The Comedy Writers Group

This week we're in panel mode with Lukas Meintjes (professional clown), Casey Gould (director and dramaturg), and Darby James (musical comedian) to talk about the realities of the independent artist experience in the wake of additional fees being introduced at Melbourne Fringe.We chat about the festival experience in general, tour-ready awards, the rights of artists, the challenges of boards, the value of transparency, and a whole lot more.Follow @caseyfgouldFollow @lukas.mainkeysFollow @thedarbyjamesFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon.Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups

This week I'm joined by the briliant Andy Procopis to have a long overdue catch-up. Andy left his job to pursue comedy full-time a little while ago and we check in to find out how it's all going.We talk about Andy's success posting stand-up carousels on instagram, his podcast The Advice Accreditation Bureau, his goals, the weekly routine, and we workshop some new jokes.Stick around at the end for a bonus chat with new member, Dan Hough!Follow @procopicsFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon.Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups

This week I'm joined by Anastasiya Ador: actor, writer, character comedian and vision board enthusiast. I was looking to make new connections in the UK because I'm travelling there in July, little did I know that it would be our most globetrotting episode yet.Our story goes from Minsk to Mumbai as Anastasiya talks about growing up in Belarus before moving to India as a teenager. We cover the Indian indy movie scene, discovering comedy in the UK, the power of making a vision board, and so much more.Stick around at the end for a bit of a bonus bumper with Theo Rylan and Nicole Chapman.Follow @anastasiya.jiFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon.Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups

This week I'm joined by actor, comedian, and writer, Grace Rouvray to talk about her memoir Is It Too Early to Bitch? The book explores a "lightning-in-a-bottle friendship" and what happens when it ends abruptly.We discuss writing about the death of a friend, if there's a right time to start writing, the publishing process, doing the Raw Comedy competition when things are much too raw, and a whole lot more.Buy the book at all good book stores.Follow @gracelacefaceFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon.Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups

This week I'm joined by returning favourite, Penny Greenhalgh. Penny is a TV writer, actor, clown, director - she does it all! I wanted to chat to about her experience as sketch-writer on the new ABC sketch series Urzila, starring the iconic Urzila Carlson.We talk about what it's like in the writers room, before getting into Penny's relationship with directing solo shows, writing to a formula, and we explore the "rules" when it comes to getting earnest in a festival show.I also pitch Penny a sketch!Stick around at the end for a little preview of a split-bill coming to Melbourne Fringe.Follow @pennyagreenhalghFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon.Unlock our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups

We're back with a special Sydney Comedy Festival edition of Is This Anything? where we workshop material live on the show. I'm joined by three brilliant comedians (and longtime Comedy Writers Group members!), Mandy Scotney, Rachael Sue Ragland, and Kirsty Carr, to hear about their upcoming SCF solo debuts before throwing some joke ideas around.We also chat about Newcastle Fringe, Sydney Fringe, and the realities of being your own producer. Follow @_kirstycarr_Follow @rachaelsueraglandFollow @mandy_scotneyFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon.Unlock on our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups

This week I'm joined by Raw Comedy National Finalist, Jorgia Rice.Jorgia represented Victoria in the iconic open mic competition. We discuss her experience leading up to the big day and how she felt stepping onto the stage at the Melbourne Town Hall. We also chat a lot about the value of a healthy mindset and what motivated Jorgia to document the whole thing on her blog.Featuring cameos from fellow competitors Aidan Mungai, Antoine Basseto, Tilly Harrison, and Joshua Pillay. Follow @jorgia.withajFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon.Unlock on our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups

This week I'm joined by the brilliant Elliot Ulm! Elliot is a comedian and improviser that you might know from his huge following on the socials making comedy out of graphic design. Elliot is in town for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with his show, Book Signing.We cover a lot of ground from naming shows, imposter syndrome, growing an online fanbase, social anxiety, and get stuck into how it all began with a single post.Follow @elliotisacoolguyFollow your host, @marcelthecomedianFollow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon.Unlock on our online meet-ups and workshopsAccess weekly bonus episodesAccess the first 90 episodes of the podcastExclusive access to our discord and facebook groups