Improv to Sketch with Rich Talarico
Sat, March 1, 2025 @ 10:00 AM MST + 1 more • Starting from $78.58
A dynamic weekend crash course in the art of writing comedy sketches through improvisation. Led by The Second City’s Rich Talarico, an Emmy-nominated and Peabody award-winning writer who wrote for Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele, MADtv, and The Tonight Show.
Learn brainstorming techniques, how to write blackouts and a variety of scene types.
This class will occur at the Pad Studios in Downtown Mesa
Ticket details:
Students will participate, receive feedback and engage in the workshop
Auditors can sit watch and take notes.
Schedule
Saturday 10 am to 1 pm
Lunch break on your own 1 pm to 2 pm
Saturday 2 pm to 5 pm
Sunday 10 am to 1 pm
Lunch break on your own 1pm to 2pm
Sunday 2 pm to 5 pm
About Rich Talarico
Rich is a Peabody® Award-winning writer/producer with four Emmy® and four WGA Award nominations, best known for his work on Key & Peele. Rich was responsible for K&P fave Substitute Teacher, (“…Ay-ay-Ron?”) which in 2024 was added to The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum Of American History. Rich wrote dozens of K&P faves: Racist Zombies, Karim and Jahar, Hatz, Teaching Center, Obama Greets, Black Ice, and co-wrote many more.
Other credits include: MADtv, The Tonight Show w. Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, and the critically-acclaimed, Review. An alum of Chicago’s Second City and Improv Olympic, Rich also provided punch-up work on Mean Girls and Get Out. As an improviser, Rich teaches, coaches and performs with long-form group Dasariski, Rich played in the early casts of Chicago’s The Armando Diaz Show and co-created the shows, Close Quarters, Strap Heads and Trio.
As an actor, Rich appeared on screen on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, MADtv, the feature film High Fidelity, and in A&W Root Beer’s classic TV ad, “Mr. Dumass.” Talarico’s extensive experience in the comedy industry has made him a sought-after teacher, writer and consultant. Rich is currently teaching and performing stand-up comedy around the US. — more at www.richtalarico.com
“Rich's work on "Key & Peele" is nothing short of legendary.”
— Jordan Peele
“Rich Talarico is one of the all time great Caucasian Improvisers.”
— Tina Fey
“As a teacher, Rich Talarico brings Lakers legendary coach Phil Jackson to mind. A cerebral educator who brings out the best in people.”
— Keith “Lucky” Lehrer original drummer of “Circle Jerks”
“Rich is an absolute virtuoso in his understanding of his approach and how to deliver it in a classroom setting. A rare combination of both mastery in practice and in lesson delivery.”
— Eric Pederson, Student - Improv Cincinnati
“ I seriously don't think I've had the chance to absorb that much good content in a small amount of time ever... even in college!”
— Jessica Christopher, Writing Student
Learn brainstorming techniques, how to write blackouts and a variety of scene types.
This class will occur at the Pad Studios in Downtown Mesa
Ticket details:
Students will participate, receive feedback and engage in the workshop
Auditors can sit watch and take notes.
Schedule
Saturday 10 am to 1 pm
Lunch break on your own 1 pm to 2 pm
Saturday 2 pm to 5 pm
Sunday 10 am to 1 pm
Lunch break on your own 1pm to 2pm
Sunday 2 pm to 5 pm
About Rich Talarico
Rich is a Peabody® Award-winning writer/producer with four Emmy® and four WGA Award nominations, best known for his work on Key & Peele. Rich was responsible for K&P fave Substitute Teacher, (“…Ay-ay-Ron?”) which in 2024 was added to The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum Of American History. Rich wrote dozens of K&P faves: Racist Zombies, Karim and Jahar, Hatz, Teaching Center, Obama Greets, Black Ice, and co-wrote many more.
Other credits include: MADtv, The Tonight Show w. Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, and the critically-acclaimed, Review. An alum of Chicago’s Second City and Improv Olympic, Rich also provided punch-up work on Mean Girls and Get Out. As an improviser, Rich teaches, coaches and performs with long-form group Dasariski, Rich played in the early casts of Chicago’s The Armando Diaz Show and co-created the shows, Close Quarters, Strap Heads and Trio.
As an actor, Rich appeared on screen on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, MADtv, the feature film High Fidelity, and in A&W Root Beer’s classic TV ad, “Mr. Dumass.” Talarico’s extensive experience in the comedy industry has made him a sought-after teacher, writer and consultant. Rich is currently teaching and performing stand-up comedy around the US. — more at www.richtalarico.com
“Rich's work on "Key & Peele" is nothing short of legendary.”
— Jordan Peele
“Rich Talarico is one of the all time great Caucasian Improvisers.”
— Tina Fey
“As a teacher, Rich Talarico brings Lakers legendary coach Phil Jackson to mind. A cerebral educator who brings out the best in people.”
— Keith “Lucky” Lehrer original drummer of “Circle Jerks”
“Rich is an absolute virtuoso in his understanding of his approach and how to deliver it in a classroom setting. A rare combination of both mastery in practice and in lesson delivery.”
— Eric Pederson, Student - Improv Cincinnati
“ I seriously don't think I've had the chance to absorb that much good content in a small amount of time ever... even in college!”
— Jessica Christopher, Writing Student
Neighborhood Comedy Theatre Workshops:
Learn, Grow, and Connect Through Improv
Our workshops and classes are designed for all skill levels, from those stepping onto the improv stage for the first time to experienced performers looking to refine their craft.
Location
The Pad Studio
All Included Dates
Powered by
© 2025