This may come as a surprise… but it’s virtually unheard of for anyone to get up on stage or take the floor and pull a sharp, funny comedic performance out of thin air. What may seem like an effortless delivery and quick witted humor is very often a carefully orchestrated presentation. While it’s a common phrase that “laughter is the best medicine”, behind every joke you hear in a TV show or on a stage is a comedy writer who knows their craft. If you’ve ever dreamt of writing the next hit comedy sketch or nailing the perfect stand-up set, enrolling in comedy writing classes at The HOME Comedy Theater will set you on that path. Oh, but let us tell you why.
What Are Comedy Writing Classes?
Before we get to the meat of the “why”, let’s take a broad step back. Comedy writing classes essentially are structured courses designed to teach the fundamentals of how to write for comedic storytelling, timing, and punchlines.
There are a few different types of comedy writing classes and areas of performance one can write for. Two of the more popular genres for comedy writing are sketch comedy writing for TV and sketch writing for live performance. While these two offer a wide range of opportunity, writing for late night sketch comedy is quite popular as well.
Sketch TV Comedy Writing Classes
Since the Golden Age of Television in the 1950’s, when shows were first able to be recorded, there has been the sitcom. We are all familiar with TV sitcoms where a recurring cast of characters fumbles through relatable situations with a certain brand of humor until the conflict is ultimately resolved within 22-30 minutes. From I Love Lucy, to Abbot Elementary, the sitcom has remained a tested staple of American entertainment.
Image: Cast of ABC’s Sitcom Abbot Elementary
The creative minds behind some famous sitcoms include comedy writers like Conan O’Brien for legendary animated classic The Simpsons, Dan Harmon of the genre-bending Community and Rick & Morty, and David E. Kelley with the groundbreaking Ally McBeal. If you’re inspired by the writers like these and have the desire to become a regular writer on a hit sitcom, a sketch TV comedy writing class is where you need to be.
Among your peers at The HOME Comedy Theater, you’ll learn a variety of tools helpful for either Late Night talks shows or TV sitcoms/series.
Sketch Comedy For Live Performance Writing Classes
Image: Stand-up Comedian Dave Chappelle
This type of comedy writing class tends to be more personal, as many create narratives for stand-up comedy performance. Some of the best stand-up comedians today like John Muleney, Dave Chappelle, and Whitney Cummings pull from personal experience and spin it into enthralling storytelling and quick wit complete with callbacks, misdirection, and a ton of doubling down.
Writing for stand-up and live performances, whether for yourself or for others, requires a level of introspection that can lead to new places within your psyche. There’s a reason those who keep a diary tend to be more in touch with their emotions… expressing your thoughts and ideas in well-crafted writing is a learned talent that needs to be nurtured.
Why Take A Comedy Writing Class?
- Hone Your Craft: Even if you’re a complete novice, you will learn to utilize the techniques of joke structure, comedic timing, and storytelling all while exploring different comedic styles and formats.
- Develop Your Unique Voice: Maybe you don’t know what you want your writing to say, or how to say it. Or maybe you have a great idea, but lack the skills to breath it to life. You will discover your comedic perspective and refine your personal style while experimenting with new ideas in a supportive environment.
- Gain Confidence & Usable Feedback: In a comedy writing workshop, you’ll receive constructive feedback from experienced instructors as well as your peers to help you build confidence in your writing.
- Build Connections in the Comedy Scene: Beyond building writing skills, you’ll be among like-minded creatives who share your passion for comedy with opportunities to network with instructors and industry professionals. Who knows; maybe you’ll make a friend or find a writing partner ala Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park.
Why Choose Comedy Writing Classes in Chicago?
LA has, well… Hollywood, Washington DC has politics, New York City finance, and Chicago has Comedy.
It’s hard to pinpoint just why Chicago became the capital of American comedy, but the city’s impressive line-up of comedy institutions like The Second City, the iO Theater, and The Annoyance have produced a countless list of comedians, performers, and writers known the world over. Legendary writers like Tina Fey, Adam McKay, Kay Cannon, and Jon Favreau, got their start in Chicago along with countless other comedy writers and performers. All these brilliant minds navigated the unique comedy scene of the “Windy City” through live performances, open mics, and comedy festivals all offering unique comedic styles and formats.
The HOME Comedy Theater joins the impressive lineage of comedic institutions as a sanctuary to foster creativity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Our instructors bring their real-world experience in sketch, stand-up, and improv comedy directly to our students’ hearts and minds.
Slay Your Comedy Writing Class
To make sure you get the most out of your time, there are a few things we implore of our students.
- Show Up with an Open Mind: Be ready to learn, experiment, and embrace the unexpected in a supportive environment.
- Practice Consistently: The work doesn’t end when you walk out the door onto North Halsted Street. You’ll need to write regularly outside of class to build your skills and develop your voice.
- Collaborate and Engage: No comedian is an island. We encourage all students to share ideas and collaborate with classmates to grow creatively.
- Embrace Feedback: This is part of keeping your mind open. Use constructive criticism from your instructor and fellow students to improve your work and take comedic risks.
Take a Shot at Greatness
Find your voice and master the craft of comedy writing while connecting with the Chicago comedy community at The HOME Comedy Theater in Chicago. If you’re ready to turn your comedic ideas into reality, enroll in a comedy writing class at The Home Comedy Theater and start your journey today!
Want to learn more about the art of improv? Read more in Yes, And… Everything You Need to Know About Improv Comedy.
Love how this breaks down the different types of comedy writing — especially the distinction between live sketch and TV formats. It’s easy to lump them together, but they really demand different skills.