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Writing for TV & Stage w/ Rich Talarico
Peabody Award winning and 4-time Emmy nominated writer and producer, Rich shares insights from working in late night TV (Key & Peele, SNL, MADtv, The Tonight Show) and from his experiences having co-written five resident company shows for The Second City in Chicago.
Students will learn how to write jokes, blackouts, scenes and a variety of comedy devices and scene types as well as brainstorming techniques, proper page formatting, so they can start to build a cache of comedy material. Students will also learn how to contribute to others’ ideas and pitches, a valuable writer's room skill. This class is open to beginner and intermediate writers.
“Rich's work on "Key & Peele" is nothing short of legendary.”
- Jordan Peele
“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 amazing teacher, his techniques are straightforward and comfortable.”
- Joerg Mayer, Student
"Rich knows how to write sketches -- that much is obvious. But it was clear that he loves helping people get better too. Don't wait to find a better sketch class. It might not come along."
- Tim Marks, The KC Improv Company
"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
Writing for TV & Stage w/ Rich Talarico
Peabody Award winning and 4-time Emmy nominated writer and producer, Rich shares insights from working in late night TV (Key & Peele, SNL, MADtv, The Tonight Show) and from his experiences having co-written five resident company shows for The Second City in Chicago.
Students will learn how to write jokes, blackouts, scenes and a variety of comedy devices and scene types as well as brainstorming techniques, proper page formatting, so they can start to build a cache of comedy material. Students will also learn how to contribute to others’ ideas and pitches, a valuable writer's room skill. This class is open to beginner and intermediate writers.
“Rich's work on "Key & Peele" is nothing short of legendary.”
- Jordan Peele
“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 amazing teacher, his techniques are straightforward and comfortable.”
- Joerg Mayer, Student
"Rich knows how to write sketches -- that much is obvious. But it was clear that he loves helping people get better too. Don't wait to find a better sketch class. It might not come along."
- Tim Marks, The KC Improv Company
"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
Writing for TV & Stage w/ Rich Talarico
Peabody Award winning and 4-time Emmy nominated writer and producer, Rich shares insights from working in late night TV (Key & Peele, SNL, MADtv, The Tonight Show) and from his experiences having co-written five resident company shows for The Second City in Chicago.
Students will learn how to write jokes, blackouts, scenes and a variety of comedy devices and scene types as well as brainstorming techniques, proper page formatting, so they can start to build a cache of comedy material. Students will also learn how to contribute to others’ ideas and pitches, a valuable writer's room skill. This class is open to beginner and intermediate writers.
“Rich's work on "Key & Peele" is nothing short of legendary.”
- Jordan Peele
“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 amazing teacher, his techniques are straightforward and comfortable.”
- Joerg Mayer, Student
"Rich knows how to write sketches -- that much is obvious. But it was clear that he loves helping people get better too. Don't wait to find a better sketch class. It might not come along."
- Tim Marks, The KC Improv Company
"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
Who is this class for?
Who is this class for?
Who is this class for?
Anyone with sketch experience who wants to learn advanced craft from a seasoned pro!
Anyone with sketch experience who wants to learn advanced craft from a seasoned pro!
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
Sketch Level 1 (or equivalent)
Sketch Level 1 (or equivalent)
Class Duration
Class Duration
Class Duration
3 hours
3 hours
3 hours
Course Length
Course Length
Course Length
6 weeks
6 weeks
6 weeks
Upcoming Classes
Upcoming Classes
Upcoming Classes
Sundays
Class Dates:
May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24, May 31, Jun 7
Class Time:
1:00 PM
-
4:00 PM
Class Location:
Online
Instructor:
Rich Talarico
Rich Talarico 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, I Pressed It Already, Mr. Mahina, Killing An African Warlord, When The Cameraman Thinks You’re Gay, Black Ice, and many more.
Other TV 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.
Sundays
Class Dates:
May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24, May 31, Jun 7
Class Time:
1:00 PM
-
4:00 PM
Class Location:
Online
Instructor:
Rich Talarico
Rich Talarico 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, I Pressed It Already, Mr. Mahina, Killing An African Warlord, When The Cameraman Thinks You’re Gay, Black Ice, and many more.
Other TV 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.
© 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
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