Omaha Comedy Fest Workshops

We really outdid ourselves this year, bringing in a Late Night Writing workshop from a head writer of Late Night w/ Seth Meyers, Amber Ruffin! Plus a sketch writing workshop from Kids In The Hall star Kevin McDonald, improv workshops from the founder of The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago Joe Bill, even a hip-hop workshop from a member of Baby Wants Candy's "Shamilton".

Whether you are looking to learn standup, improv, sketch, or musical comedy or just have a fun, unique weekend, we're offering great passes! We have two tiers for workshops, with our top tier workshops for all of our headliners and our base tier workshops featuring a number of great teachers from comedy schools around the nation!

(See Below For Detailed List)

"Please Come To My Show" or Improv Marketing/(Improv) Gods Don't Play Dice

Genre Workout: Tools to Master any Genre/Character Driven: The Doorway Into Story

The Inverted Harold/How to "Yes, and" by saying No

Three Main Games/Other Group Games

Responsive vs Reactive/Phynix Foundation/Don't Show Your Fear, Use It (Standup)

Breaking Down Comedic Scene Structure (Sketch)

Basic Joke Writing & Structure/How to Succeed at Musical Improv (Without Really Knowing What You’re Doing)

Going Viral, in a Good Way: Creating Comedy for Social Media/Fearless Freestyling: Ramping Up Your Improvised Rap Skills

A Supportive World Using Why (Improv)

Movement For Improv

(@ The Backline Comedy Theatre)

[4:00pm-6:00pm] - Joe Bill (iO/Annoyance) The Mother of All Longform Openings: The Invocation

In this workshop, I will show you how I teach and direct groups all over the world, in many different languages, to use The Invocation. Why? Because when it's done effectively, it might be the best opening for Longform Improvisation that exists. Because it is itself a form of deconstruction, it relates to any opening that a group might use to begin a longform based on a suggestion from your audience. We will do a mix of openings and scenes that are inspired by the openings and probably look at ideas for effective longform openings in general.

[10:00am-1:00pm] - Kevin McDonald (Kids In The Hall) Squeezing Comedy From Improv

Learn how to squeeze out the comedy of any improv, bad or good, that they do. Even bad improvs are seeds of ideas that may grow into comedy sketches. The class and I will work together as a group. One at a time, a group of 3 or 4 will come up and do an improv. And the class and I will discuss what worked, what didn't. What characters can be developed. What plot lines can be developed. What jokes that helps the scene can come out of it - and then we'll do the scene again and see what's happened to it. And then if there's time at the end, we'll do a group improv and talk about how that could become a scene. (This workshop counts as two credits.)

[1:30pm-3:30pm] - Michael Poole (The Amber Ruffin Show) Intro to Hip-Hop Improv

This intro workshop goes over all the fundamentals of hip hop improv. Learn the basics of free-styling, musical hooks, and how to seamlessly transition from scene to song. By focusing on listening, confidence, and sharing focus we will go from My Fair Lady to Hamilton.

[4:00pm-6:00pm] - Joe Bill (iO/Annoyance) Game Brain, Scene Brain

This will be a workshop driven by your doing lots of scenes and me introducing you to the idea that our brains can (and often do) work slightly differently when we're improvising in games (for agility in quick response, comedy as goal) and when we're improvising scenes (for emotional truth, comedy as consequence). Part acting class, part examination of how your brain works in different modes that can both stand alone AND serve as the building blocks for Longform and Narrative Improvisation.

[10:00am-1:00pm] - Amber Ruffin (Late Night w/ Seth Meyers) Writing Late Night

Writing late night is fast paced, so in 3 hours we will learn how to write a late night show, and write it! Bring your laptops and hurry up! Amber Ruffin is a writer for Late Night w/ Seth Meyers and hosts her own late night show on the Peacock Network called The Amber Ruffin Show! (This workshop counts as two credits.)

[3:45pm-4:45pm] - Bearded Company (L.A./Minneapolis) Genre Workout: Tools to Master any Genre

We all have the power to tell a story. The Bearded Company will show you how to create a story with engaging characters, relationships, environments and a clear beginning, middle and end. Learn how to create a powerful (likely or unlikely) hero and follow them on a journey that includes obstacles, triumphs and failures all while getting them to the end of their journey. You will explore genre, how to use it to help quickly understand the world you’re in and make a more powerful and rich story for you and the audience. This workshop is appropriate for mid to advanced improvisers.

[5:00pm-6:00pm] - Bearded Company (L.A./Minneapolis) Character Driven: The Doorway Into Story

Great characters are where great stories begin. The Bearded Company will provide the tools to take your characters from the surface to the core. Learn to quickly dive in and commit to engaging characters that will guide you into richer scene work and fuller stories. We’ll examine how character needs, wants and beliefs can take a story one step further and draw the audience in. Because great stories aren’t all about saving the world, but about the characters that save it. This workshop is appropriate for mid to advanced improvisers.

