How to Be a Great MC and Work a Crowd

Looking to up your game as MC at either comedy shows or corporate events? We got you!

Hello. Welcome. Thank you. As the first and last person on stage, and someone who pops up several times during the gig, the MC is a key part of the success of any comedy night.

But what makes a good, or even great, MC? What are the skills needed to create the very best experience for all involved? How can these skills enhance your usual comedy set?

In this workshop, highly experienced MC, Mel Byron, will take you through the wider set of skills an MC needs to have to make a comedy gig a success and shows how these skills can be used even when you’re doing a set.

These highly useful skills can also be applied to hosting and facilitating corporate events and conferences.

Topics covered include:

· Making acts feel welcome
· Knowing and preparing the audience
· Crowd work
· Attitude and Persona
· The Rhythm of a Comedy Gig
· Being organised

Mel Byron is a comedian, speaking skills coach and writer. She performs comedy all over the UK and is much in demand as an MC and host. Mel has presented solo shows at the Edinburgh, Brighton and Manchester Fringes and at the Nottingham Comedy Festival.

PRAISE FOR MEL:

‘Mel is a brilliant MC who can play any room’ (Don Biswas, Top UK Comedian)

‘Mel is an extremely able, affable and professional MC. She quickly gets an audience on-side with her warmth and wit, thus ensuring every act receives a warm welcome.’ (Comedy Lock-In, Kent) and ‘Inspired Comedy’ (Lancs Post).

This workshop will be delivered in English and is aimed at people identifying as women.

About the instructor:

Mel Byron spent over 20 years in the publishing industry before transferring her skills and her passion. She is now a comedian, writer and speaking coach. Mel’s first solo comedy show, Karoshi, was a plea for a kinder, more people-centred workplace culture, and toured to several UK Festivals, including the Edinburgh Fringe. Her latest training programme, Work Like Her first a Comedian, is launching in 2023 and shows how much of the comedian’s craft can be applied to work and life.

Find out more about Mel Byron here

This workshop is part of Festrogen, a women-centric, multi-part comedy festival hosted in Luxembourg.