Tune FM Train Their Class Clowns
Author: CBOnline | Source: CBOnline | Date: 06-11-06
Each year the Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs a national comedy competition for young people at secondary school between years 9 and 12. Known as Class Clowns, this year has seen Tune FM in Armidale, in conjunction with the Armidale Women's Comedy Festival, further develop the idea into a youth training program.
Five young comedians were successful in obtaining a grant from the Foundation for Young Australians Spark Fund and are currently training with Tune FM to become radio presenters. With so many of Australia's top comedians starting their careers in radio and many continuing to work as radio presenters, this small group of 14-17 year olds are getting the best possible start to their careers.
An important part to their training program was their involvement in the Armidale Women's Comedy Festival which ran during the last weekend in October at the University of New England in Armidale. Students participated in workshops lead by professional comedians with a specific focus on radio comedy and were also required to interview well known entertainer Mikey Robins live to air on Radio Tune FM.
Class Clowns started in September and will run until February 2007, at which point the young comedians will have the skills to run their own breakfast radio show.