Have you ever wanted to write a Sitcom Spec Script for an existing show? Does the idea seem a little intimidating? Never fear—The Comedy Lab method will walk you through the process, and if you show up each week and do all of the work, eight weeks later you will have a full-length sitcom spec script under your arm, and know how to use it to attempt to gain representation.

Think about it for a moment—the wannabe sitcom writer is attempting to write in the voice of a show that he/she/they did not create and involves characters are already established (the who); the nature of the storylines appropriate for the series is very specific (the what); and the location doesn’t matter so much (the where). It takes thinking and outlining and writing and rewriting and re-rewriting to create something that epitomizes both the author’s style and knowledge of the form.

Weekly Breakdown

Class One: Students choose a current half-hour show and create six pitches.

Class Two: Students create two separate page-by-page outlines—one of an existing episode, one of their favorite pitch.

Class Three: Students compile a classic sitcom outline for their favorite pitch.

Class Four: Students begin the first half of their first draft.

Class Five: Students finish the second half of their first draft.

Class Six: Students receive their first set of notes.

Class Seven: Based upon the notes they’ve received, students embark upon their second draft.

Class Eight: Students participate in a one-on-one Zoom meeting with the instructor.

Min. participants 6, max. participants 14.

If we have to cancel the event due to low numbers, we will do this with 24hours notice (and you will receive a warning 48 hours before the course if this looks likely).

Kim Howard Johnson is a founding member of the Baron’s Barracudas (the first house team of the ImprovOlympic–later the iO), co-wrote Truth in Comedy with Charna Halpern and Del Close, and wrote The Funniest One in the Room: The Lives and Legends of Del Close, the biography of his longtime friend. He began to teach writing when his good friend Michael McCarthy invited him to join the Comedy Lab writing classes at the iO Chicago. He is a longtime friend and associate of Monty Python, working on Monty Python’s Life of Brian in Tunisia, writing numerous books on Python, and serving as personal assistant to John Cleese. He is the only person to perform with the Baron’s Barracudas, his Monty Python friends at the Hollywood Bowl, legendary improvisational troupe The Committee, and to have written with comedy legend Jonathan Winters. He is excited to pass along what he has learned over the years to his students.

This course runs every Monday evening from 6th September to 25th Oct, 7 pm - 9.30 pm UK Time. Intermediate writing level, no improv experience needed.

Whatever the level of ability required, all of our classes are safe, supportive environments led by our experienced teachers. Please email us if you are unsure whether a class is suitable for you. If you sign up for a class inappropriate to your level the Nursery/Maydays reserved the right to remove you from the class without refund.

Scholarships and Bursaries:

We offer full and partial scholarships for all online courses in order to make sure that the fun and community of improvisation is available to as many people as possible across the globe. You are encouraged to apply if you would not normally be able to:

• Afford these courses

• Be unlikely to attend a course for any other reason

No set criteria

Apply HERE for any course that is live on the Maydays or Nursery website

Closed captioning is available in all of our classes and courses. If you need any information on how to access this in zoom, please contact classes@thenurserytheatre.com