DEADLINE FOR EOIs: 7 May 2025
Kia ora, interested Pan-Asian creative!
Thank you for taking the time to read and complete this Expression of Interest form for the Pan-Asian Comedy School Aotearoa aka 'PACSA (Laughs)', Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland.
PACSA (Laughs) was founded in 2023, catering solely for women and non-binary Pan-Asian creative diaspora in Auckland. In 2024, the school opened up to all members of the Pan-Asian diaspora, and we now have 16 graduates who learned and performed stand-up comedy!
We are looking for newcomers to stand-up comedy, and those with pre-existing experience are not eligible - please keep an eye out for advanced classes in 2025.
Please note, this EOI is not a confirmation of participation. You'll receive an email confirmation about your place!
The course takes place over twelve hours (2 hours a week, plus a two week writing gap), and a little bit of writing homework, 1:1 writing and feedback sessions, and a PAN-ASIAN COMEDY SCHOOL END OF TERM SHOW! :o
The end of term show will take place in a safe, welcoming performance space and you'll be alongside others who have been through something just like you!
You must be able to attend all dates below and to commit to writing, memorising and performing a five and a half minute original comedy set. If you have any issues, please contact Jess Karamjeet directly.
You need to attend classes in person, because we will be looking at performance techniques, so that means only residents of Tāmaki Makaurau - BUT if you are in a different region, it would be great to know that too.
Classes will be small, with bespoke feedback for all participants.
The course fee for you is $100 - the running costs are substantially more, but, thanks to a small grant from Foundation North, the rest of your $450 fee is subsidised! Cool, huh! (If money is an access-barrier, please reach out).
Note: this course will be taught in English, however if you speak other languages and want to incorporate them into your stand-up routine then this is something we'd support.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What does the school involve? What am I committing to?
There will be SIX two hour classes, plus a one hour writing 1:1 session.
Classes will be held in Auckland at 6.30-8.30pm on the following provisional dates:
27 May
3 June
10 June
WRITING GAP (1:1)
1 July
8 July
15 July
show: 19 July
Frequently Said Things:
'But I'm not funny/I don't want people to think I think I'm funny.'
Jess says, 'YES YOU ARE, and yes you DO! That's why you clicked on the link, oh-ho!'
If you got this far into the EOI, I'm guessing you have some form of creative expression in your life already. Acting, writing, performing - that's what a comedian does. That's what you do. Come and do it more, tapping into a new form of creativity.
'But the comedy industry is just white dudes making dick jokes...'
Jess says, 'And you're okay with that..?!'
Come step up, find your voice, and do something you're really scared of. I promise that you already have half the talent in your little finger than a lot of privileged men who just woke up one day and thought. DAMN. I'm a funny dude. Give me that microphone.
'But like, why should I listen to you?'
Jess says, 'I have ten + years in the creative industries, across comedy, film, TV and theatre, which is why I was able to secure this grant. I've taught creative writing and performance, and been through the ringer myself as a lonely comedian in the Auckland comedy circuit; I know there is strength in numbers, and I also know that half the battle in getting diverse voices on stage is arming you with the self-confidence to get there. That's what I hope to do! There will also be other guest speakers from the industry.
More info:
Jess Karamjeet is an Auckland-based comedian who started performing five years ago. She attended the NZ Comedy School 2020, and taught comedy for two years to 100+ students via a role of speech and drama teacher.
Jess is a screenwriter and musical comedy performer, with upcoming NZ International Comedy Festival show RAY! beingher third hour comedy show, having toured her duo show Grief-Sex-Race within the Auckland Fringe Festival (PANNZ touring award winner) and she took two different shows to Melbourne and New Zealand Comedy Festivals in 2023; in 2024 she did a full season at Melbourne and received 4* from Artshub.
She's performed at Edinburgh Fringe, and was chosen as 'One To Watch' by the New Zealand Comedy Trust in 2022. In 2021, she authored a comedy syllabus taught in drama classes to over 900 students each year. She also taught that syllabus, and has developed this content based on those guinea pigs.
Alongside comedy, she's a screenwriter, producer, reviewer, and works to improve representation within the arts. In 2021 she authored the New Zealand Comedy Guild motion to diversify representation on the board. She is a disabled, queer, British Indian immigrant and continues to uplift marginalised voices within her arts practice.
If you have any further questions, please contact Jess Karamjeet either at jessica-karamjeet@outlook.com or via social media @jessKaramjeet and be sure to follow @PACSA_Laughs on IG.
Thank you!
