The Comedy Arena Training Center

Want to learn how comedians create unforgettable characters you see on Saturday Night Live, The Groundlings, and your favorite sketch comedy shows?

The Character Lab is a six-week creative playground where you'll discover, develop, write, and perform hilarious original characters of your own.

Through improv exercises, character exploration, comedy writing, and performance coaching, you'll learn how to transform a funny voice, unusual personality, or ridiculous point of view into a fully realized comedic character.

In this class, you'll learn to:

• Discover original characters through physicality, voice, attitude, and improvisation.
• Find the funny by developing strong points of view, comedic flaws, and heightened behaviors.
• Build memorable personalities with distinct wants, relationships, and ways of seeing the world.
• Write for your characters by creating monologues, scenarios, and short comedic pieces.
• Heighten the comedy by discovering what makes your character funny and pushing it further.
• Bring characters to life through performance, experimentation, and constructive feedback.

What to expect

Over six weeks, you'll experiment with outrageous personalities, make bold choices, write original material, and workshop your characters in a supportive, collaborative environment.

You'll leave with a collection of original characters, stronger comedy-writing instincts, and the confidence to bring your creations to the stage.

Don't just play a character. Create one!

Classes meet once a week for two hours over six weeks. Please note, the last class date may shift pending the class's spring break plans.

While enrolled, you'll also receive FREE admission to Comedy Arena shows, giving you the opportunity to see live comedy, study different comedic styles, and find inspiration for your own writing.

PRE-REQ: None! Whether you're an experienced improviser, actor, comedian, writer, or someone who's always wanted to create hilarious characters, this class is for you.

No previous improv or comedy-writing experience is required. Just bring your imagination, a willingness to make bold choices, and an openness to writing and performing original material.