From Our Amazing Students
“A great course which breaks down comedy to unlock your inner funny person! ”
“I’ve loved every minute of this course, it’s been a huge confidence boost, highly entertaining, and grounded in practical theory and technique. If you’re teetering on whether to give it a shot or not, do it, you won’t regret it.”
“I loved the camaraderie and friendliness from everyone and the willingness to learn and tell a story. I enjoyed the class so much and the graduation class was such a rocking experience! The best part of it is that I am so stoked to keep doing it!! Thanks to both Neil and Tim! Greatest instructors ever!!”
“The scholarship scheme made it possible for me to learn stand-up in a way that made me feel prepared for the industry, and confident in my own material. Neil was able to work with me bringing him nothing at all. He wasn’t ever disparaging, only ever supportive, encouraging and a clear communicator. ”
“The NZ Comedy School makes the journey to performing comedy easy in fun, relaxed and friendly classes. Everything is broken down into easy steps. Excellent enthusiasm and encouragement. Neil broke down each hurdle into fun sized packets. Neil has a great ability to make the group feel confident and happy to get on stage. Thank you for all the help. You run an excellent course. ”
“The Comedy School had a very engaging and positive atmosphere. Neil created a safe, open and diverse space for inexperienced talent.”
“Neil is a phenomenal coach and the Number One comedy Dad of Wellington. He really makes it feel like something anyone could do stand-up with a bit of effort.The basics and way we were brought through the process was perfect. ”
“Neil is awesome! He brought enthusiasm, availability and commitment to the students. ”
“I loved the course Neil! I think my mates were blown away by how good we all were at the graduation show. This is the perfect course to get started.”
“Neil provides a warm and inclusive learning environment, tailors his teaching to suit the students and has a wealth of knowledge and experience that he clearly loves to share. If you’re curious, nervous or unsure - sign up. You won’t regret it! ”
“NZ Comedy School isn’t just a four week course, but an open door into a world of fun people and opportunities. NZ Comedy School provides the best and most supportive experience for absolutely anybody interested in comedy.”
“I came with fear of performing in front of other people but everyone was so welcoming. Neil was a real asset to the team. Keep up the good work! You’re doing an absolutely incredible job!”
“Neil is an excellent teacher as well as an excellent comedian - and will make sure you will succeed better than a toothless budgie! Thank you from the heart of my bottom! ”
“Neil was open, honest, fun and most importantly showed us how to be silly. Enjoyed working in groups, the warm ups to start with and getting some actual stage time. ”
“Lots of hard work, but lots of laughs and the thrill of being on stage! Neil’s enthusiasm for his work is exceptional, which makes him a great teacher. Overall I would easily recommend the classes to anybody interested. A once in a lifetime experience with a little aftertaste of wanting more! ”
“Neil gets to the point and delivers training in an effective, human and no-nonsense manner. Great course and highly recommended. ”
“Such an amazing course. Worth every dollar! The support is unreal, it really makes you feel that you can do something that on the surface seems pretty scary. Anyone can be funny with the training offered by the NZ Comedy School. ”
“ THANK YOU, this was my lifelong dream, and the nurturing atmosphere of this course made it possible. Neil affirms everyone and is able to make any feedback positive. He gives you freedom, but also makes sure you know where you need to improve. It was amazing and I couldn’t have wished for better! I will never forget the graduation performance, it was magic! You rock! ”
“Comedy School provides a great environment where you can goof off and turn that into laughs! Everyone was confident and seemed to be at ease with themselves, especially by the end of the course. I think that speaks enough of how the course shaped us.”
“Neil’s an expert at providing relaxed and constructive feedback. He was very gentle and also encouraging of us newbies. ”
“I got so much more than I expected from Neil and the comedy course. Such a fun time and such a vast improvement I saw in myself from week one to graduation. 100% worth every dollar and minute I put into it. ”
“I loved the supportive environment and the growth-mindset approach. Everyone had an environment that was nurturing and positive. If you are new to comedy and scared to take a leap, there is no other place more supportive, encouraging and nurturing in the early stages of your development, which in show business is a refreshing change!”
“Neil taught me a new form of public performance - the art of telling a joke. His coaching and feedback helped me to understand how to structure a joke for maximum impact, taking it from a meandering tale to a set up and PUNCH!”
“The writing sessions were great as it gave us a real insight into a pro comedian’s mind of how to set up and execute jokes. Thanks! I feel years ahead of where I would’ve been had I tried to do this without the school, awesome.”
“The class gave me confidence to get up on stage in front of people with good assistance in tightening our writing. Neil was a really good instructor, helping build confidence and giving helpful feedback both in performance and with writing. ”
“Easily one of my highlights of the year. I loved the course. I can’t stop telling my friends about it.”
“Honest and super helpful in cutting out the unnecessary stuff. The class was also great for being able to test material in a safe environment. I genuinely had a great time. ”
“The course removes the fear and gives you tips and tricks on how to write and perform that could otherwise take you years to learn. Neil’s feedback was constructive. I never left a conversation with Neil feeling worse. I found Neil’s teaching engaging and if it wasn’t for the school, I wouldn’t have done comedy. ”
“Even though Neil was our teacher, he treated his students as his equals. I want to become a stand-up comedian and I had never performed before, so I thought this class was the perfect opportunity to start. The graduation was a huge success just like Neil said it would be! ”
“A great way to learn comedy techniques in a supportive, inspirational and non-judgemental environment.”
