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Learn the fundamentals of sketch comedy writing from the writer of Key and Peele's legendary Substitute Teacher sketch! ("Ay-Ay-Ron?")
Rich will share insights and writing techniques from his 20+ years in late night TV (SNL, MADtv, Key & Peele, The Tonight Show) and from having written five resident company shows for Second City in Chicago. Students will learn brainstorming and pitching technique, story structure, various scene types, endings and more. The class will be followed by a reading of student work for family and friends at 6pm.
Details
Date: Saturday May 11, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Amy's Place
Address: 3234 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214
Prerequisites: Some comedy and/or writing experience will be assumed of all participants, but not required
Conduct Policy: All students must agree to abide by our Extremely Reasonable Conduct Policy. By registering for this class you are confirming you agree to abide by this policy.
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 wrote 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, Black Ice, and and co-wrote 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. 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.
This class is offered by Buffalo Improv House LLC.
Class Size Requirement: This class requires a certain number of registrants in order to run. Buffalo Improv House reserves the right to cancel and refund this class if that number is not met. We will be in touch with you if it looks like this will happen.
COVID Policy: We follow local, state, and federal guidance and requirements in regards to COVID safety policies. In addition, this class takes place at a building that may choose to enact its own COVID safety policies, and we are in frequent communication with other performing arts organizations regarding their COVID policies. Our classes are currently mask-optional, with proof of vaccination not required. However, this may change as CDC, State and local regulations and guidance changes, or as new best practices develop in our industry. We take COVID seriously and ask that you do not take our classes if you are unwilling to follow COVID safety measures if the COVID situation returns us to a place where face coverings or proof of vaccination become required or recommended again.
Cancellation / Makeup Policy: This is a one-day workshop. If it needs to be rescheduled, refunds will be provided promptly upon request. If it needs to be canceled, refunds will be provided automatically.
Refund Policy: We follow the same strict no refund policy of most Improv Comedy schools and theaters, except in the case where our class is unable to run as advertised.
Lateness and Attendance Policy: Please be on time for this workshop. Depending on the agenda of the workshop, students who are more than 15 minutes late may be asked to sit out certain excercises, or may be asked to audit the class. This is at the discretion of the instructor.
Conduct Policy: All students must agree to abide by our Extremely Reasonable Conduct Policy. By registering for this class you are confirming you agree to abide by this policy.


Saturday June 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM
This is your opportunity to try out improv comedy in a fun, supportive and zero-pressure environment! In this 90-minute introductory class you'll learn some improv basics, play improv games, and get to see what it's like to make up fun characters and situations with a group of like-minded people.
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM beginning May 19, 2026
This eight-week class covers the basics of performing funny improv, including agreement, committing to characters, and creating a strong foundation for your scenes. You'll also learn the fundamentals of storytelling on your way to performing a full set of improv comedy based on true stories!
This class is a ton of fun and is designed for absolute beginners and for experienced improvisers.
Saturdays at 11:00 AM beginning June 13, 2026
This eight-week class covers the basics of performing funny improv, including agreement, committing to characters, and creating a strong foundation for your scenes. You'll also learn the fundamentals of storytelling on your way to performing a full set of improv comedy based on true stories!
This class is a ton of fun and is designed for absolute beginners and for experienced improvisers.
Mondays at 7:00 PM beginning June 1, 2026
Sundays at 12:30 PM beginning June 28, 2026
Discover and refine your comedic voice in this stand-up class. Perfect for beginners or seasoned comics.
Level One: Improv Basics with Emily Knowle Sundays at 7:00 PM beginning March 29, 2026 ending May 31, 2026
Level One: Improv Basics with Todd Benzin Tuesdays at 7:00 PM beginning May 19, 2026 ending July 7, 2026
Musical Improv Comedy Level One with Dan Reitz Sundays at 11:00 AM beginning April 19, 2026 ending June 14, 2026
Improv comedy is fun, like really fun, and the best way to get started is by taking an improv comedy class! Our improv comedy classes are fun and well-paced, and we’ve got stuff for all skill and experience levels!
We've had all sorts of people take our improv classes: college students, professionals who want to work on their confidence or public speaking, moms looking for something to do out of the house, actors looking to add to their skillset, retirees looking for a fun hobby, and people just looking to have fun and meet other cool people!
Our instructors are fantastic and the vibes are great! Take a class and see what all the fun is about!