Learn from Luke Kelly-Clyne, producer, writer, and the current Head of Studio at Kevin Hart’s HartBeat, with Emmy and NAACP Image Award-nominated projects on Netflix, Hulu, and more!

You will walk away with a polished portfolio of 3–5 original sketches ready for submission!

Ready to turn your funny ideas into professional-grade sketches? Whether you dream of writing for Saturday Night Live, Late Night, or creating your own viral series, this 8-week intensive will give you the tools, feedback, and industry-ready portfolio to stand out. By the end of the course, you’ll have a polished sketch packet—the golden ticket for staffing submissions, comedy festivals, and writers’ rooms.

Many aspiring comedy writers struggle with sketch structure, pacing, and balancing satire without being preachy. Without expert feedback, sketches can fall flat or fail to showcase your unique comedic voice. Writers often miss how to build memorable characters, heighten the game, and create satisfying endings. This lab will help you avoid these missteps and refine your work through weekly coaching and targeted assignments.

Luke Kelly-Clyne is a seasoned comedy producer and writer currently heading Kevin Hart’s HartBeat Studio, where he oversees projects across major platforms like Netflix and Hulu. He’s discovered and acquired multiple projects via Stage 32 and brings insider knowledge from the writers’ rooms of SNL, Key & Peele, and A Black Lady Sketch Show. Luke’s hands-on approach and industry experience make him an invaluable mentor for anyone serious about sketch comedy today.

Throughout this interactive 8-week lab, you’ll master the essential structures and styles of sketch comedy, from character-driven pieces to parody, political satire, and ensemble sketches. By the end, you’ll have a polished portfolio of 3 to 5 original sketches ready to submit to writers’ rooms, comedy festivals, or staffing opportunities.

Along the way, you’ll receive insider tips on pitching, formatting, and avoiding common submission mistakes. The lab includes weekly workshops and personalized one-on-one sessions, giving you detailed feedback to sharpen your comedic voice, heighten your sketches for maximum laughs, and craft strong, memorable endings.

Session 1: Foundations of Sketch Comedy

The core elements of sketch comedy: premise, "game," and various structures.

• Discussion of the fundamentals of sketch writing + Sketch Analysis: In-class screenings of key examples across sketch formats (character-driven, parody, political/satire, and ensemble). 

• In Class Premise Brainstorming + Sharing 

• Homework Assignment: Narrow down 2-3 sketch ideas for each kind of sketch. Download screenwriting software. 

Session 2: Character-Driven Sketches (Feedback Week)
Creating comedic characters with exaggerated flaws to drive conflict.

• Discussion on writing Character-Driven Sketches + Character Workshop: Traits, flaws, and conflict.

• In Class 20 minute draft writing session

• One-on-One Feedback Sessions:

• Instructor rotates to each student for individualized feedback on the development of their character sketch.

• Group Share: Highlight revised ideas.

• Homework Assignment: Continue writing your character sketch (3-4 pages).

Session 3: Commercial & Genre Parodies
How to twist familiar tropes into absurd parodies.

• Discussion on Writing Parodies + Parody Analysis + Trope Discussion: Screen examples 

• Pitch Sprint: Pitch parody sketches as a class.

• In Class 20 minute draft writing session

• One-on-One Feedback Sessions: Instructor rotates to each student for individualized feedback on the development of their parody.

• Homework Assignment: Continue writing your parody sketch (3-4 pages).

Session 4: Political & Satirical Sketches (Feedback Week)
How to write Political and Satirical Sketches- Critiquing politics/culture through humor without preachiness.

• Discussion on Satirical Sketch Writing+ Ethics Discussion + Satirical Framing

• In-Class Writing Exercise: Turn headlines into satire.

• In Class 20 minute draft writing session

• One-on-One Feedback Sessions:

• Students work on satire ideas, while the instructor provides feedback on development of their satire sketch.

• Quick Share: Favorite satirical angle.

• Homework Assignment: Continue writing your political/satirical sketch  (3-4 pages).  

Session 5: Ensemble Sketches
Writing for groups and the art of balancing dynamics.

• Discussion on Writing  Ensemble Sketches + the Dangers of Ensemble Sketches and How to Avoid Them: Case study review 

• Perform + Group Feedback (60 min): Workshopping previously written Character, Parody, or Political sketches as a class for feedback from instructor

• Homework Assignment: Write your ensemble sketch (3-4 pages and continue to revise all sketches workshopped in class

Session 6: Mastering the Game & Heightening (Feedback Week)
Escalating a sketch’s "game" for maximum laughs.

• Discussion about Heightening your sketch game + Heightening Workshop: Group analysis of escalation techniques.

• Rewrite Lab: Students work to heighten their ensemble sketch.

• One-on-One Feedback Sessions:

• Review students' work and focus on heightening strategies and ensemble feedback while students continue editing their sketches. 

Homework Assignment: Refine and revise all sketches, using what we’ve learned to-date in class. 

Session 7: Buttons & Endings
The art of crafting strong, satisfying endings.

• Discussion- Button Analysis: What makes sketches great? Great endings. 

• Ending Analysis + Rewrite Lab: Students discuss buttons they need help on most from their previous sketches in their packet. Final review and feedback from instructor on satirical and ensemble sketches.

• Homework Assignment: Finalize a polished sketch packet, joining all previous sketches together.

Session 8: Final Workshop & Performance (Feedback Week)
Polishing and performing sketches for impact.

• Table Read: Perform all final sketches (reading only).

• One-on-One Feedback Sessions:

• Post table read, the instructor gives each student feedback and final notes.

• Celebration + Next Steps 

• Aspiring comedy writers aiming to write for shows like Saturday Night Live or Late Night, or create viral digital sketches

• Writers looking to build a polished, professional sketch comedy portfolio

• Creatives seeking personalized feedback and one-on-one mentorship

• Anyone wanting insider tips on pitching, formatting, and avoiding common submission mistakes

• Those eager to deepen their understanding of sketch comedy structures and styles

Saturday, July 19th, 10am-12pm PT

Saturday, July 26th, 10am-12pm PT

Saturday, August 2nd, 10am-12pm PT

Saturday, August 9th, 10am-12pm PT

Saturday, August 16th, 10am-12pm PT

Saturday, August 23rd, 10am-12pm PT

Saturday, August 30th 10am-12pm PT

Saturday, September 6th, 10am-12pm PT