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

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!

Online Improv Your Zoom Meetings

FREE CLASSES

Tuesday 3/2 6:00 pm

Instructor: Taren Sterry

 

Are you an executive or entrepreneur leading lots of Zoom meetings? 

Are you struggling with keep it focused, engaged and fun? 

 

Let’s face it, some of the Zooms we are on these days are just plain awful!

 

People reading from a script, going over the time limit--participants multitasking, going off camera or just checking out. All of this is downright painful when you’re the facilitator or presenter.

 

Effective Zoomers know that managing the energy of the meeting impacts credibility, engagement and performance.

 

Leading better Zoom Meetings isn’t as hard as you think!! 

 

In this FREE class you’ll learn how to: 

Use YES, AND of improv to engage your audience.

Leave your audience wanting MORE meetings with you. 

 

Taren will also answer your questions to your toughest Zoom challenges.

 

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Online Intro To Self Producing Seminar

FREE CLASSES

Tuesday 3/9 6:00 pm

Instructors: Matt Prigge, Stephen Stout

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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Check out our Free Monthly Jams!

We are proud to announce our new free monthly jams. Jams are 40 minutes long and have a cap of 50 persons max.

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!

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 Improv Workshop: Bull/Matador

Improv

Sunday 2/28 3:00 pm

Instructor: Chris Griggs

Bull/Matador (created by former Pitizen Matt Donnelly) is a signature improv scene technique that gets performers out of their heads by reacting to body language rather than over thinking about the dialogue. We’re also going to explore game of the improv scene and how to use it in scene-work. We’ll cover heightening, finding it, playing multiple games at once. Great workshop for those new to playing game and improvisers wanting to brush up their skills.

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Online Level 5 Improv

Improv

Monday 3/1 – Friday 3/26

Instructor: Patrick McCartney

“To know, read, to learn, write, to master, teach.” In this class you will continue to study Longform improvisation and be guided by a seasoned instructor as to how to coach improv by running the warm up, running exercises and giving notes on scenes by both side coaching and post scene notes. Taking turns doing that at some point throughout the class.

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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 Storytelling Level: Fun! (Grades 6-9)

youth

Tuesday 3/2 – Tuesday 3/23

Instructor: Lisa Whitten

You will bring moments from your past to life.  Jump right into storytelling!  Clearly creating the arc of a story and learning how to emote, you will keep the audience completely captivated.  If you have fun, they will have fun listening to you. In a nurturing environment, receive feedback that  boosts your confidence and skills as a storyteller.  You will share one story at a final, remote, graduation performance at The PIT for your friends, family, and others. Great preparation for future life in school interviews and jobs. Plant the seeds now.  

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Online Level 1 Improv For Pre-Teens (Grades (5-8)

youth

Thursday 3/4 – Thursday 5/13

Instructor: Roy Rodriguez

Discover the joy of creating original funny characters and situations in this afterschool class for students from 5th - 8th grade! Through a mixture of improv games and writing exercises, and through performing for one other, students will learn the basic tools that they need to bring their original, hilarious ideas to life. This class for students of all experience levels is focused on having fun and supporting each other’s ideas, culminating in a presentation of original comedy sketches, written and performed by the students themselves!

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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 Let’s Get Serious

Improv

Thursday 2/25 – Thursday 4/8

Instructor: Anoo Tree Brod

Ready to kill it on stage? Let's use quarantine time to become the best improvisers we can be. This class is for experienced improvisers only who want to perfect their craft. Focus will be on scene work, monologues, and duologues as well as copious side-coaching to make you the best improviser you can be.

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Online Improv Workshop: Bull/Matador

Improv

Sunday 2/28 3:00 pm

Instructor: Chris Griggs

Bull/Matador (created by former Pitizen Matt Donnelly) is a signature improv scene technique that gets performers out of their heads by reacting to body language rather than over thinking about the dialogue. We’re also going to explore game of the improv scene and how to use it in scene-work. We’ll cover heightening, finding it, playing multiple games at once. Great workshop for those new to playing game and improvisers wanting to brush up their skills.

