Three Week Comedy Writing Bootcamp with Rich Talarico

Thu, April 10, 2025 @ 7:00 PM EDT + 2 more • $299.00 (includes fees)

Peabody award winner and multi-Emmy nominated writer, Rich Talarico shares 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 The Second City in Chicago. Students will learn how to write jokes, blackouts, how to brainstorm and pitch their ideas and how to outline a scene/story-structure. How to tell a story and how to come up with endings. Students will learn about some comic scene types. Class size is limited.

RICH TALARICO SKETCH REEL

DAY & DATES: Thursdays on 4/10, 4/17, and 4/24
TIME: 7:00pm - 10:00pm (EDT)
CLASS LOCATION: Online via Zoom. Students will need a stable internet connection and adequate microphone & webcam.
ENROLLMENT COST: $299
PAYMENT PLAN: Play now, Pay Later! Want to split your enrollment up into two or more payments? We can do that! We offer two main options. Pay 50% now and 50% the before class begins or pay in four, equal payments over 6 weeks. Click the "Pay With Payment Plan" box at checkout. Depending on when you enroll your payment plan options may be limited at checkout. Email us at [email protected] to make a special payment plan request if you do not see the option you would like to use.   

WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT RICH
"Rich knows how to write sketches -- that much is obvious. But it was clear that he loves helping people get better too. . . I have never had a sketch class that helps people so much with how to think about comedy. Don't wait to find a better sketch class. It might not come along."
— Tim Marks, The KC Improv Company and Co-Founder of Fountain City Sketch Company

"I seriously don't think I've had the chance to absorb that much good content in a small amount of time ever... even in college!"
— Jessica Christopher, Writing Student

“I learned more about sketch writing in this class than any other class I’ve taken in the past."
— Mirejah Cruz, Student

“Rich's care for his craft and his students shines through.” 
— Stefanie Jewett, Student, Atlanta, GA

ABOUT 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 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 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 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.

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

ENROLLMENT STEPS
  1. ENROLL: Click "enroll in class" above. Fill out the brief registration and make your payment. Using a payment plan? Look for the Pay With Payment plan box and check it. It's small!
  2. CONFIRMATION EMAIL: After you make your complete enrollment and payment you will receive a confirmation email from Fourth Wall Tickets / Crowd Work. This email also has important information from us, so please be sure to look it over. Please check your spam folders if you do not see it.
  3. ADD CLASS TO CALENDAR: Be sure you enter the dates and times of your class into whatever you use to track your days and weeks.
  4. SHARE THE CLASS: You will meet some great people in this course, but we aren't opposed to bringing some old friends along! Share the class link with your friends or family.
  5. WAIT PATIENTLY FOR CLASS: After enrolling you will not hear from us again until a day or so before the class begins with a reminder email that will have a bit more info. After enrolling, you have everything you need for now. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at [email protected].

CONNECT WITH US!
If you'd like to sign up for our newsletter you can do so here. If you're on social media you can follow us on Instagram, Threads, BlueSky, Facebook, Tik Tok, and LinkedIn. Our newsletter and social media are always the first stops for us to post new classes, discount codes, and other special offers.

PAYMENT PLANS

Play now, Pay later! Crossroads offers payment plans! Our main payment plan option allows you to enroll in a course and pay for it in four, equal, interest-free installments over six weeks. At checkout click the "Pay Via Payment Plan" box and then select the payment plan option you would like to use. We also understand all situations are different, so if this particular payment schedule does not work for you, please email us at [email protected] to discuss the possibility of a schedule that is more tailored to your particular financial situation. Please note that payment plans include processing fees essential to making this option possible.

MULTI-CLASS DISCOUNT
If you have your eye on two or more courses currently enrolling in the same session- you can get a 15% discount! Discount is deducted from the total, regular enrollment cost and is good for core program classes in improv, comedy writing, musical improv, and stand-up with the occasional addition of some electives. To take advantage of this discount please email [email protected] with the courses you would like to take and we will send you an invoice to get your on your way. It's worth noting that this invoice will allow you to take advantage of another payment plan that will break up your enrollments into four payments over six weeks.

REFERRAL BONUS
You will meet some great new people in your class, but we aren't opposed to you bringing some friends along for the fun! If you refer someone to one of our intro classes (classes with a 1 in them) and they enroll, you both get a $25 Crossroads Comedy Theater gift card good for future classes or shows. Once they enroll send us an email CC'ing the person you referred or who referred you and we will issue the refunds within a few days. Our already great price just got even better!

PUBLIC HEALTH POLICIES
Masks will be optional during this course. Though Crossroads does not require proof of vaccination to enroll in our courses, we highly encourage all students to be up to date on vaccinations. Students should stay home if they are ill the day of class. Any student that tests positive for COVID-19 or any other highly contagious, airborn disease should inform the theater so we can alert other students. These guidelines can updated based on the mandates of the City of Indianapolis, the CDC, or other public health experts.

CODE OF CONDUCT
It boils down to this: Treat people with respect. We do not tolerate hateful, discriminatory, or disruptive behavior. Behavior that is racist, misogynist, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, ageist, or any other unacceptable behavior not here mentioned will result in removal from the class. We strive to be inclusive of all experiences. We are always learning and aim to keep the class safe and respectful for everyone. The use of recreational drugs, illegal drugs, and/or alcohol is not permitted during class. The use of substances in class or the impact of prior usage exhibited in disruptive ways in class may result in your removal from class.

REFUND POLICY
All Crossroads Comedy Theater class sales are final. Please carefully consider your schedule and travel before enrolling. In some cases students may defer their enrollment to one of the following two class sessions. Deferment after the start of the course is not permitted. Any questions about this policy can be emailed to [email protected]. Policy updated March 2024.

KNOW PEOPLE IN INDIANAPOLIS? TELL THEM ABOUT US!
Our first location was in Philadelphia, but we're actually based in Indianapolis and we're finally doing some work out there. We have a great and growing reputation for offering the best courses with the most experienced instructors. For more on Crossroads Indy click here!

CROSSROADS @ WORK
Improv is not just for individuals. Organizations of all shapes and sizes partner with Crossroads to instill imperative business skills. Our customized applied improv workshops give you and your coworkers a chance to examine personal and group dynamics, focusing on practical skills like listening, sharing, leadership, being bold, conflict resolution, and working as a team. Our workshops are perfect for any group. Whether you are marketing professionals, sales teams, nonprofit volunteers, lawyers, c-level executives doctors, layers, doctorlawyers, lawoctors, nurses, athletes, circus clowns, and everything in between. Call us today and let us show you how we can help your team. Crossroads is also available to come to your for a one of a kind performance! Check out our business improv page for more information.

PRIVATE PERFORMANCES
Crossroads is now available to come to your organization or gathering for a special performance! Stand-up, improv, storytelling, or a mix of that and more are on the table for your event. Our most popular option makes you and your guests the star of the show! Three to five of your guests will tell stories that will inspire the hilarious scenes to follow. It's part tribute, part roast, and all in good fun. Imagine an anniversary party where people tell stories about the couple that are then used to create a hilarious, heart warming, and inspiring show just for you and your guests. That's the power of what we can do. Check out our hire us page for more information

Location

Online Via Zoom


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