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 in-person and 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

Digital Packet Classes will be taught remotely via Canvas allowing students to “learn at their own pace.” Students will need access to a computer. New lessons and assignments will be dropped on Monday throughout the course. Each video lesson will cover a variety of skills which students will use to complete their weekly assignment. They’ll have until Friday to watch each prerecorded video lesson and submit the assignment.

Check out our Free Monthly Seminars!

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!

No events found – Join our Mailing List to receive announcements of upcoming events!

Check out our Improv Jams!

Jams are a wonderful place for improvisers of all levels to come together & practice what they’ve been learning in class!

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

No events found – Join our Mailing List to receive announcements of upcoming events!

Every month we will featured a unique class for a special discounted price!

 

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

Online Hosting 101 7-9 PM EST

Stand Up

Tuesday 6/22 7:00 pm

Instructor: Stephanie Holmes

Stephanie Holmes hosts all across New York City and is currently a regular emcee at Gotham Comedy Club.  In addition, Stephanie has experience with hosting trivia privately and for company Trivial Dispute. Her long list of credits also include: 

Stand Up NY,

New York Comedy Club, 

Broadway Comedy Club, 

Greenwich Village Comedy Club, 

& Banana's Comedy Club. 

 

Learn how to host, steal the show, and get booked again!

Buy Tickets
Read More

Online Exploring Monologue Joke Writing 7-9 PM EST

Stand Up

Thursday 6/24 7:00 pm

Instructor: Nicole Korkolis

Have you ever wondered how late night shows put together a funny and topical monologue night after night? This session will pull back the stage curtain and show you how it's done, exploring how topics are chosen and monologue jokes are constructed. We'll also look at how to write in the host's voice, what it's like in the writer's room and how to prepare a writing packet for submission. Session will include an in-class writing and performing exercise.

Buy Tickets
Read More

Occasionally we offer seats at a discounted price. Take a look below to see this week’s offerings!

Be the first to know when discounted seats are available by signing up for our mailing list. 

Online Hosting 101 7-9 PM EST

Stand Up

Tuesday 6/22 7:00 pm

Instructor: Stephanie Holmes

Stephanie Holmes hosts all across New York City and is currently a regular emcee at Gotham Comedy Club.  In addition, Stephanie has experience with hosting trivia privately and for company Trivial Dispute. Her long list of credits also include: 

Stand Up NY,

New York Comedy Club, 

Broadway Comedy Club, 

Greenwich Village Comedy Club, 

& Banana's Comedy Club. 

 

Learn how to host, steal the show, and get booked again!

Buy Tickets
Read More

Online Exploring Monologue Joke Writing 7-9 PM EST

Stand Up

Thursday 6/24 7:00 pm

Instructor: Nicole Korkolis

Have you ever wondered how late night shows put together a funny and topical monologue night after night? This session will pull back the stage curtain and show you how it's done, exploring how topics are chosen and monologue jokes are constructed. We'll also look at how to write in the host's voice, what it's like in the writer's room and how to prepare a writing packet for submission. Session will include an in-class writing and performing exercise.

Buy Tickets
Read More

Welcome to our Youth Classes!

See our youth classes offerings below, and sign up for our mailing list to be the first to know when new youth classes are up!

Steps to take to sign up for a Youth Class
Please take a moment to follow these steps in order to successfully register for our youth classes.

1. Fill out our Youth Classes Registration Form below. Make sure to indicate on the registration form which class you are interested in taking.
Registration For Youth Classes

2. Apply for a Youth Scholarship! There are Access Scholarship seats reserved in each class, as well as a number of 1/2 Off Scholarships available. If you are interested in registering your student for a scholarship seat, please indicate so in the registration form and apply on our Scholarships page. Make sure to indicate on the scholarship application form which class you are interested in registering your student for.
View Scholarships

3. Register for the Class. Once you’ve submitted your registration form and applied for a scholarship (if applicable), purchase and reserve a set in your preferred class!

