Cheap laughs provide rich rewards

                            Courtesy of Melissa Gans

“Anyone can be funny,” explains Kurtis Matthews, founder of San Francisco Comedy College, who assuredly demonstrates this belief with weekly sold-out shows and overflowing classes. Started in 1999, Matthews taught his first class in a rented room above a shoe store. Eight students enrolled, three of which were his good friends. “They all told me I was crazy,” says Matthews. Yet, in just three short months the school had turned a profit and in 2006 was considered to be the most attended stand-up school in the country.

“People just kept showing up,” he adds. Today you can find an average of 75 to 100 comics a month training in both improv and stand-up. Students hone their talents performing for the public at nightly shows offered throughout the week. “I wanted to open a place that was built on solid local talent that people could come to and enjoy,” says Matthews.

To accommodate its increasing popularity, the San Francisco Comedy College moved to The Native Sons Building at 414 Mason Street where it continues to operate. The school occupies two floors of the building, affording them both teaching facilities and two levels of stage rooms. Performances on Tuesday through Thursday often take place in the Clubhouse Lounge and seat up to 60 people. Friday and Saturday night shows are held in the Clubhouse Main Room, which accommodates 150 people.

On any given night the audience is privy to a mixture of talented students of varying levels as well as more professional comedians. Between seven to eight comedians take the stage during the two-hour shows. “College comics are unique because there are no hooks, they are just being themselves,” says Matthews. “It’s an honest style of stand-up—without being contrived.” It is not uncommon to have special guest performances by seasoned pros that happen to be in the area. Shows range in cost from $5-12, depending on the evening, and the school provides complimentary snacks and a BYOB option.

“Other places make their money on alcohol and food sales but I’m not in the bar business,” explains Matthews on how he manages to keep ticket prices so low. He concludes with the analogy, “The Comic College is like a donut factory in that you can watch the donuts being made. You are seeing the unfinished product. Comedy clubs just sell them at retail. We make them.”

Be it jelly-filled, glazed, or covered with rainbow sprinkles, I’ve never met a donut I didn’t enjoy. The same can be said about any one of the evenings spent at the San Francisco Comedy College.

 For more info: Friday and Saturday night shows regularly sell out so be sure to reserve your seat by purchasing an advance ticket at brownpapertickets.com. Visit www.clubhousecomedy.com for detailed information on performances and special events Tuesday thru Saturday.