Workshops aim to create centre for female comedy

Theatre in the Mill, the performing arts theatre based on the university’s campus, is staging 12 monthly comedy workshops for its ‘You’re Havin’ a Laff’ initiative. 

The workshops offer a safe space for global majority women, defined as people who are black, African, Asian, dual-heritage or Indigenous to the global south, to develop their skills and build an audience around comedy that is ethical, political and inclusive. 

The project has been awarded £5,000 from BBC Comedy Grants to produce the monthly workshops, held between July 2024 and June next year. 

Places are available on a one-day introduction to comedy workshop for females and those who identify as non-binary on Saturday 28 September between 10:00 and 16:00. 

The workshops, facilitated by comedian Seeta Wrightson, aim to attract 30 female participants to hone their comedy craft, with the target of some of the group performing at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival.

During the sessions, Seeta takes participants through a series of warm-ups, writing, performance and improvisation exercises to introduce them to, or grow, their skills in stand-up comedy. 

The workshops, also funded by the Arts Council, give participants the chance to further develop their presentation and writing skills, build confidence, meet new people and practice material. 

Participants are invited to join a WhatsApp group that gets early access to the sessions and alerts for open mic nights and gig opportunities in the Bradford district.

The comedy troupe will go to community centres to further develop the workshop’s audiences and research comedy in different languages and cultures, such as Nigerian Pidgeon, Punjabi and Arabic. 

Seeta said: “It's been an absolute privilege to facilitate these workshops and help bring new comedy voices on to the scene.

“As a woman of colour and a comedian, I know how hard it is for diverse performers to find space in a traditionally very pale, very male comedy landscape. The old adage ‘you can't be what you can't see’ stands true. 

“This is why it's meant so much to me to be able to help, in some small way, non-binary and global majority comedians find their confidence and hone their skills. 

“It has been the highlight of my comedy career so far. And as a proud Bradfordian, being able to work with Theatre in the Mill who are so supportive of the community and driven to make change, is an absolute dream."

Shabina Aslam, Artistic Director at Theatre in the Mill, said: “Theatre in the Mill is delighted to be part of the BBC’s investment into developing comedy in the north. 

“With their funds we will further enhance and grow ‘You’re Havin’ a Laff’, our local initiative supporting female and non-binary comics to find their funny and broadcast it loudly.”

The project aims to increase performance routes for female comedians, from open-mic stand-up events at Theatre in the Mill, to writing an hour-long theatre show, to writing comedy for television and radio. 

Workshops also look to increase wellbeing, confidence and empowerment for women in the Bradford district.