[Headliner Show] CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS #HIF2026

A one-person improv show disguised as an acting class, from the creator of the Dead Eyes podcast.

Professional actor (Run Amok, Bob's Burgers, “King Henry” in a recent State Farm ad) and award-winning podcaster (Dead Eyes) CONNOR RATLIFF is a classically trained performer who graduated "with honours" from the prestigious Liverpool Institute For Performing Arts over a quarter of a century ago, making his professional debut on the stage of the Royal Court Theatre in London’s West End. During that same year, he also performed at Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth II. In the decades that followed, he has accumulated numerous credits as a star of stage, screen and stream, appearing in multiple Netflix Original Films as well as content on CBS, NBC, FOX, TBS, Home Box Office, Amazon Prime, and the now-defunct comedy platforms, Go90 and Seeso.

But none of that matters now.

What matters now is CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, an unending series of workshop performances where he will, before your very eyes, demonstrate what acting truly IS.

Each performance will be slightly interactive and completely improvised, with occasional opportunities for “students” to participate (from the safety of their position in the audience.)

Defiantly self-indulgent and beyond pointless, THE ACTING CLASS is your opportunity to witness the kind of greatness – only slightly appreciated by The Industry – that has kept Connor Ratliff steadily employed for nearly half of the past 10+ years.

Praise for Connor Ratliff:

“Connor Ratliff is a brilliant and funny comedic performer and actor.” - THE NEW YORKER

“An Improv Star.” -VANITY FAIR

“An Improv Ace.” - MEN'S JOURNAL

“Funny.” - THE FINANCIAL TIMES

“Hilarious.” - TIME Magazine

“He's really, really funny… an undiscovered mega-talent of Acting.” - MIKE BIRBIGLIA

Praise for CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS:

“Connor Ratliff is following up his thorough examination of the entertainment industry's capacity to bruise the ego… There's no one more committed than Ratliff when it comes to selling the reality of a character like this.” - VULTURE

“Honestly, the best show I've seen in years. It is both EXACTLY what you'd expect and nothing like you'd expect.” - ALEX BOUSIER, @cinefilmstills

“Incredible show.” - Andrew J. Eisenman

“A masterclass in absurd realism.” - FAME Magazine

Note: Headliner Shows for the Hartford Improv Festival are ticketed separately from other shows. Festival Show Passes, Saturday Day Passes, Sunday Day Passes, and Performer Passes are do not include Headliner Shows. Performers will be issued a discount code for Headliner Shows.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Sea Tea Comedy Theater, 15 Asylum Street, Hartford, United States

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