Main Character Energy: Teen TV Comedy

The Work: This is a high-energy intensive designed for teens who want to master the specific rhythms of television comedy. Whether focusing on multicam sitcoms, single-camera dramedies, or comedic content creation, this lab moves beyond the surface to find what actually makes a performance funny: commitment and emotional honesty. Students work to dismantle the need to look "cool" or "polished," instead embracing the awkwardness and bold choices that create memorable characters.

Drawing from professional television standards and real-world writers' room dynamics, the focus is on developing sharp instincts and the spontaneity required to stay alive and unpredictable on camera. This is a collaborative space for young actors ready to find their authentic comedic voice through a fearless, actor-focused approach to training.

Throughout the intensive, students will work on:
Classic Comedy Scenes: Analyzing and performing established material.
Sitcom Timing & Reactions: Mastering the "beat" and the physical life of a scene.
Character Development: Building memorable, grounded comedic personas.
Improvisation & Comic Escalation: Learning how to "raise the stakes" in the moment.
Audition Technique: Practical skills specifically for comedy casting.
Physical Comedy & Behavior: Using the body to drive the humor.
Camera Confidence: Building spontaneity and comfort in front of the lens.

The Result: You leave with a grounded understanding of comedic escalation, improved audition technique for TV, and the confidence to make fearless, specific choices that stand out to casting directors and producers.

Instructor Spotlight
Madylin Sweeten is an actress, director, and producer best known for her role as Ally Barone on all nine seasons of the hit CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. Having grown up on one of television’s most influential comedies, she brings firsthand expertise in ensemble work and professional set etiquette. Her recent credits include Lucifer, Grey’s Anatomy, and Dirty John. An award-winning stage performer, she won the Valley Theater Award for Best Actress in 2019.

Course Details
Schedule: Once weekly for 4 weeks (12 total contact hours).
Capacity: Limited to 12 students.
Investment: $250
Early Registration Price: $200. Ends June 22nd.