UPCOMING CLASSES
Students in full-length classes can see shows for free and receive discounts on space rentals & merch.
Most full-length classes end in class shows.
Our philosophy IS SIMPLE
F*CK IT
This means not taking yourself too seriously. Mistakes are part of the process. The more pressure you put on being perfect, the harder it is to stay playful, open, and creative.
LOVE IT
Once you get out of your own way, you can celebrate what you and your fellow performers bring to the table. That’s where the best comedy lives — in commitment, collaboration, and joy.
By holding both ideas in our head, we remember why we fell in love with comedy - one of the most wonderful things in the world - while not taking it too seriously.
COMMUNITY
We want you to find your lifelong friends in a space where nobody is cooler than anyone else. We’re all just a bunch of comedy lovers in Brooklyn having the god-damn time of our lives. Come join the party.
EMPOWERMENT
We want you to get on our stages and hone your craft. We’ve found the best comedy comes from people who like each other creating together. Countless students have gone on to create teams or pitch us unique shows, and we actively look to elevate them with performance opportunities. Give us your most fun & dumb comedy, NYC. Let’s go.
“BCC taught me everything I know about comedy. I credit the teachers and the community with helping me hone my voice and trust myself as a comedian! Plus, it's the best place to hang out.” - Sophie Zucker (THE DAILY SHOW)
This is the vibe at BCC.
ALL CLASSES
If a class is sold out: sign-up for the wait list here.
IMPROV
Come learn the art of make-em-ups. We teach a fearless, fun, and unique approach that will help you say “f*ck it” to fear, and in turn “love it” as a way of accessing your most playful and realized self.
Drop-in
Full-Length Classes
LEVEL 1
This class will introduce new improvisers to the value of saying “Yes, and” to every idea (especially their own) to become joyful, fearless, and bold performers.
Intro to Improv
This class is limited to 16 students.
First time taking an improv class? You’re in the right place.
This class will introduce new improvisers to the value of saying “Yes, and” to every idea (especially their own) to become joyful, fearless, and bold performers. Through games and exercises this class will teach students to react emotionally and honestly, to trust your gut, to support scene partners and embrace taking risks. These skills are essential to successful improvisation! Whether you want to be a performer or try out a class to meet new people, this class is bound to boost your confidence and creativity in a safe and supportive environment.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
7-Week Class: Wednesday, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 21st - December 9th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 25 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Class Show: Tuesday, December 15th. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum St). 7:00pm.
Taylor Gonzalez has been producing and performing multimedia comedy for over a decade. He is one of the creators and now editor-in-chief of POC satire site FLEXX Magazine and is the Rican half of the duo Havana Club Y Bacardí. He is one of the founding members of the Diverse As Fuck Comedy Festival, Lo-Fi NYC, and youarenotalone, a Latine-themed horror-lit zine. Over the years, he's created and produced many influential comedy shows such as deadass and the Character Clash and has studied extensively at the UCB and PIT. He has been teaching improv since 2012 and specializes in playing to the top of your intelligence, gift-giving, and object work.
Testimonials:
Best class ever. Taylor is the best teacher I could have asked for! King!
No judgement, constant support, friendly and light hearted environment
I really appreciated how seriously Taylor took the role of “teacher”. As an educator myself, his skills are very impressive. He was very professional yet provided an amazingly open and safe space for all of us. His feedback was also excellent and timely and it really helped. He focused on the individual and he really listened to us. every class, I learned an incredible amount. I can’t rate Taylor highly enough. A top top dude.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
![[Oct-Dec] Improv Level 1: Intro To Improv w/ Kenny Park Yi (Oct-Dec '26) (Thursday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/1a746fb8-ab47-44c4-95c4-bec88f9aaef8/2026+Yi_Headshot.jpg)
Intro to Improv
This class is limited to 16 students.
First time taking an improv class? You’re in the right place.
This class will introduce new improvisers to the value of saying “Yes, and” to every idea (especially their own) to become joyful, fearless, and bold performers. Through games and exercises this class will teach students to react emotionally and honestly, to trust your gut, to support scene partners and embrace taking risks. These skills are essential to successful improvisation! Whether you want to be a performer or try out a class to meet new people, this class is bound to boost your confidence and creativity in a safe and supportive environment.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
7-Week Class: Thursday, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 22nd - December 11th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 26 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Class Show: Wednesday, December 16th. 8:30pm. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum St).
Kenny Park Yi is an NYC-based comedian. Originally from North Carolina, he was inspired by Amy Poehler to take his first steps doing improv in college with North Carolina State University’s Comedic Improvisational Alliance (the CIA). He has since had the fortune of learning and playing at the Washington Improv Theater in DC, and the Brooklyn Comedy Collective + Upright Citizens Brigade in NYC.
Kenny plays with improv team The Slaysians (an all queer, all Asian improv team hell yeah), co-produces Boba Gays (a queer Asian comedy variety show hell yeah) with Alex Kim, and co-hosts Spice Rack (BCC’s BIPOC jam hell yeah) with Noelle Gonzalez.His other hobbies include cheeseburgers, smizing, and gay.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Intro to Improv
This class is limited to 16 students.
First time taking an improv class? You’re in the right place.
