X + Y = HAHA!

Decscription

Discover the elusive "HAHA formula" and master the art of crafting the perfect punchline! This workshop is packed with writing exercises, public speaking techniques, and the secrets of joke-making. It is not about writing “the funny” but rather looking for your story, your comedic style and creating the funny along the way. Through playful exercises, writing sessions, and real-time idea testing, you'll develop your unique comedic voice. The workshop is led by Heli Pärna, a standup comedian and showrunner of Funny Women Brussels. No experience needed, so beginners as well as experienced writers/comedians are welcome. This is a space for developing new material and learning new techniques so if you have participated in the past, there will be new things to discover. Your goal does not have to be to go on stage, just to have the curiosity. Heli Pärna is a comedian, actress, trainer, theater director and since 2026, also a playwright. After more than ten years of working in theater and improv as a performer, director and writer, she stood up almost three years ago combining all the different forms of storytelling. Since then, she has been in over 100 shows including headlining at Side Splitters Comedy showcase and opening for Derek Mitchel’s Double Dutch, Tova Leigh’s Honey, I’m losing it and Matthew Mcaloone and Elena Gabrielle OK!?. In 2023 she wrote her first solo one woman show which premiered at Tallinn Fringe Festival in August 2023 and has brought it to stages in Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Geneva, Prague, Barcelona, Lisbon and New Zealand. In 2024 Heli made her debut at Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a 14 night run of her show. Heli is based in Brussels where she also runs and hosts the monthly Funny Women Brussels show. Off stage, Heli is usually reading, watching anything by Mike Flanagan, traveling and submitting short stories just to keep the rejection muscle going. The workshop takes place in Pianofabriek, room Calcutta.