What happens after the course?

The graduation is just the beginning. As soon as the course is over we invite you into the alumni group, where we offer free support, opportunities for gigs (some even paid!) and provide information about upcoming comedy festivals, like the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

If I get sick, do I lose my spot?

Nope! We’ll transfer you to the next course. And if you get sick again, we’ll keep transferring you. The record to date is 4 transfers!

When I sign up to the in-person course, do I get access to the online course too?

Yes, the online course is part of the full face-to-face course. You’ll get access to the online course as soon as you register, which means you can prepare before the course begins.

How many people have completed the course?

We were founded in 2016, and each year we have around 100 graduates. So we've coached well over 900 keynote speakers, bucket list tickers and comedians of the future!

Learn stand-up comedy in Melbourne this January, 2027

Name: Learn stand-up comedy in Melbourne this January, 2027
Start: 2027-01-24T18:30:00+1100
End: 2027-01-28T21:30:00+1100
Location: The Rubber Chicken Studio

Sun, 24 Jan, 6:30pm - Thu, 28 Jan, 9:30pm 2027 AEDT

The Rubber Chicken Studio

South Melbourne VIC, Australia

· Accessibility info

Hard Knock Knocks

32 followers · Contact host

Description

Learn stand-up comedy in Melbourne over 5-evenings from Sunday to Thursday, 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, from January 24 to 28, 2027. You’ll get the Hard Knock Knocks comedy manual, our complementary online course, video of your graduating performance, professional headshots for future marketing, and loads of one-on-one coaching from our resident comedy coach, our returning alumni, and celebrity comedian.

Previous graduates have gone on to perform at comedy festivals, win Raw Comedy, compete in Australia's Got Talent, and perform across Australia as professional comedians.

Pre-Course: Online course access

Access the entire Hard Knock Knocks stand-up comedy curriculum ahead of the face-to-face course via your phone or PC. Narrated by the legendary comedian Greg Fleet, this online course includes videos examples, audio advice, activities and feedback to ensure you don't feel like a noob on day one. Learn more by clicking here.

Day 1: Sunday - The Basics, Finding Yourself, Joke Structure and Preparation

Get introduced to the basics of stand-up comedy and the jargon of the comedic industry before jumping into the deep end with your very own mini comedy set. Then, it's time to learn the 'Normal-Normal-Twist' technique, and developing your own original jokes, before trialling them on stage and giving them a polish.

Day 2: Monday - Generating Content and Building Confidence

Learn to gauge your audience and how to recognise and manage taboo topics while learning confidence building/fear smashing techniques. You’ll also meet the guest comedian, who will talk about their career and advise you on your own, and develop more of your original material.

Day 3: Tuesday - Delivery and Controlling a Room

Learn to write a strong open to your comedy set. Tonight students will also have the opportunity to refine some of their own writing, and learn about the open mic circuit, the Australian comedy festivals, such as Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festivals, as well as life after graduation, with a visit from our returning alumni.

Day 4: Wednesday - The Close, Graduation Preparation and Photo Headshots (at Limerick Arms Hotel)

Closing your set strong is this night's goal, as well as putting the extra polish on tomorrow night's graduation performance. You'll also model for professional headshots, that are vital for comedy event posters or even acting jobs!

Day 5: Thursday - Graduation Night and Performance (at Limerick Arms Hotel)

The moment you have been working toward! Perform your stand-up comedy routine in front of family and friends, conquer your fears and perform alongside three professional stand-up comedians.

So glad I gave this a crack!

So glad I gave this a crack! The coaches used their powers to transmogrify a group of funny, super-interesting people into comedians. Great bunch of people who I'm miss

Duncan Mackay
Incredible experience

Am telling everyone I know to give it a try. I feel so much more confident standing up in front of people to speak now. Fantastic mentors - so generous!

Tricia Baggs
What a blast!

Had a ball doing this course, great support. Highly recommend doing it.

Andrew Harvey
An amazing experience

Learning stand up at Hard Knock Knocks was such an amazing experience and I highly recommend giving it a go, whether it is a bucket list item or a foot in the door to the world of stand up.

Nadia Chau
Freaking amazing!

It was just freaking amazing, teachers are perfect. Don’t think too much, DO THE COURSE!

Manuel Fairnandez

Gallery

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FAQs

What happens after the course?

The graduation is just the beginning. As soon as the course is over we invite you into the alumni group, where we offer free support, opportunities for gigs (some even paid!) and provide information about upcoming comedy festivals, like the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
If I get sick, do I lose my spot?

Nope! We’ll transfer you to the next course. And if you get sick again, we’ll keep transferring you. The record to date is 4 transfers!
When I sign up to the in-person course, do I get access to the online course too?

Yes, the online course is part of the full face-to-face course. You’ll get access to the online course as soon as you register, which means you can prepare before the course begins.
How many people have completed the course?

We were founded in 2016, and each year we have around 100 graduates. So we've coached well over 900 keynote speakers, bucket list tickers and comedians of the future!

Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity

Host information

Hard Knock Knocks

32 followers

Contact host

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Hard Knock Knocks

The Hard Knock Knocks is Australia's biggest producer of new stand-up comedians. Founded in 2016, the company has coached close to 900 keynote speakers, bucket list tickers and comedians of the future in across Australia in the art of stand-up comedy. Hard Knock Knocks has produced shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) and Adelaide Fringe.

The Hard Knock Knocks also produced 'Is This Thing On?', a factual comedy-drama following 10 nervous nobodies endeavouring to become confident comedians, with the help of some of Australia's most iconic comedians.