Improv 1: "Foundations of Fun" is the starting place. This is where you learn the fundamentals: Yes and, agreement, listening and commitment. Group exercises, basic scene work and object work are geared to make students more confident and collaborative.  The class is once a week for four weeks.

WHEN: Tuesdays, from 630pm-830pm on October 6 to October 27 (once a week) 
Possible Weather Delay Make-up Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 630pm-830pm
Please put the weather delay dates in your calendar. 

WHERE: Ellsworth Arts, 5950 Ellsworth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232.

REQUIREMENTS: 18 years of age or older

INSTRUCTOR: Sarah McChesney

Sarah McChesney is a professional writer and improv/sketch comedy actor. She was named a writing fellow in the flagship year of the highly selective HBOaccess diversity writing fellowship and her scripts have placed in the top ten of the Tracking Board’s Pilot Launch Pad Competition and the semifinals of PAGE International Screenwriting Awards. 

Sarah is an alumni of The Groundlings and the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. She also trained as a puppeteer/improviser with The Jim Henson Company’s “Puppet Up!”.  In addition to puppeteering, Sarah wrote for KETCHUP WITH THE HOTDOGS, a web series from Jim Henson Studios and Nerdist Studios. Sarah has written and produced shows for HBO, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Bravo, MTV, E!, NBC, Warner Media, Disney and more. She has written and performed in more sketch comedy shows than she can count. Consequently she owns a lot of wigs.

Sarah is currently a writer and director on the animated series FIRE SPIKE for Bored Panda studios. 

After a long comedy and TV career in L.A., Sarah moved back to Pittsburgh with her husband to raise her two children somewhere that she can open the back door for them to go out and play and they will return home safely. Probably.