Helium Comedy Academy: Stand Up Comedy 101

Stand-Up Comedy 101

Comedy Class Syllabus:

  • Learn the basics of stand-up comedy in a structured class setting
  • Mold topics into an original routine through a weekly on-stage performance workshop
  • Translate your ideas into a crafted act through proper joke structure and editing techniques
  • Experiment with elements of improv and acting to create a unique and organic performance
  • Hone your joke-crafting skills with a focus on writing content

Comedy Classes Include:

  • Six two-hour-long comedy class sessions at Cap City Comedy Club, Tuesdays from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  • A Graduation showcase at Cap City will take place following the final class session (schedule permitting) in which participants perform for an audience of friends and family in a supportive, positive, and controlled environment

Upcoming Class Dates


We have two separate class sessions taking place in the Red Room for our fall 2024 class schedule.


September - October Session (Tuesday Classes w/ Mac Blake)

  • Class Dates: 9/3 9/10, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15 *No class on 9/17
  • Class Time: 7 PM - 9 PM
  • Grad Show 10/17 at 8:30 PM

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September - October Session (Wednesday Classes w/ Brain Gaar)

  • Class Dates: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23
  • Class Time: 7 PM - 9 PM
  • Grad Show 10/24 at 8:30 PM

SIGN UP


Instructor: Mac Blake

After a couple of non-starting toe-dips, Mac Blake dove head-first into stand-up comedy in 2009. A past winner of the Funniest Person in Austin contest, Blake has performed at the New Faces of Comedy Showcase at Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival, the Moontower Comedy Festival, Funny or Die’s Oddball Festival, and more. Blake has opened for John Mulaney, Bo Burnham, Dave Attell, Marc Maron, JB Smoove, Rachel Feinstein, magicians, pro wrestlers, bands, drunken company holiday parties (including one on a bus) and Steve-O. Blake has been a part of numerous improv and sketch comedy projects and is a regular performer with the award-winning movie mocking group Master Pancake Theater. His two albums on Sure Thing records and his action movie podcast Punch Mountain are available on whatever you use to listen to things like that.

Instructor: Brian Gaar

Brian Gaar is a nationally acclaimed comedian, writer and internet personality. He’s been called “one of the funniest joke tellers on the internet” by Playboy and The Austin Chronicle said he’s “so funny it hurts.” His hourlong comedy special, “Jokes I Wrote At Work,” is available on Amazon Prime and his comedy can also be heard on Sirius XM radio. Brian has performed at the Moontower Comedy Festival and South by Southwest. Brian also hosted the late-night comedy show, “ATX Uncensored(ish),” on Austin’s NBC affiliate. His jokes have appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show as well as Playboy, Funny or Die and Esquire.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the fact that all our instructors are working comedians, some classes may be covered by a substitute instructor