I'm am now on Level 3. Having a blast. Didn't realize how many stories and experiences I get to share

This is an amazing class! My last review of Cary's class was completely OFF POINT! I was in an extremely negative place 4 years ago and I sincerely apologize for that impulsive and rash review. (Yelp won't allow me to remove it) This is one of the most in depth and comprehensive classes I've ever taken. Cary's insight and experience in comedy is invaluable! I am extremely fortunate to be part of this class and I'm really grateful for Cary's deep understanding of comedy and his acceptance and forgiveness of stupid human behavior ... Thanks Cary. read more

I was heartbroken when I left LA because it meant I couldn't take Cary's class again. But when he offered them virtually I jumped right in. He's as good a teacher online as he is in person. He's not only a great writer and performer in his own right, but he really is great and making his students shine as well. The class is so fun you just don't want it to end. You can see the sets I built as a result of being in his class here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar02jWL29IA Cary doesn't just teach you how to be funny (you probably already are or you wouldn't be interested in stand up) he teaches you how to be EFFECTIVE as a comedy writer and performer. Everyone should at least try stand up once in their life, and Cary will make your performance, whether it's your 1st or 31st, is a hit! read more

I've taken his class , in 7 weeks you will learn how to write and perform stand up comedy . At the end of his class you will have a professional recording of your set you performed . Sign up with Carey you will not regret it . read more

Hey All! I don't really write too many Yelp reviews (and I'm not sure if I'm even logged in) but wanted to chime in and say Cary Odes is one of the most encouraging teachers I've ever encountered. I chose him for a class years ago as his reviews said very little about connections etc. (even though he's a veteran industry insider with plenty of connections and stories) and instead emphasized how genuine he was. He's a nice honest dude that will not only make you funnier, but a better version of yourself. Whether you're looking to start your career in comedy or simply want to gain a fun outlet on everyone's endless journey towards self-improvement, I can't recommend this class, or better yet, Cary himself as a person enough. Just a note that during the COVID-19 pandemic he has offered online classes, and I'm sure once it's safe to do so in-person offerings will likely make a comeback. I've experienced both options over the years and recommend trying either to find the funniest version of you! :) read more

Horrible experience! Cary Odes is an old fashioned comedy teacher who sticks to an old fashioned formula to make money from aspiring comedians. He promises you'll be a total success while the best you can hope for with his "formula" is a few laughs from your friends. read more

I took this class with a healthy amount of skepticism. I was pretty quickly convinced that it was going to be at the very least full of helpful tools and a community of other beginners to lean on. It proved to a lot more than that. Went from never having done a single joke, to making a room full of people genuinely crack up. Cary (the teacher) is a really good dude. He's not doing this just to make a buck. He really cares and even when I tried to bail on the course because of doubts in myself, he went out of his way to call me up and cater to my individual struggles. He already had my money. He could've easily and justifiably wished me farewell. You may experience some differ in taste when it comes to the content, but the tools he teaches you are universal fundamentals. Stick with it, and you'll be happy you did. read more

Wow! Where to begin.. First off, we finished our showcase tonight. I want to write this review to make sure that I remember. I did classes at The Comedy Store with Sandy Shore and never felt ready to do a set so I backed out in fear of embarrassing myself. I mean no bad feelings towards their classes but it didn't prepare me enough to feel comfortable. I found Carys "The Stand-Up Workshop" because it out of convenience because I wanted to give it a 2nd shot. The thing is, he is a diamond in the the rough!! I really wish I would have started with him! This man WILL put in the work and find the funny in you, even if you can't see it. You'll bring an outline in (that he helps you find about yourself) and then he'll tell you how to structure jokes. After you do that, he'll help you build and mold it all together. Take this class if you want to get over that fear! Only guy in LA that will help build your jokes and your confidence! Thank you Cary!! I almost didn't go on stage tonight and then I crushed it. read more

The Stand-Up Workshop - Performing Arts Near Me - Culver City, California

I had a great time learning about stand up comedy. The template was easy but also very challenging. You think you have a good joke, but it's then refined and you're given honest feedback about your performance. I read a few books on stand up comedy before taking this course, but taking this course and performing in front of strangers was incredible. Carey has a lot of great advice and helps you see how you can make your material funnier. A really fun guy that cares about the students development. I highly recommend this class! read more

I was very pleasantly surprised at this fantastic workshop. Cary was very supportive, encouraging and instructive. i didn't know what to expect and in a few weeks he taught our small class how to do stand-up comedy. I found myself on stage at the Improv in Hollywood 7 weeks into the class with a really terrific group of people I now call friends. Los Angeles has very people who actually want to make other's lives better and Cary is one of those people. This class is great. read more

