How we started

When I made the decision to try my hand at stand up comedy, I enrolled in an established, well-respected comedy school in New York City, where I found myself seated in a room with about 20 students and an instructor who provided a general overview of stand up comedy (its origins, forms, styles, etc.) The school provided a safe, supportive environment and everyone laughed at my material. I was encouraged, I was excited and as far as I was concerned, I was on my way!

Three weeks later, I took the stage at a prominent comedy club and in front of an audience of about 100 people, I promptly bombed. Same jokes, same delivery, but with a drastically different reaction. I quickly realized that the best way -- and likely, the only way -- to develop my voice and learn the craft was to do it in front of real audiences.

One problem: none of the local schools or classes presented such an opportunity. At best, they offered a graduate show where pressure was put on the comic to invite friends and family. After sharing my frustration with other comics who found themselves in the very same situation, I made the decision to launch The Laughing Buddha Comedy School -- a school that would actually provide students with the stage time that was essential to their development.

-Jeff Lawrence

Our staff

Acknowledging that stand up comedy is a difficult craft to teach, we've entrusted the task to a staff of savvy, respected professional comedians and writers who have been working in the business for years and understand the challenges of breaking into a difficult field. All Laughing Buddha instructors are carefully chosen. Not only are they good at what they do, but they're gracious, supportive and extremely generous. And perhaps most importantly, they're honest. Praising every performances and joke regardless of quality may be good for a new comic's ego, but it doesn't prepare them for real life as a working pro.

Stage time

All of our workshops are followed by shows that offer students an immediate opportunity to develop and explore topics just discussed in class while it's still fresh in their minds. A full-time student may participate in as many as a dozen shows throughout their 6 week program. These appearances are optional. Not only is the experience invaluable but the student is under NO pressure to bring or invite audience members. Instead, we ask for a small cover and a discounted drink purchase to support the club. We believe it's a small price to pay for the opportunity to perform in front of a real audience in a professional environment.

Media

Jeff Lawrence
Comic/Director of the Laughing Buddha Comedy School