Want to inject some humor into your writing? This class is designed to improve your comedic writing skills.
Led by humorist Bob Balmer, this course studies successful humor writers and examines what makes people laugh. You'll learn time-tested techniques for transforming odd, embarrassing, memorable, and absurd moments into humorous passages.
Through a series of exercises and prompts, students learn to mine their experiences and observations for comedic material and techniques for crafting jokes and humorous anecdotes. Students also have the opportunity to workshop their material and receive feedback from the instructor and their peers.
Ages 14 and up are welcome.
View BARN’s current COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition assistance is available. Fill out the application before registering.
For those who might need physical assistance, learn more about our Companion Program.
Bob Balmer's first humorous essay was published in The Oregonian in 1992. Since then, his work has appeared in numerous national and regional newspapers and magazines, and on radio shows such as The Savvy Traveler and MarketPlace.
He has an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University, and attended the Iowa Summer Writing Workshop and the Tin House Summer Writing Workshop at Reed College. He recently took improv and sketch-writing classes at Second City Comedy in Chicago. He has led numerous humor writing workshops throughout Oregon, and Washington.
