Class: Sketch Comedy Writing 1 - The Basics (Thursdays 8-10pm; 8 weeks)

In Sketch Comedy Writing I: The Basics, you will learn to craft your own finished comedy sketches with clear concepts, characters, and situations. By the end of the class, you will feel confident in your ability to create unique characters, define a premise, recognize the game of a scene, and write a script with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Instructors: Amechi Ngwe & Jesse Garson

Class Topics:

• Using improv to generate characters and sketch ideas
• Basic sketch structure
• Recognizing & developing the game of the scene
• Creating dynamic characters
• Providing and accepting feedback on scripts

Schedule: This eight-week, in-person course will be held on Thursdays from 8-10 pm beginning Thursday, June 6 (Please note that this start date has changed). This class will include six weeks of instruction (June 6- July 18) and a two-week writing lab (July 25 and August 1). We will not have class on July 4th. The class will conclude with a public student showcase featuring a table read of selected scripts. The Student Showcase for this class is tentatively set for Saturday, August 17, at 9:30 pm.

Prerequisite: Level 1 Improv or the equivalent coursework at another training center is recommended but not required.

Supplies: This is a writing class. A laptop computer is highly recommended. If you do not have access to a laptop, please bring a notebook & pen to each class.

Code of Conduct: All students must follow policies in the .

Age Requirement: Must be 18 years or older.

Refunds: All sales are final. Classes are non-refundable, but enrollment can be deferred to a future class.

1230 Houston Ave | Houston, TX 77007

| [email protected] | 832.786.0413

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Station Theater offers fine (5) levels of Improv classes, four (4) levels of Sketch Writing & Production classes, and numerous workshops and classes focusing on long-form improv and sketch comedy skills.

Station Theater’s Sketch Writing & Production program is geared toward sketch comedy for the stage and screen. Our curriculum offers two tracks, enabling students to choose their path of interest - Sketch Writing, Sketch Production, or both. .

Those who are new to the Station Theater community should start at Level 1 of either Improv or Sketch Writing & Production. Visit for more information.

• Show/Ticket FAQ: https://www.stationtheater.com/faq
• COVID 19 Information: https://www.stationtheater.com/covid-19
• Contact Us: Phone/text - 832.786.0413; E-mail [email protected].

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION

Located next to Toros HTX Soccer on Crockett between Taylor and Hemphill Streets.

Ample street parking is available along Crockett, Hemphill, Summer, and Taylor Streets. Make sure to check street signs for parking availability. Please do not park in the lot in front of Toros HTX unless they are closed. Please be mindful when parking in front of area homes, as some driveways are difficult to see. The #30 bus stops at Sawyer St and Shearn St, which is approximately a 2-minute walk. See attached photo of our building for reference.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

• Show/Ticket FAQ: https://www.stationtheater.com/faq
• COVID-19 Information: https://www.stationtheater.com/covid-19
• Contact Us: Phone/text - 832.786.0413; E-mail [email protected]

JESSE GARSON

Jesse Garson has been writing and directing sketch comedy since 1990, in addition to telling the same terrible jokes. He began creating short video sketches with other students at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, and went on to hone his stage acting chops at Massachusetts' Hampshire College. He worked in Los Angeles for many years, writing, and directing DVD special features and doing voiceover for video games and animated shorts.

Jesse Garson has been writing and directing sketch comedy since 1990, in addition to telling the same terrible jokes. He began creating short video sketches with other students at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, and went on to hone his stage acting chops at Massachusetts' Hampshire College. He worked in Los Angeles for many years, writing, and directing DVD special features and doing voiceover for video games and animated shorts.

In 2010, he taught actors how to write and produce their own short content as part of Theatrics LLC. He co-wrote character-driven improv scenes in the web-series Beckinfield, which included a cast of hundreds of performers from all over the world, including Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek TNG, Burn Notice). He frequently appeared in the comedy rock operettas of rock legends Beans Barton and Bi-Peds as the “Bi-Vid” — a living camera and self-contained TV studio.

Jesse has also been writing, producing, and acting in sketch comedy at Station Theater since 2016. Once he made it through the improv program there, he grew determined to continue hanging out with the theater's community. He co-developed Station Theater's current sketch program after years of learning the ropes as an actor, writer, producer, and director for BlueShift shows, ‘80s Kids Comedy variety and sketch shows, and working with countless wildly talented local creatives.

He continues to develop ridiculous costumes and puppets in his spare time.

AMECHI NGWE

Amechi Ngwe is a writer, improviser, and improv coach. Amechi has studied and taught improv and sketch comedy at Station Theater for numerous years. He mainly performs and writes sketches with the awarding winning comedy troupe Can’t Tell Us Nothing, with whom he also co-hosts a podcast.

Host or Publisher Station Improv & Sketch Comedy Theater