The Yes, and… Laughter Lab (YALL) Fellowship is a program for writers and comedians who are creating comedy about topics that matter. YALL Fellows join a year-long incubator program that includes an intensive three-day training program and showcase where they strengthen their projects and are trained in how to pitch to industry and non-traditional partners.
Each year, members of the YALL team and jury are asked for their advice on how to make applications stand out, so we’re sharing some tips from experienced readers and experts in comedy. Check out the advice below!
The YALL Fellowship application is now open. Deadline to submit is Sunday, June 8 at 11:59pm EST. Visit yesandlaughterlab.com/apply to learn more and submit and application.
Once selected for the Yes, And… Laughter Lab, you’ll be setting on a year long journey to pitch and build support around your project in the lab. You have to love the project and be prepared to work on it in the short and long term. Best case scenario, you meet future partners, funders, and other collaborators who will work on it with you for years to come!
Some of our most beloved YALL comedians were rejected the first time they applied to the fellowship program. If you’ve made strides on a project you’ve already applied with you can apply again and share that progress. If you’ve come up with a new, exciting idea, we want to hear about it. Rejection can be hard but you have nothing to lose by applying again — and everything to gain.
Simply put, you’re applying to a comedy program, so you have to be funny! Our jury needs to know that you are as hilarious as your ideas, and they need to know quickly. Too often, we see talented applicants with great comedic talent submit very dry and boring answers in their YALL application. The funnier you can make your application, the more you will stand out! NOTE: Don’t use AI to write your application for you. Trust that your humor is better than something AI can come up with.
Did you have your late night debut? Did your short film win an award? Did you write for a hit show? Are you an opera singer slash stand up comedian who grew up in Oklahoma and played tee ball? If any of that is relevant to who you are as an artist or the project you are creating, you should include it!
Show off your skills as a comedy writer and creator by putting together a concise application. Submit shorter samples/clips of your best work. Include timestamps if needed to get your readers to the good stuff ASAP!
Yes, And… Laughter Lab is a competitive incubation lab, pitch program and showcase that uplifts the best comedy writers and performers creating new comedy about topics that matter, with a focus on BIPOC, immigrant, Muslim, LGBTQ, and women creators. Follow Yes, And… Laughter Lab on Instagram and Twitter/X at @YALLcomedy.
The Yes, And… Laughter Lab is generously supported by Doris Duke Foundation’s Building Bridges Program, MacArthur Foundation, Pop Culture Collaborative, Open Society Foundations, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
