a cohesive five-minute performance. By analyzing the Tonight Show sets of Sabrina Wu and Michael Rowland, we’ll see how pros curate material for maximum impact. We cover the strategic placement of your Opener, the Meat of the set to build momentum, and the Closer for a lasting impression. Students will use the "Set-List" method to ensure every beat serves their unique comedic voice.
About the Instructor
Natasha Vaynblat’s comedy is “silly and searingly smart” (Paste Magazine). She is a seasoned comedian whose career spans from the legendary stages of the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) to the writers' room of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. After beginning her professional life as a public school teacher, she spent nearly a decade honing her craft at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in NYC, where she performed on elite house teams and taught comedy classes. Her work is defined by an analytical approach to the "game" of comedy, a skill developed through years of rigorous instruction and performance.
At Comedy Central, Natasha served as a creator, writer, actor, and creative consultant. She is the creative force behind the popular digital series Your Worst Fears Confirmed, a show born from her ability to transform personal neuroses into relatable humor. Her comedic portfolio is extensive, ranging from her one-woman showcase UCB: United Federation of Teachers to Childless Freak, a show exploring maternal ambivalence. Natasha’s work frequently pushes the boundaries of traditional stand-up, morphing into performance art through projects like NatashaWearsClothes, a pop-up gallery show that fuses character monologues with high-concept photography.