My Stand Out Day with Amazing Women

Where else can 20 very different women, most of whom didn’t know each other and spanning seven decades, spend a day playing and laughing together so effortlessly?!  A week ago I ran our first one-day Stand Up to Stand Out Summer School, which was an extended version of my two-hour comedy workshop and the online Comedy Crash Courses that we run here at Funny Women.

The humour came from us, created in the room on the day and out of our own life experiences.  Our youngest participant was 21 and the oldest in her eighties – and it was a pretty level playing field comedically.  It proves to me, beyond any remaining doubts I may still harbour after running Funny Women for over 20 years, that women’s humour is universal and transcends culture, sexuality, age and background.  It’s powerful.

We had three participants recovering from cancer, at least one who had experienced domestic abuse, business women, single mums, new mums, grandmothers, a mother and daughter combo…. All of life’s experience was in that room!  In fact, every single person STOOD OUT in some way with their own unique narrative and humour.  For me it’s more about the storytelling and the content than ‘style’ because some of the best performers break all the ‘rules’, whatever they are!

I love this work and I refer to it as my ‘happy place’ although I find it very hard to talk about my own achievements in this respect.  I defer to celebrating the success of the incredible women around me – the Funny Women Awards entrants and winners, workshop participants, speakers, facilitators and anybody who’s been a vocal part of our journey. You’re all amazing so I really want to find a sustainable way of keeping this community alive for another 20 years.

In the meantime, I am sharing some of the lovely feedback I’ve received about the Summer School:

‘Thank you for creating, facilitating and delivering a fantastic workshop yesterday. It has sparked a multitude of ideas in my head for which I am very grateful. I’m a Patreon and will do my very best to get the word out about the excellent work that you do.’

Abhi Arumbak

‘My God how I laughed! What an extraordinary group of gifted storytelling women. 

‘You are one marvellous gal to have taken the challenge of building and launching  Funny Women. Your gift is giving so many of us a voice. We can’t let that flame go out.

‘I’m here to help. Thank you, thank you for an astonishing day. 

Geraldine Sharp Newton

‘There was so much I loved about Saturday – of course being with sisters but also the individual approaches. I laughed so much. I think my main takeaway is to GO BIG and I think with that comes being bold which means there has to be confidence. I already have a comedy theatre show booked (I live for theatre) and I’ll be reading and writing some of those programmes discussed on the day.

‘Again Lynne, A Heartfelt and Mighty Thank you.’

Dee Bonner

Thank you all.  I look forward to doing it all over again at our next one-day ‘Winter Warm Up’ event on Saturday 3^rd February 2024 back at the wonderful Groucho Club. Details coming soon.

And if you can’t wait until then we have two Comedy Crash Courses in September and November and Stand Up to Stand Out in October.  All details on our Events page here.

Newly signed up Patreon members at the ‘Amusing level’ can take part in one of my Stand Up to Stand Out workshops free of charge and get discounts on other events.  Check out patreon.com/funnywomen to find out how you can find your personal funny and support us too.