The Stand-Up Workshop - Performing Arts Near Me - Culver City, California

Cary Odes' class is without a doubt the best stand-up class that I've ever taken. I came into the class having performed stand-up many times before (don't worry most of the class was brand new), and having taken many other stand-up courses around the country, but I learned way more than I ever expected with Cary!! Looking back at my "reel" before the class, I can't believe how distracted and unfocused my old set was. Now, I have a solid 5 minutes that I could perform anywhere. I'm feeling more confident than ever in my stand-up, and Cary gave us lots of tips to get started in our professional careers. Don't shy away from taking the class, even if you are deep into performing and doing open mics. The class is way useful no matter what stage you are at in your comedy career. Great work, Cary! Keep up the good work! read more

Fear, fear, fear. I bet you're hesitating while you're reading this. Despite having every bit of desire to finally DO stand-up comedy! Well look no further. Cary is the teacher for you. I give this class 4 stars, because I almost dropped out last minute before doing my first show. Some do. In an imaginary, perfect world, everyone can break through the fear of stage fright. Cary isn't exactly a superhero with the superpower to mind control people into staying for the final performance in the face of fear. But he's pretty darn good at it, I'm so glad I went through with it due to his support. So worth it! read more

Really fantastic! Cary Odes helped me to find the humor in my own life and to craft it into a 5-minute stand-up routine. He's part wizard, part cheerleader, and part therapist. He knows what funny is. I saw him take ALL of us (in the class) from being nervous to being successful on the stage. I'm the author of the novel, Space Spiders on Prom Day. He helped me from being funny on the page to being funny in real life. And, the pictures and video that I received from the showcase are an added bonus. I realize you may be a little bit scared. I was. I recommend you go for it. read more

The Stand-Up Workshop - Performing Arts Near Me - Culver City, California

Cary Odes is a phenomenal teacher. The class is super fun and the comedy created is amazing. I've taken this class many times and I don't know a better way to develop material. Amazing how one class can teach beginners to working comics. Cary is the real deal. I highly recommend this class to anyone. read more

Took this class in the Winter of 2020. It was a super fun experience. Every week you learn and refine until you end up performing on stage. Cary is an excellent teacher who believes in his students and supports them to the big day. read more

I have taken stand-up classes from three different instructors, and I love that each of them offers something different. What I liked most about Carey's class was he didn't spend a lot of time with technical talk and teaching us joke structure; we just dove in and started working on material. The most valuable thing I learned from him was how to tighten up a set and cut out unnecessary stuff. Everyone in the class except me had taken his class before, which is a testament to how much they value his teaching. They all were so supportive and extremely talented. We also got a very high-quality video of our showcase. That alone made it worth the price of admission! read more

Cary is an amazing teacher! Seriously, this class is the best. Cary takes the time to understand what is funny about you and your unique experiences and helps you build a 5-7 minute set by the end of his eight week course. You get feedback from Cary and your classmates along the way and then get to perform in front of a paying audience at the Hollywood Improv. So cool! I truthfully did this class on a whim, and I'm so glad I did. I had an amazing time, learned so much about writing jokes, and became much more interested in stand-up in the process. I feel totally comfortable reaching out to Cary for any questions or advice I may need from here on out. He's a great teacher and human being. Glad to have been referred to his class! Thanks Cary! read more

Cary pushed me to a new level. I took a stand-up comedy class and performed a bit in my early twenties, and while the instructor had very good intentions, there wasn't a lot of constructive criticism there to help me improve. My first instructor also gave me a very discouraging view of the business of comedy that made me very anxious about continuing with being a comedian. The itch never really went away, and after 11 years, I decided to give it one more shot and signed up for Cary's class. My classmates and I were all at different experience levels, and Cary very intuitively knew how to give us each what we needed at different stages of the game, which is an incredible teaching skill to possess. He really pushed me, and after 8 weeks, I had the best set of my life. I've been floating all week. Cary is a gifted teacher, and I am so happy that I found his class. read more

Cary Odes is a tremendous teacher. If you're interested in Stand-Up but too afraid to give it a shot, or you are a consummate procrastinator, take this class. Cary is excellent at navigating and alleviating the fears that come with doing Stand-Up. He's also really great at helping you find what's funny about your life. Many teachers work on the formula, and while that's useful, Cary goes beyond the formula to help you find your story, your voice, your humor. I can't speak for all classes, but my cohorts were hilarious and tremendously supportive. Cary works to craft a collaborative spirit in class, and this shines through in outside rehearsals. Plus you go up at the world-famous Improv in Hollywood. Legends have walked that stage, and you can too... Don't let your fears get the best of you. We need laughter, now more than ever. read more