This class will introduce new improvisers to the value of saying “Yes, and” to every idea (especially their own) to become joyful, fearless, and bold performers. Through games and exercises this class will teach students to react emotionally and honestly, to trust your gut, to support scene partners and embrace taking risks. These skills are essential to successful improvisation! Whether you want to be a performer or try out a class to meet new people, this class is bound to boost your confidence and creativity in a safe and supportive environment.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
7-Week Class: Mondays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 26th - December 7th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Monday, December 14th. BCC Pig Pen. 7:00pm.
Bio:
Molly Ledbetter is a Brooklyn-based improviser, actor, voice-over artist, and singer. Before moving to New York, she spent five years in Chicago, studying and performing improv and sketch comedy at The Second City, iO Theater, Chicago’s Improv Den, Annoyance Theater, Logan Square Improv, and Bughouse Theater. She then studied method acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York. You can catch Molly performing weekly at BCC every Thursday night at 7 PM with her improv troupe, “The Good Time” -made up entirely of veteran Chicago improvisers. Their troupe has been featured in The New York Comedy Festival and in a documentary about improv comedy. Molly is also a cast member of BCC’s weekly Thursday night 10PM improvised sketch show, “Demon Time,” which has been featured in the New York Times. (All of which you can see for free as a student at BCC!) She also regularly writes and performs characters around New York, and is an understudy for Second City NY’s current MainStage revue.
Student Testimonials:
Molly was so phenomenal in every way. She was approachable, kind, warm, directive when needed yet always encouraging and amazing at making the class feel like a safe space. She was so vivacious and filled the class with so much energy yet created space for everyone to shine.
Molly really listened and observed. She was really positive and had a ton of energy. She gave great feedback and was always constructive and encouraging.
Molly is so warm and knowledgeable.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Intro to Improv
This class is limited to 16 students.
First time taking an improv class? You’re in the right place.
This class will introduce new improvisers to the value of saying “Yes, and” to every idea (especially their own) to become joyful, fearless, and bold performers. Through games and exercises this class will teach students to react emotionally and honestly, to trust your gut, to support scene partners and embrace taking risks. These skills are essential to successful improvisation! Whether you want to be a performer or try out a class to meet new people, this class is bound to boost your confidence and creativity in a safe and supportive environment.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
7-Week Class: Sundays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, October 25th - December 14th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 8:30 PM - 9:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 29 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Saturday, December 19th. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum St). 8:30pm
Bio:
Molly Ledbetter is a Brooklyn-based improviser, actor, voice-over artist, and singer. Before moving to New York, she spent five years in Chicago, studying and performing improv and sketch comedy at The Second City, iO Theater, Chicago’s Improv Den, Annoyance Theater, Logan Square Improv, and Bughouse Theater. She then studied method acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York. You can catch Molly performing weekly at BCC every Thursday night at 7 PM with her improv troupe, “The Good Time” -made up entirely of veteran Chicago improvisers. Their troupe has been featured in The New York Comedy Festival and in a documentary about improv comedy. Molly is also a cast member of BCC’s weekly Thursday night 10PM improvised sketch show, “Demon Time,” which has been featured in the New York Times. (All of which you can see for free as a student at BCC!) She also regularly writes and performs characters around New York, and is an understudy for Second City NY’s current MainStage revue.
Student Testimonials:
Molly was so phenomenal in every way. She was approachable, kind, warm, directive when needed yet always encouraging and amazing at making the class feel like a safe space. She was so vivacious and filled the class with so much energy yet created space for everyone to shine.
Molly really listened and observed. She was really positive and had a ton of energy. She gave great feedback and was always constructive and encouraging.
Molly is so warm and knowledgeable.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Level 2
This class lays down our core philosophy: embracing a f*ck it / love it mentality, improvising from an emotional point of view, and creating surprising and specific choices.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Improv or similar experience.
![[Oct-Dec] Improv Level 2: Free Your Mind w/ Maya Sharma (Oct-Dec '26) (Wednesday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/041273c4-ce18-42a1-a8db-559c4588615b/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-09-28%2Bat%2B4.03.09%2BPM_compressed.jpg)
Free Your Mind
This class is limited to 16 students.
Love what’s happening onstage and you’re bound to have fun and fearless improvisation.
This class will help remind you what you love about improv, slap you out of whatever may be holding you back, and cut out the naysaying voices in your head. We will look at how we sometimes bail on our choices out of a fear of making the “right or wrong choice" and to instead approach improv with a "fuck it / love it" mentality (because improv is one of the most wonderful things in the world if you don't treat it too seriously). This class encourages your artistic freedom with methods to initiate scenes with an emotional point of view, to be specific and surprising in your choices, to support your scene partner, and to confidently navigate the vocabulary and concepts of long-form improv. This class will move quickly, keep you on your feet, and challenge you with personal feedback.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Improv OR students who have taken at least one full-length course at a major comedy theater (UCB, PIT, Magnet, Squirrel, Second City, iO, Annoyance, etc.) or have similar prior training can begin at this level. Please write your prior experience in the form when registering.
7-Week Class: Wednesday, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 21st - December 9th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 25 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Class Show: Tuesday, December 15th. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum Ave). 8:30pm.
