The CCB Training School offers two different scholarships: a BIPOC Scholarship Program to students who identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color; a need-based Work Study Scholarship Program to any student who is unable to afford the cost of registration. Scholarship students register and take courses as normal; accepted students are simply given a voucher for tuition-free registration.

BIPOC Scholarship Program

Statement of Intent

Comedy Café Berlin and The CCB Training School recognize that there is no comedy, no theater, no improv, no show, no audience, no performers, without diverse perspectives, and specifically without our BIPOC friends. Without the love and contributions of the BIPOC performers, staff, and community, CCB does not exist. We recognize that BIPOC representation is key in a community that is just and free and it is our duty to honor that. We also recognize that at present, that representation is lacking and that on our part, we have failed to actively promote racial diversity. 

In an effort to encourage performers who identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color to learn the art of improvised and sketch comedy, we are offering a BIPOC Scholarship to make it as easy as possible for those performers to get started or continue their education. It is our hope that by increasing our BIPOC student base, we can increase the number of BIPOC performers, coaches and teachers at CCB and in Berlin.

Program Details

  • CCBTS will guarantee one (1) scholarship registration per course. Depending on the balance of our Scholarship Fund (more info below), we may be able to offer more scholarship registrations.
  • Scholarship registrations will be valid for any of our standard improv & sketch courses (applicants will be asked to specify for which course they are interested and must meet course prerequisites*). You can find our full course catalog here.
  • Scholarships will not be need-based and will be offered on a first-come-first-serve basis.
  • The scholarship application requires only contact info and an indication as to which course an applicant is interested in. We aim to keep things simple – no essays, no interviews, no personal information required!
  • Scholarships will be awarded for specific courses and recipients will be asked to commit to completing the entire course.
  • Recipients will be expected to follow our Community Code of Conduct and Terms & School Policies, and may lose their registration if found to be in violation of either.

*course prerequisites generally require a student to complete one level before moving on to the next (e.g., students must complete Level 1 before signing up for a Level 2 course). If you have previous improv or sketch experience, please write to us to enquire about a waiver.

Eligibility

Any student who identifies as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color is eligible to apply for the scholarship, regardless of need.

Previous scholarship recipients may continue to receive additional scholarships for further courses, but must apply separately for each course and meet course prerequisites.

Selection Process

Scholarships will be offered for specific courses on a first-come-first-serve basis based on applicants filling in the form below. (For example, if two applicants apply for a scholarship for the same course, the applicant who applied first, based on a date & timestamp, will be given the scholarship.)

In the event that the balance of our Scholarship Fund (see below) allows for additional registrations, we will select applicants based on the date & time they applied, across all courses. (For example, if we are able to allocate 1 additional scholarship registration, the first eligible applicant, based on the date & time they applied, for any course, will be given the scholarship).

Josh Telson and Noah Telson, as CCBTS Co-Directors, will be in charge of selecting recipients based solely on the above criteria. 

Recipients of a scholarship will be given a voucher code to be used as part of our normal registration process which will allow them to register tuition-free. As part of this registration process, students will be required to accept our Terms & School Policies. Because scholarship recipients register for courses as normal, there will be no indication to instructors or fellow students that they are a recipient of a scholarship.

In the event that a scholarship recipient is no longer able to attend a course and the course has not yet started, or is in its first or second week, the next eligible scholarship applicant will be contacted and given the opportunity to register.

Scholarship Terms

There are no specific scholarship terms or conditions outside of the eligibility requirements listed above.

We ask scholarship recipients to commit to completing their course (making at least 6 of the 8 course sessions). There are no scholarship penalties* if they do not, this is simply a courtesy to the other potential students on the scholarship and course waitlist.

*As part of our standard School Policies, any student, regardless of scholarship, missing more than 6 of 8 classes in a course will be marked as incomplete and will be required to retake the course before moving on to the next level.

Scholarship Fund

The CCB Training School will be funding one (1) scholarship registration per course ‘out-of-pocket’. In order to award scholarships to as many eligible students as possible, CCBTS has started a Scholarship Fund in order to offer additional scholarships. Donations to the Scholarship Fund will be used solely to fund additional scholarship registrations. If you or your organization are interested in donating to or sponsoring the CCBTS Scholarship Fund, you can do so here or get in touch!

