Hard Knock Knocks

Nadine Sparks loves learning comedy. At aged 12 she began learning improvisation comedy, including a course at 18 at the highly respected NIDA, then performing with Improv Conspiracy, before travelling to the US to learn the Chicago method. And then seven years ago Nadine did a stand-up comedy course, and this resulted in her first five-minute performance at the Exford Hotel. Since then she's performed for five seasons at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, as well as other festivals around Australia.

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast Nadine takes us deep into the world of Improv, or impro, where you'll learn about the 'Harold' structure in long-form improvisation theatre, her new gang The Tickle Pit, how a dose of improv can help build confidence for stand-up comedians, and the pros and cons of swearing.

And now, here's Nadine Sparks.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lee Ton first tried his hand at stand-up comedy in 2008. Ten years later, and with a couple of comedy courses under his belt, Lee has found himself performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF), headlining with Richard Stubbs, and being specially cast for a reality stand-up comedy TV show, "Is This Thing On?".

Lee's recent success has been sudden, but as you'll hear in this School of Hard Knock Knocks, he took a considerable break from comedy to raise a family, before returning to the craft only two years ago. This break from comedy has helped him mature, gain material, and ultimately return to his passion at full speed.

And if you're interested in learning stand-up comedy, then join the June 24 - 28 course in Melbourne with The Nelson Twins, or alternatively, if you'd like to become a reality TV celebrity, application to be a comedy student in "Is This Thing On?" is still open. Click here to apply.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Khaled Khalafalla has had a meteoric rise in comedy. But it could have turned out very different. Born into a medical family of surgeons and dentists, and growing up in Saudi Arabia and New Zealand, comedy's call must have been strong. Now calling Melbourne home, Khaled has well and truly put his mark on the comedy map, having come runner up in the National Grand Final of Raw Comedy, winner of Green Faces, and now a regular on the Australian comedy circuit.

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast interview, you'll hear how Khaled compares metabolism to writing comedy, how his goal to be a radio host got him hooked on stand-up, how he believes stand-up comedy is the 'root of entertainment in its purest form', and his new found acting career.

We also talk about Khaled's upcoming Australian tour. Click here to see the dates.

And, if you're curious about stand-up, and want to kick start your comedy career, the School of Hard Knock Knocks has courses running in Adelaide and Melbourne in June, with Glynn Nicholas and The Nelson Twins.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Tulk has been performing stand-up comedy for the past 15 years, and today he's a regular feature at comedy rooms around Australia. A straight talker, Tulk's rough edges are emphasised by the titles of his productions, namely his upcoming stand-up show 'David Tulk has No Filter' and his YouTube video series, 'Some People Are Just Arseholes.'

In this interview you'll hear how David Tulk got started, how being lumpy has helped his comedy career, both on stage and screen, how he weaved 'zen' into a joke, as well as his own 'Pay It Forward Joke' word - fountain pen.

One quick warning, there's a load of satire in this interview! So have your pinch of salt ready.

And if this interview has wetted your comedic appetite, and you're thinking about trying your hand at stand-up, then be quick to join our May 27 - 31 stand-up comedy course in Melbourne, with guest comedian Richard Stubbs, or our June 4 - 8 course in Adelaide with Glynn Nicholas. Both courses are almost sold out, so go to www.schoolofhardknockknocks.com now, and secure your spot.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty Wilson is an award winning comedian. He's also an author, and in this School of Hard Knocks podcast we talk about his new book ON comedy - More Funny, More Money.

Originally an online course, also called More Funny, More Money, the book was the obvious evolution, and in the interview Marty highlights that humour is not only useful on a stand-up comedy stage, but is also scientifically linked to better leadership, increased attractiveness, and reducing stress.

Marty also talks about his International Business Humour Summit, and takes up the 'Pay It Forward Joke Challenge' with the word 'pedestal clock.

And if you're enjoying these podcasts and would like to be part of a comedy community, be sure to check out our School of Hard Knock Knocks Podcast Community group on Facebook. You'll meet like minded comedy lovers, get free advice, and be reminded of upcoming comedy courses.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Sharplin has only been in the comedy game for 15 months. But that hasn't stopped him from competing at Raw Comedy twice, and running a comedy room - Guerilla, in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn. But as you'll learn from this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast interview, Paul just likes to jump in head first.