Testimonials:
Maya Sharma is the type of teacher that you would skip recess to have lunch with. Kind, smart, and funny as can be, she creates an environment that welcomes everybody and anybody. She’s made me a better improviser, a better listener, and a better collaborator in total. I heavily recommend taking her class!
Maya's one of a kind style allowed me to let go and feel great just being myself!
Maya provides an encouraging and safe environment to fail with joy. Her positivity is infectious. Maya is a wonderful teacher for people who deal with anxiety.
She was so supportive of everyone’s “vibe”, she made it so safe to be weird and take risks which I deeply appreciate, and she identifies what makes everyone unique and interesting to watch on stage.
Maya has a fantastic encouraging attitude. She makes sure to point out the good and the things that need improvement, but she's right there with you trying to make it work. You learn a lot and feel free to experiment because Maya won't try to knock you down - she wants to help you hone your skills while respecting your individual style.
Maya is an incredibly friendly and approachable teacher and curates a very supportive vibe for all of her students. No question every felt stupid to ask about the class, our scenes, or improv in general. She also offers genuine and earnest feedback which demonstrates that she really pays attention to every single improvisers.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Free Your Mind
This class is limited to 16 students.
Love the hell out of what’s happening onstage and you’re bound to have fun and fearless improvisation.
This class will help remind you what you love about improv, slap you out of whatever may be holding you back, and cut out the naysaying voices in your head. We will look at how we sometimes bail on our choices out of a fear of making the “right or wrong choice” and to instead approach improv with a “fuck it/love it” mentality (because improv is one of the most wonderful things in the world if you don’t treat it too seriously). This class encourages your artistic freedom with methods to initiate scenes with an emotional point of view, to be specific and surprising in your choices, to support your scene partner, and to confidently navigate the vocabulary and concepts of long-form improv. This class will move quickly, keep you on your feet, and challenge you with personal feedback.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Improv OR students who have taken at least one full-length course at a major comedy theater (UCB, PIT, Magnet, Squirrel, Second City, iO, Annoyance, etc.) or have similar prior training can begin at this level. Please write your prior experience in the form when registering.
7-Week Class: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 20th - December 8th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 24 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Sunday, December 13th. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum Ave). 8:30pm.
Bio:
Miranda Rozas is a Brooklyn-based improviser, musician, and actress. Originally from Louisiana, Miranda moved to Chicago where she trained and performed with the iO Theater, The Second City, Logan Square Improv, and CIC Theater for 6 years. You can catch her improvising every Thursday night with “The Good Time” at 7pm at BCC, or around the city singing and jamming original songs with her band “Spare Room.” Follow her on instagram @sexydragonbuttmuncher or Tiktok @thesexydragon. She accepts any and all discussions about crawfish and how good it is.
Testimonials:
Miranda is so kind and friendly, and really kept the class loose for a very structured form.
![[Oct-Dec] Improv Level 2: Free Your Mind w/ Micah Sterenberg (Oct-Dec '26) (Thursday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/1679790160515-T43G5OQGH3GG96TST94P/Micah%2BSterenberg-Headshot%2B%25281%2529.jpeg)
Free Your Mind
This class is limited to 16 students.
Love what’s happening onstage and you’re bound to have fun and fearless improvisation.
This class will help remind you what you love about improv, slap you out of whatever may be holding you back, and cut out the naysaying voices in your head that. We will look at how we sometimes bail on our choices out of a fear of making the “right or wrong choice" and to instead approach improv with a "fuck it / love it" mentality (because improv is one of the most wonderful things in the world if you don't treat it too seriously). This class encourages your artistic freedom with methods to initiate scenes with an emotional point of view, to be specific and surprising in your choices, to support your scene partner, and to confidently navigate the vocabulary and concepts of long-form improv. This class will move quickly, keep you on your feet, and challenge you with personal feedback.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Improv OR students who have taken at least one full-length course at a major comedy theater (UCB, PIT, Magnet, Squirrel, Second City, iO, Annoyance, etc.) or have similar prior training can begin at this level. Please write your prior experience in the form when registering.
7-Week Class: Thursdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 22nd - December 11th, 2026
Please note: This class may end between 9:30 - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 26 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Class Show: Wednesday, December 16th. 7:00pm. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum St).
Testimonial:
Micah has a really strong sense that I trust for what’s interesting, what is good, and what to do to get there. I thought when he gave constructive feedback to build towards those high level goals that was always really illuminating.
Bio:
Micah started improvising over a decade ago in Chicago and is a veteran of Second City, Annoyance, and iO, where he was a member of house teams Meridian and Tone. He's in the new season of That Damn Michael Che and was the creator of the long-running live show Bit Tank and the cult-hit Global Influencer SummitCon. He can be seen improvising at the BCC with What Makes You Laugh and Olestra.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
![[Oct-Dec] Improv Level 2: Free Your Mind w/ Hannah Rehak (Oct-Dec '26) (Monday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/9d4bc8a3-06cc-47cd-8036-c7299f10d604/Hannah+Rehak.webp)
Free Your Mind
This class is limited to 16 students.
Love what’s happening onstage and you’re bound to have fun and fearless improvisation.
