CANCELED

Unfortunately we have had to cancel this event. We look forward to having Rich join us in the future for another workshop.

Improv to Sketch Comedy Writing Class Rich Talarico

A dynamic weekend crash course in the art of writing comedy sketches through improvisation. Led by The Second City’s Rich Talarico, an Emmy-nominated and Peabody award-winning writer who wrote for Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele, MADtv, and The Tonight Show. Learn brainstorming techniques, how to write blackouts and a variety of scene types.

Students are free to use a computer or notepad for writing during class.

You must attend both days of the class.

DATES:

March 22nd 10AM to 5PM

March 23rd 10AM to 5PM

RT BIO:

Rich is a Peabody® Award-winning writer/producer with four Emmy® and four WGA Award nominations, best known for his work on Key & Peele. Rich was responsible for K&P fave Substitute Teacher, (“…Ay-ay-Ron?”) which in 2024 was added to The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum Of American History. Rich wrote dozens of K&P faves: Racist Zombies, Karim and Jahar, Hatz, Teaching Center, Obama Greets, Black Ice, and co-wrote many more.

Other credits include: MADtv, The Tonight Show w. Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, and the critically-acclaimed, Review. An alum of Chicago’s Second City and Improv Olympic, Rich also provided punch-up work on Mean Girls and Get Out. As an improviser, Rich teaches, coaches and performs with long-form group Dasariski, Rich played in the early casts of Chicago’s The Armando Diaz Show and co-created the shows, Close Quarters, Strap Heads and Trio.

As an actor, Rich appeared on screen on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, MADtv, the feature film High Fidelity, and in A&W Root Beer’s classic TV ad, “Mr. Dumass.” Talarico’s extensive experience in the comedy industry has made him a sought-after teacher, writer and consultant. Rich is currently teaching and performing stand-up comedy around the US. — more at www.richtalarico.com

QUOTES:

“Rich Talarico is one of the all time great Caucasian Improvisers.”

— Tina Fey

“As a teacher, Rich Talarico brings Lakers legendary coach Phil Jackson to mind. A cerebral educator who brings out the best in people.”

— Keith “Lucky” Lehrer original drummer of “Circle Jerks”

“I seriously don’t think I’ve had the chance to absorb that much good content in a small amount of time ever… even in college!”

— Jessica Christopher, Student

“I learned more about sketch writing in this class than any other class I’ve taken in the past.”

— Mirejah Cruz, Student

“Rich knows how to write sketches — that much is obvious. But it was clear that he loves helping people get better too. Don’t wait to find a better sketch class. It might not come along.”

— Tim Marks, The KC Improv Company & Co-Founder of Fountain City Sketch Company