Cary Odes = Best comedy coach ever. Best stand-up comedy class. This class is for regular people, business people, new stand-ups...etc. I've taken Cary's class 5-6 times and can't say enough greats things about Cary. He's such a pro, I've seen him make the most unfunny person super funny on stage! I've performed for a sold-out show at the Improv in Hollywood and received tons of laughs - what a crazy fun experience! Everyone who takes Cary's class absolutely loves him and loves the experience. If you're scared like I was, I can promise you the fear will turn into a thrill of a lifetime. Grab a friend and give it a try. You'll love it! read more

If you made it this far, you're curious. Or, maybe like me, you've been wanting to do this your whole life! I say do it. The classes are fun, Cary knows what he's doing, and you'll be up doing your thing at the Improv in 8 weeks. Taking this class is definitely one of the best things I've ever done. All you have to do is show up!! Go for it! read more

I can't recommend Cary's class highly enough. I did the Jan - Feb. 2018 class. I had always been kind of interested in standup but had no idea to actually start doing it, and was really scared about going on stage. Cary did an incredible job explaining how to write jokes, how to refine material, how to feel comfortable on stage, and tons of other wisdom that comes from decades as a comic. He's a hilarious comic, a talented and patient teacher, and a super nice guy. If you're considering doing a standup class (or are on the fence), do this one. You won't regret it. read more

This was an amazing life experience! I highly recommend this workshop for everyone. I don't consider myself a jokes teller, but I find things funny (a lot) and I enjoy watching stand-up comedians. Cary Odes is a master teacher who helped me turn my thoughts into structured jokes, while leaving room for my own voice to emerge and be expressed. Cary teaches with a no-judgment attitude that creates a safe space for people to take risks, be seen, and support each other through the scary parts of the creative process. To be honest, I almost quit halfway through. I had missed a class because of work and felt like my material was awful. But Cary held for me and encouraged me to "just show up." So I did. And that made all the difference. Somehow, through the creative process and with Cary's support, it all turned out great. I loved my material and doing the live performance was so much fun! If you are intrigued about this workshop, do yourself a favor and go to a class. The first one is free. And if that class scares you, then do it!!!! read more

Cary was a fantastic teacher. I went into this class very apprehensive about performing in front of a crowd. By the end, I felt extremely prepared and had a blast performing at the Improv. Can't recommend Cary and this class enough. read more

Signed up a week late but still don't feel like I missed a beat. Cary is such a great teacher and can turn the most mundane details of your life into comedy gold. I highly recommend at least attending his free class. You will be pleased. It was great to watch the growth of my colleagues as well. I plan on signing up for another session in the future. Until then, can't wait till next time Cary. And thanks for everything! read more

Cary is an amazing teacher, during my class I observed him convert regular people into stand-ups. He cares about his students and is always prepared to spend extra time with people who need help. Cary prevents you from making poor material and style choices and guides you to a place that can launch a new comic into the world of comedy. The final class show at the Improv is a brilliant experience and changes the way you approach life. Highly recommended. read more

This class was great. I was a nervous wreck most of the class, but Cary saw the great in all of us. One of the best experiences in my life. I made great friends and was pushed to be my best. Some how he saw the funny in all of us. Cary was great with communication and took special time outside of class to help anyone who needed it. THANK YOU! IG @CHRISTINAHAVIS read more

If you are considering any other comedy workshop I suggest stop Cary Odes is the best. I myself went all around LA sat in on classes but was disappointed until a former student of Carys suggested I attend his workshop. Carys class taught me joke writing and structure, stage performance techniques, delivery style. As a teacher Cary will work with you on your material till it is perfect. It's not just a classroom experience but you also get to perform at The Hollywood Improv in front of a live audience and get a video of your performance. Carys class really helped me overcome my fear of stage fright and perfectly brought out the funny in me giving the confidence I need to write and perform as a comic in the future. I strongly recommend Cary Odes workshop as the best don't give it a second thought just enroll now! It's worth every penny. read more

Cary is awesome! This was my first ever standup comedy class and I was so happy that it went well in a virtual setting. I loved learning about comedy writing, editing, and everything that goes into making a joke work. I would highly recommend this class! Btw, I'm a practicing lawyer and patient advocate who has no aspirations of making it big in the entertainment business. I have wanted to take a class like this for over 10 years and finally did (since I was stuck at home during Covid lockdown). I'm grateful to Cary for encouraging me to dig deep and work on my material. Most of all, I have found that writing down things that are funny makes me happy. I look forward to working with Cary privately on future material. Thanks Cary! read more

