Rich shares insights and techniques from his 30 years experience in comedy and late night TV (SNL, MADtv, Key & Peele, The Tonight Show) and from having written five resident company shows for Second City in Chicago. Students will learn comedy essentials: how to write jokes, how to brainstorm and pitch, about story structure, how to use proper format and write a variety of scenes as well as how to contribute to other students pitches, a valuable writers’ room skill. Students will leave class with solid knowledge, resources and tools about the craft of comedy writing. 

(PG-13 Conduct & Content, No Recording)

Rich Talarico is a Peabody® Award winner who boasts four Emmy® nominations and four Writer's Guild Award nominations. 

Rich is an actor, comedian, improviser and established writer/producer best known for his work on Comedy Central’s Key & Peele. Rich wrote K&P favorites Substitute Teacher, Racist Zombies, Karim and Jahar, Hatz, Teaching Center, Obama Greets, Black Ice and many more. Rich wrote and produced on MADtv, The Tonight Show w. Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, and the critically acclaimed, Review.

Rich took his first improv class from Stephen Colbert at Chicago’s Second City. Rich went on to tour with SC’s National Touring Company and later co-created five original sketch comedy revues with SC’s Etc., and Main Stage Companies. While in Chicago, Rich was a performer and teacher at Improv Olympic (Now iO) under the direction of Charna Halpern and the late, Del Close. Rich played on the Improv Olympic house teams “Mr. Blonde” and “Faulty Wiring” – while co-creating long-form improv shows like “Strap Heads,” “Trio,” “Close Quarters,” and “Dasariski.”

As an actor, Rich has appeared in featured roles on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, MADtv, the feature film High Fidelity, and A&W Root Beer’s classic TV ad, “Mr. Dumass.” Talarico’s extensive experience in the comedy industry has made him a sought-after teacher, writer and consultant. — More at richtalarico.com

Rich Talarico Sketch Comedy Writing Samples 

— Tim Marks, The KC Improv Company & Co-Founder of Fountain City Sketch Company 

“Rich's care for his craft and his students shines through.”
— Stefanie Jewett, Student, Atlanta, GA

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