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Online Level 5 Improv

Improv

Monday 3/1 – Friday 3/26

Instructor: Patrick McCartney

“To know, read, to learn, write, to master, teach.” In this class you will continue to study Longform improvisation and be guided by a seasoned instructor as to how to coach improv by running the warm up, running exercises and giving notes on scenes by both side coaching and post scene notes. Taking turns doing that at some point throughout the class.

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Online How To Start An Indie Team

Improv

Wednesday 3/3 – Wednesday 4/7

Instructor: Kimberly Alu

*prerequisite: completed Level 2 improv or higher

 

Combine forces with improvisers from all over the country to become the newest, virtual indie improv team! Together, you and your new teammates will spend 6 weeks developing a brand new form, performing once a week, and learning all the ins and outs of having a successful virtual indie improv team. This class has an 8 student max capacity and meets every Wednesday evening 6-8pm ET PLUS you will be required to perform every Monday evening at 8:30pm ET (20-25 minute show) on Socially Distant Improv Facebook Live.

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Online Consistency Is Key

Improv

Wednesday 3/3 – Wednesday 4/7

Instructor: Jenn Bianchi

How do you become the player that *everyone* wants to be in scenes with? It is not being the funniest one on stage, but rather being a consistently great teammate. Using the fundamental building blocks of improv you can be a strong player with a consistent method of play. This six-week class focuses on finding the fun by listening, making bold choices, and treating your partner like a genius.

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Online Joy Of Improv

Improv

Thursday 3/4 – Thursday 3/25

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.

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Online Approach To Dramatic Improv

Improv

Monday 3/8 – Tuesday 3/23

Instructor: Kimberly Alu

*no prerequisite, beginners welcome!

 

While improv is almost exclusively spoken about within the comedic world, improvisation can be a huge asset to dramatic acting. In this six part, three week intensive, we will explore character objectives, fears and desires, emotional commitment, and much more. Think of this as a beginner acting class you don’t have to prep a monologue or scene for. Classes run Monday and Tuesday evenings 6-8pm ET with an 8 student max.

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Online Level 1 Improv

Improv

Tuesday 3/9 – Thursday 4/1

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 Advanced Dramatic Improv

Improv

Thursday 3/11 – Friday 3/26

Instructor: Kimberly Alu

*prerequisite: Approach to Dramatic Improv or equivalent elsewhere

 

Continue your journey towards a more grounded approach to scene work with this six part, three week class aimed at developing a unique, One Act Play Form specific for you and your classmates. Continue studying point of view driven character objectives and emotional honesty while taking things to a new level; weaving plot and character together to eventually present a completely improvised, 45-50 minute play- beginning, middle, and end, all made up by you and your new team mates! Classes run Thursday and Friday evenings 6-8pm ET with an 8 student max.

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Online Joy Of Improv

Improv

Monday 3/15 – Monday 4/5

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.

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Online Fundamentals Of A Form

Improv

Saturday 3/20 2:00 pm

Instructor: Kimberly Alu

In this twelve-part workshop series, we will explore the fundamentals of twelve different improv forms in stand alone, two hour lessons. It is encouraged that students have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of improv (level one or higher) but it is not required. Each session caps at 10 students, so you’ll receive focused notes and plenty of ‘on your feet’ work.  This is a perfect crash course in each of the forms listed below and newer or more experienced improvisers can gain a wealth of knowledge from any form that catches your eye. Enroll in one or two (or all!) and walk away confident with your play in a variety of forms! 

Saturday, March 20th 2-4pm ET : Film Noir Movie Form - a long form structure focused on ‘solving’ an audience chosen, genre specific mystery

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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 1

Sketch

Tuesday 3/9 – Tuesday 4/20

Instructor: LaGina Hill

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 a PIT Teacher guiding 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.

