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One Line Premise
Take your sketches from the premise to the page.
One Line Premise is a sketch writing workshop led by Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall), centered on developing strong comedy sketches from a single, clear idea. Each student will arrive with a one-line premise (for example: “What if a guy was $10 short of being a millionaire?”), and Kevin will guide the group through how that idea can be expanded into a full sketch.
Together, you’ll examine each premise to uncover the central comedic engine, explore character and point of view, and determine how the idea functions as a playable scene. The focus is on clarity - learning how to take a simple concept and turn it into a sketch with structure, escalation, and purpose.
This is a writers' room workshop - there will be no improvising or performing. After the workshop, students will write a complete sketch based on their premise and submit it for feedback. Kevin will provide notes on structure, character, and comedic impact, helping students refine their work beyond the classroom.
One Line Premise
Take your sketches from the premise to the page.
One Line Premise is a sketch writing workshop led by Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall), centered on developing strong comedy sketches from a single, clear idea. Each student will arrive with a one-line premise (for example: “What if a guy was $10 short of being a millionaire?”), and Kevin will guide the group through how that idea can be expanded into a full sketch.
Together, you’ll examine each premise to uncover the central comedic engine, explore character and point of view, and determine how the idea functions as a playable scene. The focus is on clarity - learning how to take a simple concept and turn it into a sketch with structure, escalation, and purpose.
This is a writers' room workshop - there will be no improvising or performing. After the workshop, students will write a complete sketch based on their premise and submit it for feedback. Kevin will provide notes on structure, character, and comedic impact, helping students refine their work beyond the classroom.
One Line Premise
Take your sketches from the premise to the page.
One Line Premise is a sketch writing workshop led by Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall), centered on developing strong comedy sketches from a single, clear idea. Each student will arrive with a one-line premise (for example: “What if a guy was $10 short of being a millionaire?”), and Kevin will guide the group through how that idea can be expanded into a full sketch.
Together, you’ll examine each premise to uncover the central comedic engine, explore character and point of view, and determine how the idea functions as a playable scene. The focus is on clarity - learning how to take a simple concept and turn it into a sketch with structure, escalation, and purpose.
This is a writers' room workshop - there will be no improvising or performing. After the workshop, students will write a complete sketch based on their premise and submit it for feedback. Kevin will provide notes on structure, character, and comedic impact, helping students refine their work beyond the classroom.
Who is this class for?
Who is this class for?
Writers who want help clarifying a premise in the room and thoughtful written notes from Kevin once the sketch is complete.
Writers who want help clarifying a premise in the room and thoughtful written notes from Kevin once the sketch is complete.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
Class Duration
Class Duration
4 hours
4 hours
Course Length
Course Length
1 day
1 day
Upcoming Offerings
Sat, Mar 28
Class Time:
12:00 PM
-
4:00 PM
Class Location:
Downtown Carrboro (Exact Location TBA)
Instructor:
Kevin McDonald
Comedian, actor, writer and director Kevin McDonald founded “The Kids in the Hall” with friend Dave Foley, after they met in Toronto at Second City, and the television series ran from 1988-1995. In the troupe's television series and stage shows, he portrays several popular recurring characters, such as the King of Empty Promises, Sir Simon Milligan, and Jerry Sizzler. McDonald went on to appear in a variety of films including Boy Meets Girl, Lilo & Stitch, “Lilo & Stitch: The Series”, and Epic Movie.
On television, he has appeared on “The Martin Short Show,” “Ellen,” “That '70s Show,” “Seinfeld,” “Friends,” “NewsRadio,” “MADtv,” “Arrested Development,” and “Corner Gas.” McDonald has also done voice work for various animated series, including Nickelodeon's “Invader Zim,” “The Angry Beavers,” “Catscratch,” and “Clerks: The Animated Series.” He also played an imaginary friend named Ivan in the episode ‘Sight For Sore Eyes’ on “Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends,” appeared in the music video for "Roses" by Outkast, and made an appearance in “Tim and Eric's Awesome Show.”
In 2006 McDonald hosted a CBC Television special, featuring several of Canada's best-known sketch comedy troupes. "Sketch with Kevin McDonald" won a Canadian Comedy Award (Best Taped Live Performance - The Minnesota Wrecking Crew). He was recently at the Just for Laughs Festival with the reunion of Kids in the Hall, and also with his show "Hammy and the Kids" with Craig Northey, based on his two dysfunctional families, his father ("Hammy") and the Kids in the Hall, as well as “Death Comes to Town” on CBC.
Along the way, Kevin was also in the movies, Sky High and Galaxy Quest. He did his podcast from 2016 to 2020. Just recently, he and the Kids in the Hall did another season of their sketch show for Amazon Prime. He has also done a bunch of things that he forgets. And the world is better off for that.
Coming Soon
Saturday
Class Dates:
Sat, Mar 28
Class TIme:
12:00 PM
-
4:00 PM
Class Location:
#N/A ()
Register Here!
Instructor:
Kevin McDonald
Comedian, actor, writer and director Kevin McDonald founded “The Kids in the Hall” with friend Dave Foley, after they met in Toronto at Second City, and the television series ran from 1988-1995. In the troupe's television series and stage shows, he portrays several popular recurring characters, such as the King of Empty Promises, Sir Simon Milligan, and Jerry Sizzler. McDonald went on to appear in a variety of films including Boy Meets Girl, Lilo & Stitch, “Lilo & Stitch: The Series”, and Epic Movie.
On television, he has appeared on “The Martin Short Show,” “Ellen,” “That '70s Show,” “Seinfeld,” “Friends,” “NewsRadio,” “MADtv,” “Arrested Development,” and “Corner Gas.” McDonald has also done voice work for various animated series, including Nickelodeon's “Invader Zim,” “The Angry Beavers,” “Catscratch,” and “Clerks: The Animated Series.” He also played an imaginary friend named Ivan in the episode ‘Sight For Sore Eyes’ on “Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends,” appeared in the music video for "Roses" by Outkast, and made an appearance in “Tim and Eric's Awesome Show.”
In 2006 McDonald hosted a CBC Television special, featuring several of Canada's best-known sketch comedy troupes. "Sketch with Kevin McDonald" won a Canadian Comedy Award (Best Taped Live Performance - The Minnesota Wrecking Crew). He was recently at the Just for Laughs Festival with the reunion of Kids in the Hall, and also with his show "Hammy and the Kids" with Craig Northey, based on his two dysfunctional families, his father ("Hammy") and the Kids in the Hall, as well as “Death Comes to Town” on CBC.
Along the way, Kevin was also in the movies, Sky High and Galaxy Quest. He did his podcast from 2016 to 2020. Just recently, he and the Kids in the Hall did another season of their sketch show for Amazon Prime. He has also done a bunch of things that he forgets. And the world is better off for that.
© 2025 Black Sheep Comedy • Improv and sketch comedy shows and classes in Carrboro & Chapel Hill, NC
Classes and Shows at:
The ArtsCenter 400 Roberson St, Carrboro, NC 27510
My Muses 201-A E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510
REGISTRATION IS NOT YET OPEN.
REGISTRATION IS NOT YET OPEN.