This class will help remind you what you love about improv, slap you out of whatever may be holding you back, and cut out the naysaying voices in your head. We will look at how we sometimes bail on our choices out of a fear of making the “right or wrong choice" and to instead approach improv with a "fuck it / love it" mentality (because improv is one of the most wonderful things in the world if you don't treat it too seriously). This class encourages your artistic freedom with methods to initiate scenes with an emotional point of view, to be specific and surprising in your choices, to support your scene partner, and to confidently navigate the vocabulary and concepts of long-form improv. This class will move quickly, keep you on your feet, and challenge you with personal feedback.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Improv OR students who have taken at least one full-length course at a major comedy theater (UCB, PIT, Magnet, Squirrel, Second City, iO, Annoyance, etc.) or have similar prior training can begin at this level. Please write your prior experience in the form when registering.
7-Week Class: Mondays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 26th - December 7th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Monday, December 14th. BCC Pig Pen. 7:00pm.
Bio:
Hannah Rehak is a performer, podcast producer and filmmaker with over a decade of experience in improv and sketch comedy. Originally from Chicago, she trained at iO and The Annoyance, coached at CIC, performed regularly at Logan Square Improv, and understudied Second City's touring company and the ETC. Hannah currently works at various theaters in New York coaching and directing improv/sketch. She performs with Donna's Beef and Foster & Lawrence — and she produces a handful of shows including: Fuck It Film Festival, Mouth-to-Mouth and Smallprov. You can learn more about Hannah at hannahrehak.com, follow her on Instagram at instagram.com/hmrehak, or really get to know her vibe by checking out Spark here.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Free Your Mind
This class is limited to 16 students.
Love what’s happening onstage and you’re bound to have fun and fearless improvisation.
This class will help remind you what you love about improv, slap you out of whatever may be holding you back, and cut out the naysaying voices in your head. We will look at how we sometimes bail on our choices out of a fear of making the “right or wrong choice" and to instead approach improv with a "fuck it / love it" mentality (because improv is one of the most wonderful things in the world if you don't treat it too seriously). This class encourages your artistic freedom with methods to initiate scenes with an emotional point of view, to be specific and surprising in your choices, to support your scene partner, and to confidently navigate the vocabulary and concepts of long-form improv. This class will move quickly, keep you on your feet, and challenge you with personal feedback.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Improv OR students who have taken at least one full-length course at a major comedy theater (UCB, PIT, Magnet, Squirrel, Second City, iO, Annoyance, etc.) or have similar prior training can begin at this level. Please write your prior experience in the form when registering.
7-Week Class: Sundays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, October 25th - December 14th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 8:30 PM - 9:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 29 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Saturday, December 19th. Eris Deep Space (167 Graham Ave). 7:00pm
Bio:
Hannah Rehak is a performer, podcast producer and filmmaker with over a decade of experience in improv and sketch comedy. Originally from Chicago, she trained at iO and The Annoyance, coached at CIC, performed regularly at Logan Square Improv, and understudied Second City's touring company and the ETC. Hannah currently works at various theaters in New York coaching and directing improv/sketch. She performs with Donna's Beef and Foster & Lawrence — and she produces a handful of shows including: Fuck It Film Festival, Mouth-to-Mouth and Smallprov. You can learn more about Hannah at hannahrehak.com, follow her on Instagram at instagram.com/hmrehak, or really get to know her vibe by checking out Spark here.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Level 3
Learn to stay out of your head while managing complexity. This class dives into the dynamics that make up group scene work, layering advanced improv technique on top of fearless play.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 2 Improv
![[Oct-Dec] Improv Level 3: Advanced Scene Dynamics w/ Colin Rourke (Oct-Dec '26) (Tuesday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/68ac936c-9a60-437a-860b-988a394dfffd/Colin+%282%29.JPEG)
Advanced Scenes
This class is limited to 16 students.
This class builds on the skills in Level 2, teaching students to be versatile ensemble players who can build long-form pieces organically while keeping the show and audience's experience in mind. By layering more complicated improv techniques and awareness onto already fearless play, students will learn how to authentically ground characters so they feel believable and use curve balls to keep scenes surprising. We’ll explore the dynamics that make up three-person and group scenes and how to augment and balance multiple points of focus onstage. And we’ll learn to stay out of our heads while balancing it all.
In addition to learning advanced techniques, this class will encourage you to lean into the areas you shy away from and own what makes you unique as a performer through personal notes and individual challenges.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
Prerequisite: BCC Level 2 “Free Your Mind.”
7-Week Class: Tuesday, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 20th - December 8th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 24 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Sunday, December 13th, 7:00pm. BCC Pig Pen.
Bio:
Colin Rourke is a Brooklyn-based improviser, writer, actor. As a Chicago native, Colin has trained under and performed for The iO Theater, The Second City House Company, Logan Square Improv and CIC Theater. He's been featured in Buzzfeed and The Gag, and was selected as one of the Content Creators to watch at the 2022 NY Comedy Festival, along with his sketch team "Please Stop Crying". You can catch him improvising every Thursday at 7PM at BCC with "The Good Time", or monthly at Club Cumming as part of the duo, "The Critically Acclaimed Husbands".
Follow him on social @ballin_rourke
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Advanced Scenes
This class is limited to 16 students.