Questions?

If you have any questions about our course program or how courses work, we encourage you to read our program, FAQ, and Terms & School Policies
If you have any questions about the scholarship, send us a message!

Scholarship Application

Please be aware that we’re a small team and it may take at least a few days for us to get back to you about your application. Thanks in advance for your patience!


Work Study Scholarship Program

The CCBTS offers work study scholarships to students who need financial assistance paying for classes. The program is open to anyone, but is focused on those with low income or who are currently enrolled as a university student.

In exchange for free enrollment in one course, work study students are expected to commit to 8 consecutive Thursday, Friday or Saturday evenings at CCB helping run tech and stage managing shows. Technical experience is not required, but tech-savviness, or at least a commitment to learning those skills, is recommended.

What’s in it for students?

  1. Tuition-free registration for one (1) course at The CCB Training School.
  2. Work study students will learn the basics of ‘tech-ing’ a show, including but not limited to:
    1. Stage lighting: controlling lights via light board, understanding stage light positioning and how to call an improv show with a black out!
    2. Sound: how to set up & break down microphones, cabling, etc, control the sound board, cue music and adjust levels for mics (depending on the type of show).
  3. Free entrance to shows that evening!

Obligations

Work Study students are expected to commit to one tech training session, and eight (8) consecutive Thursday, Friday or Saturday night shows from 7:30pm-11:00pm. Each evening consists of 2 shows, one at 8pm and the other at 10pm.

Work Study students will be scheduled on either Thursday night, Friday night or Saturday night blocks. Work Study students may, at the discretion of CCBTS Co-Directors, swap nights so long as coverage is maintained. If a swap is not possible, Work Study students are expected to maintain their scheduled obligations.

Work Study students are expected to consult with and assist performers and as such are expected to maintain a professional and courteous demeanor.

Job Responsibilities

Work Study students will report to CCBTS Co-Directors Josh Telson and Noah Telson. In the event that neither Co-Director is on site during a show block, Work Study students will report to the House Manager on duty.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of job responsibilities:

  • Set up, or assist in setting up, the theater and stage:
    • Setting up performer and audience chairs;
    • Powering on tech equipment and making sure everything is in working order;
    • Running cables and setting up microphones/microphone stands;
    • At performer’s direction, setting up the stage (props, chairs, tables, etc);
  • Liaise with House Manager, ticket staff and performers for show start;
  • Tech-ing a show:
    • Adjusting audio levels;
    • Running audio, video, and light cues;
    • Blacking out an improv show;
  • Break down the theater and stage:
    • Put away and power down all tech equipment;
    • Wrap up cables;
    • Clear stage and reset theater;

Additional Info

Space is limited to 3 applicants per session. CCBTS does not guarantee everyone a work study position. Applications are reviewed and accepted based on a brief in-person interview and the following criteria:

  1. Students who demonstrate a clear need for assistance. We do not ask to see any financial documents but we do request an overview of why you need assistance.
  2. Those who can commit to the schedule.
  3. Students who either have technical proficiency or are committed to learning those skills.

Work Study decisions are final and at the sole discretion of CCBTS Co-Directors Josh Telson and Noah Telson.

Work Study students who are unable to fulfill their Obligations may lose their Scholarship and (based on the sole discretion of CCBTS Co-Directors):

  • Be required to pay back the balance of their registration fee;
  • Or be dropped from their class;
  • Or be required to make up missed work nights (schedule permitting).

Works Study Blocks/Schedule

Students are expected to fulfill their work study obligations for the duration of their enrolled course (generally speaking 8 or 4 weeks). In some cases, work study schedules may be offset from course duration. A clear schedule will be provided to work study students.

Work Study Application

To apply, please fill out the application form including a short essay explaining why you think you are a good candidate for the work study scholarship. Please be aware that we’re a small team and it may take a while for us to get back to you about your application. Thanks in advance for your patience!