Intro to Comedy Writing: Story Structure & Character Pieces is the perfect learning opportunity for writers and performers who want to create their own content on social media or creatives who might want to write for others. Learn tricks of the trade from 30-year comedy-writing veteran Rich Talarico. Rich shares insights and writing techniques from his 20+ years in late night (SNL, MADtv, Key & Peele, The Tonight Show) and from having written five resident company shows for Second City in Chicago. Rich will teach students about story structure and how to outline a scene. He will also educate students on how to tell a story, develop characters, and how to come up with endings. There is no prerequisite for this class.

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.