Sketch Writing & Production

Station Theater’s Sketch Writing & Production program is geared toward sketch comedy for the stage and screen. Our curriculum offers two tracks, enabling students to choose their path of interest - Sketch Writing, Sketch Production, or both.

Courses may be taken in any order. Students may enter the Sketch Writing & Production program with any class or select only the classes that you find most interesting.

Courses cover such topics as translating improv comedy to sketch, creating original sketch ideas, script writing format, peer review, writers' room dynamics, character development, production for the stage, video production for social media, and much more.

Our skilled instructors provide one-on-one guidance and notes to prepare you for the fast-paced world of comedy writing & production. Each class has two instructors to allow for more personal attention.

Upon completion, students will receive a Sketch Writing & Production Certificate.

Upcoming Classes

Sketch Production Track

Producing YOUR OWN Live Sketch Comedy Shows

Thursdays 8-10 pm; Eight weeks, beginning February 15, 2024
Instructors: Jesse Garson & Jessica Brown
Price: $250 plus tax & fees

This eight-week in-person course explores the process of producing and directing a live sketch show from start to finish. Upon completing this class, you will be fully prepared to produce your own sketch comedy shows from start to finish. The strategies covered can also be applied to other types of live performances.

The final project will be the collaborative production of a full-length sketch show.

CLASS TOPICS INCLUDE:

  • Planning Basics: Organization Tools, Production Strategies, Budget

  • Directing: Selecting Scripts, Show Themes, Casting, Running Order, Organizing the Process from Table Read to Live Show

  • People Management: Group Dynamics, Managing & Running Rehearsals, Diversity in Casting

  • Blocking: Action for Stage, Integration of Video & Audio, Stage Picture, Props, Costumes

  • Marketing & Promotion: Helpful Tools, PR, Promotions / Street Team, Advertising – Paid vs. Unpaid

  • Tech: Survey of Tech Tools, Best Practices for Tech Rehearsals, How to Create DIY Tech & Foley

  • Show Day Management: Show Timing, Preparation, Managing Show Day Expectations

CLASS INFORMATION:

  • Students must be 18 years or older.

  • All classes will be in-person.

  • This class may have some writing homework.

  • Laptop or notebook and pen required.

  • Prerequisite: Long Form Improv Level 1 (or equivalent) and Sketch Writing 1 encouraged.

  • All students must follow policies in the Station Theater Student & Performer Handbook.

  • Classes are non-refundable, but enrollment can be deferred to a future class.

 

Sketch Writing Track

Sketch Comedy Writing: The Basics

Thursdays 8-10 pm; Eight weeks, beginning June 6, 2024
Instructors: Amechi Ngwe & Jesse Garson
Price: $250 plus tax & fees

In Sketch Comedy Writing: The Basics, you will learn to craft your own finished comedy sketches with clear concepts, characters, and situations. By the end of the class, you will feel confident in your ability to create unique characters, define a premise, recognize the game of a scene, and write a script with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Class Topics:

  • Using improv to generate characters and sketch ideas

  • Basic sketch structure

  • Recognizing & developing the game of the scene

  • Creating dynamic characters

  • Providing and accepting feedback

CLASS INFORMATION:

  • Students must be 18 years or older.

  • All classes will be in-person.

  • This class will have some writing homework.

  • Laptop or notebook and pen required.

  • Prerequisite: Long Form Improv Level 1 (or equivalent) encouraged.

  • All students must follow policies in the Station Theater Student & Performer Handbook.

  • Classes are non-refundable, but enrollment can be deferred to a future class.

Intermediate Writing & Editing

Thursdays 8-10 pm; Eight weeks, beginning September 5, 2024
Instructors: Amechi Ngwe & Paul Gallegos
Price: $250 plus tax & fees

Intermediate Sketch Writing focuses on writing and editing short comedy scripts in a Writers’ Room setting. This class will expand your knowledge of different types of sketches, editing, writing for characters, and more. This course will conclude with a public student showcase featuring a staged reading of selected scripts. We will not have class on October 31.

Class Topics Include:

  • Exploring different types of sketches

  • Collaborative writing in a "Writers Room" Setting

  • Writing character monologues

  • Creating short "blackout" sketches

  • Tips on overcoming writer's block

CLASS INFORMATION:

  • Students must be 18 years or older.

  • Some classes may be conducted via Zoom. Your instructor will give you advance notice for these classes.

  • This class will have some writing homework.

  • Laptop or notebook and pen required.

  • Prerequisite: Long Form Improv Level 1 (or equivalent) encouraged.

  • All students must follow policies in the Station Theater Student & Performer Handbook.

  • Classes are non-refundable, but enrollment can be deferred to a future class.

Production Track

sketch production for audio & video

Stay tuned for an announcement about our Sketch A/V program. This class is being reformatted into smaller classes.

  • Instructors: Jesse Garson, Paul Gallegos