Kids’ Stand-Up Comedy Workshop(s), One On One Work, and School Break Pop-Ups

Taught by Kelli Dunham – nurse, comedian, writer, and professional funny person who believes kids deserve better jokes and louder laughs.

And also educator. I work in the public school system and in a few different after school programs around town: I’m fingerprinted and background checked. 

What We Do

I teach kids the building blocks of stand-up comedy—storytelling, timing, and the magic of noticing weird little things about life.

Through games, writing prompts, and laughter-filled practice, students develop their own short stand-up sets to perform at the end of the session.

There are also options to focus on comic writing and/or making comic books/zines 

We focus on confidence, creativity, and connection—because the best comedy comes from being brave enough to share what makes you unique.

What Caregivers Love About It

• Builds public speaking skills without the yawn factor
  
• Encourages empathy and emotional intelligence (jokes that punch up, not down)
  
• Strengthens writing and critical thinking
  
• Boosts resilience—learning how to handle a joke that doesn’t land with grace and humor

What Kids Love About It

• They get to be the funny one—on purpose
  
• They write about what they think is hilarious (no adults choosing the topic)
  
• They perform in front of an audience that actually wants to hear them talk
  
• They discover that laughter is power—and that words can make people feel seen and connected
  

End-of-Session Showcase (Optional, But Most Young People End Up Wanting To Do It)

Each season ends with a mini comedy show where students share their original material with family and friends.

It’s half stand-up, half joyful chaos, and 100% pride-inducing.

A Note from Kelli

As a nurse, I’ve seen how humor heals.
As a comedian, I’ve seen how it connects.
And as a educator, I know that giving kids a mic and a safe space to express themselves can change everything—from stage fright to self-doubt.

We’re not teaching kids to be professional comics.

We’re teaching them to tell their truth, find their funny, and use both to make the world a little lighter.

And of course, neurodivergent, gender glorious, and young people who are considered “difficult” are all enthusiastically welcomed!

If you’re interested, please fill out this form (it’s barely a form, it’s two questions) and we can jump on a zoom and see what works for you.

Thanks for your interest and keep laughing.

Or don’t. Times are hard. Crying is okay too.