Sketch Comedy 101 by Isaiah Headen

Sketch comedy has been a staple of entertainment for decades, and the good news is that anyone can learn how to write it—whether you’re a writer, comedian, or just someone with a funny idea. In this workshop, you’ll learn the fundamental elements of sketch comedy, how to weave storytelling into your writing, and how to transform your humorous ideas into fully developed comedic sketches. You’ll walk away with an understanding of common sketch formats, a methodology for outlining your ideas, tips for character development, and techniques for crafting natural dialogue. Through interactive breakout sessions, you’ll gain valuable insight into the creative process of sketch comedy writing and acquire the tools you need to elevate your ideas to the next level.

The instructor, Isaiah Headen, has been writing and acting in sketch comedy for more than a decade. He is one of the founding members and head producer of Bad Medicine, one of DC’s longest-running sketch comedy troupes. Bad Medicine has performed nationwide and can frequently be seen at the DC Improv Comedy Club. Additionally, Bad Medicine is a co-founder of DC Sketchfest, an annual Washington DC sketch comedy festival.