***The Incubator will return in Spring 2025! Stay tuned***
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The Washington, D.C. area has a thriving comedy scene. As in most places, the majority of stand comedy shows in DC are primarily made up of male comedians. Open mics can be very intimidating environments -- in addition to the expected nerves of trying new material for strangers, femmes and thems (particularly those of color, trans women, religious minorities, those with disabilities, and others) may be (understandably) daunted by going alone to a bar at night with few other non-male comics around to perform material from a minority perspective. As the saying goes, "you have to see it to be it," and comedy mics as they exist today send implicit messages about who belongs on stage and who does not. 
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Grassroots believes that women and non-binary folx belong on stage and that amplifying the diverse voices of the DMV is critical. Spring of 2023, Grassroots created and launched a new incubator program for women and non-binary folx -- it was so much fun that we did it again, and now we're gearing up for our fifth round! We look for new comics, from those who have never been on stage to those who have been performing for up to one year. The group meets for weekly workshops, getting the opportunity to network with other comedians (peers who are new in the space and seasoned comics), explore joke structure and formats, and – most of all – to build community and workshop material,  culminating with a graduation showcase in DC!
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INSTRUCTORS: Dana Fleitman, Rosalie Rubio, and Auriel Haack. Guest instructors have included Stacey Axler, Bria Beddoe, Jenny Cavallero, Yasmin Elhady, Shelley Kim, Arzoo Malhotra, Natalie McGill (joining virtually), Elizabeth Norman, Kasha Patel, Blaire Postman, Chelsea Shorte, and more! 

On the fence about applying? Here's what the some of our graduates have to say:
"I'd be thinking about trying stand-up comedy for over a year before I joined the incubator program but had struggled to find open mics and have the confidence to perform for the first time. The incubator program, and Dana's amazing coaching, allowed me to explore this form in community with other women and non-binary comics who gave me the feedback and support I needed to dive in head first." -- Veena Muraleetharan, Cohort 1
I joined the program with zero background in performing arts and a handful of vague ideas for jokes. I walked off the stage at the Graduation Showcase a month later with a stage presence I didn't know I had, a 5-minute set that I'm proud of, and new friends who all have bright futures in comedy. Instructor Dana (and TAs Rosalie and Auriel) created a fun and inviting space to practice sets, receive feedback, and turn ideas into microphone-ready material. Performing in front of my friends at the final showcase is a memory I'll cherish, and I would highly recommend the program to women and non-binary folx thinking of giving standup a try." -- Sammy Murrell, Cohort 3
The You Belong on Stage Comedy Incubator is a DC gem. It not only provides a welcoming, safe space for BIPOC and Non-Binary Folx, but it does so in a way that genuinely teaches you the skills to successfully create a tight five set. Our cohort showcase was a success not just because we all made it on stage without passing out but we made people genuinely laugh. And we had fun doing it. And most importantly -- we all plan to do it again. DC has 10 new funny folx on the scene because of this program."
-- Michelle Kannan, Cohort 4
If you are not sure if you should do this class, DO IT. Even if you don't end up doing stand-up regularly, you will learn and grow a ton around self-confidence, presentation, public speaking, and finding and using your voice, and you'll meet some awesome, smart, lovely people in the process. This is a warm, supportive environment in which to try something new and to do a very brave thing in a way that is accessible and manageable. There is 0 downside to giving this a try if you're even remotely called to it." -- Lisa Kays, Cohort 2
This comedy incubator was an amazing chance to develop my voice as a comic and hear from some really smart, funny women and non-binary folks! Everyone had such a unique and special perspective that’s sorely needed in comedy and I can’t wait to see them grow in the DC comedy scene!" - Swetha Ramesh, Cohort 2
"The Grassroots Comedy incubator program provided me with a solid foundation to begin my stand-up journey. It really provided me with a leg up that I don't believe I could get anywhere else. I always felt supported and like I was being rooted for, which I believe to be essential when you're taking on a craft as personal and vulnerable like stand-up comedy. I have endless gratitude for Dana and her supportive and giving spirit. I also couldn't have dreamed for a better experience than the one I got at the showcase!" - Khadija Mehter, Cohort 1 (TA for Cohort 2)
"I can't stress how positive this experience was for me enough. In a city that runs on anxiety and ambition, it really was wonderful to explore something fun and feel nurtured and supported in doing it. It sounds dramatic, but as an ADHD academic, I had grown to despise writing, and I thought of my brain as my own worst enemy. It was also a truly transformative experience because I got to reframe how I feel about the way my brain works AND how I feel about writing. Just spending time with incredibly kind and funny people helped me appreciate my perspective and all I have to offer in ways I hadn't before." -- Rosalie Rubio, Cohort 1 (TA for Cohort 2)
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The incubator was an incredible experience that went far beyond joke writing for me! It provided me with an affirming space to build confidence in my ability to get on stage and tell stories that help other people laugh and feel seen! It was such a great experience, and I look forward to using what I've learned here in as many spaces as possible!" -- Jelicia Ross, Cohort 3
Though this class really allowed me to explore my high school theater kid psyche, I'm not being dramatic when I say this class changed my life. We were given an extraordinary amount of incredibly helpful resources, including learning the foundations of how to craft a funny joke (it's harder than you think!), a guide of local open mics to check out that support the Grassroots Comedy work, and a network of truly amazing, inspiring, and hilarious guest comics who helped us further hone our sets. Dana and the TAs managed to create an environment that was wholeheartedly accepting, supportive, and collaborative in a way I have never experienced in any other facet of my life. Which might sound sad at first, but when you join the class you'll immediately understand what I mean. TL;DR - Apply to this incubator because it's fun and supportive and you'll graduate from the cohort with lifelong friends who are genuinely the funniest people you'll ever meet in your life!" -- Nicole Lado, Cohort 3
I really loved the class!  The non-male environment made me feel more comfortable exploring my voice and writing jokes that I think are funny instead of feeling pressured into making my voice universal (or fake laughing at dumb man jokes). Everyone was so supportive and it was fun. Classes were truly a bright spot in my week." -- Gaby Corcoran, Cohort 4
​"I've been interested in trying standup for years, but felt really intimidated by all the barriers to entry and the baggage that comes with performing in a male-dominated space. This program helped make those barriers way less scary, all while providing a space full of badass, hilarious, and supportive ladies that developed into a community much more quickly than I would have thought possible. I plan to keep doing comedy and it's pretty much all thanks to this class and this cohort, and would recommend it to anyone who is on the fence."
​-- Maddie Pickens, Cohort 1