Newcomers to comedy will enjoy this podcast, because we cover the early years of a comedian, which include those dreaded open mic nights, but also how to get onto a poster of a curated room. Paul also shares advice for how to move up the comedy ladder and perform at Melbourne's top comedy club - the Comics' Lounge.

We also challenge Paul in the 'Pay It Forward Joke Challenge', with the word 'barbie', and he lays down the challenge for our next interviewee with his word, 'pedestal clock'. You're going to have to Google that one.

And a reminder for those living in Melbourne and Adelaide, who are keen to learn stand-up comedy. Our guest comedians for our Melbourne May 27 - 31, and Adelaide June 4 - 8  stand-up comedy courses, are the legendary Richard Stubbs and Glynn Nicholas, respectively. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get coached by Australia's most experienced comedians, so visit www.schoolofhardknockknocks.com and secure your spot today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ross Voss is an Adelaide based comedian and room runner. With over 10 years in comedy, and experience producing shows at the Adelaide Fringe, as well as Cranker Comedy, Ross knows comedy - and Adelaide.

In this interview Ross sheds light on the Adelaide comedy scene, provides advice for newbie comedians, and inspires a new School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast tradition - the 'Pay-it Forward Joke Challenge'. Each episode our interviewee lays down a joke topic for the next episode, so listen to our next episode to hear an original joke on 'barbecues' - thanks Ross Voss.

And, if you're based in Adelaide, and would like to try your hand at stand-up comedy, we're running a full course from June 4 to 8, with resident comedy teacher, Glynn Nicholas, Ross Voss himself as our guest comedian, and our very own alumna, Kim Da Cruz. Early bird tickets are on sale already, so visit www.schoolofhardknockknocks.com to secure your spot.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In her very first Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) show, Nikki Osborne not only sold out, but also managed to attract over 100,000 dollars of free, or 'earned', publicity for her show "On the Spectrum".

That was the good news.

The bad news was she also endured an emotional onslaught for her show's topic - autism. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast, you'll learn how Nikki's 'go hard or go home' attitude helped her battle online trolls and survive the criticism, all the while polishing and improving her show to make it a positive experience for all, and a true success.

And if the name 'Nikki Osborne' is familiar, but you can't recall it from the stand-up scene, that's because she's best known for her TV appearances, most recently as Delvene Delaney, in the TV mini-series, "Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story". She's also a regular as face as gameshow host and witty guest contestant.

Nikki Osborne is extremely talented and an inspiration to anyone who's interested in smashing the status quo, whether that be on stage or on screen, so I'm sure you'll enjoy this interview.

And if you're enjoying these podcasts, and would like to become part of a comedy community, we've launched our School of Hard Knock Knocks Podcast Community group on Facebook. It's absolutely free to join and full of advice.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes anonymity can give you the courage to try something scary. That was the case for Cameron James, the Newcastle born comedian whose first open mic was at Comedy on Edge in Sydney, where he knew no one – intentionally.

Today, Cameron is well known, having made the national final of Raw Comedy, performed all over Australia, and has representation. This year he’s performing at his show, Chilled Out/Fired Up at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

In this interview, we talk about Cameron’s comedy birth, getting acting spots on telly, building his personal brand through investing in his own social media content, and the popularity of podcasting for comedians.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gavin Sempel is one of the hardest working new comedians in Australia. At the age of 18, in March 2016, Gavin began his stand-up comedy career by enrolling in the very first School of Hard Knock Knocks course. Two years later, almost to this day, he’s done close to 300 open mic, curated, and paid gigs all around Australia. Last year, he performed his first Melbourne International Comedy Show, and this year, he’s doing it again, with his show titled ‘Plain and Sempel‘. But perhaps most impressive of all, is that Gavin won the Victorian state final for Raw Comedy – securing a spot in the Raw Comedy National Grand Final scheduled for April 15, this year.

This is an underdog story. And Gavin’s performance as the headliner at the recent School of Hard Knock Knocks’ March graduation, alongside his two very first comedy mentors – Brad Oakes and Ben Horowitz – makes it all the more remarkable. The grasshopper has become the master.

If you’re starting out in comedy, and want a career path mapped out for you, then this is the episode for you.

And while I have you, here’s a reminder to get along to the School of Hard Knock Knocks Podcast Community group on Facebook, where we share free advice, tips and tricks, and help you kickstart your comedy career. And you don’t even have to be a graduate. It’s for everyone!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.