Learn to write and perform stand up while developing your unique voice!
This class will focus on techniques and methods to help increase public speaking comfort while cultivating general writing and creativity, finding your voice, and discovering what style of stand up you enjoy and want to pursue as your craft.
We will also focus on learning how to be respectful in comedy, punching up instead
of down, and how to best avoid common mistakes. The class would be a combination of instruction and performance, with more instruction at the beginning of the class to more performance at the end in preparation for the graduate showcase.
YOUR INSTRUCTORS: ALLY J WARD & JOE JOHN SANCHEZ III
Ally J. Ward is a stand up comedian, improviser, and storyteller based out of Portland, Oregon. Her comedy style can be described as dry in delivery with a mischievous energy, subverting societal expectations with a queer and trans lens all through a strategic narrative approach.
She produces and hosts several shows in Portland including Hear You Loud & Queer, Lady Killers, and Punchlines & Piledrivers. She is a cast member of the improv competition the Gauntlet, and the kink comedy education show Giggle Bottom. She also organizes and hosts Portland’s Comedy Pageant an annual comedy competition at Curious Comedy.
In her short time doing comedy she’s earned honors including winning a Moth Story Slam, in 2024 she was named one the hottest queer comedians of today by Out Magazine, and in 2025 she was named one of the Undisputed Geniuses of Comedy by the Portland Mercury and Portland’s Funniest Person by the Willamette Week.
Joe John Sanchez III is a lifelong silly goose who began their standup comedy journey in 2019. They have since appeared on Willamette Week's Funniest Five and the Portland Mercury's Undisputable Geniuses of Comedy, along with producing several local showcases committed to uplifting local queer talent. Across the country, they have performed at SF Sketchfest, the LGBTLOL Comedy Fest, and were selected for Best of Fest at the 2023 Burbank Comedy Festival. They are a champion of new, emerging voices within the Portland comedy scene and firmly believe that everyone has a story worth telling.
Weekly on Sundays, July 20th - August 31st, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
SHOWCASE: Sunday, September 7th
EARLY BIRD (ENDS 7/06) $295.00
REGULAR TUITION: $325.00
ATTENTION:
COVID POLICY:
As of 10/1/22 - At this time we are not requiring proof of vaccination or masks to attend our shows and events. We strongly encourage those who can get vaccinated to do so for your safety and the safety of others. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, we encourage you to do so. Many of our staff are still choosing to wear masks, so it's likely you will not be the only one in a mask. We support you taking whatever precautions feel right to you!
All classes at Curious Comedy are anti-racist, anti-misogynist, anti-ableist, anti-homophobic, anti-transphobic, anti-ageist class that strives to be inclusive of all experiences. We are always learning and aim to keep the class safe for everyone.
Class minimum is 6 people. Class maximum is 15 people.
IMPORTANT: All sales are final. Curious Comedy is unable to provide refunds after the start of a class. Curious reserves the right to change the Instructor of a class at any time, and doing so will not result in a refund. For more details on refund availability and how to inquire, please review our Curious Comedy Refund Policy.
We do not want money to be an obstacle. If you need financial assistance, email our Director of Education at
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