This was one of the most incredible, enriching, and challenging experiences of my life. I could not recommend this class more. There is a magic that this class brought out in me that I didn't even know was there. read more

I love this class!!! I studied with them for my first five-min standup and it was lovely!! I learned so much about the important principles (Do's and Don'ts) from them. Heather and Gerry are both so funny! My classmates are so nice and encouraging! We had a very cute and funny show in the end! read more

The VALUE I obtained from this class is more than any dollar value that could be attributed to this class. The people of this class have walked WITH me from a difficult relationship, going through a break-up, and to meeting the girl of my dreams. By being open and vulnerable, it allowed me to reach SELF-ACTUALIZATION according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Every person experiences growth in their own ways, mine happened to be LIFE-CHANGING. I would recommend this class to anyone interested in stand-up comedy. read more

Standup Comedy Class - My first stand-up showcase. - Performing Arts Near Me

Gerry and Heather have found a way to make standup the funniest, most authentic journey and have changed my mind that standup is an aggressive, solo, confrontational art form. Instead, it's amazing to see that the art form is collaborative, community-driven, free, fun, and hella supportive. I am blown away by how many people started as non-performers and ended with a solid 5-minute set that had the audience literally eating out of their hands. Magic is done here! read more

Three months ago, I was reading these Yelp reviews thinking, "How the hell could a comedy class be life-changing?" I set my skepticism aside and enrolled anyway, and I am so glad that I did. This class helped me grow as a writer, performer, and person. Gerry and Heather are exceedingly kind, supportive, and, most of all, excellent at what they do. We had our class showcase this past week, and everyone crushed it. I was so proud to be a part of it. If you're on the fence about taking this class, just take it. read more

This class is best I've ever taken! The teachers are incredibly supportive, and did such a great job of putting together a fantastic group of folks for my class. Every week I learned something new about how to take my comedy to the next level. Everyone is incredibly supportive and offered perspectives that greatly strengthened my jokes and confidence in my comedic abilities. The end of class showcase was a true life highlight, and it's thanks to this class that I felt so comfortable on stage. I'd recommend this to anyone that wants to really put the work in to better their comedic writing and performance. read more

I cannot recommend this class more to anyone who is interested in developing their style and content for standup comedy! Gerry and Heather create the perfect environment for budding comics to grow and learn new techniques for successfully writing and performing great jokes. They also provide an incredibly supportive community to help develop new content and create a space for comics to give and receive the most constructive feedback possible. This class teaches you how to find the funny in anything and everything - which is a great foundation to have for anyone looking to pursue standup comedy. read more

This standup class is amazing. Gerry curates the most wonderful groups of funny, kind, and smart people. This class invites a level of depth that I didn't expect, and I'm forever changed. Most importantly for you to know - I watched every person in the class with me do their first show and it KILLED. You're guaranteed to find your relatable and funny jokes. I was given tools in 3 months that comics take years to develop. At the end of the class you do a showcase at a real comedy space AND Gerry hooks you up with connections to big venues. I promise this class with surpass every expectation you have. Gerry and Heather are amazing!! read more

If you want to shave years off your journey into becoming a performer, or if you're simply wanting to knock doing Stand-Up off your bucket list, this is the place for you. Gerry and Heather work their asses off to ensure that everyone finds their specific comedic voice and has everything they need to kill it on stage. I've never seen such commitment by the teachers for any class, ever, before. Their commitment to creating real community is transforming the landscape of comedy in LA. Take note of the solid five star reviews again and again and again. There is no better place to start than here. What are you waiting for?! read more

This class was a life-changing experience. I learned the basics of stand-up comedy in less than a few months, had a great first show and made some incredible friends! Highly recommend. read more

The family dynamic that Heather and Gerry have created in a comedy class motivates you continually to build out your skills. So happy to have been in their intro class and for the skills that they have given me to start out. I'm excited to learn more. I would recommend this for any person who wants to actually learn what it takes. read more

