In the next few months, I’m going to be teaching a range of classes on how to perform stand-up comedy, how to write a one-person show, and how to handle media and marketing as a performer. I personally believe, that – whatever your profession – the skills of a stand-up can be applied in numerous ways throughout your personal and professional life. I also think that, if you’re a comedian or an actor, writing and touring a one-person show is a great way to take control of your own career. It ends your dependence on casting directors and comedy club owners, leaving you free to tour venues and festivals across the country and the world under your own steam. Writing and touring 'Jesus: The Guantanamo Years', is certainly the best professional decision I’ve ever made.

It’s funny how these things come about. I used to teach creative writing at the Irish Centre for Talented Youth and absolutely loved it. I even did a stint as a guest lecturer to Masters’ students in Pakistan. And I’ve been doing comedy, and developing, marketing and touring one-man shows for over three years now. Occasionally, I found myself thinking “I’d really love to teach this stuff” but I never found the time to organise it. (Instead, I just offered unwanted advice to other comedians). Then, in the last few months, I was asked by four separate organisations to teach classes in comedy. So I said yes. Here’s what I’ll be doing.

Starting on September 2^nd, Aidan Killian is running a six-week workshop on how to become a stand-up comic in a month. I’ll be taking one of the classes (Sept 14^th). Full details here. Contact: aidan@laughoutloud.ie

From September 18^th-21^st, a Portuguese actor and teacher, Leandro Morgado, will be doing an intensive weekend on how to write a one-person show. I’ll be conducting the final session, focusing on marketing, media and tackling the Edinburgh Fringe. For more details, contact: workshops4comedy@gmail.com

Starting on October 2^nd, I’ll be teaching a comprehensive 10-week course, entitled: Stand Up Comedy: From ‘Open Spot’ to One-Person Show. It will run on Friday evenings, from 6:30 to 8:30pm. It’s being run by the Big Smoke Writing Factory – an exciting new teaching co-operative, set up by experienced writing teachers (one of whom, Yvonne Cullen, I’ve worked with in the past, and think the world of). You can find more details and book online here. Contact: bigsmokewritingfactory@gmail.com

And on the weekend of October 10^th/11^th, I’ll be conducting an intensive weekend on how to write and market a one-person show, at the Irish Writers Centre. Full details here. To book, contact: info@writerscentre.ie

I personally hate messages which say “book early to avoid disappointment”. They’re usually posted by crap events which want you to book early before you change your mind. However, all these classes will, by their nature, be relatively small. So, in all probability, they will either fill up fast, or – if there isn’t enough interest – they won’t go ahead.

So if you really are interested in attending, contact me or someone else as soon as possible, to make sure that the class goes ahead, and that we can fit you in.