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Sketch 101 — Sketch Comedy Writing

Mondays 3-6pm starting Mar 24, 2008
Cost: $300

This course is an introduction to the UCB philosophy on sketch comedy, specifically using “the game” to write short comedic scenes. Each week students will engage in writing exercises that will explore different sketch formats. Students will be exposed to different methods for turning funny ideas into even funnier written sketches. Students will leave the class with an understanding of popular sketch formats and a portfolio of writing.

No prior sketch writing experience is necessary – the only requirement for this class is a desire to write and learn. Students should be prepared to work each week outside of class, preparing sketches for presentation in class. Students will be required to see two live sketch shows before the end of the course.

Class Size: 12 Students

Sketch 101 - Sketch Comedy Writing

Learn the UCB approach to sketch comedy and apply these techniques to different genres including topical scenes, parodies, character pieces, monologues and more.

Students should be prepared to work each week outside of class writing and revising sketches.

Prerequisite: none

Maximum class size is 12

Class meets at MetaTheatre in West Hollywood

Sean Conroy

conroy, sean
Sean Conroy has studied improvisation with every member of the Upright Citizens Brigade as well as Armando Diaz and Kevin Mullaney. He has performed stand-up comedy on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Late Friday on NBC. His one-man show, Taught, was selected for the 2001 HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado. He has written for the Comedy Central show Shorties Watching Shorties as well as Comedy Central's Crossballs. He has appeared in the feature films Happy Hour, Martin and Orloff, The Untitled Onion Sketch Movie and Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story. He improvised with Chicago City Limits in national tours and as a mainstage player in their Off-Broadway show. Sean is also a founding member of the longform improv group, The Swarm. He currently performs every Saturday and Sunday in ASSSSCAT.

Student Feedback

"Sean is an excellent instructor. He provided honest, valuable feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner. Sean communicated his knowledge of and experience with the craft in a relevant and entertaining fashion."

"He's just a really smart person who's good at explaining stuff... His copius note taking and follow-up commentary was extremely helpful."

"Sean Conroy is amazing, an unbeatable Harold instructor. His comments are so astute, but he also understands how to engender creativity and a love of performing."