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Standup Comedy Class
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts Education Specialty Schools Performing Arts, Specialty Schools [Edit]
1822 Hyperion AveLos Angeles, CA 90027
Neighborhood: Silver Lake
(323) 251-1286
- Hours:
Mon-Tue 7 pm - 12 am
19 reviews for Standup Comedy Class
19 reviews in English
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Review from John S.
Pasadena, CA
1/27/2012
Sometimes you hear comics deride he very idea of a comedy class "You can't teach someone to be funny etc." I wouldn't say I learned how to be funny in Gerry's class. Anyone interested in being a comic must already be funny. NO. What Gerry taught me was how to find my funny in a way that was also true --- to dig deep and access it onstage. That's the secret to connecting with an audience.
On my own, I'm certainly capable of writing a clever joke, one that gets a few chuckles. But what Gerry does is take that a joke like that -- one that is merely clever -- and show me how to get to the truth of it. After Gerry works with me, that joke isn't getting chuckles anymore --- it's melting heads, people are spitting up drinks on one another, the joke is now ROCKING ROOMS. And, to me, the sound of a room I just rocked is the sweetest sound in the world. It's better than sex. It's better than blueberry pancakes. It's better than sex with blueberry pancakes!
I think what may be most amazing about Gerry is his patience and generosity. You'll see what I mean when you take his class. Every student is so different, yet Gerry works very closely with each them on their journey to the stage. I feel it is this generosity of spirit that separates him from the rest. It's not for nothing he's been voted "BEST COMEDY TEACHER" in Backstage Magazine for two years running now.
Getting serious about my comedy was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's only been two years since my class, and I now host a popular weekly comedy show in Hollywood, have appeared on a national radio program, done my first acting gig, and have been hired as the comedic spokesperson for a websiteI I'm doing stuff! And more importantly ---I'm having a blast. You can too. Trust me and sign up for Gerry Katzman's class.
John Silver
Twitter:BlueLanugo -
Review from Laurenne S.
Venice, CA
12/21/2011
This class is amazing. Amazing.
I would say it's life-changing if I didn't think that sounded too lofty.
I feel like this review should be hilarious because I'm going to tell you that Gerry taught me to write jokes. That's a lot of pressure.
Uh...
Gerry puts his whole self into teaching. He invests in every student and makes it his purpose to make you great on stage.
He postponed our show a week because he wanted it to be THE BEST one ever. And then he went over my jokes with me one by one so that the right words were accentuated.
You can feel safe and secure with him because you know he won't steer you wrong.
This review is not at all funny. Shit.
Oh, and Gerry will undoubtedly be your friend til the end. He's giving and generous and smart and a great singer. Comics often say that these kinds of classes are stupid. They encourage you to learn comedy the hard way and go bomb at open mics. But if you can get a head start by knowing how to write a good joke first, you get such a head start. Plus, there's a huge community of people who have taken Gerry's classes and we all help each other out.
Gerry, is this good enough? Please stop holding that knife up to my throat. -
Review from Simcha L.
Los Angeles, CA
12/20/2011
This class is the real deal. I took this course with no prior stand-up experience. Over the course of 10 weeks Gerry Katzman's Stand-up Comedy Class taught me how to:
1. Mine my life for stand-up topics to write about that were personal and relevant instead of the tired and hack topics often used by noobs.
2. Craft a joke. Working from them initial kernel of a joke, Gerry taught me how to build a joke. It's a science and an art and Gerry is both a mad scientist and an artist.
3. Deliver a joke. Gerry's class gave me the ability and confidence to properly deliver a joke. Timing, speed, talking to the audience, act-outs, etc. Gerry's class had it all!
On a personal note, Gerry is a great teacher. He is focussed, caring, and able to help his students reach their maximum comedic potential. I highly encourage every man woman, child, and horse to take this class.
This class is also fascinating on a psychological level. It's an opportunity to laugh at your own faults, examine your life, and share your issues with other people. It's cathartic, and I lost 10 lbs. -
Review from Joe K.