This class was awesome! I learned so much thanks to Gerry and Heather! I highly recommend it. And also it was so much fun to be part of the group! read more

Standup Comedy Class - Performing Arts Near Me

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I spent months searching all over California for a Standup Comedy Class that was supportive and also powerful in its teaching and approach. My search led me to Gerry's class - I obsessively read through the reviews trying to find a reason NOT to do his class, but instead I found myself in tears with all the stories of how life changing his class was and how caring Gerry is as a teacher. I mean, who has reviews like this?!!! And for a standup class?!! Craziness. I was so compelled that I seriously considered moving from SF to LA for 3 months just to take the class. Then covid hit, and lucky for me, the class was offered online! I've never done standup before, and to be honest, the thought of doing it terrified me. But I wanted to learn how to be funny. What's fantastic about the class is that he keeps it small (under 10) and we had a mix of people from all over the country, with different levels of experience, and completely different backgrounds. A couple people were experienced comedians, a couple had done some open mics on their own, some were aspiring, and there were a few like me, zero experience and confused in life. For the online format Gerry co-taught with Heather, who is brilliant and hilarious in every way possible. Together they were a power team that made sure we were all cared for and supported. The format of the class is absolutely BRILLIANT. It took me from literally being a class embarrassment of how unfunny I was, to completely ROCKING my zoom graduation set. I never invite people to see me perform anything- but I felt so great about my jokes I invited tons of friends- who were also shocked at how funny I was...! I will say a few things about the process- this is not slapstick comedy- it's smart and it's deep. You dig into your life to polish lumps of coal into diamonds. It helps to be good at writing- or at least willing to do the writing exercises and revise, revise, revise. This class completely transformed my relationship to feedback and revisions into something I now feel like I can't live without! The class also made me a better writer and poet (who knew?!!)! As with any transformational process- there are ups and downs. There were definitely moments where I was close to giving up, but Heather & Gerry were always just a text or call a way. And the great thing is there is a magical bonding experience that happens among all the classmates, where we are truly looking out for each other beyond any other 10 week class I've ever done. I'm looking forward to more adventures with Gerry, Heather, and the Alumni Network. Come join us- you know you want to!! read more

This class has so many 5-star reviews and it's still underrated. It's amazing! Gerry and Heather are building something special here and it was incredible to be a part of it. Not only did they foster a fun, positive, caring environment where everyone felt confident to push themselves and find their authentic material, but they brought our entire group from beginner-to-outstanding-showcase-performance in less than 12 weeks. if you ever wanted to try standup, or if it's something on your bucket list, this is the place to start. read more

I just completed Gerry's beginner standup class and the results of the experience WAY exceeded my expectations. I have been acting and improvising for several years but the idea of stepping out on my own to do stand up has always been both appealing and terrifying for me. In general, I have always struggled with having confidence in my own voice. I knew if I ever wanted to get to the place where I could comfortably perform my own standup material, I would need to it in the right environment and I knew that the right guidance could help me get there. I first came across Gerry's class when I saw a talented friend's class show. I was blown away by how great the sets were by a bunch of first-timers and it stuck with me for so long that, five years later, I took the class myself! Now, after taking the class, I understand that there are several elements that make this class work so well. Gerry selects the right people for the small class and creates a safe environment for artists to be vulnerable and open and honest. We spent a couple weeks on elements of writing structure, all the while working on our own writing individually and with smaller groups. Sometimes it's hard to find and own your voice, especially as a woman. But I have walked away from the class with a clearer idea of my authentic voice. I also grew comfortable over the weeks pitching ideas and that became one of me favorite elements of the class. We learned how to approach writing jokes - for ourselves but also for others - and I am looking forward to developing that even further using the tools I learned from this class. We also walked away with a professional video of our final set which we can now use to book shows, setting us up to continue on our comedy journeys after the class. All that being said, I think the main reason this class works so well is because Gerry is a kind, respectful, fun human who fills his classes with people who are willing to open up and also be kind, patient and vulnerable through their work. He made himself accessible to us via email and over the phone every step of the way. I will always be grateful for the privilege and opportunity to take this class and can't wait to continue writing and performing standup! read more

