Several times a year, eight to ten strangers gather at 3S ArtSpace in Portsmouth to begin a journey of self-exploration and -expression. Over the next five weeks, these individuals will support one another in a unique and intimate way—through humor.
The group is participating in a workshop series called Couch to Mic™, learning to reveal their authentic voices and connect with others through comedy. The workshops are facilitated by Stephanie Lazenby, a Portsmouth performer, producer, and creator of comedy.
An only child who grew up in the 1970s, Lazenby spent a lot of time alone in her New York living room, watching television. A young (perhaps inappropriately young) fan of “Saturday Night Live,” she was especially taken with the talents of female cast members like Jane Curtin and Gilda Radner. She noted John Ritter’s effortless physical comedy in “Three’s Company.” And movies such as “Young Frankenstein” and “Animal House,” helped her develop insight about what was (and was not) funny.
As she took in the rich comedy offerings of the times, Lazenby observed a few things that have guided her life ever since. Firstly, she recognized the power of comedy to reveal truths and bring people together. Secondly, she noticed that men took up most of the comedy airspace (with the exceptions of superstars like Joan Rivers, Lily Tomlin, and Whoopi Goldberg). Thirdly…she realized that she was funny.
Fast forward (we’re talking VHS tape, here) to Emerson College and performing with the Emerson Comedy Workshop. Doing sketch comedy with this illustrious group gave Lazenby the confidence to think “I can do this!” Since college, she has been creating and performing comedy and educating others about comedy—first in New York, and now on the Seacoast.
In 2019, Lazenby sought a new way to bring her skills and passion to others. She discovered that the Seacoast offered no standup comedy classes or opportunities for fledgling comedians to try out their routines. Thus, Couch to Mic was born.
Lazenby’s description of the Couch to Mic process is deceptively simple: Over the course of four weekly sessions, participants write, refine, and rehearse short comedy routines. They give each other feedback to help focus and improve each other’s work. The fifth session is a performance at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, open to the public, in which each student presents their comedy piece.
What lies behind this simple sequence is an intense commitment on the part of each participant. Each person invests—not just time and money for the sessions, but in extensive preparation and self-reflection.
Lazenby has firm guidelines for the group: When giving feedback, be kind. When creating, do not base your comedy on mocking yourself or others—in her view, this is lazy comedy. Instead, each person must explore their own authentic experience, often expressed in stories of their fallibilities, challenges, and pain.
Nadine Hill of Dover, who provides bookkeeping services to small businesses, attended Couch to Mic in 2023. Hill had always been fascinated with comedy and thought of herself as humorous.
Hill can’t say enough in praise of the Couch to Mic experience. She noticed from the first session of Couch to Mic that the atmosphere was extremely comfortable and supportive of people of all ages and identities. She came with an initial idea about the focus of her piece, but feedback from Lazenby and the group helped her identify the heart of her story. “Stephanie has a way of getting you to dig deeply to discover what it is that really jazzes you up, and what part of that is especially funny.”
With ongoing feedback and practice, Hill refined her comedy piece and performed it to enthusiastic response. She went on to perform at an “All-Star” showcase and completed the workshop series a second time in 2024.
“Taking this step to challenge yourself and bring laughter to others—it’s not just about comedy, it’s about wellness,” says Hill. “Pushing yourself, finding connection, and spreading joy can be one of the most healing things you do for yourself and for others.”
There’s truth behind the saying “laughter is the best medicine.” Research shows that laughing provides physical benefits, including improved organ health, increased immunity response, and reduced stress. As Lazenby puts it, “comedy is powerful.” To laugh collectively, she says, “is to recognize your own and the other person’s humanity. Comedy makes us feel less alone.”
For Couch to Mic participants, the power of comedy is personal. “One of the most powerful things you can do is make someone—let alone an audience of 150 people—laugh. I mean, once you’ve done that, you can do anything!” says Lazenby.
The next performance of Couch to Mic is on April 10, 2025. For information, go to 3Sarts.org.
"What lies behind this simple sequence is an intense commitment on the part of each participant.Each person invests—not just time and money for the sessions, but in extensive preparation and self-reflection."