Aspiring communications students looking for other options after the suspension of Camosun’s Applied Communication Program might want to check out a new class starting June 5 in Victoria. And even if the new stand-up comedy class doesn’t garner any solid career leads, those who complete it will be able to use laughter as the best medicine for the job-searching blues.
Taught by Kristen Van Ritzen, a professional comedian, actor, writer, director, and producer, the beginner course promises to reveal the secrets of writing and performing stand-up comedy. According to Ritzen, past participants are thrilled with the class and some are even “tearing it up” on local comedy stages.
“Past participants have told me it is inspiring and life-changing,” says Van Ritzen, “the scariest, most rewarding thing they have done.”
Van Ritzen says participants in the class often come in as strangers, but always leave as friends. “The class brings together creative, funny people from all walks of life. They discover that they share a sense of humour and, often, a perverse view of the world. Something wonderful happens and they bond quickly over the shared experience of standing up and telling jokes about their life experiences.”
Van Ritzen, who some might have seen onstage as “Ava Garter” in the recent production of Sin City: Carnies or as frequent performer at Victoria’s Phillips Comedy Night, previously taught for Toronto’s famed Second City Workshop Centre, Vancouver Theatresports, and Kaliedoscope Performing Arts Studio, and currently teaches acting at Pacific Film and New Media Academy.
“I love facilitating this creativity, teaching the students the ropes, and giving them the encouragement to overcome the fear of failure as they make that leap into the world of comedy,” explains Van Ritzen. “We perform a debut show at the end of the session and I am always really proud of how well they do.”
The class runs eight consecutive Tuesdays from 7-9 pm, starting June 5, and takes place at the Cook Street Activity Centre. Participants must register in advance by emailing mscomedydiva@hotmail.com or calling 778-440-0408. Cost is $150 or $130 for students.
Changed my life this class, for serious.