This class builds on the skills in Level 2, teaching students to be versatile ensemble players who can build long-form pieces organically while keeping the show and audience's experience in mind. By layering more complicated improv techniques and awareness onto already fearless play, students will learn how to authentically ground characters so they feel believable and use curve balls to keep scenes surprising. We’ll explore the dynamics that make up three-person and group scenes and how to augment and balance multiple points of focus onstage. And we’ll learn to stay out of our heads while balancing it all.
In addition to learning advanced techniques, this class will encourage you to lean into the areas you shy away from and own what makes you unique as a performer through personal notes and individual challenges.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
Prerequisite: BCC Level 2 “Free Your Mind.”
7-Week Class: Thursday, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 22nd - December 11th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 26 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Class Show: Wednesday, December 16th. Eris Deep Space (167 Graham Ave). 8:30pm
Teacher: Tej Khanna
Bio:
Tej Khanna is a New York based comedian. He has been performing improv for over ten years. His trio Chicken Big has been featured on America's Got Talent, SF Sketchfest, headlined Fun And Dumb Improv Festival and Oberlin College Improv Conference. He has taught improv at Oberlin College, NYU and The New School.
Testimonials:
Tej had such a unique point of view. He’s super talented and funny and talks about improv in a way I haven't heard before but that was super useful
Tej made all the exercises super approachable! I felt safe and supported in trying new things which made taking comedic risks all the more valuable:) please have more tej workshops/classes!
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Advanced Scenes
This class is limited to 16 students.
This class builds on the skills in Level 2, teaching students to be versatile ensemble players who can build long-form pieces organically while keeping the show and audience's experience in mind. By layering more complicated improv techniques and awareness onto already fearless play, students will learn how to authentically ground characters so they feel believable and use curve balls to keep scenes surprising. We’ll explore the dynamics that make up three-person and group scenes and how to augment and balance multiple points of focus onstage. And we’ll learn to stay out of our heads while balancing it all.
In addition to learning advanced techniques, this class will encourage you to lean into the areas you shy away from and own what makes you unique as a performer through personal notes and individual challenges.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
Prerequisite: BCC Level 2 “Free Your Mind.”
7-Week Class: Sundays, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, October 25th - December 14th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 29 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Sunday, December 20th. 7:00pm. Eris Deep Space (167 Graham Ave).
Teacher: Tej Khanna
Bio:
Tej Khanna is a New York based comedian. He has been performing improv for over ten years. His trio Chicken Big has been featured on America's Got Talent, SF Sketchfest, headlined Fun And Dumb Improv Festival and Oberlin College Improv Conference. He has taught improv at Oberlin College, NYU and The New School.
Testimonials:
Tej had such a unique point of view. He’s super talented and funny and talks about improv in a way I haven't heard before but that was super useful
Tej made all the exercises super approachable! I felt safe and supported in trying new things which made taking comedic risks all the more valuable:) please have more tej workshops/classes!
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Level 4
This culminating improv class will explore multiple improv forms to tease out the universally applicable skills highlighted by each form. This class ends in a 3-week run in the Eris Deep Space.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 3 Improv
![[Oct-Dec] Improv Level 4: Long Forms w/ Andy Junk (Oct-Dec '26) (Tuesday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/1643652943699-AYEIHKLI66G50PLBASRI/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-07-01%2Bat%2B7.19.31%2BPM.jpg)
Long Forms
This class is limited to 16 students.
This culminating improv class will explore multiple improv forms, focusing on a different one each week, some commonly seen (though not “the Harold,” that’s covered in an elective workshop), and some more experimental and unique. We will dive beyond basic structure, and tease out the universally applicable skills highlighted by each form. Through this exploration of different forms, we'll examine the basic structure of a show, and seek to understand how to build a unified piece, vs a collection of scenes.
This class culminates in a 3-week run at BCC.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 3 Improv
7-Week Class: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 20th - December 8th, 2026
Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 24 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Sunday, November 22nd. 7:00pm. Eris Deep Space (167 Graham Ave).
Class Show: Sunday, December 6th. 7:00pm. Eris Deep Space (167 Graham Ave).
Class Show: Friday, December 18th. 8:30pm. Eris Deep Space (167 Graham Ave).
Bio:
Andy Junk, a Chicagoland native, performed for over 10 years on house teams with Chicago’s iO Theater (formerly the Improv Olympic), and is a member of the lauded Improvised Shakespeare Company. He has a BFA in Acting from Illinois Wesleyan University, has studied at the iO Theater, and is also a graduate of the Second City Conservatory.
Before moving to New York, Andy was an instructor at the iO Theater, and has led master classes throughout the United States. As an actor, he can be seen on television in Joe Pera Talks with You, Shameless, The Patriot, Chicago PD, and is currently the spokesperson for AmericanEagle.com
Testimonials:
Andy is fully committed to helping you learn. His enthusiasm and focus during class helps you raise your own intensity and level of commitment so you come out of each class feeling like you grew as an improviser, teammate, and performer.
The level of enthusiasm and focus Andy brought was infectious. He also gave very detailed notes on scenes and could feel the effort he put in was above and beyond to help you learn.
Andy was really thoughtful in explaining all the different forms. As someone who isn't on a team, I always enjoyed class but struggled with shows, as I don't have as much practice editing and tagging in. He was really supportive in explaining everything I wasn't as familiar with, and allowed us to play around/go with the flow/not be too worried about sticking so stringently to the forms. Great at giving notes!
