Arcade Academy
Have fun learning the art of comedy!
Whether it’s improv, sketch, or stand-up, the Arcade Academy can teach you the art of comedy, regardless of your experience. If you’re new to our training program, then start at the 100 level of improv classes and learn our philosophy from the ground up! Or if writing is more your style, we offer sketch comedy and stand-up classes too. Our classes are welcoming, accessible, and packed full of insights from some of the most experienced teachers in the city.
Get ready to have fun, meet people, and open yourself up to Pittsburgh’s growing comedy scene!
Learn more about our updated policies on our updated Academy FAQ page.
The class was fun, safe and I learned so much! I never once felt uncomfortable with any of the COVID safety precautions. The staff was amazing, helpful and made me feel welcomed.
Academy StudentWe had some totally new people playing with us that have never taken improv before … it was fun being a part of introducing new people to improv/Arcade
Academy Student
4-Week Indoor Classes at the Arcade
943 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15222
8-week classes from our core curriculum return in August 2021
INDOOR Improv: Beginners and Basics
This four-week class is designed as an introduction to improv for new performers, an opportunity to dive back in for those who had just started their improv education before the pandemic, and a place for seasoned performers to return to the fundamentals! This class will let you learn and practice the core skills of improv comedy through fun short form games and exercises in a supportive, safe, and playful environment.
Time: 6:30-9:30PM
Dates: Tuesdays July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27
Instructor: Robin Hitchcock
Prerequisites: None
$125 | 18+
INDOOR Improv: Return and Refresh
This four-week class serves as a reintroduction to live performance for experienced improvisors and a chance to bust the rust and shake off the dust after the disruption of the pandemic. Students will refresh their improv skills with focused exercises, short form games, and scenework practice, with a particular focus on high-energy, physically-engaged play to break out of our Zoomprov boxes and return to the stage with gusto.
Time: 6:30-9:30PM
Dates: Wednesdays July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28
Instructor: Robin Hitchcock
Prerequisites: Arcade Improv 101 and 102 recommended, or a minimum of approximately one year experience with improv. If you are an intermediate improvisor unsure of which class to sign up for, please contact the Academy Director.
$125 | 18+
INDOOR: Storytelling
Do you have a story to tell? This four-week class will take you from “the funniest thing happened to me the other day” to a polished performance of your tale. Storytelling is essential to stand-up comedy, and has become a popular performance art of its own with series like The Moth. With targeted creative exercises and on-stage practice, this class will guide you through the process of shaping your story, highlighting details, refining your voice, and confidently playing the character of yourself for a great storytelling or stand up performance.
Time: 6:30-9:30PM
Dates: Thursdays July 8, July 15, July 22, and July 29
Instructor: Tyler Ray Kendrick
Prerequisites: None
$125 | 18+
The instructors were constantly encouraging us which inspired me to keep going even when I made a mistake, couldn’t hear, or when my joke fell flat haha.
Academy StudentHere’s what you need to know:
Arcade Academy sessions generally run eight weeks. Classes take place at either our theater at 943 Liberty Avenue or our education space on the second and third floors of 707 Penn Avenue. If you’d like to register for a class, just click the big buttons and you’ll be taken to our ShowClix registration page. It’s a fast & secure way to register for classes online with your credit card. Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferrable. Unless specified otherwise, these classes are for adults 18 and older. Teachers listed may be subject to change at the Arcade’s discretion or as a result of unforeseen scheduling conflicts — while we try to avoid teacher substitution, it does happen from time and time and is not grounds for a refund.
The Arcade is also accepting a limited number of interns. Click here to learn more about our internship program.
We’ve revised our policy regarding course prerequisites: students need to meet all pre-reqs before signing up for an advanced level class. Every improv school approaches these techniques and philosophies differently, and so does the Arcade. So it’s good for you and your classmates if everyone has the same level of Arcade Academy training and vocabulary. You can find all of our current policies on our Academy FAQ page.
If you have any questions at all, feel free to call us at 412-339-0608 and we’ll get back to you right away!
Here’s what you need to know about outdoor classes:
Arcade Academy at the Oasis classes are sold as individual, drop-in classes. If you’d like to register for a class, you’ll be taken to our ShowClix registration page where you can choose the date(s) you’d like to attend. It’s a fast & secure way to register for classes online with your credit card. Tuition for outdoor classes follow our new refund policy. Unless specified otherwise, these classes are for adults 18 and older. Tuition for online workshops is non-refundable. Teachers listed may be subject to change at the Arcade’s discretion or as a result of unforeseen scheduling conflicts — while we try to avoid teacher substitution, it does happen from time and time and is not grounds for a refund.
If you have any questions at all, feel free to call us at 412-339-0608 and we’ll get back to you right away!
The Arcade Campus
Accessibility
Arcade is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our patrons, students, and performing artists. Our facilities at 943 Liberty Avenue are designed for wheelchair access both in our audience and on our stages. We also offer all-gender bathrooms and elevator access to all floors. Our classrooms at 707 Penn Avenue require the use of stairs and have an all-gender single-stall restroom. If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact us at: academy@arcadecomedytheater.com
943 Liberty Avenue
During the week, the Arcade transforms into an amazing, multi-classroom learning space with classes taking place in our downstairs and upstairs theaters as well as our second floor lounge.
The 707 Academy
This classroom space is located a block from the theater at 707 Penn Avenue, on the second and third floors above the 707/709 Gallery.
The Trust Oasis
Accessibility
Arcade is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our patrons, students, and performing artists. Our outdoor facilities are at the Trust Oasis, 133 Seventh St (next door to Proper Brick Oven) are designed for wheelchair access both in our audience and on our stages. We are unable to offer accessible restrooms in our outdoor space. If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact us at: academy@arcadecomedytheater.com