Style and Substance is a comedic concept created by Dr. Wendy Gillis and Sean Steele. It has several forms but all of them have a core focus on where comedy meets wisdom and promotes growth and healing throughout our lives as we face challenges both mundane and tragic.
Led by Dr. Wendy Gillis The Style and Substance Experience is a fun, fast paced interactive 90 minute event that combines Stand Up Comedy with keen insight and discussion of the human condition and how humor can help all of us navigate life’s challenges both mundane and tragic.
Wendy is joined on stage by Sean Steele, a 2025 nominee for Folio Weekly’s Best Local Comedian. The show often includes a special guest as well.
The Style and Substance Course is a more immersive endeavor as we take students on a 6 week journey through the craft of stand up comedy from writing to stage presence and everywhere in between. The emphasis of the course is finding your joy through expression on stage.
This is not a high pressure course about how to become a pro but rather a nurturing guide through the process of creating your own persona and style on stage. It’s designed for anyone who wants to experience the thrill of the stage with the solid foundation it takes to succeed up there.
Coming in 2026 will be the Style and Substance podcast where our duo will interview the most interesting personalities who embody the spirit of Style and Substance.
Sean is a seasoned show host with over 20 years of experience. He produces regular shows at multiple venues including First Coast Comedy in Mayport, 3rd Space improv in St Augustine as well as Lynch’s Irish Pub and Hampton Inn Oceanfront in Jacksonville Beach. As a featured member of both Dented Mic comedy and Next Stop Comedy he appears regularly on their productions as well throughout the region. Sean also appears on local TV in a monthly segment highlighting the local Jacksonville comedy scene on River City Live! and is also a Folio Weekly Best of Jax 2025 nominee.
Sean embraces the concept that humor is essential in our lives recognizing the power of comedy to uplift and carry through difficult times both tragic and mundane. “Comedy has a healing and engaging power,” Sean says. “I want to use it to make a real difference in this community and beyond.”
Through his comedy, Sean’s goal is not only to entertain but also to create a vibe where laughter bridges gaps and fosters connection. “ I’m having the time of my life performing and my sincere hope is that the audience sees and feels that every time I’m on stage.”
Wendy Gillis is a renaissance woman in the truest sense of the word. She’s a PHD who teaches at the University of North Florida by day and takes to the stage as a stand up comedian in the evenings. Dr. Gillis has been performing comedy since 2020. Her notable stage credits include The Comedy Zone Jacksonville and Cristy B Comedy Club in Daytona. She is also regular on the touring circuit with Dented Mic Comedy and Next Stop Comedy. She also finds time to combine her passions for teaching and comedy through Style and Substance Comedy which offers both immersive multi week courses and compelling one night experiences. Her comedy is shaped by her real-life experiences of motherhood, marriage and divorce , the classroom and being a breast cancer survivor.