THE TEACHERS
Meet the course leaders for Laugh at Leeds.
PAUL 'SILKY' WHITE
Stand Up Comedy
Silky has been a stand-up comedian since 1994, appearing on BBC1, C4, Paramount and stages internationally, as well as being a 2019 Musical Comedy Awards finalist.
In 2014 he founded the Laugh at Leeds Comedy course, which has since grown to offer four Improv courses, corporate training and the In At The Deep End residential.
His graduates have gone on to win national comedy competitions, appear on BGT, Big Brother, and other, more nuanced things too. Some have just had immense fun while making new friends.
"Cryingly funny" - Bath Chronicle
“A performer whose genuine charm captures his crowd. I urge you to go and see for yourself.” ★★★★ The Herald
“He’s like your funny best friend – only funnier.” ★★★★ Broadway Baby
KATE MCCABE
Beginners, Continuing and Long-Form Improv
Kate McCabe has been performing comedy for over 20 years. She has a background in acting from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. As a stand-up, she has performed all over the UK and in NYC, LA, Washington DC, Boston and beyond. She teaches comedy with ComedySportz Manchester, the University of Salford, Laugh at Leeds, Laugh Term (a Leicester Comedy Festival program), and Ultra Events.
As an improviser, she currently performs with ComedySportz Manchester and Murder Inc.
When not performing comedy, she provides VO for audiobooks and video games and works as a ‘maze master’ for The Crystal Maze Live Experience.
JADE FEARNLEY
Beginners, Continuing, Long-Form and Musical Improv
Jade studied at Salford University and upon taking an improv course as an extra curricular study, she was asked to join The Totally Improvised Company to perform during their residency at The Comedy Store Manchester back in 2007. Since then, Jade has performed across the UK, USA and Ireland spanning the full variety of improv entertainment from Short/Long Form to Musicals. Beginning her teaching career in 2009 and providing bespoke improv classes for The Lowry, Bury Met, The Frog and Bucket, The Comedy Store and for charities such as The Comedy Trust, Coffee4Craig and Headspace. Jade has also used her improv experience to provide training to immersive theatre performers at The Crystal Maze and most recently Alcotraz Manchester, where she also provides performance management for the actors.
Jade currently performs for Murder Inc. The Improvised Murder Mystery, affording her the opportunity to celebrate sold out performances at both Leicester Comedy Festival and The Edinburgh Fringe.