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Long Forms
This class is limited to 16 students.
This culminating improv class will explore multiple improv forms, focusing on a different one each week, some commonly seen (though not “the Harold,” that’s covered in an elective workshop), and some more experimental and unique. We will dive beyond basic structure, and tease out the universally applicable skills highlighted by each form. Through this exploration of different forms, we'll examine the basic structure of a show, and seek to understand how to build a unified piece, vs a collection of scenes.
This class culminates in a 3-week run at BCC.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 3 Improv
7-Week Class: Sunday, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, October 25th - December 14th, 2026
Class may end between 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 29 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Saturday, November 21st. 7:00pm. Eris Deep Space (167 Graham Ave).
Class Show: Sunday, December 6th. 7:00pm. Eris Deep Space (167 Graham Ave).
Class Show: Sunday, December 20th. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum St).
Bio:
Andy Junk, a Chicagoland native, performed for over 10 years on house teams with Chicago’s iO Theater (formerly the Improv Olympic), and is a member of the lauded Improvised Shakespeare Company. He has a BFA in Acting from Illinois Wesleyan University, has studied at the iO Theater, and is also a graduate of the Second City Conservatory.
Before moving to New York, Andy was an instructor at the iO Theater, and has led master classes throughout the United States. As an actor, he can be seen on television in Joe Pera Talks with You, Shameless, The Patriot, Chicago PD, and is currently the spokesperson for AmericanEagle.com
Testimonials:
Andy is fully committed to helping you learn. His enthusiasm and focus during class helps you raise your own intensity and level of commitment so you come out of each class feeling like you grew as an improviser, teammate, and performer.
The level of enthusiasm and focus Andy brought was infectious. He also gave very detailed notes on scenes and could feel the effort he put in was above and beyond to help you learn.
Andy was really thoughtful in explaining all the different forms. As someone who isn't on a team, I always enjoyed class but struggled with shows, as I don't have as much practice editing and tagging in. He was really supportive in explaining everything I wasn't as familiar with, and allowed us to play around/go with the flow/not be too worried about sticking so stringently to the forms. Great at giving notes!
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
advanced improv
These classes are designed for improvisers looking to further their training.
Prerequisite: Check class listings for specific prerequisites.
![[Oct-Dec] Gimme That Queer Sh!t w/ Lou Gonzalez Jr. (Oct-Dec '26) (Sunday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/11adee92-da1f-4297-a760-df75def23292/image_123650291%2B%25281%2529.jpg)
Gimme That Queer Sh!t
This class is limited to 16 students.
We will work together to focus and harness what makes you funny as an improviser as well as what makes you a badass queer. This course will develop a form based on your strengths, talents, and unique voice. This 5 week class will make you gag! It will make you laugh! It's so queer it will make you straight! Sorry about it! This class is hungry for your individuality, your comedic voice and of course that Queer Sh!t!! Did you not read the Name!
This class culminates in a class show in the Eris Deep space.
Prerequisite: Improv Level 2 at BCC or any major comedy theater
5-Week Class: Sundays, 6:00- 9:00 PM, October 25th - November 22nd, 2026.
Note: Class may end between 8:30-9:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Wednesday, December 2nd. Eris Deep Space (167 Graham Ave). 8:30pm.
Bio:
Lou Gonzalez Jr (all pronouns) is a comedian born and raised in the Bronx. They have been in some tv shows and movies (Black Bear, The Other Two, Search Party) but they mostly perform around NYC doing improv and stand-up.
Having taught and performed improv comedy for 12 years, Lou created platforms for diverse performers in New York and abroad with class experiences and shows that celebrated marginalized voices. His teaching has taken him to various comedy theaters and training centers around the globe celebrating diverse voices. They were even featured on NPR saying “Taking Classes with Lou felt like more than just taking classes” . So she’s that gurl.
Testimonials:
Lou made me (and everyone) feel SO comfortable as an improviser and just as a queer person. I leave this class with such a strong sense of confidence in who I am as a person and performer, and that’s mainly due to Lou.
I know bcc has such a foundation in queerness. One of the things we talked about in class is that it was so refreshing to have so many lgbtq classmates. my experience at bcc is that is the norm especially compared to other improv theaters. I just loved it so much ♥️♥️
This class taught me how to harness my queer identity and put more of myself into every scene I do.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
![[Sept-Oct] Marrying Game & Deal w/ Philip Markle and Akmal Tajihan (Sept-Oct '26) (Sunday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/d212eb2b-3d32-4d48-a099-aa55d20e2a8a/image0+%287%29.jpeg)
Workshop limited to 16 students.
Combine multiple philosophies to become a better improviser! Giving yourself a well-rounded improv education by taking classes at different institutions is critical in growing your talent, education, and joy. But sometimes it is difficult to figure out how to combine these philosophies together into a successful scene. That is what this class is all about!
Learn to bring the superpowers of different schools into one powerful set. We will focus on pairing the BCC’s f*ck it / love it philosophy and playing from a deal with a game-based approach to finding and playing with the unusual thing. We will cover core BCC concepts like managing surprise + believability & byways and highways with game-based methodology of “the voice of reason” and mapping beats out over a long-form show. The class will culminate in a simplified longform Harold. Learn to play fearlessly from a deal while honing the game of the scene - and keeping it all loose and fun.
