We are proud to be producing a series of Mentoring Meetups and Open Mic events as part of The Glitter Project – A Safe Place supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
We piloted this initiative at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe thanks to being awarded a BBC Comedy Grant and some extra support from Russells, with its proud 50-year history of advising clients in the entertainment history. We then shared in the Jones Bootmaker (ISH) Edinburgh Comedy Awards Panel Prize in recognition of our work. Read more about this here.
Funny Women has provided a safe and inclusive environment for female and non-binary performers, writers and creators for over 20 years. We support and develop new comedy talent at grassroots with the Funny Women Awards, workshops, courses and open mic events. We are currently experiencing our biggest ever demand for safe places where we can work together in person regardless of gender, age, ethnicity and ability.
Women are still underrepresented in the historically male dominated creative industries and cases of sexism and sexual misconduct have increased across the entertainment industry, giving birth to the #MeToo movement. We need safe places to be creative and build confidence both for professional and personal development at all life stages.
OUR INSPIRATION
Jo Fletcher-Cross is one of Funny Women’s non-executive directors and a comedian, who was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumour in summer 2022 on the eve of her first full run at the Edinburgh Fringe
We’ve created A Safe Place as an enduring legacy to encourage those who’ve already established a glittering comedy career or have an interest in exploring humour and entertainment to share and explore creative possibilities. After all, everybody deserves a ‘bit of glitter’ in their lives.
“I’m so fortunate to have worked alongside some incredible funny women throughout my career, in many different capacities,” says Jo. “All I have ever wanted to do is find joy, laughter and a bit of sparkle along the way in life and I’m so thrilled that The Glitter Project will help fabulous funny women with the tools, bravery and knowledge to keep the laughter going for many years to come.”
Funny Women founder Lynne Parker spoke to Jo about what the Project means to her here.
THE PROGRAMME
The Glitter Project provides a programme of events across six locations in England – London, Medway, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester. All the events are listed here. We are producing six events in each location and plan to extend these to other regions with the support of additional funding and sponsorship.
If you would like to get involved, please contact your nearest REGIONAL PRODUCER, all details here or email info@funnywomen.com.
MENTORING MEETUPS
An hour or more of networking, fun and games, plus first-hand advice from visiting comedy experts who’ve all ‘been there, done that’ in some capacity. These events are designed to take out the overwhelm and connect you with other likeminded female and non-binary comedy performers, writers and creators.
OPEN MICS
A showcase event offering female and non-binary performers vital stage time, whether it’s your first time on stage or an established act looking for ‘A Safe Place’ to try out new material.
To book a spot at one of our Glitter Project Open Mics please email info@funnywomen.com and put GLITTER PROJECT OPEN MIC and LOCATION in the header.
