Get Set, Stand Up!

'What do you mean I get to stand on a stage and people have to listen to me? No matter what? ...cool!'

Giving teenagers free reign with a microphone can be a rollercoaster ride, but it's always worth the trip. Impact Arts are delighted to be working in partnership with the Glasgow International Comedy Festival for the third year running to provide young people aged 14-19 with the opportunity to break into comedy.

Currently in Scotland you may think that our young people don't have a lot to laugh about; high unemployment, lack of training and lack of opportunity dominates the newspaper  headlines. They could let this doom and gloom get to them, but that's not the Scottish spirit is it? No, not when we can make a sarcastic quip or spin a yarn about the 30th trip to the job centre. Smile and the world smiles with you. Impact Arts - Get Set, Stand Up workshops focus on introducing young people to stand-up comedy, boosting their confidence and giving them the opportunity to try something new - and who knows, perhaps the next Kevin Bridges or Daniel Sloss will be discovered.

The free workshops are tutored by Jay Lafferty, who was nominated for Best New Scottish Comedian at the Scottish Variety Awards in 2011. Jay says 'tutoring the Get Set, Stand Up workshops is one of the biggest highlights of my year - teenagers telling it like it is... how they see the world, no holds barred. The emotions are raw, they are very truthful and truth is far funnier than fiction. It's brilliant to be able to work with the participants building their confidence before seeing them get on stage for their first gig.'

Alongside Jay there will be a host of guest comedians dropping into the workshops, including Capital Radio's Des Clarke and the author of The Top 50 Greatest Scots Of All Time Ever Vladimir McTavish.

Last year 16-year-old Ryan Hughes took part in the course: 'Comedy has always been close to my heart and to get the chance to do it with Jay and the guys at Impact Arts was a chance I had to take. I'm so glad I did because it's helped me in so many ways; comedy has given me the chance to prove to audiences that the stereotypical view of someone being in a wheelchair isn't true. When I began the course it opened my eyes; here was something I could enjoy doing whilst learning new skills and making new friends. Basically comedy is now a big part of my life, I wouldn't have it any other way.'

This year's course starts on Thursday 1 March and runs every Thursday until the showcase performance on Thursday 29 March. For more information, or to apply, please contact msummers@impactarts.co.uk.