Sydney Comedy School Founder - Dave Crisante
Comedian, Comedy Trainer and Communication Coach
Dave Crisante is the founder of Sydney Comedy School, Future Science Talks and The Speaking Lab.
His work brings together two sides of his career: comedy and professional communication.
As a comedian and comedy trainer, Dave has spent years learning what makes people engaging, funny, memorable and confident in front of an audience.
As a former journalist, political speechwriter and senior communications professional, he has spent much of his career helping people communicate clearly, influence others and make ideas land.
Today, he combines those two worlds in his training, helping people become more dynamic speakers through practical techniques in body language, stage presence, humour, charisma, influence, audience connection and delivery.
And, he is Australia’s second-best comedy trainer*.
*According to Dave.
Corporate Workshops and Training
Dave works with organisations across Australia to help people become more confident, engaging and influential communicators.
His workshops focus on practical skills including:
Body language and physical presence
Stage presence and confidence
Charisma and audience connection
Humour and how to be perceived as funny
Influence and persuasion
Storytelling
Vocal delivery and variation
Thinking quickly and responding in the moment
Making presentations more dynamic
Building credibility and rapport
Communicating complex ideas clearly
Dave has delivered training for organisations including Canva, Microsoft, Adobe, LinkedIn, CSIRO, Black Dog Institute and universities around Australia.
His workshops draw on techniques from stand-up comedy, improvisation, journalism, speechwriting and professional communication, but are designed for real workplace situations including presentations, meetings, leadership, customer engagement, training and high-stakes conversations.
Public Speaking and Speechwriting
Before moving into comedy, Dave built a career in journalism, speechwriting and strategic communication.
He worked as a journalist with ABC and SBS, and correspondent in Tokyo, before becoming a speechwriter for Australia’s Foreign Minister and later holding senior communications roles across government, research, health and environmental organisations.
Today, that experience informs his work in public speaking, presentation skills, speechwriting, audience engagement, stage presence, body language, storytelling, influence and persuasion.
Dave helps people improve both what they say and how they say it - from structuring speeches and presentations to becoming more confident, credible, dynamic and memorable speakers.
Comedy and Stand-Up Training
Dave is a multi-award-winning comedian and experienced comedy trainer who has helped thousands of people learn stand-up comedy, write stronger material and become more confident on stage.
He has created more than 10 solo comedy shows and five ensemble shows, performing at major comedy and fringe festivals around Australia.
Through Sydney Comedy School, Dave trains complete beginners as well as people who want to perform regularly, improve their joke writing, develop stronger stage presence or build a career in comedy.
His teaching is highly practical: students write material, test it, perform it and receive direct feedback designed to make them funnier and more confident.
What Workplaces Say
Dave’s professional background spans journalism, political speechwriting, strategic communications and public speaking.
He has worked with senior executives, researchers, scientists, government organisations and major companies on areas including:
Public speaking
Stand-up comedy and humour
Storytelling
Speechwriting
Media and interview skills
Confidence and presence
Workplace communication
His training is designed to be practical, direct and immediately useful.
What Students Say
This course is designed for beginners, such as those who want to:
Perform stand-up comedy for the first time
Learn how comedians write and develop material
Challenge yourself to do something outside your comfort zone
Become a better storyteller
Build confidence speaking in front of other people
Develop your humour and comedic voice
Improve your presentation and communication skills
Meet other people interested in comedy
Perform your own material in front of a live audience
You don't need to arrive with jokes or material prepared.
If your preference is to learn comedy but not to perform, we recommend our Stand-Up Course for Beginners, which does not include a grad show.
Learn more about the Stand-Up Comedy for Beginners Course here.
The Science of Being Funny
Dave also hosts The Science of Being Funny, a podcast exploring how comedy works, how people learn to be funny, and what humour can teach us about communication, confidence and influence.
Work With Dave
Dave teaches through:
Sydney Comedy School
Stand-up comedy, improv and comedy workshops.
The Speaking Lab
Public speaking, communication and one-to-one coaching.
Future Science Talks
Communication and influence training for researchers and scientists.
For enquiries, contact Dave Crisante directly.
