❗The content presented here is sourced directly from Edx platform. For comprehensive course details, including enrollment information, simply click on the 'Go to class' link on our website.

Updated in [March 20th, 2023]

The University of Cambridge's MicroMasters program in Writing for Performance and Entertainment Industries offers a course titled "Stand Up!; Comedy Writing and Performance Poetry". This course provides an introduction to performing stand-up and performance poetry, giving beginners a strong understanding of essential concepts, as well as reinvigorating those who have been working in this area for a while.

Participants will learn how to structure short-form performance material, as well as how to prepare physically and vocally to perform live with calm and clarity. They will engage with the work of performance poets across the world, and look at what attributes and writing skills are embedded in a successful stand-up script.

Throughout the course, participants will be set writing exercises and asked to keep a brief comedy/poetry journal to note how their ideas progress and how their intuition leads them into productivity. By the end of the module, they will have completed five minutes of performable material that they are ready to try out in a venue of their choice.

Learning to communicate most effectively with any audience gives participants a good toolbox for expert communication in any professional sphere. This course will help them develop skill transferability, flexible thinking, and expert language abilities, which are essential in a diversifying global job market.

[Applications]
Those who complete this course will have the skills to apply their knowledge of comedy writing and performance poetry to a variety of contexts. They will be able to use their understanding of structure, timing, and physical and vocal preparation to create and perform their own stand-up routines and performance poetry. Additionally, they will have developed transferable skills such as flexible thinking, expert language abilities, and effective communication. These skills can be applied to any professional sphere.

[Career Paths]
1. Stand-up Comedian: Stand-up comedians are performers who use humor to entertain audiences. They typically perform in comedy clubs, theaters, and other venues. Stand-up comedians must be able to write their own material and deliver it in an engaging and entertaining way. As the comedy industry continues to grow, stand-up comedians are in high demand and the job outlook is very positive.

2. Performance Poet: Performance poets are writers who use spoken word to express their ideas and emotions. They often perform in poetry slams, open mics, and other venues. Performance poets must be able to write their own material and deliver it in an engaging and powerful way. With the rise of spoken word and slam poetry, performance poets are in high demand and the job outlook is very positive.

3. Comedy Writer: Comedy writers are writers who specialize in writing comedic material for television, film, and other media. They must be able to write jokes, sketches, and other comedic material that is both funny and appropriate for the intended audience. As the entertainment industry continues to grow, comedy writers are in high demand and the job outlook is very positive.

4. Comedy Producer: Comedy producers are professionals who oversee the production of comedic material for television, film, and other media. They must be able to manage budgets, hire talent, and ensure that the material is both funny and appropriate for the intended audience. As the entertainment industry continues to grow, comedy producers are in high demand and the job outlook is very positive.

[Education Paths]
1. Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing: This degree path focuses on developing the skills necessary to write creatively in a variety of genres, including comedy and performance poetry. Students will learn how to craft stories, develop characters, and create compelling dialogue. They will also learn how to use language to create vivid imagery and explore the power of words. This degree path is becoming increasingly popular as more people recognize the importance of creative writing in the entertainment industry.

2. Bachelor of Arts in Theatre: This degree path focuses on the fundamentals of theatre, including acting, directing, and playwriting. Students will learn how to create and perform their own works, as well as how to analyze and interpret existing works. They will also learn how to use their skills to create comedic performances and explore the power of performance poetry. This degree path is becoming increasingly popular as more people recognize the importance of theatre in the entertainment industry.

3. Master of Arts in Performance Studies: This degree path focuses on the study of performance in a variety of contexts, including theatre, film, television, and digital media. Students will learn how to analyze and interpret performances, as well as how to create their own works. They will also learn how to use their skills to create comedic performances and explore the power of performance poetry. This degree path is becoming increasingly popular as more people recognize the importance of performance studies in the entertainment industry.

4. Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing: This degree path focuses on developing the skills necessary to write creatively in a variety of genres, including comedy and performance poetry. Students will learn how to craft stories, develop characters, and create compelling dialogue. They will also learn how to use language to create vivid imagery and explore the power of words. This degree path is becoming increasingly popular as more people recognize the importance of creative writing in the entertainment industry.