Youth Summer Camp: 7th-12th Graders
Stand Up & Comedy Creation with Stuti Sharma

IN PERSON for Summer 2023

StoryStudio is proud to offer multiple week-long writing workshops for young scribes across the nation. That’s right, now that we’re online, you can join us from anywhere. With our talented instructors, young writers can expect to learn elements of writing, build friendships and community with fellow peers, and get feedback on their creative works. Check out our different sessions here, ranging from 5th grade to 12th grade, and a special session for our genre writers.

StoryStudio is pleased to offer full scholarships to students who are unable to meet the tuition requirements.
If your child would like to apply for a scholarship, please ask them to fill out this form.

July 17 – 21: 9am – 12pm Central
We’re excited to introduce Stuti Sharma in our studio for writers who are looking to experiment with comedic content creation and a stand up experience.

Have you always thought you’re funny and want to make Tiktok, sketches, Youtube videos, or even start physically performing stand up comedy? This class will explore movies, sketches, writing exercises, and more to help you learn how your favorite comedies were made and how you can do this yourself. You will leave the class with a tight 4-minute performance, a plan for videos or sketches, and/or a team to collaborate with.

Pre-reading/prep:
Bring some of your favorite funny Tiktoks* from your saved profile, funny Youtube* videos, or a list of your favorite funny movies in films to talk about together. 
*Any media should be age-appropriate and parent/guardian-approved.

Day 1: Welcome / Online Comedy Content Creation
In this class, we will get to know one another. We will create some community agreements together so we can create an artistic environment that everyone feels affirmed and seen in. Then, we will explore some platforms to create content online, primarily on Tiktok. 

Day 2: Stand Up Comedy
We will watch some amazing stand up clips, learn how to write a tight 4 minutes and punch up jokes while performing them, and have a guest facilitator, Ontonio Kareem, to discuss this. 

Day 3: Powerpoint Party & Comedy with Tools
In this class, we will have a powerpoint party. We will all be given a prompt to make a funny powerpoint with and then at the end of the class will present this to one another.

Day 4: Pranks and Comedy Filmmaking 
Similar to Tyler the Creator’s legendary Loiter Squad, we’re going to brainstorm and learn what it takes to execute and plan a prank as well as some basics of taking comedy to the screen by studying some favorite comedic TV pilots. Then, we will write a quick script in groups together and learn about the importance of collaboration in comedy.

Day 5: Showcase
During the week, we will create different kinds of pieces and content that are comedic. We will select the ones we are most proud of and present either individually or as a group. 

Stuti Sharma (she/they) is a poet, comedian, photographer, educator, and filmmaker who is of Indian heritage, born in Nairobi, and raised in Chicago. She has work in Autostraddle, Belt Magazine, Hooligan Magazine, Mason Jar Press, 68to05.com, and she was a member of the Tin House 2020 Summer Workshop. She performs and produces shows and events all around Chicago. You can contact and find more information on her shows and writing here.