Jeff Justice’s final comedy workshops this fall mark beginning of new chapter

After more than three decades of teaching thousands of aspiring comedians how to find their funny, Jeff Justice is preparing to take his final bow as lead instructor of his eponymous Comedy Workshoppe.

The upcoming Fall 2026 Level I (for which there are currently just three spots left!) and Level II sessions will be the last classes personally led by Justice before he hands the mic to longtime comedian Mark Evans, whose own comedy journey began when he enrolled in Justice’s class in 1993. Evans has been assisting Justice in the workshops for 10 years.

“After 30-plus years, there was only one person I trusted to carry this forward,” Justice says. “Mark understands not only how to perform comedy, but how to write and teach it.”

Justice, whose comedy and teaching have been covered by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, CNN and other media, will remain involved throughout the transition, providing guidance and oversight as Evans assumes leadership beginning with January 2027 Level I classes. Notable Justice students across the years include business leaders like Sara Blakely and comedians including Landry, Dan Mengini and Carlos Rodriguez.

For prospective students, the transition also represents an opportunity: those enrolling this fall will be among the final students to learn directly from Justice while also becoming part of the Comedy Workshoppe’s next generation. As before, each class performs in a Graduation Show at Atlanta’s famous Punchline Comedy Club. Evans also hosts periodic Comedy Workshoppe Alumni Shows at the Punchline.

“Not everyone who enrolls is pursuing a career in comedy – or should!” Justice laughs. “Seriously, aspiring and some experienced comics take the class, as do actors, and other entertainers, branching out from improv, for instance. But most of my students over the years have been fulfilling a bucket-list dream or wanting to become better speakers, salespeople and leaders. That mix of people and intentions is one of the things that makes the classes so valuable.”

Evans knows the Workshoppe from every angle, beginning with the fact that he and Justice make students learn clean comedy, with the proven thinking that, if they can work clean, they can do anything, branching out from there.

Evans enrolled in Justice’s class in 1993 after hearing about it from comedian Kay Dodd while working at Atlanta’s Improv comedy club. What began as a bucket-list experience quickly became a career. Within five years he left his “day job” to perform stand-up full time; a career that has now spanned more than 25 years.

“I'm not changing anything,” Evans says. “The curriculum Jeff built is the best there is. My goal is to preserve what has made the Jeff Justice Comedy Workshoppe successful while bringing the perspective of someone who took the class, graduated and has been making a living doing stand-up ever since.”

Since turning professional in 1998, Evans has performed in 46 states, multiple countries and aboard cruise ships, appeared on Comedy Central, and released a Dry Bar Comedy special.

Over the years, Evans remained closely connected with Justice and the Workshoppe. In fact, Justice hired him shortly after graduation for paid performances, later invited him to mentor students, review material and help coach classes. What began as mentorship evolved into a friendship spanning more than three decades – and ultimately into a succession plan.

“There's one thing I can do that Jeff can't,” Evans jokes. “I can tell students exactly what it feels like to sit where they’re sitting, because I was there. I know what it's like to take the class, graduate and build a career from it.”

Evans says students can expect the same curriculum, the same emphasis on writing strong material and the same week-to-week coaching that has distinguished the Comedy Workshoppe for years. Plus, “I'm still out on the road every week, so I can share what's happening in clubs today while building on the foundation Jeff created.”

Evans also plans to draw on “a secret weapon.” His wife, Lori Evans – a retired teacher and stand-up comedian herself – will assist with a woman’s point of view as the Workshoppe enters its next chapter, helping foster the supportive learning environment that has become one of the program’s hallmarks.

The Comedy Workshoppe plans to continue offering three or four Level I classes annually, along with advanced Level II instruction (each Fall), preserving the schedule and curriculum students have come to expect.

Students interested in learning stand-up comedy – or simply becoming more confident public speakers and storytellers – can register for the final Jeff Justice-led classes now.

About Mark Evans

Mark Evans began his stand-up comedy career after taking Jeff Justice's Comedy Workshoppe in 1993. He has performed full time since 1998, appearing in 46 states, several countries and on cruise ships throughout the world. His credits include Comedy Central and a Dry Bar Comedy special. In addition to his performing career, Evans has spent years mentoring Comedy Workshoppe students alongside Justice and will become the program's lead instructor beginning in January 2027.