Intro to Comedy Writing and Performance

Have you dabbled in comedy and want to learn some professional techniques? Would you like to add a little humor to your public speaking? Do you wish you could be as funny with strangers as you are with your friends?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, Kenneth McLaurin wants to help. His seven-week course, “Intro to Comedy Writing and Performance,” is a fun, supportive way to learn the basics of comedy writing and stage performance for stand-up and sketch comedy. No experience is required.

The course, which meets in person at 615 Willow St. in Ithaca, runs on Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. from January 23 to March 13. (There is no class on February 13.) A showcase event will be held on April 1. The cost is $240. An early bird discount of $40 goes to the first two to register. Buy tickets here.

Kenneth McLaurin is a stand-up comedian, storyteller, screenwriter, actor, poet, and producing and performing artist. A North Carolina native who now lives in Ithaca, created the So You Think You’re Anti-Racist Competition, the All Black Everything Arts Festival, and Ithaca is Black People Too, a virtual community show that showcases Ithaca’s rich Black history and culture.

He has also written plays for the Kitchen Theatre’s One-Minute Play Festival and participated in the Spring Writes Literary Festival organized by the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County. Kenneth organizes the Comedy on the Commons series and regularly performs with his wife, Elbonee “SingTrece” McLaurin, as Singing Notes and Slinging Jokes.