A picture from the end of my Sketch Level 1 Class at the Pack Theater back in Fall 2016.
The Power of the Table Read
Taking Sketch Level 1 at the Pack Theater with Eric Moneypenny two and half years ago was one of the best decisions I ever made.
It opened up my dormant sketch comedy brain I had not accessed in a while, and most of all, it empowered me to create the comedy I want to see in the world.
If there is one thing I enjoy about the Pack Theater is the ability to create the sketch comedy you want to see, and that the only prerequisite is desire, hard work, and follow through.
Its punk rock, DIY aesthetic can be a bit intimidating, off putting even, especially if you’re not a fan of punk rock or whatever associations you may have with it.
But I think the ethos of punk rock — not needing permission, certification, or approval to create art — is evident at the Pack, and the source of that energy comes from the classes themselves.
Every week I would bring in a sketch just eager to share it with Eric and my classmates at the table read. And I was eager to hear their stuff and see what they had come up with.
And this is the no.1 reason to take Sketch Level 1 at the Pack Theater — it’s super cool, empowering, and validating to have your work read out loud by your peers in the table read.
The table read is a place to get real time feedback on your writing in the form of laughs for good stuff and silence and coughs for stuff that needs to be worked on.
Trust me, as a sketch writer, there is nothing more empowering than have your sketch crush it in a table read.
It’s the kind of validation you don’t get elsewhere in the world. The experience itself — making your peers laugh out loud with your work — is a high. And it’s something that keeps me coming back to table read after table read.
And where did I first experience that? Sketch Level 1 at the Pack Theater with Eric Moneypenny.
I can’t promise that everyone’s experience will be as powerful as mine.
I took the class at a time when I was ready to give all of myself to sketch comedy.
But I can tell you with a degree of high confidence that you will get a lot out of Sketch Level 1 if you go into it with an open mind, a good attitude, a good work ethic, and are willing to put you and your work out there.
It’s scary to put your work out there and have it judged. And that fear is probably what prevents a lot of people from ever pursuing their dreams. But Sketch Level 1 is a good place to dip your toe and see if this sketch comedy thing might be for you.
Believe me, it’s a risk you will not regret taking. In fact, once you take it, you’ll probably be telling yourself, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”
The price is reasonable compared to other places in town ($310), and payment plans are also available. You can also pay for classes through PayPal Credit. And if you don’t have the money to pay right now, sign up for the Work Study Program and start working towards those class credits.
Whatever you need to do, sign up for a class ASAP! What are you waiting for?
Sign up for a class today! Here is the link => https://www.packtheater.com/classes/sketch/
And you can email internships@packtheater.com for more info on signing up for work study.
If you have any more questions, hit me up! I’m more than happy to help and talk about the Pack Sketch Program!
Take care,
Fernando A. Funes
Fernando's Improv Blog 