"The best material for jokes is real stories from one's own life" - 15-year-old Fedor about the course of modern humor in the City of Power
Imagine a place where 18 teenagers turn into real performers in two weeks. That's how it became the second stream of the modern humor course "You're (not) joking" in the Place of Power, where young people learned not only to joke, but also to look at the world from a new angle.
Among the participants are 15-year-old Fedor, a musician who decided to add stand-up skills to his creative arsenal. His story is a vivid example of how the course helps to discover new talents and overcome fears.
"I have been playing music since I was 3 years old. I've been playing the drums for ten years, and I'm also learning to play the piano at a private music school. Until the age of 14, I sang Ukrainian folk songs and played in an ensemble, and now I play drums in a band.", - says the boy.
But the creative nature of the teenager did not stop at music. Actively following the Ukrainian stand-up scene, the young man got fired up with the idea of trying his hand at humor. When I saw the announcement of the course in the Place of Power, I immediately decided that it was an opportunity that could not be lost.
A special feature of the course was a powerful team of mentors — well-known Ukrainian comedians Oleksandr Zhipetskyi, Maksym Albul, Serhiy Afonskyi, Ivan Zhornoklei, Oles Pinchuk and Katya Mamaysur. Each of them not only shared professional secrets, but also helped participants find their own style and confidence.
"I was lucky to work with Serhiy Afonsky. The mentors explained that the best material for jokes is real stories from their own lives. Even if the story seems not funny, it can always be presented from a humorous sideFedir shares.
The course program included three lectures, two practical sessions and a final performance. Participants not only listened to the theory, but also actively practiced through humorous games and improvisations.
"What I liked most was creating my stand-up, performing and talking to strangers", - recalls Fedir. According to the guy, the course gave him much more than just the skills to make jokes: "I learned not to be shy about public speaking, to express my thoughts better, to write material independently."
The experience of communicating with mentors and other participants turned out to be especially valuable. The guy continues to keep in touch with Serhiy Afonsky, asks for advice even after the course is over.
"Humor can help resolve conflicts", - Fedir shares his observation. — "My grandfather always does this - when there is a conflict, he turns everything into a joke. It helps to calm down, both for yourself and for other people.".
This view of humor as a communication tool is one of the most important discoveries participants make in the course. And dFor those who are hesitating whether to try stand-up, the guy has simple advice:
"If you want, go. It's free, you have nothing to lose. You can try it, and if you like it, it will be easier to connect your life with humor."
The boy himself plans to continue to develop in the creative direction — to engage in music and try himself in the art of acting. And the experience of the stand-up course became another important step in his creative development.
Fedor's story shows that "You're (not) kidding" is much more than just a course in modern humor. Here, teenagers find self-confidence, develop creative abilities and get motivated to make the world around them more positive and bright. The course gives participants unforgettable impressions and opens new horizons for self-expression.
The modern humor course "You are (not) joking" is implemented in partnership with UNICEF Ukraine. If you want to feel similar emotions, follow our pages in social networks and schedule on the website, to find out about the new set for the course 😉
