| Dear Friends,
Cue the laugh track—because we’re celebrating 25 years of jokes, journeys, and jaw-dropping punchlines at Manhattan Comedy School!
When we first opened our doors in 1999, the world was a very different place. Google was one year old, streaming didn’t exist, and AOL Instant Messenger was where all the drama happened. People lined up to see Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, debated the true meaning of Fight Club (but remember—we weren’t supposed to talk about it), and nervously hoarded water in case Y2K made our microwaves rebel.
Back then, DVDs were the future, Napster was a revolution, and we were all still asking: “What is The Matrix?” Comedy lived mostly in smoky clubs, network sitcoms, and stand-up specials you had to tape on VHS.
And yet, in the middle of all that, Manhattan Comedy School was born, with one mission: to help funny people find their voice and hone their craft. A quarter-century later, that mission hasn’t changed—but the world of comedy certainly has.
Comedy has always been a reflection of culture—and wow, has culture changed. In the early 2000s, podcasts were just whispers in the wind, and now? They’re a full-blown comedy ecosystem. From basement recordings to million-download empires, podcasting has become a launchpad for fresh voices and bold, often controversial ideas.
Social media? It's reshaped comedy from the ground up. A single TikTok clip can catapult a comic from obscurity to stardom. Instagram reels, YouTube channels, Twitter threads—they’re not just platforms. They're stages. Today, comedians aren’t waiting for a big break—they’re creating it.
But through all the change, one thing remains the same: comedy matters. In fact, it’s more essential now than ever before.
Comedy is more than just laughs. It’s truth-telling. It’s rebellion. It’s healing. In an age of fast news and even faster opinions, comedy cuts through the noise. It challenges the status quo, opens minds, and gives voice to those too often unheard. As conversations about freedom of speech and expression continue to evolve, comedians remain on the frontlines—testing boundaries, navigating cancel culture, and reminding us that laughter can be the most powerful form of protest.
Comedy is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omnivorous—devouring politics, pop culture, personal trauma, and everything in between. It's an artform that matters—and we’re very proud to be a part of its past, present, and future.
So what’s next for Manhattan Comedy School? Simple: we keep going. We continue to provide a safe, supportive, and wildly creative space for aspiring comedians to take their next step. Whether you're dreaming of a Netflix special, a killer YouTube series, or just finally nailing your tight five at the club—we're here for it.
We’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with some of the industry’s top talent—teachers, mentors, and performers who believe in our mission. And we're even more grateful for the growing community that surrounds and supports us. If you’ve ever taken a class, attended a showcase or seminar, shared a laugh, or told a friend about us: thank you! You’ve helped us build something special. And while we’ve been around for 25 years… we’re just getting started.
Here’s to the next chapter—to the new voices, the bold ideas, and the laughs we haven’t even heard yet.
Let’s keep comedy alive, loud, and evolving.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Here’s to a bright—and very funny—future.
With laughter and gratitude,
Andy Engel Founder & Owner, Manhattan Comedy School | 
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