Welcome to The PIT Comedy School!

Looking to find laughter in this time of social distancing? Use the tabs to the left to check out our online classes for improv, stand-up, sketch writing, acting, producing & so much more!
Student Resources

Black Lives Matter

We have updated our Standards of Conduct, instituted a new ACCESS scholarship for students from diverse backgrounds, & several other measures dedicated to making active strides to become not just inclusive, but actively anti-racist to reach equity of representation and opportunity in all of our spaces.

Please visit the link below to learn more about the steps we are taking, resources, and actionable ways to help.

Details

Frequently Asked Questions

After you register for a remote class, you will receive a confirmation email. Your confirmation email will include: receipt of purchase, class dates, grad show date (if applicable) and all necessary ZOOM links.

*Oftentimes your confirmation email will go to your spam folder. Please check your spam folder before emailing us.

Due to COVID-19 and the temporary closure of our spaces, we are offering online remote classes via Zoom taught by a live instructor.

In-person classes would usually take place at Simple Studios, located at 134 W 29th St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001.

You do not have to be based in NYC to take our classes! We connect and teach students from all over the world. All you need is a stable internet connection and the device you’re using to read this web page.

If you purchased an “Auditor” ticket, that means you have agreed to pay a reduced price to observe a class only. Your audio and video will be turned off by the host.

Multiple session classes can range anywhere between 3-8 classes and 55 minutes-3 hours in length, depending on the class. Multiple session classes might also have remote grad shows. Grad shows provide students the opportunity to perform what they have been working on in class with their friends, family and peers.

Single session classes are one day only. They can range anywhere between 55 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the class.

Drop-in’s are single session classes that run for a total of 55 minutes.

*All classes require students to have ZOOM in order to participate.
*Depending on overall class size, the overall session time may be cut shorter at the discretion of the instructor.

Why yes we do!

Learn More About Our Scholarship Opportunities

Check out our Free Monthly Seminars!

In order to maintain accessibility, and to acknowledge our role as a gatekeeper of training and knowledge, we’re proud to announce our new free monthly seminars. Seminars are 40 minutes long and are open enrollment.

See this month’s free offering below, and sign up for our mailing list to be the first to know when new free seminars are up!

Remote Intro to Self-Producing Seminar, 8/17

FREE CLASSES

Monday 8/17 7:00 pm

Instructors: Will Purpura, Matt Prigge

Want to start producing your own work, but don't know where to start? Intro to Self-Producing is a series of free workshops facilitated by members of the PIT Artistic Staff that will help you clarify your goals, get organized, and get a plan. Each session is a self-contained workshop meant to help address particular producing challenges and goals, sign up for as many or as few as you like.

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Remote Intro to Self-Producing Seminar, 8/24

FREE CLASSES

Monday 8/24 7:00 pm

Instructors: Stephen Stout, Emily Asaro

Want to start producing your own work, but don't know where to start? Intro to Self-Producing is a series of free workshops facilitated by members of the PIT Artistic Staff that will help you clarify your goals, get organized, and get a plan. Each session is a self-contained workshop meant to help address particular producing challenges and goals, sign up for as many or as few as you like.

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Remote Intro to Self-Producing Seminar, 8/31

FREE CLASSES

Monday 8/31 7:00 pm

Instructors: Stephen Stout, Matt Prigge

Want to start producing your own work, but don't know where to start? Intro to Self-Producing is a series of free workshops facilitated by members of the PIT Artistic Staff that will help you clarify your goals, get organized, and get a plan. Each session is a self-contained workshop meant to help address particular producing challenges and goals, sign up for as many or as few as you like.

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Remote Joy of Improv, 8/12 – SOLD OUT!

Multiple Session Classes

Wednesday 8/12 – Wednesday 9/2

Instructor: Kihresha Redmond

No pressure Improv. Dip your toe into the joyous pool of improv- 0% fear, 100% fun. This is the perfect place for absolute beginners to get acquainted with the art of longform improvisation. Every week you will play in a safe and positive class environment with group exercises and scenework. It’s the perfect spoonful of improv, come have a taste! Please note that there is no graduation show for this class.

