Every Wednesday night, the basement of Ma’s Comedy Club transforms into a crucible of comedy talent. Under the warm spotlight, nervous newcomers take their first steps into stand-up comedy, armed with nothing but a microphone and three minutes to make strangers laugh. This is where some of Berlin’s brightest comedy stars began their journey, and where the next generation of comedic talent continues to emerge.
Take Sarah Klein, for example. Now a regular headliner at major venues across Germany, she still remembers her first time on Ma’s stage. “I was shaking so badly, I thought I’d drop the mic,” she recalls with a laugh. “But the amazing thing about Ma’s is how they make you feel like family from day one. The staff, the other comedians – everyone wants you to succeed.”
This supportive atmosphere isn’t just a happy accident. Ma’s has developed a structured approach to nurturing new talent, something that sets it apart in Berlin’s growing comedy scene. Thomas Weber, our resident MC and talent coordinator, oversees what comedians affectionately call “The Ma’s Method.”
“We start with our open mic nights, where anyone can try their material,” Weber explains. “But what happens after those three minutes is what really matters. We provide detailed feedback, connect new performers with experienced mentors, and offer our monthly ‘Comedy Workshop’ masterclasses. It’s about building confidence as much as building skill.”
The results speak for themselves. In the past two years alone, five regular open mic performers have progressed to paid weekend slots, with several now touring internationally. Max Schmidt, who started at Ma’s open mic nights in 2023, recently returned from a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
What makes Ma’s particularly special in the Berlin comedy landscape is its commitment to bilingual performance. Comedians are encouraged to develop their material in both German and English, opening doors to Berlin’s diverse international audience. “Learning to make people laugh in two languages changed everything for me,” says Lisa Zhang, who now hosts her own weekly show. “It’s like having two completely different toolkits for comedy. Some jokes work perfectly in German but need a total reinvention for English audiences. Ma’s gave me the space to experiment and find that balance.”
The club’s “New Voices” showcase, held quarterly, has become a must-attend event for industry professionals looking for fresh talent. But success at Ma’s isn’t measured solely by professional achievements. “Every time I see someone leave the stage with that mix of relief and excitement, knowing they’ll be back next week – that’s success,” Weber says. “That’s what keeps our comedy community growing.”
For those considering their own journey into comedy, Ma’s offers a clear path forward. Open mic sign-ups begin at 7:30 PM every Wednesday, and new performers receive a comprehensive welcome packet that includes tips, guidelines, and information about our development programs. The club also runs beginner-friendly comedy workshops every second Saturday of the month.
Want to join the Ma’s comedy family? Whether you’re dreaming of your first time on stage or just want to support the next generation of comedy talent, our doors are open every Wednesday at 8 PM. As we like to say at Ma’s: every headliner was once a first-timer, and every first-timer is already part of our family.