Greg Dean Stand-Up Masterclass: How to Build a Comedy Routine + His Joke Structure System That Makes Writing Stupidly Easy

Searching Greg Dean stand-up, joke structure system, or how to write stand-up jokes? This Hub piece is the actionable digest: if Ralphie May gave you motivation and scoring, Greg Dean (often called “The Professor of Stand-Up”) gives the blueprint — mechanics for turning random thoughts into tight, laugh-packed routines bookers can follow.

Perfect when you are exhausted by “just write more” with zero process.

Official Greg Dean channel: Stand Up Comedy Fundamentals — Part 1 (joke structure and performance techniques). For his full free webinar funnel, see How To Build a Stand Up Comedy Routine on his site.

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Why this masterclass still matters for comedians

Greg Dean breaks comedy into teachable mechanics: Joke Prospector, Joke Mine, and routine-building frameworks strip the mystery out of writing so you can aim for 5+ laughs per minute on purpose — not accident.

Stack with stage reps: test new material · weekly joke-writing system.

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10 key takeaways you can steal tonight

#	Principle	Put it to work
1	One thing, two meanings	Setup sells the expected meaning; punch reveals the surprise meaning.
2	Joke Map + Joke Mine	Map setups first — then mine unexpected punch angles from each setup.
3	Edit ruthlessly	If it does not earn a laugh, cut it — lean beats clever-dead air.
4	Routine architecture	Open with B material, C in the middle (experiments), close with A killers.
5	Stories as joke machines	Structure jokes inside stories — not loose anecdotes with no punch rhythm.
6	Write 10 minutes daily	Consistency beats raw talent when talent skips reps.
7	Practice like a skill	Rehearse until you know where laughs land — not “kinda know.”
8	Stage fright vs prep	Unknowns fuel fear — over-prepare the unknowns you control.
9	Rate jokes A / B / C	Honest grading — only A material closes.
10	Stage time is non-negotiable	Craft is teachable; art still comes from reps.

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How Greg Dean’s joke structure system works (and why it lands)

Joke Prospector system (high level)

Step	Job
Joke Map	Pick a topic → generate clean setups (one idea per setup).
Joke Mine	For each setup: name the primary assumption (what the crowd expects) → list 5–10 unexpected meanings for punches.
Connect clearly	Setup and punch must snap together so the laugh is instant — no homework after the punch.

Result: you stop guessing punchlines and start engineering them — students often go from scattered ideas to a coherent tight five in a few disciplined weeks.

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Your action checklist: apply this masterclass this week

• Watch Part 1 (embedded above) or Greg’s free webinar on his site
• Pick one topic tonight and run it through a Joke Mine list
• Rewrite one bit using one thing, two meanings
• Rate your current set A / B / C and reorder to protect the closer
• Seven days of 10-minute daily writing — non-negotiable

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Bottom line

Greg Dean does not only motivate — he hands you the tools pros use to build repeatable funny. Master the fundamentals and material improves faster than “vibes-only” writing ever will.

Pair craft with clean money rails: gig invoice checklist · performer’s complete guide to getting paid.

Email the Hub with your biggest Joke Mine win — we read them.

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Related: Ralphie May — 10 takeaways · 5-2-1 scoring system · Ari Shaffir — career advice · natural crowd work framework.