“Best four weeks of my year. Great teacher. Graduation was a blast. Never felt so petrified. ”
“Taking this course was the best antidote to all the madness in the world around us. Neil is an incredibly engaging and encouraging tutor and helped all of my group to find their inner comic. You might feel nervous, like I did, but do the course, you will grow in ways you can’t imagine. I feel like we all rose to the occasion and shone in our own unique ways. ”
“I think the class is truly excellent at giving a running start into the world of standup. Great class, perfect amount of performance and reflection. Cheers Neil, keep doing it!”
“I found the whole process incredible, Neil is so passionate and talented I felt like we were in such good hands. I was so well prepared for the graduation show and learnt so much about how to write for stand-up. Thank you again - such a brilliant course and experience. Neil, you’re awesome!”
“Neil is one of the best teachers I have worked with (probably across disciplines). What stands out is his empathic approach to nurturing students’ confidence and abilities. This, combined with the fact that he is an expert at the craft, makes for a killer combo in a teacher. Really rewarding course - highly recommend to anyone with even an inkling that this could be for them. This is probably going to be my highlight of 2022. ”
“2021 was such a difficult year for me, yet Neil helped me succeed at my scariest and most dormant ambition! The whole course really is very effective, streamlined and enjoyable! In 4.5 weeks I think you’re already working magic! Transformed a class of frightened newbies into a successful, hilarious graduation show in under five weeks!”
“I went from I don’t want to do this on Week One to I can’t wait to perform on Week Four. ”
“I hate most things, but I didn’t hate being in this class. Neil was very helpful and made sure that all the jokes I had written were good enough to perform, which made performing less scary. ”
“What a great opportunity to get started in a career in comedy. ”
“Neil was relentlessly positive. I don’t know how he did it, but everything was turned into a positive thing. I would recommend this to anyone. Anyone. They say we have a novel in us, but how about a five minute stand up set? ”
“I found Neil’s class to be a step-by-step guide to the stage when I thought it was impossible and scary. The feedback was specific and always projecting light over what the person on stage is getting right. The one on one sessions put my set on the right track. ”
“I felt welcomed into the comedic community, and being told that yes...you can do this - right from the outset. I felt I was given enough scope and that Neil believed in all of us. Neil has adept skills in teaching, and makes the whole process less daunting. I feel that I found my comedic voice with this course, and recommend it for anyone who wants to give stand-up a go. You can do it. ”
“The NZ Comedy School has an incredibly supportive atmosphere and I learned so much in just four weeks. The course was well structured, information was clearly communicated, and tips on performing and microphone technique were valuable. Neil created a supportive environment that encouraged the students to experiment with comedy. I would recommend it to anyone.”
“The course helped me level up my stand up from a writing and performance perspective. Neil made me feel at ease, and his delivery of feedback was really helpful. He let me know where I fucked up, but didn’t sugar coat it. He creates an environment where you are not afraid to make mistakes. ”
“I discovered I’m actually funny! Neil and Tim provided an inclusive, safe space without judgement that encouraged creativity. The one-on-one writing sessions were invaluable and provided constructive criticism. NZ Comedy School put all my fears about stand-up to rest and provided confidence!”
“Great experience overall! I learnt a lot about writing comedy, what makes things funny and how to make them funnier. The experience was a great confidence booster. Stand-up is one of the most nerve wracking things one can do. Getting out there and doing it (successfully) has been an exceptionally joyous and satisfactory experience. The graduation show was as exhilarating as anything I’ve done. ”
“I liked how the School contained everything from mic techniques, to handling nerves, audience interaction, and rehearsal techniques. The 1:1 writing sessions cut directly to what I needed to work on and saw a real lift between drafts. The graduation video quality was high and great for promo material - not something you can easily get when most venues don’t like you filming yourself!”
“Even if you are sitting there scared at home wondering whether to take this course, my advice is to do it NOW! I’m a busy working mum but I could find the time to do my homework in between each class. You will be in a class of people who will be very different to you, but all wanting the same goals - have fun, gain confidence and make others laugh. Neil could not have been more supportive and I learnt so much from him! I never thought with my terrible memory that I would be able to get on stage and remember a five minute set and deliver it with confidence and make people laugh. If I can, you will easily be able to. Good luck! ”
“My biggest buzz - people laughed at my comedy! Neil was always encouraging and challenging. I was feeling down following some setbacks over the last 6 months as my Parkinson’s became more aggressive. I needed another way to express myself and raise awareness of the disease that challenged me to achieve in the short term. I did it! I prepared a 5 minute routine and presented it at graduation. Yes it was hard work but it was also a lot of fun. ”
“Above all, I valued Neil’s positive and supportive approach. It was empowering. Terrific ‘philosophy’ of allowing people to share their ‘voice’. Neil makes the experience great fun, and has such a rich well of experience that he draws on effectively to guide and coach. ”