Writing Sketch Comedy with Kevin McDonald

In this workshop, students will learn to write sketch comedy from legendary comedy writer, actor, and voiceover artist Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall, That '70s Show, Lilo & Stitch: The Series, The Second City, Just for Laughs).

On day one, students will bring their best one-line sketch premise, like "what if a guy was $10 short of being a millionaire?" or "what if a person couldn't stop burping in their business meeting?" Kevin will guide students through the process of transforming their initial idea into a full-fledged comedy sketch, offering invaluable insights and personalized notes on what truly makes a sketch shine.

On day two, students will return with their completed sketch ready for a staged reading. Kevin will then provide targeted feedback to help them refine their work and elevate its comedic impact.

Attendees can attend Saturday, September 20 from 12-4 for a one-day experience or Saturday and Sunday September 20-21 from 12-4 pm for a weekend-long learning experience with Kevin. This workshop is recommended for any level of writing experience.

About the Instructor:

Kevin McDonald, a co-founder of the iconic sketch comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall, honed his comedic expertise through improvisation and sketch writing. His journey began at the Second City Training Center in Toronto, where he met Dave Foley and started performing, leading to the formation of The Kids in the Hall.

As a core member, McDonald was crucial in developing the troupe's unique style, co-writing and performing in their acclaimed television series (1988–1995; 2022 revival) and stage shows. His comedic talent shone through popular recurring characters like the King of Empty Promises, Sir Simon Milligan, and Jerry Sizzler.

Beyond his work with The Kids in the Hall, McDonald has had a notable career in television and voiceover. His TV appearances include memorable roles in shows such as Friends, Seinfeld, That '70s Show, Arrested Development, and NewsRadio. As a prolific voice actor, he is widely recognized for lending his voice to characters like Agent Pleakley in the Lilo & Stitch franchise, Almighty Tallest Purple in Invader Zim, and Waffle in Catscratch.

This workshop has an optional one-day experience from Saturday 12-4 or two-day experience that includes Saturday and Sunday from 12-4 pm (September 20-21). The instructor is Kevin McDonald. Price of class does not include Eventbrite's service fee (3.7% + $1.79) and payment processing fee (2.9%) which will be added to the total price at checkout. All students must adhere to policies in the Stomping Ground Student Handbook. Must be 18 years or older.

Host or Publisher Stomping Ground Comedy