Signed up hoping to better understand joke writing and structure. Ended up falling in with a really supportive and creative group of amazingly talented people. Instructors Gerry and Heather are at the center of it all. If you've ever been curious about performing comedy, THIS is the place to do it. read more

This class was awesome! Gerry and Heather are amazing teachers. I had taken a couple of standup comedy classes previously, but they were nowhere near the level of awesomeness I experienced in this class. Gerry and Heather provide a very safe space with smaller classes so you feel comfortable opening up in class and sharing your ideas with others. They have so much experience and help you find your own voice and style in your writing. I highly highly highly recommend this class. BEST STANDUP CLASS EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

This class was one of the best experiences of my life. Even though I'm an actor, I never thought I would ever do standup comedy. Why? You have to get in front of a crowd of strangers and be yourself... AND try to get them to laugh. It always seemed so terrifying that I never even wanted to try it. But I decided to do something that really scared me and I joined the class. Gerry and Heather were the most generous, loving, empathetic, patient, FUNNY, caring teachers. They really taught me that standup is an artform, a craft and it takes work, albeit fun work. It was the most supportive environment and everyone in the class was so cool and kind. The class felt therapeutic but in the safest way. I learned that certain situations and frustrations in my life are rife with hilarious material and thus, I turned pain into humor. In the end, we all took the stage in front of a crowd of around a hundred people and had the most amazing, life changing night. To step into the unknown and do something that you're scared of where you aren't sure if you will thrive or fail, is an exhilarating experience. Everyone in class THRIVED, by the way, because Gerry and Heather prepared us by not only helping us write amazing material but by teaching us that we can be our authentic selves in front of a packed crowd. And our authentic selves are pretty damn funny. Thanks Gerry and Heather for everything. I'm so grateful. Go take this class if you've ever thought about doing standup or even if you haven't but you want to feel what it's like to really take a leap. To really live. read more

Standup Comedy Class - Fun times! - Performing Arts Near Me

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Without a doubt, taking this class will go down as one of the most important experiences of my life. Shepherded by the imitable Gerry Katzman and Heather Pasternak, this class will not just make you funnier but more whole. Take classes with either of them, they're both brilliant, warm, compassionate, and absolute machines for joke pitches. You simply cannot go wrong. This isn't just a stand up class, it's also 4 years of therapy packed into 10 weeks. You explore so much about yourself, in a safe environment with a great group. Gerry and Heather do such a phenomenal job vetting their students to make sure they foster the right community vibe. There aren't enough stars honestly. read more

Gerry Katzman and Heather Pasternak are phenomenal comedy teachers who can bring out The Funny in anyone. I'm always a bit skeptical when something is voted "the best," but these classes truly live up to all the five-star reviews. Not only will you learn to write bulletproof jokes, but you'll also learn to approach comedy from a deeper place of truth, learn to take risks on stage, and probably become not just a better comic, but a better human being along the way. I'd been doing standup for about 8 months but felt my writing had plateaued and wanted to learn more structure/technique. Gerry and Heather teach a joke "formula" that's simple yet powerful, and they also equip you with the tools to generate new material even when you're feeling stuck. I no longer feel like I have to wait around for random inspiration to strike before I can craft a new joke. Gerry has also fostered an incredible community of comics who are hilarious AND kind. His classes are like a fun, supportive writer's room. You'll build trust with the other comics in your class, learn to pitch in their voice, and learn to receive feedback that takes your jokes to another level. (And if your class is anything like mine, you'll also have 9 new best friends once it's over!) And if you've never tried standup comedy before, don't be intimidated! Gerry, Heather, and your future classmates will set you up for success and help you find your unique comedic voice. One of my favorite things about this class was the privilege to see my new friends develop as comedians and absolutely crush it at our showcase at the HaHa Comedy Club. In conclusion: If you're even remotely curious about trying standup or honing your craft as a comedian, take this class! read more