Prerequisite: Completion of both UCB 201 and BCC Level 2 improv (no exceptions)
5-Week Class: Sunday, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, September 20th - October 18th, 2026
This class may end between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM depending on enrollment.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: 8:30pm. Sunday, October 18th. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum St).
Teachers: Philip Markle and Akmal Tajihan
Philip’s Bio:
Philip Markle is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Brooklyn Comedy Collective. Philip trained in improv in Chicago at The Annoyance, iO, and Second City before moving to NYC in 2013 to launch The Annoyance Theater NY, where he acted as its Director for four years before founding the BCC. He was named “Top 5 Queer Business Leaders” by Time Out NY in 2023 and a “Power Player in Arts in Culture” by AMNY in 2024. The New York Times wrote, “Philip Markle, who founded [the BCC] in 2018, has done creative work building an audience around a dizzying array of shows.” He has taught thousands of students of all ages internationally, from Bali to Berlin, for over 15 years. Performance highlights include musically improvising with Baby Wants Candy in Chicago and BLANK: The Musical Off-Broadway. As a storyteller, he has performed at The Moth and The Paper Machete - and is a writer on Medium.com with 400k+ reads. He executive produced, wrote, and acted in the digital shorts series "The Annoyance Presents" on IFC's Comedy Crib. Philip first performed his show SPARKLE HOUR to rave reviews in the 2013 NY International Fringe Festival and has regularly produced it since, including multiple runs at Joe's Pub and as part of the 2021-2023 NY Comedy Festivals. You can listen to his queer comedy songs on your favorite streaming music platform under the name “Philip Sparkle.”
Akmal’s Bio:
Akmal Tajihan is an NYC Comedian and Improv teacher. He has served as a faculty member at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater teaching for the past 2 years and has been doing improv/ comedy for over 10. You can see him perform weekly with his group Duchovny on TGIF 7pm at UCB! He also co-hosts the show WHAT THE HELL monthly at UCB. He’s probably the most midsized guy you’ll ever see.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
![[Sept-Oct] Scenes & Notes w/ James Dwyer (Sept-Oct '26) (Monday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/bd938682-4814-4b97-af8b-409c5032374c/JamesDwyerHeadshot.jpg)
Workshop limited to 16 students.
Nothing can beat the value of direct, constructive feedback on your scene work. Over these four sessions everyone will receive personal feedback on their improv to help sharpen their skills and level up their play. We will focus purely on scenes, notes, and side-coaching to figure out what's working, what isn't, and what you can do to make sure you're having more fun onstage.
Pre-req: Level 1 at BCC or any Major Comedy Theater
5-Week Class: Monday, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, September 14th - October 12th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: 8:30pm. Wednesday, October 14th. Eris Deep Space (167 Graham Ave).
Bio:
James is an improviser, actor, and comedian who has been improvising in NYC since 2008. Trained primarily at the UCB Theatre, James has performed in/produced shows like Harold Night, The Law Firm, The Great American Shit Carnival, The UCB Touring Company, ASSSSCAT and TGIF with Duchovny. You may have seen him on TV in shows like “What We Do in the Shadows,” “And Just Like That...,” or perhaps you recently saw him in a series of commercials with ALF the puppet and like many people on the internet commented "this dude looks like old MrBeast." He can very realistically cry like a newborn baby, but please don't ask him to do it.
Read more student testimonials here.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
MUSICAL IMPROV
Musical improv classes at BCC are taught at an accelerated pace compared to other schools. You will be performing a fully formed narrative musical by the end of class. We will begin each class with various rhythmic, rhyming, and listening, exercises, then delve deep into each element of narrative structure.
Drop-in
Level 1
This class will introduce improvisers to creating fully formed narrative musicals on the spot. We will begin each class with various rhythmic, rhyming, and listening, exercises, then delve deep into each element of narrative structure.
Prerequisite: completion of at least Level 1 Improv at BCC or another prominent comedy theater.
This class is limited to 16 students.
Structure (Gather Your Ingredients)
Musical improv classes at BCC are taught at an accelerated pace compared to other schools. You will be performing a fully fledged musical by the end of level 1.
You already know how to improvise, but to music? YES YOU CAN! This class will introduce improvisers with at least 1 level of experience how to create fully formed narrative musicals on the spot. We will begin each class with various rhythmic, rhyming, and listening, exercises, then delve deep into each element of narrative structure. Students will learn how to create strong protagonists, antagonists, charm scenes, and finales, while building a toolbox of musical techniques including fugues, and of course classic chorus-verse structures. Strong singing voices are not required! Just a willingness to unleash your inner diva in a joyful and supportive atmosphere.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Improv OR students who have taken at least one full-length course at a major comedy theater (UCB, PIT, Magnet, Squirrel, Second City, iO, Annoyance, etc.) or have similar prior training can begin at this level. Please write your prior experience in the form when registering.
Note: BCC’s Musical Improv 1 culminates in a full-length Improvised Musical so we require a prerequisite of a full-length Improv 1 class. Our musical improv classes move at a faster pace compared to most other theaters' programs. This is an advanced class, so we do not allow skipping to Musical Improv 2. Trust us, you will be challenged :)
7-Week Class: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 20th - December 8th, 2026
Please note: This class may end between 9:30 - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 24 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Class Show: Thursday, December 10th. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave). 8:30pm.
