We've teamed up with The Second City to offer 10% off all comedy writing, improv, stand-up, and acting classes. All classes are currently being held online, and the discount applies to both multi-session and drop-in classes. Enter coupon code “PIC” during online checkout to get 10% off. You can browse all comedy classes here to find an upcoming class.
Featured Upcoming Classes
- Writing Satire for the Internet Level 1
- Writing Sadness Through Humor
- Writing for Late Night and Talk Shows Level 1
- Sketch Writing Level 1
- Stand-Up 101: Joke Writing
- Intro to Comedic Songwriting
Improve Your Writing, Improv, and Acting Skills
Take advantage of discount comedy classes at The Second City, the largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy in the world—for adults, teens, even children. Babies, you need to slow your roll.
A lot of our contributors discovered PIC through Second City, either through a satire class or sketch group, so it only felt natural that we return the favor by letting you know about the wide range of opportunities they offer to grow as a writer and performer. You'll also save some money, and help support PIC in the process.
The Second City Training Center teaches the skills which underlie the work on their resident performance stages. The classes, including favorites like Writing Satire for the Internet and Sketch Writing, are taught by professionals working in their fields, and are dedicated to helping students develop their artistic voice, both individually and within an ensemble, and to provide the tools and techniques needed to express that voice.
To get 10% off any Second City online class—including Adult, Teen, and Youth programs—enter coupon code “PIC” during online checkout.
PIC Writer Testimonials
Comedy classes in satire, sketch, and even improv can dramatically help your writing. PIC's managing editor James Folta took improv classes and still performs weekly. Improv has improved his writing—making him quicker and looser with first drafts—and continues to help him generate new ideas and premises.
Second City comedy classes have also helped tons of PIC writers with their work! Here's how they describe their experiences…
Online Comedy Class Overview
Below are some of the instructor-based, adult comedy classes eligible for The Second City coupon code “PIC” that you can take from anywhere, provided you have a computer. New classes not yet listed below may also be available. View teen comedy classes here.
- Writing Satire for the Internet: Level 1
- Learn how to form a strong comedic point of view on topical news and pop culture events. You will brainstorm, draft and rewrite short pieces in the style of McSweeney’s, Shouts and Murmurs, and Points in Case. Internet presence, pitching, and submission guidelines will also be covered.
- Writing Satire for the Internet: Levels 2-3
- Writing Your Web Series
- Sketch Writing: Level 1
- Explore the fundamentals of character development and theatrical scene structure. Exercises include a variety of comedic genres, from “Simple Yet Impossible Goal” to “Clash of Context” to “Inappropriate Response.”
- Sketch Writing: Levels 2-4
- Character Cocktail Party: Levels 1-2
- Comedy Writing Bootcamp: Fish Out of Water
- Parody Palooza!
- Virtual Writing Room: Comedy Pilot
- Step into a Virtual Writing Room led by an experienced script writer and collaborate with a talented group of aspiring writers to get your script, pilot-ready. Refine your story structure, outline and character development so you can produce that dreaded first draft.
- Writing for Late Night TV and Talk Shows: Level 1
- Write desk bits, monologues and a variety of segments for shows like Conan, Letterman, Kimmel, Ellen and more. Create original material to strengthen your writing samples.
- Writing for Late Night TV and Talk Shows: Level 2
- Writing the Sitcom Spec Script
The Second City Training Center also offers non-comedic online classes in Writing for Film, Writing for Radio & Podcasts, and Writing Strong Women.
In-Person Comedy Classes (currently paused)
- Improvisation
- Comedy Writing
- Stand-Up
- Acting
- Physical Performance
- Improvisation
- Comedy Writing
- Stand-Up
- Acting
- Physical Performance