I have taken a few classes in Los Angeles and Cary's stands out. He is a seasoned professional who is very effective in helping you mine for great material. Cary teaches a specific technique in a caring way. He'll guide you away from going for cheap jokey laughs and steer you toward your finding the funny in what is true. Some of his alumni have gone on to be working comedians. Whether you are a newbie with standup on your bucket list or a pro wanting to write some new material, I highly recommend Cary's Workshop. read more

I've taken this class twice and it's worth every penny. Cary gives you the tools to put together a really tight 5-minute set that you'll be proud to perform. He consistently brings out the comic in all his students, no matter their background or experience. If you've always wanted to try stand-up, Cary is the teacher for you. And you get to perform at the Improv at the end! You'll love this class. read more

I've taken a lot of classes and Cary is the best. He knows exactly your strengths and weaknesses and how to work with them and make you the funniest you can be. He can pinpoint the exact problem with your joke. AND AND more importantly he's not an asshole. He is supportive and kind and is genuinely a great and funny guy. read more

If you're reading this, you want to try stand-up. If you want to try stand-up but are nervous (like most were before enrolling), you are very fortunate to have found the link to The Stand-Up Workshop. The teacher, Cary Odes, is GREAT at what he does. With his guidance, you will be ready to perform, nerves notwithstanding, and it will be fun and fulfilling. Go for it! read more

Cary is truly dedicated to helping his students to develop outstanding comic talent. He's an experienced professional as well as engaging comic. He has a rare gift for helping teaching comedy that is truly extraordinary. If you want to learn standup Comedy, take Cary's class. Class involves developing a personalized standup comedy routine, practicing with lots of help from Cary and then performing at the Hollywood Improv after 8 weeks. Sample routines from my class included the students discussing their experiences being French in America, being a mechanic, Heing a single girl, surviving pstd (really funny) and being blind (hilarious). It was a great educational experience that helped all participants grow their comedy skills and grow as people. read more

Cary will challenge and bring out the best in you. This was a great experience for me and I'll be doing it again in the future. If you've ever wanted to do stand-up Cary is the one to get you through your first experience. Do it! read more

Cary is an amazing teacher, a great comedian and a wonderful human being. I would venture to say he can teach anyone to be a standup but that would imply it's easy, and it's not. It's hard work but he is experienced and patient with his students and brings out the best in them. Your comedy is crafted to you as an individual not some cookie cutter, one size fits all road map. This isn't just a comedy class either if you're willing to listen there are some valuable life lessons taught along the way. 100% satisfied, great class, great guy -- I can say no more -- read more

If you're looking for a great stand up class, whether you've ever been on stage or want to punch up your material, you can stop looking. Cary is the BEST! He's a great teacher, kind and always encouraging! I was so scared that I wasn't going to be able to pull off a 5 minute set but it all came together in the last 2 weeks of the class. Cary will get everything to click for you. Plus you do a performance at the Hollywood Improv! I had such a great experience that I've started my own speakeasy style comedy show at my apartment building!!! Get in this class and stick with it! You WON'T be sorry you did! read more

Cary told us we would all be doing stand up and loving it by the end of the class cycle and I did not believe. him. He completely delivered. He guided us through the whole process and the result was a very funny magical night with everyone succeeding beautifully. If you want to try stand up he will make sure you do not fail! A gifted teacher! read more

You wanna be a comedian? Great! Don't think about it. Just do the workshop. You won't regret it. You get 6 weeks of instruction from a pro. You go up and do 5 solid minutes at the legendary Hollywood Improv and get photos and a reel that you can use to market yourself. It's a year of work in 6 weeks. Sure Cary paid me to write this. But I also mean it! Call him now for more information. If you do-tell him it was specifically my review that made you call...if he doesn't hang up immediately upon hearing my name...ask him when you can start! read more

This is the first stand up class I have ever taken and Cary sets the bar high. I am not a comedian, nor an actor, and was terrified at the thought of performing. Cary earned my trust, then respect, then admiration. He truly cared about me and all of his students. You will also be surrounded by awesome classmates who truly support you. I had no idea what the experience would be like, but overall, I have to say, that it was brilliant. If you are a comic, please take this class, you will learn so much. If you aren't a comic and are just looking for an amazing life experience that will invigorate and inspire you, please take this class. You will be challenged, but also be deeply taken care of. read more