Dive into the world of variety and alternative comedy, and explore different approaches to theatrical performance. This course gives students the skills to build rapport with any crowd, create new unique pieces, and confidently perform onstage no matter what their act might be. Unlock your individual sense of play to help elevate the material that you and only you can create.

Students will leave with original performance pieces that will be featured in an end of class showcase.

Danny Wightkin is an award-winning clown and actor who tours his solo shows throughout the country and beyond. He studied clown in France with clown master Philippe Gaulier, and more recently spent the past two years studying with Avner the Eccentric. With over a decade of performance experience, Danny has shared unique interactive performances with audiences of all sizes at festivals, theaters, parties, and other events. Last year he starred in the Chicago Reader recommended show Clown Brunch. Beyond the stage, he enjoys appearing as the creature in films and was the titular monster in the multi-award winning horror short The Spaghetti Man.

Optional Showcase: 

3/7 4:30pm

Term 1 (Winter) 2027 runs 1/4 - 3/7/2027
NO CLASS: 1/10 - 1/16

Classes meet once a week on the same day each week:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday classes meet 6:30-9pm
Saturday and Sunday classes meet 1-3:30pm

Class Showcases for AP1-AP5 and MI1-MI3 occur on the final Sunday of the term.
AP5 and MI3 feature a run of shows concurrent with the final four weeks of class.
CRASS1 and CRASS2 feature a run of two and four shows following the last Sunday of the term.
Solo Characters, Variety & Alternative Comedy, Standup, and other elective class showcases vary by term.
-See class description for additional details on class showcase schedules-

Please be sure about your schedule before you register for class. Here’s why….Your enrollment HOLDS A SPACE in a class that we are no longer able to offer someone else.Class payments are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and can be applied only to the current term’s class for which you have signed up. This applies if you get cast in a show, get a new job, or other situation, or have other changes to your schedule. So please be sure about your schedule before you register.

You will receive an email about 24 hours before your class is scheduled to begin.  This email message will include specific studio/location information, as well as instructor information and additional class related details. 
NOTE: Please add [email protected] and [email protected] to your approved contacts or messages may be sent to spam.