The Newcomers Program - AJ and the Kweens

Newcomers Program

LEARN THE BASICS

The Newcomers Program was created to provide new and diverse voices who want to start stand-up an inclusive orientation to the comedy scene. It’s not a joke writing course or a stand-up course but a comprehensive 101 on how to get on stage, perform your first set and get started in your comedy career!

As a participant of the program, you’ll attend a one-day workshop, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of the industry, how to approach getting performance opportunities and ask any questions you have about the scene in general. You’ll also workshop your very own jokes with some of Sydney’s best comedic minds.

Then, the following Friday you’ll perform to a live audience as part of the Showcase show, with a guaranteed welcoming audience and some high-quality snaps of your performance too.

After this program, you’ll be set to head out into the comedy world and start entertaining audiences across the city (and beyond!).

The July program is now open for applications, read below for all the details. EOIs close on Monday 11 July, 5pm.

Jan 2022 Program

July Program

If you want to dive into stand-up and would like mentoring and advice from some of Sydney’s best comedic minds, this is the program for you.

The program is eligible for stand-up comedians who have performed stand-up 6 times or less and adhere to our values of creating an inclusive space. We generally recommend people have some stand-up experience, even if that’s just in attending shows.

There are only limited spaces available on the program so please don’t be disheartened if you don’t get in this time.

Key Dates

Please note, you have to be available for both the workshop and showcase dates in order to eligible for the program.

Applications Open: Monday 27 June

Applications Close: Monday 11 July, 5pm

Workshop: Saturday 23 July, 11am – 5pm

Showcase: Friday 29 July, 6:30pm – 9pm

FAQs

How much does it cost? Nothing. This program is absolutely free.

What are inclusive values? We want to create a space where people from all backgrounds can feel welcome. Racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or discriminatory behaviour in any way will not be tolerated.

What is wheelchair accessibility like? Unfortunately the venue is not wheelchair accessible.

Why 6 performances or less? We want to ensure that everyone has roughly a similar performing experience so that the workshop sessions are valuable to everyone.

I’m not sure about stand-up, is this for me? The workshop in particular is a very informative day and is designed for those who are itching to learn. We try to run the program every 6 months so if you’re not feeling it 100% now, you can always apply for a later program.

Apply Here for the July 2022 Program

July 2022 Mentors

NEWCOMERS ALUMNI

We’re super proud to have helped the following alumni take to the stage and begin their own comedy journeys!

David Allsopp, Jenna Butcher, Annie Boyle, Sean Corcoran, Hannah Cox, RJ Daligcon, Georgie Daniels, Romeo Delinicolas, Chanika Desilva, Tyler Dias, Natanyah Forbes, Rizcel Gagawanan, Jack Gamble, Katherine Hall, Krutika Harale, Mike Hitch, Lara Holmes, Amanda Hood, Riccardo Ingle, Matthew Jackson, Pankaj Kawatra, Chris Knight, Kripa Krithivasan, Leanne Mangan, Mark Mariano, Kelly McLoughlin, Josephine Massingham, Oliver Moore, Sean Moran, Nicole Murch, Damon Neame, Josh Ng, Maddie Parker, Zachariah Partridge, MC Sabbagh, Yasemin Sabuncu, Sanjeev Singh, Jose Talite, Kate Wilkins, and Wen Wu.