Organisers of Leicester Comedy Festival have launched their annual search for business people based in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland who want to take to the stage and perform their first ever stand up comedy routines.
The Stand Up Challenge is a major fundraising project for registered charity Big Difference Company, producers of the festival, and entries are now open for business people who want to take part. Participants receive mentoring support from comedian Anthony King, who provides support in writing and rehearsing the 5 minute stand up routines.
All participants are encouraged to raise money for the charity and in previous years the project has raised in excess of £10,000 to help sustain the festival and the community projects delivered by Big Difference Company throughout the year.
Previous projects have included working with children and young people, people with disabilities and older people.
The Stand Up Challenge has taken place each autumn since 2013 and over 20 business people have taken part over the years. Past contestants have included Howard Ebison (East Midlands Airport), Scott Knowles (East Midlands Chamber of Commerce), Nick Pulley (Santander), Debra Heighton (Turner Insurance), Mhairi Morris (De Montfort University) and Robert Bracken (Leicester Racecourse). The final performance for the 2018 challenge will take place at The Y Theatre, based on East Street in Leicester, on Wednesday 7th November, as part of the Leicester Business Festival.
Previous participants have said taking part in the Stand Up Challenge has benefitted them in terms of developing their public speaking experience, networking with other business people, raising the profile of their businesses and supporting the charity and Leicester Comedy Festival. The performance is hosted by a professional comedian who provides some support and advice to the contestants on the night.
Geoff Rowe, CEO of Big Difference Company, said “we are seeking 8 people to sign up for the Stand Up Challenge and join us in raising money for our charity and Leicester Comedy Festival. The project is a unique way of local business men & women to support our work and have a huge amount of fun at the same time. I’m genuinely in awe of those who take up the Challenge and walk on stage on the night but we know from previous years that all the participants get a huge amount of support from each other as well as the audience on the night.”