Gerry and Heather and comedy geniuses, end of story. They spend 3 months learning your individual style and voice, making sure your graduation material gets honest and earned laughs. They make you look damn good as a comedian, and the entire process gives people a newfound confidence on stage -- and if you don't believe the reviews, go see one of their class shows yourself. No one gets on stage to crickets -- Gerry and Heather make sure of it. Regarding price --the experience of this class is invaluable and I'm honestly shocked they don't charge more. They spend 3.5 hours a week with you, along with the undivided attention of 8 class mates focused on your individual voice and process -- and they even check in on you through the week if you need extra help. Not only do you get more than you pay for, you get something that no other class in LA is even able to give. Get in while there are still spots available, it won't be long until this is the most exclusive class in town. read more

I'm on cloud nine from everything I learned in Gerry and Heather's class and the showcase we performed! It was an unforgettable experience. I had always wanted to try stand-up comedy, but never had the guts to actually pursue it on my own. This class was the best decision and investment I could make in this little dream of mine. Every week, I looked forward to the prompts and creative writing. The instructors set up a safe space and community of support in every session and rehearsal. I really enjoyed the process of the whole class pitching and writing for each other too. I wrote about topics that were specific and unique to me, and I loved getting ideas from my classmates for punch lines and delivery. I'm so so so proud to be a part of this community now. As an actress, I feel like I basically wrote a mini-one-woman show for myself to showcase my talents, like dancing and singing. I look forward to performing my set again and again. I can't recommend this class enough. Gerry is awesome. Heather is amazing. 100%. read more

Standup Comedy Class - Rocío López at HaHa Comedy - Performing Arts Near Me

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You're probably reading all these positive reviews thinking "This class sounds too good to be true"... so let my review be the one to inform you that this is NOT too good to be true - this class is just that good. Gerry and Heather have created something truly special with this class & community. If you love stand up but have been terrified for years to try it (just like me) TAKE THE CLASS. You won't regret it. read more

If you are looking to try stand up comedy, be better at writing or public speaking OR if you are a seasoned comic looking to level up this Stand Up Comedy Class is for YOU! This opportunity to work with others to learn the techniques offered and collaborate is just what I needed! Thank you Gerry and Heather for an amazing few months! read more

This class was just fantastic. I am utterly shocked at how much progress every student made in such a short time. After just a couple of months, I've got a powerful tight 5 ready to go, a wealth of other jokes ready to build into a longer set, and a solid method for generating new material in the future. Everyone who came to our end of class showcase couldn't believe that the show was mostly first-timers, and said that it was one of the best all-around comedy shows they've ever been to. I could not have asked for a better start to my comedy career. read more

With life on hold (#quarantine) I wanted to push myself to try new things that I've been saying "someday" about for too long. Stand up comedy was one of those, but being in Nashville, there aren't a lot of opportunities under normal circumstances. Gerry took advantage of these abnormal circumstances and he and the rest of the class took a risk to try it online via Zoom. It did not disappoint! It was great connecting with people all over the US through our relatable comedy and unbelievable jokes. Gerry fosters such a great feeling of family, that the distance didn't matter. Glad I was able to be a guinea pig and can't wait to try out what I've learned on a live stage as soon as we can! read more

HANDS DOWN an AMAZING AMAZING CLASS! I loved this class and highly recommend! Gerry and Heather are hilarious comedy gurus, who really know their stuff. They teach standup in a way that is fun, accessible, and uniquely supportive. They do an excellent job of creating an environment and community that is engaging and safe, so that students feel safe to play, explore and find their comedic voice. This class has really helped me find my comedic sensibility, sharpened my comedic timing as an actor and just made me a way funnier human. TAKE THIS CLASS. You won't regret it. read more