SOLD OUT!
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Remote Remote Level 3 Improv, 8/18

Multiple Session Classes

Tuesday 8/18 – Thursday 9/10

Instructor: Chris Griggs

In level 3 you will continue to focus on strong listening and reacting without interrupting your scene partner. Making sure “the beginning  of your sentence doesn’t get in the way of the middle of theirs”. You will reinforce saying “Yes, and...!” Until you have to say “no thank you”. Work on the first-second and third beats of two person scenes as well as continuing to focus on editing by following your foot connected to your gut and heart to edit scenes at the height. Learn how to “heighten and tighten” a scene organically glued in reality to create “win-win” fun scenes to play to entertain yourself and others while “treating your partner like a genius”.

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Remote Let’s Get Physical, 8/20

Multiple Session Classes

Thursday 8/20 – Thursday 10/8

Instructor: Kihresha Redmond

Some of the best characters and scene work are created through physicality. That’s why in this class we are going to explore how to use movement and specificity of the body to create richer scenes and characters. This class is great for people looking to add more to their improv toolbox.

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Remote Joy of Improv, 8/20

Multiple Session Classes

Thursday 8/20 – Thursday 9/10

Instructor: Sunny Atwal

No pressure Improv. Dip your toe into the joyous pool of improv- 0% fear, 100% fun. This is the perfect place for absolute beginners to get acquainted with the art of longform improvisation. Every week you will play in a safe and positive class environment with group exercises and scenework. It’s the perfect spoonful of improv, come have a taste! Please note that there is no graduation show for this class.

Register
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Online Level 1 Improv: Introduction To Improv, 9/1

Multiple Session Classes

Tuesday 9/1 – Thursday 9/24

Instructor: Dana Shulman

In this class you will use scene work and group exercises to explore the joy of improvisation, be more confident, trusting and graceful on stage. Learn  “Yes, and…!” until you have to say “No, thank you”. Focus on positive choices to initiate scenes, real-life and character monologues grounded in TRUTH!   The PIT’s Intro to Improv class creates a rich and nurturing environment that will benefit your physical, emotional and mental health.  A final, remote, graduation performance at the PIT for friends, family, and others.” Spread the Word!

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Online Joy of sketch | August 12 | Matt Prigge

Multiple Session Classes

Wednesday 8/12 – Wednesday 9/2

Instructor: Matt Prigge

Discover the fun of sketch comedy writing in this 4 week starter remote class! Perfect for beginners who are looking to put their sketch ideas to the page for the first time. Learn the basics of pitching, outlining, drafting and revision. Collaborate with other new writers and laugh in a low-pressure writer's room facilitated by PIT Teacher Matt Prigge.

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Remote Womxn’s Stand Up Workshop, 8/12 – SOLD OUT!

Multiple Session Classes

Wednesday 8/12 – Wednesday 9/16

Instructor: Christi Chiello

This course is designed to give womxn the opportunity to securely develop their comedy chops in a safe, engaging & supportive environment. Classes will serve as a laboratory for creating original stand-up material while discovering your truth and voice. Students will learn how to translate their ideas into a crafted act through proper joke structure, writing & editing techniques, all while developing a commitment to their own, unique sense of humor! Students are encouraged to experiment outside their comfort zone and take risks by being specific, vulnerable and having a strong point of view. This class is NOT anti-male nor should it be used to surpass months of open mics. But it will give you the tools you need to both build confidence in the choices you make & in your creative ideas both on and off the stage. 1/2 hour private writing session with each student included. *2 seats in this class will be reserved for Access Scholarship students. Please follow this link for an application: https://thepit-nyc.com/scholarships/    

SOLD OUT!
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Remote Stand-Up Drop-In, 8/14

Drop-In Classes

Friday 8/14 3:00 pm

Instructor: Chris Griggs

First timers and those new to stand-up welcome! Wanna write your first joke or work on those jokes you have?  In this drop-in, we focus on joke structure, editing, and polishing. Laughter is healing and let’s make this time productive as well.