Los Angeles, CA
12/20/2011
This is THE class if you wanna learn how to do stand-up.
Last night was our final showcase and every single person who took the class was fantastic. Over the past several months, Gerry created a very supportive space where we discussed our most personal truths and he helped us find the humor in them. Now all of us are like a big extended family.
I've been performing as a spoken word poet for years (HBO Def Poetry, etc.) and wanted to keep growing as a performer. Gerry's class helped me view my material from a whole new perspective. He helped me dig deeper and deeper. I'm still talking about the same topics that I discuss in my poetry but now it's so much funnier which makes me even more confident. Even if you're a seasoned performer, you'll learn a lot.
Check him out at http://standupcomedycl....
Joe -
Review from Tamer K.
Los Angeles, CA
11/2/2011
Biggest misconception I hear is that "being funny" is enough to be a great comic. I promise you, it's not. Being funny is a gift, it's like being tall.
Comedy is like learning to play basketball. Being tall and learning to play basketball are 2 very different things, as Clipper fans are reminded of way too often.
Make no mistake, stand up comedy is a skill, not something you are born with. You can run around going from open mic to open mic performing for an audience of comics that are not paying attention - never getting an accurate read on what jokes do and do not work...OR you can learn the craft. The freakin' ART of comedy.
Musicians, actors, painters, writers...every other creative endeavor understands this concept, but for many new comics - the fundamentals are ignored.
If and when you feel the need to get up on that stage, to try, to accomplish a goal, to be able to say I AM a comic rather than "what if?" - call this man.
He is an insanely talented comic himself and has an ability to help you find your voice...something that takes years to do.
Thank you Gerry! -
Review from Liliana C.
Los Angeles, CA
11/7/2011
Gerry's class is a must if you re serious about stand up. I took it last year and thank god I did. He inspires me to write and to bring out the truth about myself and make it funny. his class has a very supported group of talented people who are not selfish and also don't judge.
Gerry you're the best! -
Review from Zack B.
Los Angeles, CA
10/20/2011
Anytime I meet a comic starting out, I always tell them about Gerry Katzman's class. I was against taking one for a long time but after painful, painful open mics, I buckled down and signed up. Gerry breaks down the structure of stand-up comedy in a way that's easy to understand and comfortable for even the greenest comic. Even just meeting the other students and having friends who are going through the same insanity of the stand-up comedy world as you are is a huge help.
Check it out, the information makes sense and you'll learn the difference between being funny with your friends and being funny on-stage. -
Review from Kathryn B.
Poway, CA
8/20/2011
When my teen-age son wanted to learn stand-up comedy, we found Gerry Katzman's class at Backstage, where Gerry was voted best comedy teacher. This is a serious class about comedy. My son learned the fundamentals of joke writing and performing. Even if you're a naturally funny person, it's important to have a good foundation before you take the stage. Gerry is a knowledgeable, reassuring and terrific teacher. My son's performance at a local comedy club was far more professional than I could have ever dreamed of. And he says he's prouder of the performance than anything he has ever done.
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Review from Kat A.
Los Angeles, CA
8/22/2010
So what can I say... I came into this class not knowing what to expect. All I had with me were my many issues/complexes, a desire to express myself and a desire to be heard. Enter Gerry Katzman, a kind, funny, very smart and very motivational teacher who gives his students a platform in which to be a stand up comic.
My good friend who told me, "You will suck and no one will laugh," when I told him that I would be taking this stand up class...has now eaten his words after seeing my first stand up set after being in Gerry's class.
I think more than anything Gerry Katzman truly loves to help people find their voice. Comedy is about finding truth in the painful and uncomfortable and Gerry makes you dig deep into your lives to find what you don't want to talk about. Strangely..the most painful stuff is usually the funniest on the stage. If you've ever felt like you've wanted to tell jokes, be a stand up comic, or just find a platform in which to express your funniest self, I really recommend this class. Gerry, you are awesome!
http://www.youtube.com... -
Review from Danielle P.