[11:00am-12:00pm] - Robyn Helwig (The Backline) How to Succeed at Musical Improv (Without Really Knowing What You’re Doing)

Come make musical magic, Omaha style, with award winning musical improvisor Robyn Helwig! One half of Pandemic! @ the Disco (Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards Best Comedic Ensemble 2020 & 2021), Robyn will explore musical improv basics as well as tips and tricks for experienced performers to bring your show to the next level. While we go back to the basics, focusing on song structure, choreography, and musical mechanics, we’ll also explore how to enhance the show to really sell it for an audience. No musical improv experience required, all levels of skill and experience welcome.

[11:00am-12:00pm] - Joe Tuzzi (Philadelphia) A Supportive World Using Why

Ever wonder what it would be like to live in a world filled with support? Well this workshop is designed to help improvisers focus on support work as a way to expand the world in which the set lives. Exercises focus on listening/agreement, character development/gifting, and finding the “why” in every moment.

[11:00am-12:00pm] - Christopher George (Chicago Improv Studio) "Please Come To My Show" or Improv Marketing

Taking improv classes is fun, practicing is great, and doing a performance for our friends and family is a wonderful way to show them what this thing is we're doing five nights a week, but sooner or later, we're going to have to get the general public to come see us perform. This workshop is about managing your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (plus whatever app came out while you were reading this) presence, writing press releases, updating your website, selling your t-shirts, getting reviewed, and getting some butts in those seats! This is a presentation, but participants should bring their questions, problems, and issues for open discussion.

[12:15pm-1:15pm] - Claudia P. (Italy) Movement for Improv

This session is designed to enhance physicality in any scene, as well as provide improvisers with useful tools for group games - think "the machine". We will start with a gentle group warm up, then combine some of the principles of physical theater, Viewpoints and Laban technique to explore space and movement within ourselves and in relation to the stage and each other. Having traveled extensively around improv festivals in Australia and New Zealand, this workshop is now scheduled to tour Japan in 2023. No previous movement experience required.

[12:15pm-1:15pm] - Justin Conrad Franzen (Mutiny Information Cafe Chicago) Responsive vs Reactive

In improv some people believe faster is better. Playing without inhibition and just letting go are great! I think we can take it one step farther and utilize critical thinking to form our darts before we say our next line. Letting the world we’re creating impact us, gives us time to think and really hear the gifts we’re being give. In this workshop we’ll learn to slow down and be in each moment of our scenes. Just remember, taking your time takes time.

[12:15pm-1:15pm] - Cameron Logsdon (Omaha) Going Viral, in a Good Way: Creating Comedy for Social Media

Ever wanted to go viral on social media? Don't be shy. You can say yes. As comedians, artists, and creators it's perfectly normal to want your content to reach as many people as possible. This workshop will help elevate your social media game and help you better showcase your work to the whole world. In this workshop you'll learn how to turn your unique brand of comedy into something that millions of people can enjoy. Learn about content writing strategies, how to create your own brand, how to take what you're already doing on stage and transfer it to socials, as well as some tips on how to please the almighty algorithm (AL-GO-RHYTHM ,OOOO, AAAHHH)
 Be someone who is ahead of the curve and improve your social media now.

 Cameron has accumulated over 30 million views across a number of social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

[1:30pm-2:30pm] - Warren Phynix Johnson (Mutiny Information Cafe Chicago) Phynix Foundation

In this improv workshop you will embark on a crash course stepping out of your own head, embracing group mind and finding the funny, through unforced relationship based work. Full disclosure, there'll be some basic exercises with lectures of why these basic games matter as examples for the final execution of a grounded improvised theatrical piece. Then coached scene work that leads to the progression of an improviser's greater understanding of the work as whole. Time permitting(and you bet your ass there will be) all participants will then engage in a full on montage that will incorporate all of the learnings of the day...as well as breaking the rules of the learnings to an improviser's advantage.

[1:30pm-2:30pm] - Christopher George (Chicago Improv Studio) (Improv) Gods Don't Play Dice

Successful improv shows are not built on a random series of events - great improvisers make consistent, intentional, and conscious choices that drive their shows forward. Improv is not only about taking risks, it's about making every risk a calculated one. Stop hoping that your shows will be successful, and instead start noting the power of choices that you make to put yourself in the driver's seat of success, and know which choices work for the show you're doing. Participants in this workshop will start analyzing the affect and effect of their choices on the outcome of the show and understand a greater knowledge of what they individually can do to become the masters of their own personal universes.

[1:30pm-2:30pm] - Zach Peterson (The Backline) Basic Joke Structure/Writing

National touring comic and headliner, Zach Peterson teaches a abbreviated workshop on the very basics of joke writing and joke structure. Most jokes come down to some simple building blocks, and this workshop will help you identify and come up with your own very basic jokes. It is a good place to start for those who want to go further into writing their own comedy.

