Tell a stand-up story like Kevin Hart
- Chris Head
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
STAND-UP STORYTELLING WORKSHOP
10.45am-3.45pm, Saturday 28th February 2026
@ Theatre Deli, Leadenhall Street, London EC3A 4AF
The video provides my detailed analysis of the stand-up storytelling techniques used by Kevin Hart in his story about swearing at school.
The analysis breaks down how Hart employs techniques such as establishing present-day relevance, using incongruity, creating friction between the "big and the small", being specific with details, and expertly building and releasing tension. Hart's performance ultimately serves as a masterclass in how to take a true story and structure it for maximum comedic effect on stage.
Here is a breakdown of the stand-up storytelling advice and techniques discussed in the video:
Storytelling Foundation
Establish Relevance: A very helpful question to ask is, "Why am I telling this story now?" The story can best be anchored in the present day before flashing back to the past (e.g., Hart starting with his daughter swearing recently before recalling his own first time).
Comedy Techniques
Switch context: Take something that is true and place it in the funniest possible context. The humour comes from the surprise and mismatch of elements (e.g., Hart’s little girl swearing while watching SpongeBob).
The "Big and the Small" Friction: Create comedy by juxtaposing the big (adult) and the small (childish).
This is seen repeatedly in the Kevin Hart story: A little kid acting like an adult or having an adult’s attitude about a childish thing (e.g., packing "one toy" to run away, getting an early night because of the "big day" of swearing at the teacher).
Be Specific with Details: The comedy is enhanced by choosing specific, concrete details (e.g., mentioning "He-Man" instead of just "a toy").
Use Laughter as Part of the Delivery: If your style is conversational, natural, and playful, don’t worry about laughing at your own jokes. Your own laughter can be infectious and help the audience get into the humour of the story.
Increase the Stakes/Pressure: In any story, upping the ante can help the comedy. In this case, when approaching the climactic moment, Hart presents it as a "big mission" and a situation with "a lot of pressure" that requires practice. This makes the story of swearing at the teacher funnier because there is more at stake for the schoolboy Hart.
Use Dialogue: Keep the story immediate and engaging by doing act-outs where we hear directly what the characters are saying.
Build-Up and Release: Skilfully build up tension to a key moment. The release of the tension comes with the payoff, such as, in Hart’s story, the long, unexpected volley of swearing.
Come along to my workshop and apply these techniques to your own story!
STAND-UP STORYTELLING WORKSHOP
10.45am-3.45pm, Saturday 28th February 2026
@ Theatre Deli, Leadenhall Street, London EC3A 4AF