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Remote Intro to Public Speaking, 8/17

Multiple Session Classes

Monday 8/17 – Monday 9/21

Instructor: Sunny Atwal

There is an art to public speaking that can bring out new versions of the self that most people can't begin to imagine. Whether you are terrified, interested, or love stage time, this public speaking class will push you to new limits and build new levels of confidence in your everyday conversations or your next big public speech. We will focus on how to keep audience attention with introductions, delivery, and purpose.

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Remote Connect to Your Co-Workers, 8/24

Multiple Session Classes

Monday 8/24 – Monday 9/14

Instructor: Mandy Schmieder

Learn how to connect to those faces in those squares on your computer screen! This class will take the principles of improv and gear them towards your work, and more specifically, Zoom-life. This class is great for beginners who want to be more comfortable in front of the camera. We'll focus on presentation, team-building, and getting the most out of your virtual meetings. Learn how to create a supportive and collaborative environment and have fun doing it!   Length of class may vary based on amount of students enrolled. Up to teacher's discretion.

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Remote From Actor to Director, 8/18

Single Session Classes

Tuesday 8/18 7:00 pm

Instructor: Joe Whelski

For actors who want to become directors, Joe takes you through the skills needed to tell your stage or cinema story and communicate your ideas clearly to your actors. You will learn the techniques that allow your actors both the structure and artistic freedom they need to create dynamic performances. You’ll also leave with a PDF packet containing all the notes, links and resources we go over in the workshop.

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Remote Film School In A Night, 8/20

Single Session Classes

Thursday 8/20 7:00 pm

Instructor: Joe Whelski

Learn all the steps from A to Z of creating, directing and producing your own film! Award winning NYC Director Joe Whelski has written, directed and produced local and national commercials, web series, and short and feature films— and his latest commercial features legendary comedian John Cleese. In this jam packed, one night workshop, Joe will teach you every phase of creating your own film. From Script to Screen, he will break down the entire filmmaking process: Conceiving film worthy ideas, script formatting, storyboarding, the importance of insurance and liability, location scouting, casting, assembling your crew, knowing your camera, light and sound options, directing your actors for the camera, editing, and post-production workflow, sound design, mixing, and film scoring, marketing your film, applying for film festivals and distribution. All students will receive class notes in the form of a PDF, so you’ll leave this workshop with a master blueprint on how to create your own independent film or video!

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Remote Write Your Own Screenplay, 8/25

Single Session Classes

Tuesday 8/25 7:00 pm

Instructor: Joe Whelski

Have a great idea for a screenplay but don’t know where to start? In this course, I take you through every step needed to start on the journey of writing your own screenplay. We’ll get specific on: Genre, audience, where the movie can live, how it can be marketed, is it an indie or Hollywood film, best screenplay databases for Hollywood scripts, key industry books for best practices, looking at software options, script formatting rules, looking at a writing schedule that is productive and works for your schedule, the credits of a screenplay and what they can mean from a compensation standpoint, and more. You get the links, resources, and knowledge so you can dive in right away!

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Remote Script Analysis for Actors, 8/27

Single Session Classes

Thursday 8/27 7:00 pm

Instructor: Joe Whelski

Utilizing over 20 plus years of professional acting experience on stage, TV, film, and new media—and over 16 years of directing and producing, Joe will share his master checklist that guides him through breaking down acting roles, in a succinct and efficient manner. This method is also ideal for TV and film auditions, where you have to break down the script and self-tape within a tight turnaround time.

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Want to learn with an instructor just One on One? Check out our private coaching offerings below!

As the student, you decide which teacher you would like to work with and what you would like to work on. You can purchase 1 session or you can purchase many!

One on One classes are great for people who would like to work in a more private setting, beginners, and people who are interested in honing in on a specific skillset.

Students will need to have ZOOM in order to take remote classes.
One on one classes are 1 hour in length.

Please email classes@thepit-nyc.com to schedule your one on one class(es).