Inside the Writer's Room: Comedy Writing Intensive with Rich Talarico

Rich shares insights and techniques from his 30 years of experience in comedy and late night TV (SNL, MADtv, Key & Peele, The Tonight Show) and from having co-written five resident company shows for Second City in Chicago. Students will learn essentials: how to write jokes, how to identify and use comedic devices, how to brainstorm, and how to develop ideas. The class will learn story structure and coming up with endings, as well as how to contribute to other students' pitches and work, a valuable writers’ room skill. 

In the second half of the day students are allowed to bring in a piece they have previously written (7 page limit, PG-13 please)… Students without a piece to share can share a few pitches. We will talk techniques on punching up material and strategies for revisions. 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

RICH TALARICO IS A PEABODY® AWARD WINNER WHO BOASTS FOUR EMMY® NOMINATIONS, AND FOUR WRITERS GUILD AWARD NOMS

Rich is an actor, comedian, improviser, and established writer/producer best known for his work on Comedy Central’s Key & Peele. Rich wrote K&P favorites Substitute Teacher, Racist Zombies, Karim and Jahar, Hatz, Teaching Center, Obama Greets, Black Ice, and many more. Rich wrote and produced on MADtv, The Tonight Show w. Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, and the critically acclaimed, Review.Rich took his first improv class from Stephen Colbert at Chicago’s Second City. Rich went on to tour with SC’s National Touring Company and later co-created five original sketch comedy revues with SC’s Etc., and Main Stage Companies. While in Chicago, Rich was a performer and teacher at Improv Olympic (Now iO) under the direction of Charna Halpern and the late, Del Close. Rich played on the Improv Olympic house teams “Mr. Blonde” and “Faulty Wiring” – while co-creating long-form improv shows like “Strap Heads,” “Trio,” “Close Quarters,” and “Dasariski.”As an actor, Rich has appeared in featured roles on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, MADtv, the feature film High Fidelity, and 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. — More at richtalarico.com.