This class was truly incredible. I was terrified of stand-up, never thought I could get up there, but I pushed myself to take the class, and by the end I wasn't just ready, I was EXCITED to get up on stage. Everything clicked without about 1 month left, I realized I'd developed at least 5 minutes of great material (and lots more than I can still work with), and I got comfortable going with classmates to open mics and got confident behind the mic. In an industry that is often very competitive, this class was refreshingly supportive and collaborative. Gerry and Heather are amazing instructors, they give you all the tools you need to write and perform jokes, but most importantly they created a warm, safe space to be vulnerable and explore with your classmates. Can't recommend this class enough! read more

Such an incredible class. Really prepared me for live standup which I've been terrified of performing for years. So supportive and practical. If you are at all serious about standup, this is the class to take. read more

I took this class because I wanted to bring more lightness, humor and ability to entertain in professional speaking and everyday conversations. Gerry and Heather delivered above and beyond what I could have expected. Not only did I learn how to write and perform stand-up comedy, but I also gained a newfound sense of community with my classmates. Gerry gives thoughtful attention and personalized guidance to help each student nurture their best material. Heather has sharp and witty pitches that helped anyone find their own brand of funny. They really make a great team for anyone looking to learn the art of stand-up!. read more

If you're reading this, sign up. Just do it. You won't regret it. Gerry & Heather are incredible and no matter what stage you're at in your stand up journey - they will be the best teachers you can ask for. Truly the safest space to do stand up in and the most incredible experience overall. I was very nervous going into it and almost didn't sign up but I took the leap and I could not be more grateful. You really learn the essence of what makes stand up so special AND you also make friends for life. The best class you can take. Just sign up. Thank me later. read more

This class was life-changing for me! Pulled me out of a multi-year rut of not writing as much as I wanted to & forcing me back on stage after a fear-induced hiatus. I encourage anyone interested in giving stand up a try or cultivating their own voice as a writer/performer to trust Gerry & Heather with your talents - you'll be received with infinite kindness, encouragement, and specific insights into your personal strengths as an artist. They have an incredible ability to make a seemingly complicated & scary thing simple and accessible to all. I got much more than I what I paid for, and am very excited to continue pursuing stand up comedy - and I won't be alone! Another benefit of taking this class is that you leave with a group of other brand new baby stand ups who you can continue to write and perform with - woOp! I can't thank Gerry & Heather enough. read more

I cannot recommend this class enough! It helped me breakthrough some major comedy writing blocks and met so many amazing people in an incredibly supportive environment! read more

I have taken many classes in my life and this is the best class I have ever taken. It is so tough, so hard but after all the hard work, everything is worth the grind. Class buddies cheered each other on. Heather and Geary taught me the basic structure of a joke so I can see it clearly in every joke. Heather was great at pitching and guiding us through how to make a joke better. This is the hardest thing I have done for my whole life. The emotional roller coaster of an artist. Self doubt of am I funny enough, do I have enough to share, am I special, am I enough. It can be sooo tough and we need our buddies to cheer us on. I am so incredible proud for all of our classes to even try comedy and stick to the class till final performance. This is not meant to be a road traveled alone. It's such a painful grind. But it is really awesome to see how rough this world really is and still stick to it. Heather and Geary were great hosting and warming up the crowd for the final performance and that was one of the best night of my life. Thank you for your teaching and I will see you around ;) -- Shiknasty read more

