Comedy Classes in Los Angeles & Online
Improv, Sketch, Character, TV Writing, Voiceover, Stand-Up, Clown, taught by working professionals with credits at SNL, Netflix, Hulu, Adult Swim, and beyond.
The Pack Theater has been one of Los Angeles' most beloved independent comedy schools and theaters since 2016. We’re known for small class sizes, working professional instructors, and some of the most affordable tuition in LA (or online from anywhere). Our teachers have written and performed for SNL, Netflix, Hulu, Adult Swim, Comedy Central, and beyond, and our alumni have gone on to write or perform on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CW, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Adult Swim, Comedy Central, Dropout, and/or gained major influence online. Whether you've never set foot on a stage or you're a seasoned performer looking to sharpen a specific skill, The Pack offers a direct path to finding your unique comedic voice, without the gatekeeping or the price tag of larger institutions.
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Sundays 2-5pm, 8 weeks, Starts May 10th. IN-PERSON.
A Characters Workshop with John Milhiser is here to help you create, develop and perform funny original characters. Yes, there will be plenty of wigs in this class, but this workshop will teach you how to think beyond the wigs. So much so, that you won’t even want the wigs. Or at the very least, a lot fewer wigs. This workshop will focus on developing the game, physical movement and voice of each sketch character — even if they don’t have a literal voice. This class will focus on finding the funny in everyday life and how to transition that successfully to the stage. Each student will be required to develop characters outside of class as well as in. By the end of the workshop each student will get to perform a full set of newly written characters in front of a live audience at The Pack Theater.
This class will be held at the Pack Theater space!
1615 N. Vermont, 90027
Mondays 12-2pm (4 classes) Starting May 11th.
Intro to Clown: Finding Your Absurd
I aim to take your ideas and help you look at them through an absurd perspective/lens. Allowing you to find the fun in absurdity.
My intent is also to tap into your acting ability; to bring a grounded realness to every clown piece, so even when you're doing the craziest/most farcical thing, it's still approachable and funny to the audience.
The class approaches clown from a distinctive "what's the funny/absurd thing" perspective. And in that way, it explores game, but through a very imbecilic and abstract lens.
This class will be held at The Pack Theater
1615 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Wed 6-8pm, Starts June 10th. ONLINE.
This foundational VO class is a hands-on, deeply practical approach to adding voiceover to your performance career. Alternating between comedic commercial and animation copy, you will work on mic to discover and fine tune what you uniquely bring to a script. You’ll learn exactly what info you need from a spec for commercial, and how to bring what you already do on stage to a cartoon script. We’ll also discuss the business, how it’s changed, what to avoid, and how to get your career off the ground. Class meets via Zoom. Home studios welcome but not required
This class is currently offered ONLINE
Mondays 6-8pm (4 weeks) Starts June 8th. ONLINE.
How do you “throw it away” and still make it make sense? You have to understand what it is you’re saying, who you’re saying it to, and how to most effectively deliver that message in your unique voice.
Each week, we will dive deeper into different types of commercial copy. We’ll translate each script from Ad-speak to plain language, define audience and message, and find takes grounded in authenticity. You’ll also hone your ad-libs without drifting off-style—improv that supports the message and feels like it was always part of the script.
By the end of this session, you should feel confident to deliver your own believable take on any script that comes your way.
Prerequisite: previous voiceover experience and/or Robin’s Intro to VO class. (Intermediate-Advanced)
This class is currently offered ONLINE
May 17th (One-Day-Only) Sunday 11am-1pm. ONLINE
After having written your first or second sample, you may think to yourself, “What now?” When you ask a writer how they broke in or got repped, the answers tend to be very specific to the point where you may feel they’re not very applicable. The truth is there’s no one way to break in or get repped. And in this class, we go over how to get a job, how to network, how to meet with production companies, how to get a pitch meeting, etc. and the many different, applicable ways you can break in and get representation.
April 11th (One-Day-Only) Saturday 11am-1pm ONLINE!
In this workshop Stephanie will teach both verbal pitch structures (For TV AND Film). The workshop will also go over HOW to get pitch meetings, what materials you need for your pitch, what materials you don’t need for your pitch, and how and where in your pitch to pitch YOU. Every student will leave the class knowing how to structure a pitch for any idea or project they have.
May 3rd (One-Day-Only) Sunday 11am-1pm . ONLINE!
