Queer / Queer Taught / Queer Friendly Comedy Classes in PDX
Calling all queer comics (and future comics) in PDX 🎤
If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll finally try a mic this year, or you just want to up your game, we’ve put together a list of some of the MANY FANTASTIC queer identified and queer friendly instructors you have to choose from. We’d strongly suggest taking classes from each of them. Then you will know EVERYTHING.
Arlo Weierhauser — The Siren Theater — All Levels!
Arlo teaches one-day workshops like — Intro Stand-Up (no experience required), and multi-week level two classes. One day workshops include – Developing Material, Performance Tune Up, Writers’ Room. The level two class ends with a fantastic Siren showcase. Arlo was voted Portland’s Funniest Person in 2017 and has performed on Stephen Colbert, and they have too many other credits to list.
→ sirentheater.com/sirentheaterclasses.html
Joe John Sanchez III — Curious Comedy — Advanced and Alternative Classes
Joe John is the main instructor for Curious’s Advanced Stand Up Comedy course — check the Curious site for the next cohort start, or DM for 1:1 coaching. Joe John was also named one of the 5 funniest people in PDX in Wllamette Week. Rumor has it that there may also be an Alt Styles series coming up at Curious with so many great names! We know first hand that Joe John is a fantastic cheerleader for new comics!
→ curiouscomedy.org/classes / @jjs_iii
Aimee Sinclair — Curious Comedy — Intro to Stand Up
Aimee teaches the popular Intro to Standup class at Curious Comedy, built for brand-new comics, and everyone says her feedback is super helpful/top notch! She also produces the and BEAUTIFUL femme focused open mic Tits Up at the Alberta Street Pub twice a month which you should go to every chance you have!
→ curiouscomedy.org/classes / titsupcomedy.com
Julia Corral — Kickstand Comedy — Intro To Stand Up
Julia’s next session starts June 20. Her Intro to Stand Up is consistently sold out — you leave with 5 polished minutes and a class showcase performance in a PACKED room. Julia also runs the incredible Kickstand’s Comedy in the Park which she hosts with Rachelle Cochran.
→ kickstandcomedy.org/comedy-classes / @themexinpdx / Willamette Week
Rachelle Cochran — Kickstand Comedy — Stand Up Level 2
Rachelle teaches the level 2 comedy class at Kickstand, and she produces hillarious / sharp / tight / unflinching comedy on the socials. Rachelle is sharp, high-energy, believes that “comedy is a learnable skill”, and can sprinkle you with some of her magic laughter dust!
→ kickstandcomedy.org/comedy-classes / @itsrachellecochran
Ally J Ward — Intro to Queer Stand Up
Ally is fresh off of recording her fantastic one hour special and just finished her inaugural 8 week queer comedy class. Reach out to get on the list for the next cohort!
→ @allyjisgay / Allyjward.com
Amanda Lynn Deal
Amanda Lynn Deal is a writer, improviser, producer, host, and a super poor “full time” stand-up comedian. In 2012 she attended Chicago’s Second City where focused on sketch & improv. In 2017 she moved to Portland, OR where she focused on stand-up & finding her voice. She was voted 2023’s “Funniest Five Comedians in Portland” & 2024’s “Best Comedian in Portland” by the Willamette Week.
You can catch her being a real goofy loud-mouthed broad all over the PNW.
→ amandalynndeal@gmail.com | @therealamandalynndeal
Sofiya Alexandra
Sofiya is a writer and comedian who grew up in Odessa, Ukraine, and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 11. You might have seen her on Comedy Central’s This Is Not Happening talking about her grandpa’s dick surgery, heard her standup on Sirius, or enjoyed her writing on Amazon’s Danger & Eggs, an Emmy-winning animated series starring SNL’s Aidy Bryant. She’s been featured as a standup at Limestone, Laughing Skull, Women in Comedy, Out of Bounds, and many other comedy festivals. She tours all over the US performing standup and has opened for Beth Stelling, Emily Heller, and Nicole Byer. Her first album Father’s Day came out in 2020 and was #1 on iTunes.
Sofiya knows the shit about standup, writers rooms, and submitting packets for late night.