[2:45pm-3:45pm] - Matt Geiler (Omaha) Fearless Freestyling: Ramping Up Your Improvised Rap Skills

Whether you’re a seasoned improv comedy freestyle rap genius or a complete novice, this fun and engaging workshop will help you use what you got to spit bars that are hot! Hone your freestyle skills and have SO MUCH FUN doing it! Matt’s freestyle improv bonafides include hundreds of improvised/freestyle concerts for colleges and corporates around the country breaking it down with UTK the INC (Freestyle Love Supreme) and touring with the legend Wayne Brady. Come get your flow locked down!

[2:45pm-3:45pm] - Gregory James (Imposters Theater) Breaking Down Comedic Scene Structure

In this workshop we will break down comedic scene structure intoclear beats and builds for the actor. You will learn techniques to keep the energy and drive in your scenes, while also strengthening your characters. This workshop is great for anyone looking to feel more comfortable and confident performing sketch comedy and improv.

[2:45pm-3:45pm] - Sherman Edwards (Mutiny Information Cafe Chicago) Don't Show Your Fear, Use It (Standup)

Everyone’s afraid of something. Step up your standup game by leaning into that negative energy and refocusing it towards your work on stage. Sherman Edwards was named Best Standup Comic in Chicago by the Chicago Reader, has performed in Just For Laughs and Edinburgh Fringe Fest and can be seen on HBO's "Single Long" and FOX's "Empire".

[4:00pm-5:00pm] - Two Busses (Omaha/Des Moines) Winning A Losing Game

Ever make a regrettable improv move and think the show is trashed? Think again. Tim Overton and Rachel Ware of “Two Busses” will show you how to make a ‘bad decision’ the game of the show, and how to recover when bad improv etiquette arises. From a mash-up show to long running teams, learn the skills to making moves that make audiences go “what the hell did I just watch- I wanna see it again.” Breaking the fourth wall, saying no, and keeping things uncomfortably meta is what to expect in this workshop. Level one experience preferred, but not required. Tim and Rachel have been a touring two person team for 2 years, and friends since 2014. Their improv style is unique, smart, and always entertaining. Their talent and chemistry speaks for itself, and always has a Kauffman-esque feel to make their shows enjoyable for even the most experienced of improvisers.

[4:00pm-5:00pm] - Patrick Rowland (The Amber Ruffin Show) Writing Monologue Jokes for Late Night

Monologue jokes are a must for late-night tv shows, and writers who can deliver them consistently are a rare commodity because they can be very hard to write. In this class, you will learn the skills and science behind writing monologue jokes for late-night tv. You will be given the tools to help you craft jokes that get your point of view across and make people laugh. Patrick is a writer/performer from Chicago now residing in L.A., he currently writes for The Amber Ruffin Show and has had a successful run with his own late-night talk show "Barack All Night" which received a 3-star review from the Chicago Tribune. He has studied and taught sketch/improv/ and late-night writing at world-renowned institutions such as The Second City, iO Theater, and DePaul University. He is a founding member of the award-winning sketch/improv group 3Peat. One of his sketches was nominated for a GLAAD award.

[10:30am-11:30am] - Amey Goerlich (Chaos Bloom) Three Main Games

Get a refresh on the Three Main game frames of scenes. With a small road map of where the scene starts you’ll have no problem navigating where it could end.

[10:30am-11:30am] - Luke Dodge (KCIC) How to "Yes, and" by saying No

“Yes, and…” is a core concept every improviser learns early. Accept the gifts from your scene partners and then build the scene by adding on to what they have started. But too often scenes flounder in agreement with characters unable to disagree. With nowhere to go, these scenes can be difficult to sustain as they circle around and around. Finding long-lasting comedic threads can be as easy as calling them out in character. This workshop introduces the basics of Logical/Absurd scenes. You’ll see how adding contrasting viewpoints will enhance the game of your scenes.

[11:45am-12:45pm] - Amey Goerlich (Chaos Bloom) Other Group Games

Everyone get in here, there are other group games. I’m not talking about the journey, I’m talking other defined group games. Want to learn some new ones? Let’s Go!

[11:45am-12:45pm] - Tim Marks (KCIC) The Inverted Harold

What if there were a Harold, but it was easier, and you had more freedom? Tim Marks, director of The KC Improv Company, shows you how to rip apart the Harold and put it back together again in a way that is more freeing, and helps you avoid that I-am-in-my-head-what's-supposed-to-be-next feeling. The format naturally encourages big character choices. For an audience, it delivers multiple satisfying stories and about 20 interesting characters. Tim has directed and taught this format as "The Cubic Z" since 2010.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District, 222 North 10th Street, Omaha, United States