Writers Room 1 will introduce students to the basic concepts and tools of sketch writing and development, with a focus on writing for live and audio sketch comedy. From the kernel of an idea to the final cut, students will put theory into practice at every step as they develop their own sketches throughout the term.

Specific skills and topics covered:

• Introduction to sketch comedy

• Idea generation

• Developing strong and clear comedic ideas

• Pitching ideas and taking feedback

• Heightening and exploring

• Solo sketch and character development

• Writing for audio sketch

• Specificity

• Production considerations and staging a sketch

There is no previous writing or improv experience required to take this class.

This course meets for 5 weekly sessions that are 2 hours each.

Writers Room 2 - Pitch to Performance takes students out of the classroom and into a simulated writers room as they create a full-hour live sketch show from scratch! Students will work together every week to pitch, write, edit, and stage the show, with guidance and direction from the teacher as Head Writer. The term culminates in a live performance of the final sketch show (note: Writers Room 2 students are not required to act in the show unless they would like to).

Specific skills and topics covered:

• Pitching ideas and taking feedback

• Collaborative sketch development

• Writing for live performance

• Editing and re-writing sketches

• Production considerations and show development

Students are required to have either completed Writers Room 1 - Sketch Fundamentals or an equivalent course, or have a competent understanding and previous experience in writing sketch comedy (please submit two script examples of your work to training@bigforktheatre.com).

This course meets for 8 weekly sessions that are 2.5 hours long.