Registrations for the 2024 competition are now open! Head here to sign up.

All workshops are strictly limited to 18 participants and are allocated on a first-in basis. If a workshop books out, we will keep a waiting list in case a registered student cancels or an extra heat may be added to accommodate demand.

Competition workshops are held all around the country during the early part of Term 1, across February and March. If you’re interested in booking a one-off, tailored workshop for your students, see our Crash Course program here.

Teachers around the country often use Class Clowns workshops to complement existing English and Drama outcomes. You can download our free Teacher’s Resource here.

In addition to artistic objectives, there are also significant social and educational objectives and outcomes for workshop participants. When engaging with comedy you have to think about your sense of self, your identity, and what you have to say. You learn to ask others to listen to your ideas and stories, take risks, build confidence, dare to fail, dare to be brave. You laugh and you cry with laughter. Through making comedy you recognise that while life can occasionally pose challenges, it can also be awesome – especially when things are hilarious. The ancillary outcomes of Class Clowns workshops also include:  

• Improved self-esteem,
• Giving a voice to youth issues
• Writing
• Public speaking
• Community and finding your tribe
• Creative and professional development

Yes! You can book a one-off Crash Course to be delivered at your school or local performing arts venue at any time during the school year. Alternatively, we can deliver the workshop for your students entirely online, via Zoom!

If you’d like your students to be involved in the Class Clowns Competition and your school is interested in becoming a co-presenter for a Class Clowns heat during Term 1, please contact the Class Clowns Producer at classclowns@comedyfestival.com.au.

Class Clowns workshops involve participants performing their 3-5 minute routine to the other registered participants and our mentor, a professional comedian. They will be given feedback on structure, content, language, stage presence and microphone technique to ensure they have the tools they need to perform in front of an audience.  

We recommend having a look at our Teacher’s Resource and getting students to start to think about what they find funny and why. Some schools have incorporated the writing and performance of comedy sets into existing English or Drama assessment items. But at the most fundamental level – encourage them to write down the things they find funny. It’s the unique perspective of every single comedian that really makes their audience laugh.

While it’s very much encouraged, no participant will be forced to get up on stage as part of the Class Clowns competition! Often young people who are nervous before a workshop gain the necessary confidence in the process of working with the facilitator.

Alternatively, if you think your student would benefit from a workshop but won’t want to compete, you could consider booking a Crash Course - a one-off, tailored comedy workshop that can be delivered in person at your school, or entirely online. Find out more about our Crash Courses here.

Entering the Class Clowns competition program is free. If you’d like to book a one-off, tailored workshop for your school that can be delivered in person or online at any time during the school year, the cost is $500 + GST + travel costs (if outside a capital city). 

No, the registration must be completed by a teacher, parent or guardian.

Registrations do not close until the day of the event itself. If an event appears closed, it is because the maximum number of participants has been reached. In this case, we still encourage you to complete the registration to go onto our waiting list.

Sometimes the confirmation emails go to your junk folder. Check there, and if you can't find your email, contact us at classclowns@comedyfestival.com.au.

Please email classclowns@comedyfestival.com.au for any assistance in access requirements.

Email classclowns@comedyfestival.com.au if you have any other queries.

Crash Course is a one-off, tailored workshop for secondary school students around Australia. The workshop is presented by a professional comedian and can be brought to your school or performing arts venue, or delivered entirely online via Zoom, at any time during the school year. The cost to schools is $500 + GST (+ travel costs, if outside a capital city). For more info on our Crash Course program click here.

The Competition is generally held during Term 1 of the school year. It's free to participate and involves a workshop with a professional comedian, followed by a competitive element, where students get a chance to perform on stage in front of an audience.

Events are held across the country, with special guest judges selecting the funniest from each state and territory. State finalists are invited to participate in the Class Clowns National Grand Final, held as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! 

Yes. Registrations must be completed by a parent, legal guardian or teacher.

Entering the Class Clowns competition program is free. If you’d like to book a one-off, tailored workshop for your school that can be delivered in person or online at any time during the school year, the cost is $500 + GST + travel costs (if outside a capital city). 

As a starting point, it’s always good to ask your children start to think about what they find funny and why. Keep a journal / note of jokes or ideas that they have that they can keep returning to. Test their material in front of friends, teachers or the family. Ultimately, It’s the unique perspective of every single comedian that really makes their audience laugh. Finally, you can watch previous entries for Class Clowns via our Youtube channel here.

Sometimes the confirmation emails go to your junk folder. Check there, and if you can't find your email contact us at classclowns@comedyfestival.com.au.

All Class Clowns performance and workshop venues will be COVIDSafe and will operate according to COVIDSafe plans that comply with government regulations current at the time of delivery. Participants must adhere to any instructions given by all relevant program, venue and support staff regarding health and safety requirements.

Over the course of past two years, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival have been developing our ability to deliver Class Clowns workshops digitally via Zoom. Should the need arise, instructions will be communicated to help prepare participants for delivering a virtual performance.

Please email classclowns@comedyfestival.com.au for any assistance in access requirements.

Email classclowns@comedyfestival.com.au if you have any other queries.

Crash Course is a one-off, tailored workshop for secondary school students around Australia. The workshop is presented by a professional comedian and can be brought to your school or performing arts venue, or delivered entirely online via Zoom, at any time during the school year. The cost to schools is $500 + GST (+ travel costs, if outside a capital city). For more info on our Crash Course program click here.

The Competition is generally held during Term 1 of the school year. It's free to participate and involves a workshop with a professional comedian, followed by a competitive element, where students get a chance to perform on stage in front of an audience.

Events are held across the country, with special guest judges selecting the funniest from each state and territory. State finalists are invited to participate in the Class Clowns National Grand Final, held as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! 

Nerves are a very natural part of live performance – they keep performers on their toes and can sometimes lead to some brilliant moments on stage. We would encourage you to come along to the workshop and see how you are feeling after working on your material with a professional comedian. 

If you really don’t feel ready, then consider coming along to the show to see what it’s all about – it is a (cheap and sometimes free!) rollicking good time and may provide some inspiration for your own written or performance work back in the classroom. Click here to see the calendar and find a show in your local area.


 

If you are over 17, you can also sign up to the RAW Comedy open-mic competition for up and coming comedians which is also run by Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

For more info on how we can make this possible, contact the Class Clowns Producer via 03 9245 3700 or email classclowns@comedyfestival.com.au.

The answer is generally YES!!!! You will never know until you give it a go. The beauty of Class Clowns is we have professional comedians to give you some feedback about your material which can help you figure that out. What is the actual worst thing that could happen? People laugh at you? Yep, that’s the point.



For the Competition, all workshops are available to a maximum of 18 participants, allocated on a first-in basis. For a Crash Course workshop, we generally cap attendance at 25 students.

Generally, participants perform their 3-5 minute routine to the other registered participants and our mentor, a professional comedian. You will be given feedback on structure, content, language, stage presence and microphone technique to ensure you have the tools you need to perform your best material in front of a live audience. 

All you need is 3-5 minutes of material, ready to develop and hone with the help of a professional comedian. 



As a starting point, it’s always good to ask yourself about what YOU find funny and why. Keep a journal / note of jokes or ideas that you have that you can keep returning to. Test your material in front of friends, teachers or the family. Ultimately, It’s the unique perspective of every single comedian that really makes their audience laugh. Finally, you can watch previous entries for Class Clowns via our Youtube channel here.

Please email classclowns@comedyfestival.com.au for any assistance in access requirements.

No. Registrations must be completed by a parent, legal guardian or teacher.