 

Online Improv for Youth 7-8:30 PM EST

Improv

Monday 7/5 – Monday 8/9

Instructor: Roy Rodriguez

Jump into the magical world of improvisation in this afterschool class for students from 5th – 8th grade! Much like The PIT’s Remote Level 1 course for adults, pre teen students will grow in confidence through monologues, short form improv games and long form improv sets. At the end of the course, students will leave with a toolkit of skills that will help them succeed on stage, in the classroom IRL &  On-line, and beyond! Great way to meet like minded humans in a fun and nurturing environment. “Yes, and...!” until you need to say “No,Thank You.” 

Buy Tickets
Read More

Welcome to our Award Winning Improv Classes!

At The PIT, we have a core Improv curriculum consisting of Improv Levels 1-5. If you are interested in completing our core curriculum, you must complete all 5 levels in this order: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5. (Students may enter into higher levels on a case by case basis and must email classes@thepit-nyc.com to complete this process).

Improv classes that are not level based fall under our elective classes. Elective classes are available to students in any stage of their improv journey unless otherwise notated in the class description. Some Elective classes require a certain completion of our core curriculum.

Scholarship applications for classes are available here.

Online Level 2 Improv 6-8PM EST

Improv

Monday 6/21 – Monday 8/9

Instructor: Christine Piñeiro

 

In level 2 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”. The goal will be to be able to do a first and second beat of a 2 person scene using the tool of a “time-dash” either going forward or backward in time. Personal, truthful, monologues will also be part of the tool box that will benefit all aspects of life and performance. Editing will be introduced so performers know when it’s time to enter a scene and edit a scene with walk on’s and sweep edits. 

Buy Tickets
Read More

In-Person Joy of Improv (Level 0) 1-3:30PM EST

Improv

Tuesday 6/29 – Tuesday 7/20

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.

Buy Tickets
Read More

In-Person Level 3 Improv (In-Person) 7-9:30PM EST

Improv

Tuesday 6/29 – Tuesday 8/17

Instructor: Patrick McCartney

Level 3 is perfect for experienced Improvisers who didn't practice during the pandemic & for the online students who want to begin transitioning their skills to in-person. 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”  

“BEST IMPROV CLASSES”     New York Magazine BEST PRICES!
The PIT
NYC 

2002

Buy Tickets
Read More

Online Improv for Youth 7-8:30 PM EST

Improv

Monday 7/5 – Monday 8/9

Instructor: Roy Rodriguez

Jump into the magical world of improvisation in this afterschool class for students from 5th – 8th grade! Much like The PIT’s Remote Level 1 course for adults, pre teen students will grow in confidence through monologues, short form improv games and long form improv sets. At the end of the course, students will leave with a toolkit of skills that will help them succeed on stage, in the classroom IRL &  On-line, and beyond! Great way to meet like minded humans in a fun and nurturing environment. “Yes, and...!” until you need to say “No,Thank You.” 

Buy Tickets
Read More

In-Person Level 2 Improv (In-Person) 7-9:30PM EST

Improv

Monday 7/5 – Monday 8/30

Instructor: Chris Griggs

Level 2 is perfect for experienced Improvisers who didn't practice during the pandemic & for the online students who want to begin transitioning their skills to in-person.

In level 2 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.” The goal will be to be able to do a first and second beat of a 2 person scene using the tool of a “time-dash” either going forward or backward in time. Personal, truthful, monologues will also be part of the tool box that will benefit all aspects of life and performance. Editing will be introduced so performers know when it’s time to enter a scene and edit a scene with walk on’s and sweep edits. 

 

Buy Tickets
Read More

Online Improv Your Life Skills 6-8PM EST

Improv

Tuesday 7/13 6:00 pm

Instructor: Taren Sterry

Improv teaches us how to say “yes, and”, relate to others as geniuses, and make bold statements to keep things moving forward.

 

What if you could apply these principles to every aspect of your life and business? 

 

Life and business coach Taren Sterry, PCC, will show you how. In this class we’ll combine the fundamentals of improv with the fundamentals of professional coaching in order to move your life and business forward. 

