Comedy 101 with Chanel Ali

Are you interested in becoming a comic? Do you need to brush up on your skills? Join us for Comedy 101, where our instructors focus on the basics, and students begin to find their voice and define their style onstage.

Our 6-week course reviews topics including where to find material, joke structures, writing skills & stage presence, the basics of crafting a set, and how to be in the moment. The course concludes with a show at West Side Comedy Club, providing students the opportunity to perform their 5-minute set in front of a live audience. Please note: Final Performances are recorded and subject to be used on our social media platforms. 

Our instructors are all working comics themselves with credits to their name; they can speak directly to the industry as it is today. Chanel Ali will teach this session.

Please note Comedy 101 is a prerequisite for all of our advanced classes; following the student showcase, teachers will make their recommendations regarding a student’s advancement. At FUNY, The StandUp Comedy School, we are passionate about being funny. 

About Chanel Ali:

Chanel is a standup comedian who blossomed on the Philadelphia circuit before taking her commanding stage presence to NYC. She has two Comedy Central specials, she was a Just For Laughs New Face, and she’s passed at most NYC comedy clubs. 

Testimonials about Chanel’s Teaching:

“As a big fan of standup comedy, I’ve always wanted to try it but felt insecure about my ability to do so, so having Chanel guide me along the way was extremely helpful. She is kind hearted, vulnerable & open about her own experiences, and, most importantly, knows the ins-and-outs of being hilarious in a way that is easy to understand. If you’re looking for a safe space to let yo freak flag fly and explore the hilarious person you think you are, you won’t find a better teacher or class in NYC”

“Taking Chanel’s class was so awesome! I’m a little more experienced in comedy and was still able to get awesome insights from Chanel.”

“Incredible. I’ve wanted to be a comedian forever and now I get to be, thanks to Chanel. I never would’ve worked up the nerve without her guidance. She made my comedy dreams come true and I will never be the same.”

Session schedule: 

Sunday, June 2nd, 2 pm – 4:30 pm, at 131 W 72nd St (Ripley-Grier Studios)
Sunday, June 9th, 2 pm – 4:30 pm, at West Side Comedy Club
Sunday, June 16th, 2 pm – 4:30 pm, at West Side Comedy Club
Sunday, June 23rd, 2 pm – 4:30 pm, at West Side Comedy Club
Sunday, June 30th, 2 pm – 4:30 pm, at West Side Comedy Club
Sunday, July 14th, 2 pm – 4:30 pm, at West Side Comedy Club**

**please note we skip the weekend of July 7th - enjoy the long weekend!

Performance date*: 
July 27th, 6 p.m at West Side Comedy Club

Policies: 

Payment is required to complete the registration process; No Refunds, No Exchanges, No Cancellations (No semester roll-overs).

Please note Comedy 101 is a prerequisite for all of our advanced classes; following the student showcase, teachers will make their recommendations regarding a student’s advancement. At FUNY, The StandUp Comedy School, we are passionate about being funny.

We reserve the right to remove anyone from a course and refund their money at any time for any reason
Please be sure to read through our FAQ page for additional policies

Currently enrolled students may participate in open mics at WSCC for free, as long as they register in advance - please reach out to [email protected] for a discount code.

If you have any additional questions feel free to reach out to us using the contact form or by emailing [email protected]

*scheduling subject to change