This course will explore the creation of a television comedy lead by Al Samuels (Sports Action Team) and Michael Koman (SNL, Nathan for You). Throughout the semester, the creative team will complete a detailed show pitch and initial draft of part pilot script to be shopped post course. We will also feature frequent industry guests. Atelier students will observe the creative team's process and make contributions to it. Each student will also develop an original TV comedy concept, culminating in a final project: a 5-10-page show summary drawing on topics and techniques discussed throughout the course.

The following text messages were exchanged by Patty Marx (The New Yorker) and Alan Zweibel (Saturday Night Live, Laugh Lines), who will be teaching How To Write an Epistolary Novel. Alan: Hey, Patty, how'd you describe the class we're teaching? Patty: Doesn't the title say it all? Alan: Not to people who don't know what epistolary means. Patty: Right. A novel based on a correspondence-like these texts we're sending each other. Alan: Maybe add it's a workshop? Patty: Like Santa's workshop? Alan: But instead of toys, the class will divide into pairs and write their own novels. Patty: Epistolary ones? Alan: You're catching on. You deserve an elf

Are you a composer, librettist, singer, stage director, or just opera curious? Join Paul Muldoon and Kamala Sankaram as they develop Custom of the Coast, a new opera intercutting the life stories of an 18th century Irish pirate sentenced to death, and an Indian-born, Irish-based dentist who died in 2012 having been denied an abortion. In addition to seeing their developmental process, you will create your own work of musical storytelling, answering fundamental theatrical questions like how to make a treatment, how to collaborate, and how to use musical dramaturgy. We will finish the semester with a workshop sharing of our pieces.

Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann, the Tony-Award-winning writers of URINETOWN THE MUSICAL, will lead a workshop in which students work in teams to write original 10-minute musicals. No experience necessary! However, each student will be expected to try their hand at writing book and lyrics and composing music AND performing in the ten-minute musicals.