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Online Your One Person Band

Sketch

Thursday 3/18 – Thursday 4/22

Instructor: LaGina Hill

 Learn the basics of writing a solo sketch character. This class is ideal for people who want to explore the original characters in their heads with the goal of having a solo show or character reel. By the end of the class, you will have one solid character that you will perform that can be the basis of your future solo character show. Depending on your drive, you may end the class with up to three characters (fully fleshed out or the skeleton/idea).Session One: students will bring three character pitches. We will use improv exercises to initiate character premises based on the pitches and participate in a pitch round table. Session Two (and beyond) we will perform first drafts and get notes. Students will have homework between every session (re-writes, punch ups, or a new/ or previously pitched character). By Session 4 you will decide on one character to take forward to the Grad Performance.  Grad Performance: The last week meets twice for a Tech and the live performance.

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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 Women+ Stand-Up Workshop Part 2

Stand Up

Wednesday 3/3 – Wednesday 3/31

Instructor: Christi Chiello

In this continuation of the Women+ Stand Up Workshop course, expect to polish your existing material, get in depth feedback for auditions and submissions, challenge yourself to expand with various comedic styles, perfect your persona and learn additional skills like hosting and warm-up work. This class is for those comics who have taken the Women+ Workshop course & want to take that elusive "next step" in their comedy careers. How does one go from doing open mics to becoming a professional working comedian? Learn how to build a brand, market yourself, evolve as a professional comedian and get opportunities within the festival circuit and comedy clubs in your city! Included in this course is one 1/2 hour private writing session with Christi.

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Online Level 2 Stand-Up

Stand Up

Thursday 3/4 – Thursday 4/8

Instructor: Nicole Korkolis

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!

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Online Level 1 Stand-Up

Stand Up

Sunday 3/7 – Sunday 4/25

Instructor: Chris Griggs

There’s nothing more exhilarating than performing stand up comedy, it can be intimidating.  More of a guide than a conventional class, this goal-oriented program will get you up there doing stand up for the first time. You will come out of this class with disciplined writing tools, informative personal feedback and important advice, as you begin your stand up comedy journey. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced in other walks of comedy life, this class is for you. Class culminates in an online stand-up show, where students present their first 3 minutes of material.

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Online Level 3 Stand-Up

Stand Up

Tuesday 3/9 – Tuesday 4/20

Instructor: Stephanie Holmes

Once you start getting booked to do other people’s shows in the world of stand up and you’re adding on to your open mic time, you will be given 7 minutes on their show.  That seven minutes will help you grow to be an opening act.

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Online Stand-Up Drop In

Stand Up

Saturday 3/20 7:00 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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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.

Online Level 1 Storytelling

Storytelling

Sunday 3/7 – Sunday 4/25

Instructor: Lisa Whitten

In this class, you will take moments from your past and bring them to life.  Jump right into the craft of storytelling!  From clearly establishing the arc of a story to using dialogue to create character, learn how to keep the audience completely gripped.  In a nurturing space, receive feedback that will boost your confidence and skill as a storyteller.  You will share one story at a final, remote, graduation performance at The PIT for your friends, family, and others.   

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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

Life Coaching

Monday 3/8 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.

 

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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 How To Solo Show

Acting

Tuesday 3/9 – Tuesday 4/20

Instructor: Patrick McCartney

Last year @thepatrickmac wrote and performed the critically acclaimed solo show “Sinister Kid” and directed the highly regarded one woman show “God Girl”. Now he’d like to help you create the story you need to tell. In this six week session you will learn how to write and perform your very own solo show. It will be a process that is as rewarding as it is difficult. We will be vulnerable, find light in the darkness, streamline a usually complicated story and reveal truths about the human condition that can only be touched on in the art of the solo show. For more info on  Patrick McCartney go to www.patmccartney.com

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Online Smartphone Studio

Film/TV/Streaming/Stage

Saturday 3/13 – Sunday 3/14

Instructor: Aubrey Mozino

Learn how to turn the camera you already have in your pocket, into a full fledged production studio! More than ever artists are expected to be multi-hyphenates who can create and produce their own work. We'll walk through shooting with the cinema quality app FilmicPro and editing with professional editing software Final Cut Pro. By the end of these two days you'll have shot and edited your own film! 

 

Technical requirements: iPhone or Android phone with the app FilmicPro ($14.99 available in App Store and Google Play) and a Mac with the capabilities to run Final Cut Pro (a 90 day free trial will be available for download!)

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