Just like there is a formula for writing a great, fun sketch, there is also a formula for writing a great, fun TV pilot. Through examples, in this one day workshop, Stephanie breaks down the format and the math behind the story structure of a comedic pilot, down to the page number. At the end of this workshop, you will know how to approach writing any comedic TV pilot idea you have.
About This Class
Currently N/A
This class will be held at The Clubhouse
1607 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Standup 101 is perfect for people with previous sketch/improv experience AND people who’ve never been on stage before. No matter your background, by the end of this 6 week class you’ll have a tight 5 minute set that gets big laughs. Write new material and get constructive feedback in a supportive workshop environment. Instructor Jason Van Glass will share his secrets of standup to help you tap into and share your unique point of view.
If You Need a Payment Plan:
We’re here to help! Just email classes@packtheater.com. Additionally, at checkout, you can also PayPal in 4 payments or PayPal monthly.
Read our full class guide for May 2026
For more info on our offerings for this session, all on one page click here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is the Pack Theater located?
1615 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027, in the Los Feliz neighborhood. This is the new Pack Theater space where most in-person classes are now held.
Do I need to live in Los Angeles to take classes?
No. Several classes are offered fully online via Zoom, including Sketch 1 (Sundays), Sketch 2, Writing a Pilot, Improv Position Play, Voiceover, and all of Stephanie Streisand's one-day TV Pilot & Industry workshops. The Sketch 1 online intensive is also available to students anywhere.
Is there a payment plan available?
Yes. At checkout you can select PayPal Pay in 4 or PayPal Monthly to split tuition into installments. You can also email classes@packtheater.com to discuss a payment plan directly.
What level of experience do I need?
It depends on the class. Intro to Improv, Sketch 1, Character Workshop, Intro to Clown, Voiceover, Standup class, and all Stephanie Streisand workshops require no prior experience. Fearless Scenework, Improv and Acting, and Improv Position Play require some previous improv experience. Sketch 2 requires prior completion of Sketch 1.
Do improv classes end with a performance?
Some. All core improv classes (Intro to Improv, Fearless Scenework, and Improv and Acting) culminate in a live performance alongside students from other improv classes at the theater. The Character Workshop also ends with a live audience showcase.
How do I get notified about sold-out classes?
On each sold-out class page at packtheater.com there is a "Get notified by email when this product is in stock" option. You can also email classes@packtheater.com directly.
The Pack Theater has some of the most affordable and best comedy classes in Los Angeles. We believe there is no “one true way” to approach comedy and instead focus on developing your unique voice by providing a variety of tools and exercises. Our teachers have over a century of experience between them and have trained and taught all over the world. The majority of our stand-up and improv classes in Los Angeles are offered in person so you can develop stage experience but there are also online improv classes that can allow you to sharpen your game from the comfort of home.
Our teachers have performed or written for things like SNL, Adult Swim, Comedy Central, FOX, Netflix, Hulu, and many, many, more! Our teachers’ alumni have performed or written at SNL, Comedy Central, Adult Swim, Netflix, Hulu, Dropout, HBO, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, TBS, Nickelodeon, Disney, Dreamworks, and many, many, more! And many current popular comedy influencers on Instagram & TikTok once studied Improv, Sketch, Characters, and more at The Pack!
Our online comedy writing classes help make developing scripts and sketches more approachable for comedy writers and screenwriters of any skill level. Get started and learn to write sketch comedy online with teachers with real experience working in Hollywood and will provide a wealth of resources to come up with and develop your ideas.
We also offer elective classes to help you gain special skills and meet your goals from an online pilot writing class to an in-person musical improv comedy class. Taking a comedy class can give you the opportunity to get real-time feedback so you can skip some trial and error of bombing on stage, provide accountability to help you reach your goals, and find collaborative partners that you can develop shows and performances with for years to come.
“It's one of the most passionate groups of talented comedy people I've ever come across."
"Something special is happening at this place."
"Lots of great advice about the comedy business from a real working professional."
“It's one of the most passionate groups of talented comedy people I've ever come across." "Something special is happening at this place." "Lots of great advice about the comedy business from a real working professional."
"my mouth hurt from smiling too much."
"They teach skills and forms that no other theater teaches, great for advance players as well as beginners."
"I feel like I have the secret manual to good improv"
"my mouth hurt from smiling too much." "They teach skills and forms that no other theater teaches, great for advance players as well as beginners." "I feel like I have the secret manual to good improv"