Do I get a video of my performance?

You certainly do. We have five cameras filming your graduation, so the final performance looks like a Netflix special.

Do I get professional headshot photos?

Yep! Although we call them 'mid shots', as we take photos that will be used for your next comedy festival poster.

Learn stand-up comedy in Melbourne this January, 2026

By Hard Knock Knocks

Overview

Try stand-up comedy with a supportive team. The Hard Knock Knocks comedy school has coached over 800 graduates across Australia.

Learn stand-up comedy in Melbourne over 5-evenings from Sunday to Thursday, 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, from January 18 to 22, 2026. 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, Brad Oakes, our returning alumnus, Warrick Sutton, and celebrity comedian Katie Wainhouse.

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.

Category: Arts, Comedy

Good to know

Highlights

4 days 3 hours
In person

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 14 days before event

Location

Limerick Arms Hotel

364 Clarendon Street

South Melbourne, VIC 3205 Australia

How do you want to get there?

Driving Public transport Biking Walking

Agenda

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.

6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

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.

6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

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 get input on your set from our guest comedian, meet the other Hard Knock Knocks alumni and develop more of your original material.

Frequently asked questions

Organized by

Hard Knock Knocks

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