Portland Comedy Theater

Introduction to Sketch Comedy

Whether you’re brand new to sketch comedy or want to continue working on existing projects, this class will help you to develop and perform comedy sketches. In this class you'll develop original premises and sketches. Covered topics include:

• Generating ideas and developing premises
• Exploring different types of sketches based on character, situation, parody, and more
• Creating humor through pattern play and heightening
• Incorporating pop culture and current events
• Editing sketches to focus on core premise and maximize humor
• Balancing ideas with resources and limitations such as cast, set, costumes, props, video, and other practical considerations

You will work on your own sketches and gain valuable insights through writing assignments, in classes exercises, collaborative table reads and instructor feedback. At the end of the class, the class will have the option to produce a showcase performance featuring their sketches. Limited to 8 students.

Tiffany Crotty has been performing and teaching improv comedy for over 30 years with Portland Comedy Theater, ComedySportz and many long form groups. While running her own comedy theater in Sacramento, Tiffany also wrote for, co-directed, and performed in The Set, which still continues as Sacramento’s longest running sketch comedy show. She also wrote for and performed with the sketch group That Plus Chips.