Theme: HORROR COMEDY
Intro to Sketch Writing & Directing: Theater
(8 weeks)
Wednesdays 7-9:45PM
Starts: September 4th
Course Description:
This sketch writing intro course is focused on the genre of horror comedy. Directing is incorporated into the course. All levels of writers can take away skills. Horror comedy is a form that balances suspense with relief to the extreme. Taking scary things and making humor out of them takes practice. How can you make something scary funny and what is the right amount of each?
There are three types of balancing in horror comedy sketches that can be described as: thematic, interchangeable and fluid.
These are explored in sketches you will produce out of this class, 1 of which will be chosen to be performed on stage in live theater shows and recorded. The 3 sketch shows will include cast and crew in partnership with Alphabet City Laughs Productions.
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In the course we will explore a variety of horror comedy humor which can vary from satirical to wild. Clips will be analyzed from hits such as Portlandia, What We Do In the Shadows, Key and Peele, The Munsters, I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Deadbeat and Community. For theater sources we will look at SNL, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors and Sweeney Todd.
Excerpts will be read from Keegan Michael and Elle Key's book "History of Sketch Comedy: A Journey Through the Craft of Art and Humor." We will also discuss the campiness of low budget horror films, clownery and comic strips as an influence to sketch. ​
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GOALS
-create a horror comedy sketch portfolio of 3 sketches
-learn hands on how to direct actors
-have a strong foundation in sketch writing
-receive live videography of your sketch
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RULES
-only one absence will be allowed to participate in the shows
-must be available for the 3 class show dates
-be kind and respectful to peers with constructive criticism​
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SCHEDULE
Week 1: introduction
Weeks 2 -4: writing 3 sketches
Week 5: selected sketch focus workshop
Week 6: table read with actors & edits
Weeks 7&8: directing
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SHOW DATES
Includes time for tech rehearsal
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Thursday, October 31st 5-9:15pm + Halloween afterparty (improv & sketch show back to back opening)
WOW Cafe Theater, New York NY
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Saturday, November 9th 6-10:45pm
(character mic & sketch show)
WOW Cafe Theater, New York NY
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Saturday, November 23rd 4-10pm
(improv & sketch show back to back finale)
Bushwick Event Venue, Brooklyn NY​​​​​
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Darren
(he/they/she)
Darren is the founder and director of Alphabet City Laughs Productions, an LGBTQIA company and The Performance School of Comedy. He has 9 years of experience performing improvisational comedy. They are a multigenre writer with an expansive education including playwriting, screenwriting, short stories, fiction, essay, journalism, critical reviews, lyric writing, poetry and sketch writing. They have studied at The New School, University of Cambridge, Bard College, NYFA and Upright Citizens Brigade. Their sketches have been performed at UCB, BCC, The Tank, The PIT, Under St Mark’s and Young Ethel’s. Her sense of sketch humor is goofy, campy and inspired by cartoons.
Website: www.darrensaad.com
NOTE
We have open studio hours for a writer's room on Wednesdays before class. Check out or "Events" page for details.