Chautauqua Academy

Introduction to Comedy Writing

3-Week Online Workshop with Rich Talarico

registration:

Take advantage of early bird pricing of $400 through December 31. After that, standard registration is $450. Don’t miss this chance to secure your spot at the best rate!

*This workshop is limited to 12 participants. No recording allowed.

workshop overview:

Rich Talarico will share insights and techniques from his years in comedy and late-night television (including SNL, MADtv, Key & Peele, and The Tonight Show), as well as his experience co-writing five resident company shows for The Second City in Chicago.

You will learn:

How to write jokes
How to identify and use comedic devices
How to brainstorm and develop ideas

This workshop introduces the fundamentals of comedy writing, covering everything from essential joke and scene structures to effective brainstorming and pitching techniques. Participants will also receive guidance on screenplay formatting and recommended software. Whether you’re crafting memorable wedding toasts, speeches, blog posts, or social media content – or exploring comedy writing for the stage, television, or film – you’ll learn practical tools to infuse more humor into your everyday creative work.

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 Key & Peele favorite “Substitute Teacher (‘…Ay-ay-Ron?’),” which in 2024 was added to The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. Rich wrote dozens of Key & Peele favorites such as “Racist Zombies,” “Karim and Jahar,” “Dueling Hats,” “Teaching Center,” “Obama Greets,” “Black Ice,” and co-wrote many more.

Other credits include: MADtv, The Tonight Show with 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 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 United States.

“Rich’s work on “Key & Peele” is nothing short of legendary.” – Jordan Peele

“Rich Talarico is one of the all time great Caucasian Improvisers.” – Tina Fey

“I really enjoyed this writing bootcamp with Rich Talarico. He has a knack for teaching and was a great group moderator. He gave all the participants equal time and offered feedback and encouragement that felt very genuine. If you have an opportunity to take a workshop or bootcamp of his, you definitely should!” – Writing Student