Hannah Yarwood has just graduated from Kent with a BA in Drama and Theatre, which included a term abroad at the University of Maryland in the United States.<\/p>\n
She recently performed at Latitude Festival after reaching the final of the Chortle Student Comedy Awards.<\/p>\n
Here, she describes the exciting journey she\u2019s been on since her last minute application in January!<\/p>\n
I originally applied for the Chortle Student Comedy Awards back in 2022 but wasn\u2019t successful. I then reapplied with a day to go in January 2023 and made it through to the London heat.<\/p>\n
All I could do for each heat was my absolute best, so if I wasn\u2019t successful I knew I would still feel immensely proud of myself. Getting through both the quarter and semi-finals left me with feelings of imposter syndrome, but I\u2019m incredibly lucky to have an amazing support system around me who reminded me I\u2019m exactly where I should be.<\/p>\n
The final was such a beautiful experience, being with the other comedians it didn\u2019t feel like we were competing at all. We\u2019d sit and laugh in the green room together, discussing parts of each other\u2019s sets that we loved or thought was particularly clever. We were all just so happy to get as far as we did, it didn\u2019t matter who won.<\/p>\n
It was incredibly surreal; the whole day was a blur!<\/p>\n
When I first arrived there were around 80 people in the Comedy Arena but by the time I got out to perform there was hundreds. The audience were incredibly supportive and, I think it\u2019s fair to say, taken back by the pure talent we all brought to the stage.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t think doing comedy in my first year of University would take me to Latitude, but I\u2019m so glad it did. I really tried to take it all in whilst I was on stage, but with so much adrenaline running through me I couldn\u2019t even tell you the set I did. Afterwards, I made sure to hang around the green room for little bit to make the most of the day and meet some of the incredible comedians that were also performing – including Laura Smyth, Kerry Godliman and Ed Byrne.<\/p>\n
I started doing stand up in the Popular Performance module with Dr Oliver Double. I wrote my first set in September, even though I didn\u2019t have to perform it until October, because I really wanted to make a good impression. Working with Olly meant I got to perfect a persona and refine what it is I wanted to say with my act – I was guided and supported so much. I then went on to MC my Popular Performance exam (where I was heckled by my dad!) which confirmed that stand up was something I wanted to continue with.<\/p>\n
In my final year I took Stand Up with Dr Sophie Quirk who pushed every person in that class to reach their full potential. Sophie really took my individual strengths into consideration and helped me to mould the perfect set – which I have now performed too many times to remember!<\/p>\n
If it wasn\u2019t for the magical staff in the Drama department I wouldn\u2019t have the confidence, ability or willingness to do stand up.<\/p>\n
Speak to Olly and Sophie! They know what they\u2019re talking about and are angels who only want to see you succeed!<\/p>\n
Joining the Stand Up Society will give you many opportunities to perform and try out material. Set up by my fellow student, Daniel Lambert, the group puts on a monthly comedy club and has a great relationship with the university.<\/p>\n
My other tips would be to:<\/p>\n
I\u2019m going to be working at The London Dungeons. I\u2019ll be having a giggle whilst educating people on the history of London. Come down and see me if you dare\u2026!<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll be gigging too, and there\u2019s no doubt that my new job will give me many stories. I\u2019m still in contact with my Creative Project company \u20182 Hans and A Dan\u2019 and we\u2019re talking about where we can take our comedy show next.<\/p>\n
If you want to see what I\u2019m up to find me at @hannahdoescomedy on Instagram.<\/p>\n
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Main photo by Brooke Bettey<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"