No prior improv or sketch comedy experience required! 

Our Sketch Level 1 curriculum launched in late 2016, and is intended to give anyone the tools and theory to start writing sketch comedy for the stage and screen in the tradition pioneered by respected American comedy schools like The Second City and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

The class includes a description of The Improv Conspiracy Theatre's approach to sketch comedy, which is very similar to what we teach in Improv Level 3 - The Game of the Scene, except written instead of made up on the spot.

Each week students will watch and analyse sketch comedy videos as a group, do table reads of student-written sketches, and discuss possible ways to improve them via rewrites in a collaborative writers' room environment. Each week will feature a different homework assignment (e.g. topical current events sketches, character-based sketches, genre parody sketches, etc.) and a discussion of best practices to ensure that everyone is well-equipped to tackle the assignment.

Students who do their homework each week will leave the course with at least six original sketches, at various levels of polish depending on how much time they spend on their recommended rewrites.

As this is a pure writing class, there is no end-of-term performance associated with this workshop.

  • Workshop Session #1
    Sunday, July 9, 2017
    2:00–5:00pm
Instructor(s)
Venue(s)
Course Fees

$525 Full / $475 Concession

Plus online booking fee of $5

Prices include GST

Course Prerequisites
This course has no prerequisites
You are eligible for this course
Bookings
This course has concluded

Important dates, venues & times

Course calendar

Workshop Sessions
MoTuWeThFrSaSu
MoTuWeThFrSaSu
  • Workshop Session #1
    Sunday, July 9, 2017
    2:00–5:00pm
  • Workshop Session #2
    Sunday, July 16, 2017
    2:00–5:00pm
  • Workshop Session #3
    Sunday, July 23, 2017
    2:00–5:00pm
  • Workshop Session #4
    Sunday, July 30, 2017
    2:00–5:00pm
  • Workshop Session #5
    Sunday, August 6, 2017
    2:00–5:00pm
  • Workshop Session #6
    Sunday, August 13, 2017
    2:00–5:00pm
  • Workshop Session #7
    Sunday, August 20, 2017
    2:00–5:00pm
  • Workshop Session #8
    Sunday, August 27, 2017
    2:00–5:00pm

Meet your teacher

Instructor Profile

Hayley Tantau

Hayley Tantau has been lurking around The Improv Conspiracy since 2013, where she has performed, taught, and coached a tonne of improv and sketch. She received the 2018 Moosehead Award for her Melbourne International Comedy Festival solo show EMPOWERFUL and has written and performed in The Comedy Channel’s television series, The Slot. Tantau also directs solo shows and sketch shows for Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Melbourne Fringe. Sometimes, she’s Cindy Salmon. Most of the time, she’s eating pesto.

“Hayley is one of the best teachers I have had. I will remember her words of encouragement long after I have completed the course, and I know I can always come back to her for guidance. She is the ultimate balance between guiding you to create your best work on stage and letting you find the fun by yourself“ – Aisling M

hayleytantau.com

Our community watering hole

Enjoy some good times downstairs at Theory Bar

Fancy a beverage after your next show or class session? Our ground floor bar is open Wednesday–Sunday.

Community members and ticket-holders get 10% off*

(* Sundays and Public Holidays excepted)

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