But only if you're not a white man in new diversity drive

Stand-up streaming platform NextUp has announced a £10,000 bursary to broaden the range of comedians available on their platform. 

The company is offering financial support to help film specials from comedians who are not white and do not identify as male.

The so-called Grapevine bursary is available to comics worldwide who need help getting their shows of 40 minutes or more filmed by a professional crew of three or more cameras.

Completed specials will then be made available on NextUp, where they comedians will get a share of the revenue from subscriptions. The comics can also sell the filmed special separately, but not give it away, except as a showreel to industry contacts.

NextUp co-founder Sarah Henley: ‘Our goal is a fair and equal comedy world where any comedian regardless of identity can be given the same opportunity as others. 

‘We’d like a platform where young comics coming up through the ranks, see opportunities for themselves and are inspired to keep going. 

‘While here’s no shortage of comedic styles on our platform - the same currently can’t be said for comedian diversity and we’re actively working to address that.’

No fixed amount has been announced for those who secure a bursary, but Henley said the £10,000 fund cover ‘as many specials as possible’

Full terms and application information can be found at nextupcomedy.com/grapevine and applications close on June 10.

Published: 7 May 2019