Live and Direct is a panel on navigating the live comedy scene (gigging, making solo shows, producing comedy shows, navigating the Edinburgh fringe and touring) for women, non-binary people and trans men of colour.
We will ask the panel about the ins and outs of making it as a comedian, how to book gigs, when and how to write a show and how to decide if comedy festivals, fringes and tours are right for you. We'll also open the floor up to your questions.
Hosted by Aisha Amanduri featuring Naomi Parnell, Jet Vevers and Kate Cheka.
Naomi Parnell
Naomi is the Head of Producing at Plosive, has worked with Plosive since 2017 and lead produces their podcasts and live shows. Before joining Plosive Naomi worked in production across comedy, drama and factual radio and television for the BBC, Channel 4, and ITV as well as arts and music events, festivals and theatre producing. Plosive is a multi award-winning production company, producing live comedy shows across the country, at the Edinburgh Fringe and large-scale tours (including a tour for Sindhu Vee!)
Jet Vevers
Jet is the Comedy Programmer for Soho Theatre Walthamstow, bringing the best comedy and live performance to the borough of Waltham Forest. Jet is also a live comedy director, working with the likes of Sarah Keyworth, Olga Koch, Erika Ehler and Nabil Abdulrashid. Jet directed Sarah Keyworth’s show My Eyes Are Up Here which won the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for Most Outstanding Show in April 2024.
Kate Cheka
Kate Cheka is an artist whose primary creative medium is human emotion, either trying to make people laugh (comedy), think (philosophical musings) or feel (storytelling). She has travelled extensively, studied in four different countries and performed stand-up in over ten. Born in London she grew up in the West Country and has lived in Berlin and Buenos Aires as well as Delhi and Dar es Salaam. Described as having ‘stylish comedy delivered with a great blend of joy and disdain’ she started comedy to spite an ex who once said ‘I thought you were more fun’.
Aisha Amanduri
Aisha Amanduri is a South London-based queer Muslim comedian from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. She runs the incredible comedy night Material Girls, is one-half of the epic comedy duo 2Muslim2Furious and is a core part of the FOC IT UP team. She is described in the Guardian as “clever, edgy and unexpected” and in Chortle “an appealing mix of upfront attitude with mischievous undercurrent”.
*A limited number of spots will be permitted to people not from the global majority*
This panel is a part of the first ever FOC Fest at Soho Theatre. The one day event will feature star-studded industry panels, workshops and culminate in an iconic comedy showcase.
Other Events:
- Funny as FOC - a crash course in standup for trans, non-binary, gender non conforming and queer people of colour aimed at getting more queer comedians of colour on stage.
- Power to the People - A workshop on utilizing humor for self expression, building confidence and improving mental health through comedy.
- Flipping the Script - a panel on making scripted projects for radio, TV, film and creating online content.
- FOC IT UP! Comedy Club show!! - expect a banging line-up and incredible vibes. MORE INFO & TICKETS
We want FOC Fest to be as accessible as possible. If finances are a barrier for you, get in touch with us at focitupcomedy@gmail.com