Ben Target: Improvers Stand-Up Course

Our Improvers stand-up course is for people who have performed comedy before and made a 5-7 minute set, as well as people who’ve graduated from our Beginners courses. These classes will look at taking the next steps in stand-up, including: creating a 10 minute set for comedy club “Middle” spots, progressing in competitions, next level joke-writing skills and stagecraft, developing your on-stage personae for longform sets, preparing to take your work on the road, using stand-up to create work beyond the stage (for radio, TV and film), MC-ing and dealing with hecklers without losing the room.

This is a 4 week course.

About the tutor:

Ben Target is a multi-award-winning comedian, screenwriter and director.

His critically-acclaimed play LORENZO won The Scotsman’s Fringe First Award and received Off West End Award and Holden Street Theatres’ Award nominations. The show had sellout runs at Soho Theatre (London) and Summerhall (Edinburgh), transferred to 59E59 Theaters (New York City) and will transfer to Sydney Opera House Studio in 2025. His stand-up has won the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year award and been nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award - Best Newcomer. As a director, he has won the Edinburgh Comedy Award - Panel Prize, for Rob Copland: GIMME (One of Everything) and the Comedians’ Choice Award - Best Show, for Rob Copland: MAINSTREAM MUCK (Gimme Some of That). He also co-directed Ania Magliano: Forgive Me Father, a critical sensation and total sellout show (Pleasance Theatre, Soho Theatre, UK tour). He has also worked with Richard Gadd, winning the Amused Moose Comedy Award for Best Show, Kieran Hodgson (four-time Edinburgh Comedy Award - nominee), John Hastings (America’s Got Talent) and Joz Norris, winning the Comedians’ Choice Award - Best Show and being included in the Evening Standard’s Top 25 Shows 2022.

For TV, he has written and performed for Jamali Maddix’s Clickbait (All 4), Joe Lycett’s Junk (BBC3), What-A-Cool Gadget Show (BBC 3), Comedy Marathon (BBC 3) and Performance Anxiety (Comedy Central). For film, he co-wrote and co-directed the short Frank with Joe Parham (BAFTA Award winner) and co-directed The Bird starring Julia Davis (nine-time BAFTA Award nominee). For radio, he has written and performed for The Max Dickins Show (Absolute Radio, Sony Award nominee) and co-starred in The Dream Factory (BBC Radio 4, Radio Times’ Pick of the Week). Most of all, Ben loves teaching and has 8 years of experience teaching at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Soho Young Company, Angel Comedy and The Albany Arts Depot. Ben’s students have gone on to win the New Act of the Year Award, been nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award - Best Newcomer, reached the finals of the Funny Women Awards, reached the finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards and written for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Three.

Testimonials:

I had the most incredible time. My confidence grew immeasurably. Ben’s ability to give a genuinely practical set of lessons is astounding. Ben is excellent at being a mentor and I feel very lucky to have met him. - Andrew Lacey

For anyone slightly nervous at the prospect of taking a stand up course, Ben is the perfect teacher. He makes the entire process feel safe, natural and fun. - Toby McInnis

A wonderful environment to nurture your inner funny. Ben folds in his expertise while setting you at ease. I’d have been happy if the course lasted indefinitely but I’m also aware it's given me more than enough to progress on the circuit. Lovely stuff. - Lawrence Kite

Ben has the ability to create a trusting community in his classes that foster a collaborative environment. He’s able to pinpoint areas to expand on in your own work that make not only others laugh, but make it fun to perform. - Catherine Tooke

Ben is an incredible teacher. If you’re thinking about signing up, absolutely do it. His course is thoughtful and provides the tools and space to explore and discover your comedic style. I left the course feeling confident and excited to continue performing standup! - Monica Del Prado

Details

Dates: Weekly on Tuesdays starting on 7th Jan and running till 28th of Jan

TIme: 7-9 pm

Venue: Above the cheese shop (Pistachio & Pickle on Camden Passage)

Price: £245/£225 - Concession price available for students/un-/underemployed (just ask us - info@angelcomedy.co.uk)

6:30 PM - Doors open
- Ben Target

Presented by Angel Comedy.

This is an 18+ event