 

You’ll learn: 

How to create opportunities (not “find” them). 

How to use fear as fuel.

How to make powerful choices (even when the future is uncertain). 

 

How to get unstuck in your projects and goals.

 

Buy Tickets
Read More

Welcome to our Sketch Classes!

At The PIT, we have a core sketch curriculum consisting of Sketch Levels 1-4. If you are interested in completing our core curriculum, you must complete all 4 levels in this order: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4. (Students may enter into higher levels on a case by case basis and must email classes@thepit-nyc.com to complete this process).

Sketch classes that are not level based fall under our elective classes. Elective classes are available to students in any stage of their sketch journey unless otherwise notated in the class description. Some Elective classes require a certain completion of our core curriculum.

Scholarship applications for classes are available here.

Online Sketch Level 2 7-9 PM EST

Sketch

Thursday 6/17 – Thursday 7/22

Instructor: Matt Prigge

In Sketch Writing Level 2: Building Your Packet, students will utilize the skills developed in "Sketch Writing Level 1" to write sketches in a series of classic formats. Mastering the modern sketch comedy standards -  commercial parodies, character pieces, topical sketches, and many more - is the primary goal of this class, as students will begin to fine-tune and hone their personal sketch comedy voice.

 

By the end of this class, students will have written five original sketches, and will be well on their way to having a polished, professional sketch writing packet. 

Buy Tickets
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Online Level 1 Sketch 7-9 PM EST

Sketch

Thursday 7/1 – Thursday 8/5

Instructor: Scott Kremer

In Sketch Writing Level 1: The Basics of Sketch, students will develop the fundamental skills they need to start writing original comedy sketches. Build your sketch toolkit with the essentials - how to come up with a sketch idea, how to employ classic sketch structure, how to create memorable characters, how to clearly communicate your ideas to your audience.   

 

Students will write multiple sketches during the course of this class, with PIT Teacher will guide them through every step of the process with positive, hands-on instruction. 

 

Feedback and collaboration are central to this class that is appropriate for brand new sketch writers, writers who have already completed "Joy of Sketch," or writers with some sketch experience who want to get back to basics.

Buy Tickets
Read More

Online Advanced Sketch: Pitch to Product 3-5:30 PM EST

Sketch

Saturday 7/10 – Saturday 8/14

Instructor: Sean Christian Taylor

We are going to take your pitch to the final product! Along the way we will learn some fundamentals of production like, finding the game in your script, outlining a shot list, casting, how to market your sketch on social media and more. How do we create a sketch or a show in 2021 with limited time and resources? This class will help answer that! By the end of this class you will have a finished sketch of your own and the confidence to keep creating!

Buy Tickets
Read More

Welcome to our Stand Up Classes!

At The PIT, we have a core Stand Up curriculum consisting of Levels 1-5. If you are interested in completing our core Stand Up curriculum, you must complete all 5 levels in this order: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5. (Students may enter into higher levels on a case by case basis and must email classes@thepit-nyc.com to complete this process).

Stand Up classes that are not level based fall under our elective classes. Elective classes are available to students in any stage of their Stand Up journey unless otherwise notated in the class description. Some Elective classes require a certain completion of our core curriculum.

Scholarship applications for classes are available here.

Online Hosting 101 7-9 PM EST

Stand Up

Tuesday 6/22 7:00 pm

Instructor: Stephanie Holmes

Stephanie Holmes hosts all across New York City and is currently a regular emcee at Gotham Comedy Club.  In addition, Stephanie has experience with hosting trivia privately and for company Trivial Dispute. Her long list of credits also include: 

Stand Up NY,

New York Comedy Club, 

Broadway Comedy Club, 

Greenwich Village Comedy Club, 

& Banana's Comedy Club. 

 

Learn how to host, steal the show, and get booked again!