Standup Comedy Class - Performing Arts Near Me

Having recently finished Gerry's comedy class, I cannot recommend it enough; whether you're a complete novice to comedy or an experienced professional, Gerry and his team will provide you with an unparalleled learning environment where your skills will be taken to the next level. How does he do this, you might ask? He does this by providing a supportive learning environment. His curriculum is step-by-step, always keeping you adequately challenged and properly held by both the rest of the class and the teacher. Being funny on command is not an easy task - and you will be guided there slowly but surely in a methodical, repeatable way. You will learn a comprehensive formula for writing standup and taught to find your inner artist - providing you with both a concrete support mechanism to instill proper habits and the inner confidence an artist gains as they dive into their inner depths and pull out something beautiful they didn't realize was there in the first place. All of this happens in the midst of a support system with true depth - both from the class and the teacher (regardless of your skill level). But what if I've never written a joke before? Neither had I. I was terrified, paralyzed at the prospect - just like you (maybe). And now, only 10 weeks later, I feel confident in my ability to not only continue to refine my material, but also to generate new jokes. If you're a novice, you will learn a step-by-step guide to extract the funny out of your own life on a stage for others. If you're a pro, great - keep reading. But standup comedy is scary; I'm not sure I can do it. If you've made it far enough to read a review on a standup comedy class, I'd be willing to bet you've seen standup before and admired the person on stage; you thought, 'I wonder if I could do that' and now you're here - having followed that same thought. I like to believe that if you see something beautiful in someone else, you're likely admiring that person because they have cultivated the qualities which you'd most like to see come out of yourself. I was afraid I couldn't do it, and Gerry proved me wrong. But yeah, its scary. But life is an adventure, and its doing the scary things that make life worth living. But I've been doing standup for a while now, how is this going to help me? I can't tell you how many comics I've run into throughout this class that have asked me, 'where are you in class? How did you learn all of this so quickly?' I can't speak to what goes on in other classrooms, but I can tell you that experienced comics (both within my class, and outside of my class) have taken significant notice of the results generated within Gerry's class. He'll help you refine your skillset and teach you new formulas to polish your material and get the audience on the hook of every word coming out of your mouth. But I'm not sure I'd be comfortable doing this in front of a bunch of strangers. I used to feel the same way. I thought standup was something you do alone - the lone comic's journey. But again, Gerry proved me wrong. This class is a team sport. 2-3 weeks in, you'll find yourself wanting everyone else in your class to succeed, and they'll all feel the same way about you. It feels like a loving environment with the purest of intentions - to help you find something beautiful within yourself, and share it with the world - all with a group of people with a similar desire, kind hearts, and hilarious minds. Don't get me wrong, Gerry's class is not for the faint of heart. This is a class for people who are willing to give themselves fully to the art of standup, to embrace the challenge that comes with learning a new craft and a new art form, and to support others trying to do the same. If you're still feeling uneasy after all of this, and you've taken a peak at some other reviews, that's normal! Standup is scary. Maybe this isn't for you - but all I can tell you is that it was an amazing experience for me - and I'll cherish it for the rest of my life. read more

Phenomenal class! Gerry and Heather really teach comedy joke-writing structure and make you practice writing new material every week. You build your comedy-writing muscles. Then they give clear feedback on your efforts based on their impressive comedy sensibilities. Plus they create a wonderfully supportive group environment that builds strong connections. Can't recommend highly enough! read more

Heather and Gerry are just gems of human beings and foster an inclusive, supportive and safe space to create in. This class gave me a useful and repeatable structure to write jokes and took my writing to a new level, both in that my jokes are much funnier, but they're also more honest and personal. If you're looking for a stand up class don't hesitate to take this one! read more

These classes are the game changer for anyone, from those with a passing interest in comedy to the consummate career comedian. Revelatory; I feel like a curtain has been drawn back to reveal the mathematical equation that is the foundation of stand-up. But perhaps of even more value is the care and attention put into a comfortable and safe space for creativity and risk taking. Highly, highly recommend. read more

Awesome class! Gerry and Heather are the dream team! The class is structured to give you tons of material to pull from, and you end up with an extremely polished set. It fully lives up to the hype. read more

This class was AMAZING. Heather and Gerry were so unbelievably helpful, supportive and I learned techniques that I'll keep using forever. I couldn't recommend it enough! read more