LEARN COMEDY, HAVE FUNNY
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!
Want to take classes for half-off or free? Check out our exciting Internship Program.
2019 Session Schedule:
Session 1: Jan 7 – Feb 27Session 2: Mar 7 – May 1
Session 3: May 6 – July 1
Session 4: Aug 12 – Oct 7
Session 5: Oct 14 – Dec 12
EARLY BIRD PRICES END SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 @ MIDNIGHT
Save up to $25 off full-price registration when you sign up early. The next session starts March 11, 2019SESSION 2
Registration closes March 10 @ midnightIMPROV 101: The Basics
Improv 101: The Basics. This eight-week, three-hour class is open to everyone and appropriate for all levels of improv experience. Whether you are completely new to improvisation, or are a seasoned performer who wants to get back to basics, this class is for you. Learning skills through improv games & exercises, our focus is on: “Yes And” (agreement and extension), group mind, give and take, and basic environment and object work in a supportive, playful environment. The class culminates with a 45-minute “work-in-progress” showcase on the eighth week.
6:30PM – 9:30PM
Registration $225 ($200 early bird)
No prerequisites.
MONDAY SESSION
Taught by Robin Hitchcock
Intro to Stand-Up
Have you ever wanted to try Stand-up Comedy but weren’t sure how to start? This class is for you! You’ll learn exercises, tools, and techniques for generating ideas, writing jokes, preparing your act, and analyzing and improving your performance. We’ll cover on-stage mechanics and “comedy etiquette.” This class explores the wide variety of styles of Stand-up, extracting lessons that can be incorporated into your act, in a supportive and fun environment. Through this 8 week course that culminates with a class show, you’ll discover and develop your personal comedy voice, while building a foundation for continued growth.
6:30PM – 9:30PM
Registration $225 ($200 early bird)
No pre-requisite
TUESDAY SESSION
Taught by Suzanne Lawrence
Intro to Sketch Writing
Intro to Sketch Comedy Writing. This class will focus on the very basics of sketch writing, including idea generation, brainstorming, comic premises and sketch structure. Whether you’re a beginning writer, a seasoned writer looking to learn a new form, or just want to refocus your writing in an encouraging, collaborative atmosphere, this class is for you. Through class exercises and assignments, students will learn to write comedy sketches from beginning to end. A notebook is required, because to learn to write, you have to write.
6:30PM – 9:30PM
Registration $225 ($200 early bird)
No pre-requisite
MONDAY SESSION
Taught by Mindy Cooper
IMPROV 102: Scenework
Improv 102: Scenework. This eight-week class focuses on one of the most critical elements of great improv: Scene Work. Building on the foundations and skills of Intro to Improv, here we focus on starting scenes with decisive initiations and confident stage presence. Agreement and group mind will be taken to the next level as well as working on character development and emotional investment. Trusting yourself as well as your scene partner is the first step towards great scene work. Improv 102 concludes with a class performance showcasing the skills of building strong scenes.
Session A: 6:30PM – 9:30PM
Session B: 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Registration $225 ($200 early bird)
Pre-Requisite: Improv 101
MONDAY SESSION
Taught by Nick Jaramillo
SATURDAY SESSION
Taught by Brian Gray
IMPROV 201: Short Form
Improv 201: Intro to Short Form. Building on previous concepts, Improv 201 focuses on short form improv. We’ll be delving into a variety of different performance games including: character-based games, option games, scenic games and storytelling games, concluding with the mechanics of putting the pieces together for a successful performance. Students will gain valuable experience in short form improv mechanics — a skill that the Arcade believes is a fundamental piece of a well-rounded improviser.
6:30PM – 9:30PM
Registration $225 ($200 early bird)
Pre-Requisite: Improv 101 & 102
TUESDAY SESSION
Taught by Sarah Wojdylak
Improv 202: Advanced Short Form
Improv 202: Advanced Short Form. Let’s take your short-form improv skills to the next level! Though thoughtful and constructive teacher feedback, students will sharpen game-play and hosting skills, initiate memorable characters and environments, and elevate their onstage performance. This level starts with four classroom session and concludes with four performance opportunities, where participants get detailed post-show notes and feedback, both as individuals and as an ensemble.
6:30PM – 9:30PM
Requirements: Improv 101, 102, & 201
Registration $225 ($200 early bird)
WEDNESDAY SESSION
Taught by Abby Fudor
IMPROV 302: Advanced Long-form
Improv 302: Advanced Longform. Building on the tools introduced in Scene Work and the Harold, Advanced Long-form widens our students knowledge and experience with various advanced improv long-forms. In this class, we delve deeper into techniques and how each best applies to different forms. The forms explored will vary from class to class depending on each class’s interest and ability. Potential forms include: Monoscene, Deconstruction, La Ronde, the Movie, the Living Room, JTS Brown, The Bat, The Armando and more.
6:30PM – 9:30PM
Requirements: Improv 101 & 102. Strongly recommended: 201 & 301
Registration $225 ($200 Early-bird)
THURSDAY SESSION
Taught by Jethro Nolen
Character Attack
Feels like developing great improv characters is a losing battle? Don’t retreat… ATTACK! Explore different tools and techniques that quickly and effectively build rich, sustainable improv characters. Get more confidence and practice when trying on bold personalities and attributes! Gain skills that help develop unique characters quickly for your next show! This four-week class taught by veteran teacher and performer Kristy Nolen is for advanced improvisers with performance experience.
4-Week Class
6:30 – 9:30
Registration $110
Requirements: At least a year’s experience studying and performing improv, formal improv training/classes, participation on an improv team.
THURSDAY SESSION
Taught by Kristy Nolen
Here’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. If you’d like to take a course for free or half price while also working at the theater on the weekends, just select one of the Internship options when registering for your class. Please note that there is a limited number of full and partial internships available, and that you’ll need to complete a 2-hour internship training before being able to take the class. Arcade reserves the right to deny a student internship for any reason, and in that instance he/she will be refunded your registration.
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. Learn more about our philosophy.
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
943 Liberty Avenue
During the week, the Arcade transforms into an amazing, multi-classroom learning space. Every space within the building, including the restrooms, are accessible.
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. Classes in this space are not accessible — if you sign up for a class taking place in this building and have accessibility requirements, please email us in advance and we will make accommodations for you to take the class.