Buy Tickets
Read More

Online Exploring Monologue Joke Writing 7-9 PM EST

Stand Up

Thursday 6/24 7:00 pm

Instructor: Nicole Korkolis

Have you ever wondered how late night shows put together a funny and topical monologue night after night? This session will pull back the stage curtain and show you how it's done, exploring how topics are chosen and monologue jokes are constructed. We'll also look at how to write in the host's voice, what it's like in the writer's room and how to prepare a writing packet for submission. Session will include an in-class writing and performing exercise.

Buy Tickets
Read More

Online Level 2 Stand Up 7-9 PM EST

Stand Up

Tuesday 6/29 – Tuesday 8/3

Instructor: Stephanie Holmes

 

Now that you’ve done your first three minutes in front of a live audience it’s time to build on that towards your 5 minutes. If you look up first time appearances of all your favorite stand ups on late night tv from Carson to now, it will generally be around 5 minutes. A tight 5 minutes can take you a long way! 

Buy Tickets
Read More

Welcome to our Storytelling Classes!

At The PIT, we have a core Storytelling curriculum consisting of Levels 1-3. If you are interested in completing our core curriculum, you must complete all 3 levels in this order: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3. (Students may enter into higher levels on a case by case basis and must email classes@thepit-nyc.com to complete this process).

Storytelling classes that are not level based fall under our elective classes. Elective classes are available to students in any stage of their storytelling journey unless otherwise notated in the class description. Some Elective classes require a certain completion of our core curriculum.

Scholarship applications for classes are available here.

No events found – Join our Mailing List to receive announcements of upcoming events!

Welcome to our Life Skills Classes!

Classes on this page are considered PIT Elective classes. These classes are not a part of our core curriculum. Elective classes are available to students in any stage of their journey unless otherwise notated that said Elective requires a certain completion of our core curriculum.

Online Improv Your Life Skills 6-8PM EST

Improv

Tuesday 7/13 6:00 pm

Instructor: Taren Sterry

Improv teaches us how to say “yes, and”, relate to others as geniuses, and make bold statements to keep things moving forward.

 

What if you could apply these principles to every aspect of your life and business? 

 

Life and business coach Taren Sterry, PCC, will show you how. In this class we’ll combine the fundamentals of improv with the fundamentals of professional coaching in order to move your life and business forward. 

 

You’ll learn: 

How to create opportunities (not “find” them). 

How to use fear as fuel.

How to make powerful choices (even when the future is uncertain). 

 

How to get unstuck in your projects and goals.

 

Buy Tickets
Read More

Welcome to our Film/TV/Streaming/Stage Classes!

Classes on this page are considered PIT Elective classes. These classes are not a part of our core curriculum. Elective classes are available to students in any stage of their journey unless otherwise notated that said Elective requires a certain completion of our core curriculum.

Online Hosting 101 7-9 PM EST

Stand Up

Tuesday 6/22 7:00 pm

Instructor: Stephanie Holmes

Stephanie Holmes hosts all across New York City and is currently a regular emcee at Gotham Comedy Club.  In addition, Stephanie has experience with hosting trivia privately and for company Trivial Dispute. Her long list of credits also include: 

Stand Up NY,

New York Comedy Club, 

Broadway Comedy Club, 

Greenwich Village Comedy Club, 

& Banana's Comedy Club. 

 

Learn how to host, steal the show, and get booked again!

Buy Tickets
Read More

Online Exploring Monologue Joke Writing 7-9 PM EST

Stand Up

Thursday 6/24 7:00 pm

Instructor: Nicole Korkolis

Have you ever wondered how late night shows put together a funny and topical monologue night after night? This session will pull back the stage curtain and show you how it's done, exploring how topics are chosen and monologue jokes are constructed. We'll also look at how to write in the host's voice, what it's like in the writer's room and how to prepare a writing packet for submission. Session will include an in-class writing and performing exercise.

