The comedy industry was shaken in December 2024 when The Junkyard, a well-known comedy management agency, suddenly closed its doors. Rising stars Aaron Chen and Sam Campbell were among the many comedians left out of pocket, highlighting the financial and professional risks performers face when managing their careers. This event raises an important question for comedians, “should you seek representation, …
Mary Gillen Blythe: Graduate Highlight
This week we highlight graduate Mary Gillen Blythe. Don’t be fooled by her name. Mary is not a 1800s Gothic fiction writer, although she does have a background in Hollywood. Rather, Mary is a bucket list ticker who decided she’d tick off ‘perform stand-up comedy’ and do so in front of over 50 people at the November Hard Knock Knocks …
What’s the world’s funniest joke?
Laughter is universal, but what makes a joke truly great? What is the world’s funniest joke? Humour blends science and art, and few jokes exemplify this better than Bradford Oakes’ ‘James Cameron’s Fish‘ joke. Curious? Watch Brad’s joke, published on Instagram, below: Watch on Instagram Looking for the funny in science Wendy Zukerman’s podcast Science Vs: The Funniest Jokes in …
3 Ways to Book a Comedian in Australia
If you want to book a comedian for your corporate event, sports or RSL club then here’s how: 1. Go Direct The cheapest, and sometimes easiest way to book a comedian is go direct. A few professioanl comedians management their own website and answer messages and emails directly. Jack Levi, aka Elliot Goblet, is one such professional comedian who can …
How do you book a stand-up comedian in Melbourne?
The fastest way to book a stand-up comedian in Melbourne is through the mobile app, Gigme. Available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play for Android phones, Gigme allows you to find, book and pay for a comedian directly – with no middleman. You can even chat with the comedian directly and negotiate the fee. Some of Australia’s funniest comedian …
How much do stand-up comedians make in Australia?
One of the most common questions asked by Hard Knock Knocks comedy students is “How much do stand-up comedians make?” It’s a valid question, but unfortunately one that is hard to answer. Firstly, the industry is not regulated by an Award rate, unlike other jobs within The Arts. While the Australian Government’s Fair Work Ombudsman’s ‘Pay Guide – Live Performance …
Should you pay for Facebook and Instagram ads to sell comedy tickets?
There’s no quick answer to this question. In short, “It depends.” Facebook and Instagram ads can be a powerful tool to sell tickets for your comedy show, but they’re not a guaranteed success. Before you commit your hard-earned cash, consider these five important factors: 1. Is this for a festival or one off show? Timing plays a huge role in …
Are you ready to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival?
The Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School is coming up to our tenth year of coaching stand-up comedy, and one thing we know for sure, graduates are super keen to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, ASAP. But are they ready? Performing a ‘tight five‘ at a Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School graduation is one thing. Performing over multiple nights …
Meet Joe White, November guest comedian
⚠️ Alert! Joe White is the guest celebrity comedian for the November comedy course in Melbourne. Comedian Joe White has made significant strides in the comedy world, establishing himself as a unique voice in Australian stand-up. Known for his ability to weave cultural insights with humour, Joe has become a favourite at major events, particularly the Perth Fringe, Melbourne International …