Los Angeles, CA
2/27/2011
I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to review Mr. Gerry Katzman and his class, but here I am, reviewing away. I took Gerry's class at the beggining of last year. Friends always told me I should do stand up, but I felt it was a pipedream and never really had it in me. But, I stored it in my mind as something to fall back on when I'm 80 in a depressing apartment with my 10 cats, if all my other dreams failed me, I could always pull that little pearl out and say "My friends always told me I would have been a great comedian....back in my day I was funny....grumble grumble". Finally outside of a cantina one night I made a crewd, sick sense of humored remark and the bouncer told me about Gerry's class. I called Gerry the next day, he made me feel right at home and I started the class not more than a week later. I had no idea what to expect and just went in with open arms and an open mind. I'm from Wyoming and new to this whole "acting class/comedy class/stand up class/ lets take a class to give ourselves skills to be famous" thing, so I was slightly intimidated. Gerry and my fellow students made me feel right at home. Gerry tailors the class to you as an individual yet keeps its a group dynamic so you are not only learning but you come out of the class with just what you went into it wanting: new knowledge, information, a good writing process, and a stand up act that is all your own. Your experience, your sense of humor, etc.
During the writing processes I hit a few bumps along the way and felt so stuck. Mr. Katzman took the time to talk me through many hard days when I wanted to give up and felt that my creative juices were shriveled to the likes of an ignorant prune. Somehow he got me through it. On the last week of class when I got up at the Comedy Store on Sunset and gave my routine in front of my peers, friends, and fellow students, I can't describe what a wonderful feeling it was. It was even better than being drunk, and I was completely sober, if you can imagine.
My Advice to you if you're thinking of taking Gerry's class? Take it. Don't think, don't delay,, just take it. You will be glad you did. Still have hesitation after reading my review? Call Gerry, you can trust him. You will be glad you did.
Thanks again Gerr! -
Review from Amanda M.
Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA
7/31/2009
There'd always been a part of me that wanted to try stand-up. As a kid I watched Stand-Up specials constantly and listened to albums & cassettes. However, I always thought that a) it was something no one could teach you and b) anyone who taught stand-up would be some bitter, untalented hack. Wrong and really, really wrong!
Enter Gerry Katzman and his amazing class. From the very first class - Gerry puts people at ease and gets them up on their feet in front of a mic in the least intimidating way possible. Before you know it he's breaking down the process and giving you terrific tools to dive in and start writing. Throughout the term, Gerry creates a really safe environment where people can explore sensitive topics without judgment, and get their sea legs at the most difficult kind of performing there is. He's very "up with people" but thankfully not in a way that makes you want to shoot him.
About that writing... write you will - the class is great, but be prepared to put in some real time and effort working on your material both on your own and in small groups. What's so terrific about Gerry though is that he understands the struggles people have with writing and is extremely, extremely accessible and skilled at getting them through the rough patches and bringing out their best. Frankly, I don't know how he is able to pay so much individual attention to each of his students, but he does. He gets very personally invested in your having a successful set, and frankly his personal touch makes all the difference.
I took Gerry's class 3 times and witnessed triumph after triumph. I'm performing regularly now, as are the majority of my classmates. From my very first set, an old family friend who is a major show biz & comedy pro couldn't believe I'd never done it before.
If you're reading this review, it means you're considering trying stand-up.. so get over your fear and call Gerry already Just take the plunge, you won't regret it! -
Review from Matthew N.
Downtown, Los Angeles, CA
6/17/2009
I have taken this class three times now. I never thought in a million years I would actually live out the dream I've had of writing and performing stand up comedy. I simply never thought I would have the courage or ability. After 10 weeks, I proved myself wrong! Thanks to Gerry Katzman and the techniques he has taught me, I am now performing stand up comedy all over town, including at the world Famous Comedy store, on a regular basis, and have been selected to perform in various comedy festivals! Truly a wonderful and gifted teacher, and an AMAZING life changing class!
Checking out http://www.standupcome... was the best decision I've made in YEARS!
Here's a link to A recent performance I gave: http://www.youtube.com... -
Review from Rob H.
Valencia, CA
7/16/2009
Gerry's standup comedy class is the best in Los Angeles!