Buy Tickets
Read More

Online Advanced Sketch: Pitch to Product 3-5:30 PM EST

Sketch

Saturday 7/10 – Saturday 8/14

Instructor: Sean Christian Taylor

We are going to take your pitch to the final product! Along the way we will learn some fundamentals of production like, finding the game in your script, outlining a shot list, casting, how to market your sketch on social media and more. How do we create a sketch or a show in 2021 with limited time and resources? This class will help answer that! By the end of this class you will have a finished sketch of your own and the confidence to keep creating!

Buy Tickets
Read More

Welcome to our Single Session Workshops!!

Classes on this page are considered PIT Workshops. These classes are not a part of our core curriculum. Rather, they help highlight & grow a specific trait in your artistic development. PIT Workshops are available to students in any stage of their journey unless otherwise notated that says “Workshop requires a certain completion of our core curriculum.”

Online Hosting 101 7-9 PM EST

Stand Up

Tuesday 6/22 7:00 pm

Instructor: Stephanie Holmes

Stephanie Holmes hosts all across New York City and is currently a regular emcee at Gotham Comedy Club.  In addition, Stephanie has experience with hosting trivia privately and for company Trivial Dispute. Her long list of credits also include: 

Stand Up NY,

New York Comedy Club, 

Broadway Comedy Club, 

Greenwich Village Comedy Club, 

& Banana's Comedy Club. 

 

Learn how to host, steal the show, and get booked again!

Buy Tickets
Read More

Online Exploring Monologue Joke Writing 7-9 PM EST

Stand Up

Thursday 6/24 7:00 pm

Instructor: Nicole Korkolis

Have you ever wondered how late night shows put together a funny and topical monologue night after night? This session will pull back the stage curtain and show you how it's done, exploring how topics are chosen and monologue jokes are constructed. We'll also look at how to write in the host's voice, what it's like in the writer's room and how to prepare a writing packet for submission. Session will include an in-class writing and performing exercise.

Buy Tickets
Read More

Online Improv Your Life Skills 6-8PM EST

Improv

Tuesday 7/13 6:00 pm

Instructor: Taren Sterry

Improv teaches us how to say “yes, and”, relate to others as geniuses, and make bold statements to keep things moving forward.

 

What if you could apply these principles to every aspect of your life and business? 

 

Life and business coach Taren Sterry, PCC, will show you how. In this class we’ll combine the fundamentals of improv with the fundamentals of professional coaching in order to move your life and business forward. 

 

You’ll learn: 

How to create opportunities (not “find” them). 

How to use fear as fuel.

How to make powerful choices (even when the future is uncertain). 

 

How to get unstuck in your projects and goals.

 

Buy Tickets
Read More

Welcome to our In-Person Classes!!

Classes on this page are considered In-Person PIT Classes. These classes are part of our core curriculum. In-Person PIT classes are meant to help foster comedic growth in a stable & safe environment.

In-Person Joy of Improv (Level 0) 1-3:30PM EST

Improv

Tuesday 6/29 – Tuesday 7/20

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.

Buy Tickets
Read More

In-Person Level 3 Improv (In-Person) 7-9:30PM EST

Improv

Tuesday 6/29 – Tuesday 8/17

Instructor: Patrick McCartney

Level 3 is perfect for experienced Improvisers who didn't practice during the pandemic & for the online students who want to begin transitioning their skills to in-person. 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”  

“BEST IMPROV CLASSES”     New York Magazine BEST PRICES!
The PIT
NYC 

2002

Buy Tickets
Read More

In-Person Level 2 Improv (In-Person) 7-9:30PM EST

Improv

Monday 7/5 – Monday 8/30

Instructor: Chris Griggs

Level 2 is perfect for experienced Improvisers who didn't practice during the pandemic & for the online students who want to begin transitioning their skills to in-person.

In level 2 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.” The goal will be to be able to do a first and second beat of a 2 person scene using the tool of a “time-dash” either going forward or backward in time. Personal, truthful, monologues will also be part of the tool box that will benefit all aspects of life and performance. Editing will be introduced so performers know when it’s time to enter a scene and edit a scene with walk on’s and sweep edits. 

 

Buy Tickets
Read More