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Sketch 101 — Sketch Comedy Writing

Wednesdays 3-6pm starting Aug 27, 2008
Cost: $325

This course is an introduction to the UCB philosophy on sketch comedy, specifically using “the game” to write short comedic scenes. Each week students will engage in writing exercises that will explore different sketch formats. Students will be exposed to different methods for turning funny ideas into even funnier written sketches. Students will leave the class with an understanding of popular sketch formats and a portfolio of writing.

No prior sketch writing experience is necessary – the only requirement for this class is a desire to write and learn. Students should be prepared to work outside of class, preparing sketches for presentation in every class. Students will be required to see two live sketch shows before the end of the course.

Class Size: 12 Students

Neil Casey

casey, neil

Neil Casey has been performing at the UCB since 2002 after completing his training in long-form improvisation in 2001. He has studied improv with Armando Diaz, Michael Delaney, Kevin Mullaney, Matt Walsh and Ian Roberts.

Neil has a B.A. in English with a concentration in Drama and a minor in Theatre from the University of Delaware and has studied medieval and classical theater as well as stage directing under Dr. Heinz-Uwe Haus, internationally renowned Brecht scholar and former director of the Deutsches Theater.

Neil has performed regularly at the UCB Theatre in shows including Your Favorite Thing (sketch), The After School Super Power Hour, Instant Cinema, GameFace (sketch), The 4/20 Show (sketch) and Krompf as well as on the weekend house teams Monkeydick and currently Death By Roo Roo each and every Friday Night. He has directed shows at the UCB including Slow Night, Buffoons, Katie Dippold's One-Woman Murder Mystery, That's My Booze, Sidecar Presents: Condiment City and God's Pottery Saves the World.

Neil has appeared in shows for Channel 102, Promos for Comedy Central, and in the upcoming Adult Swim series Fat Guy Stuck in Internet.

Neil has also worked as the one-man IT Department for the UCB Theatre since May of 2006, so if you have any questions about using this site, you can ask him after class.

Student Feedback

"Neil is a great teacher. He is enthusiastic, nurturing and very clear."

"Neil did a great job of explaining concepts, especially with second beats."