A great host & coach, A great class - supportive, encouraging and fun. one of the best I have ever done. I would really recommend it to anyone thinking of a career in standup, comedy. I've been luck enough to perform at some great venues around LA, all because of Gerry Katzman's coaching. Brilliant, fun, challenging, and incredibly rewarding... what are you doing still reading? - sign up NOW! -
Review from Caroline W.
Los Angeles, CA
8/6/2009
I took it and loved it. You can watch my first stand-up at http://www.youtube.com.... Gerry is fun, funny, disciplined, attentive, generous, talent, smart, focused, fair...he gets results--the shows at the end are always good. Give him a call, and you'll know just from talking to him if there's a fit--also remember you get out of the class what you put in. The more you write, the more stand-up you see outside of class, and the more you try stuff outside of class in smaller groups, the better you will be. I also got better auditioning because of this class ("A Script??? I don't have to make it up?? Holy crap acting is super easy!!!")
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Review from Paul K.
Glendale, CA
6/17/2009
If you watch stand up comedy and you have that itch to get up on stage, you have to take Gerry's class. You'll do your first set by the end of the class at an actual comedy club and its one of the greatest feelings you'll ever feel without drugs. I don't do drugs but from what I've heard, they're great. j/k, I've done drugs. Stand up comedy is better. Gerry is one of the wittiest people I know. He's hilarious. I recommend Gerry to everyone I know that is interested in taking his class. You'll meet great people while being coached by a great teacher who is patient and experienced.
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Review from mike j.
Cheviot Hills, CA
6/29/2010
Simply one of the smartest, kindest, coolest people I know, let alone the most amazing teacher in more than just comedy, but in how to be a good person in life.
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Review from eric h.
West Hollywood, CA
6/18/2009
What a transformative and life altering experience! if you've ever dreamed of stepping on stage and getting a crowd to laugh but always thought you couldn't do it - then this is the class for you. If you're the type of person who's always been told "Hey you should do comedy..." again and again by friends and coworkers -this is the class for you. If you've toiled and struggled through meaningless job drudgery all the while stifling dreams of being involved in the entertainment business ( as I did for years) then this is the class for you.
Gerry Katzman is an amazing man to work with. He has the business savvy of a show business professional, the quick wit of a street performer, the slick moves of a slight of hand magician and an inherent knowledge of stand up comedy that comes from a life's work of making people laugh. All of these things make him a great teacher. But it is his huge heart, his unwavering patience and his deep understanding of how people learn that make him a phenomenal teacher. It's indeed all these qualities that make people return again and again to take his class.
The amount of instruction, guidance and hands on practical experience you get for the cost of tuition amazes me. PLUS at the end of the ten week run you get the chance to perform your set at a real live big name comedy club! You can invite your buddies and coworkers to watch you tear it up on stage-the bragging rights ALONE are worth the cost of the class because your friends will be AMAZED by your performance!
I highly recommend this class to anyone interested in pursuing comedy or anyone who has flirted with the possibility of getting up on stage and making people laugh! You will be astounded when you see what you can do! -
Review from Peter B.
Los Angeles, CA
4/3/2009
I LOVE GERRY"S CLASS! I never thought I could do a ten minute stand up set but Gerry showed me how...and I was funny! Remarkable. He is an amazing teacher who teaches with support, love, and kindness. I've recommended him to most everyone I know! Gerry's class was very freeing and such a great change of pace when compared to improv. Love me some GERRY!
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Review from Erika Y.
Los Angeles, CA
4/14/2010
Gerry's stand up comedy class is one of the best classes I've ever taken. No BS. I've taken lots of comedy classes and performed at various improv venues: ex Second City, UCB, and have been currently taking classes at UCLA. After taking variety of classes and having numerous professors, I can honestly say that Gerry is an excellent teacher. The course is a comedy class and not just a get together where you don't have any homework outside of class. Gerry makes sure that the class collaborates on material like writers do on scripts. The environment is positive and inspiring. Highly recommend the clas if you want to learn stand up comedy.