Accompanist: TBD
Bio:
Ali Reed is an actor, improviser, producer and educator that dreams of bringing improvised musical theater to Broadway. She has toured globally with productions like Baby Wants Candy, Shamilton, and Thrones! The Musical Parody, and performed Off-Broadway in Once Upon A Mattress and Blank! The Musical. Reed has regional credits nationwide and has played on house teams at The Upright Citizens Brigade, The Magnet Theater, and The PIT. A co-creator of Shitzprobe, she showcases Broadway stars in improvised musicals. Reed facilitates musical improv as an artist-in-residence at Carnegie Hall Ensemble Connect, Princeton University, The American High School Theatre Festival, and more. Currently, she performs in NYC with Baby Wants Candy, Shitzprobe, and Your Love Our Musical. Follow @alisreed.
Testimonials:
Ali is a phenomenal teacher. She is energetic, encouraging, and brings so much life to each class.
Ali always made us feel like she believed in us and this was very empowering. Even if she was giving a note it was given with so much love.
I really appreciate Ali’s kindness and passion. She’s so great at bringing the class together while being a natural leader. Her energy is infectious and I’d take a class with Ali again any day.
Level 2
We'll be going deep into effective scene work, strategic gifting, complex song structures, confident characters, rapping and rhyming, nailing genre, improved musicality, and polished choreography.
Prerequisite: Completion of Musical Improv 1 at BCC (no exceptions because of our specific methodology).
![[Oct-Dec] Musical Improv Level 2: Technique w/ Philip Markle (Oct-Dec '26) (Thursday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/d5201dda-53a5-4b18-851e-3f78ec2ef6f2/Screenshot+2026-09-14+at+1.32.42+PM.png)
This class is limited to 16 students.
Technique (Sharpen The Knives)
After Level 1, you will have learned all the basic tools you need to do musical improv. Level 2 will delve more deeply into technique to fine tune your skills. We'll be going deep into effective scene work, strategic gifting, complex song structures, confident characters, rapping and rhyming, nailing genre, improved musicality, and polished choreography. This class will push you to grow and prepare you for higher quality shows, all while having tons of silly fun.
This class culminates in a performance for the public.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Musical Improv (no exceptions). Our musical improv classes move at a faster pace compared to most other theaters' programs. Level 1 is an advanced class, so we do not allow skipping to Musical Improv 2.
7-Week Class: Thursdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 22nd - December 11th, 2026
Please note: This class may end between 9:30 - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 26 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Class Show: Tuesday, December 15th. 7:00pm. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave.)
Teacher: Artistic Director, Philip Markle
Accompanist: TBD
Bio:
Philip Markle is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Brooklyn Comedy Collective. Philip trained in improv in Chicago at The Annoyance, iO, and Second City before moving to NYC in 2013 to launch The Annoyance Theater NY, where he acted as its Director for four years before founding the BCC. He was named “Top 5 Queer Business Leaders” by Time Out NY in 2023 and a “Power Player in Arts in Culture” by AMNY in 2024. The New York Times wrote, “Philip Markle, who founded [the BCC] in 2018, has done creative work building an audience around a dizzying array of shows.” He has taught thousands of students of all ages internationally, from Bali to Berlin, for over 15 years. Performance highlights include musically improvising with Baby Wants Candy in Chicago and BLANK: The Musical Off-Broadway. As a storyteller, he has performed at The Moth and The Paper Machete - and is a writer on Medium.com with 400k+ reads. He executive produced, wrote, and acted in the digital shorts series "The Annoyance Presents" on IFC's Comedy Crib. Philip first performed his show SPARKLE HOUR to rave reviews in the 2013 NY International Fringe Festival and has regularly produced it since, including multiple runs at Joe's Pub and as part of the 2021-2023 NY Comedy Festivals. You can listen to his queer comedy songs on your favorite streaming music platform under the name “Philip Sparkle.”
Testimonials:
“I dropped in on a workshop taught by Philip Markle, the artistic director. Took his workshop -- the guy is visionary.”
“Philip brings the passion and energy to take you by the collar and shake the improv out of you. Players who are often timid were leaping on stage in a frenzy. All the while, we hit the marks for a good understanding of improv.”
“Phillip is an amazing teacher. He's certain of himself and the material and was able to convey that certainty in his craft so well to the class. I was worried about taking this class, how I would respond to the challenges, but his knowledge and honesty (not sugar coating critiques) were crucial in helping me grow as a performer.”
“Philip did a great job of getting to know each of our improv styles personally. He is so fun and has such a joy about improv that it feels easy to enjoy myself in class. He is insanely intelligent and talented and I always felt like I was learning a new skill. I was never not having fun, I always looked forward to class!”
“Philip knows so much about improv and was able to impart a wide variety of different ways to think and perform in a clear and digestible way.”
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Level 3
In this workshop-based class, students will take everything they’ve learned in previous levels (plus a few more advanced tools) and perform a run of shows as a Musical Improv Team!
Prerequisite: Completion of Musical Improv 2 or similar experience.
This class is limited to 16 students.
In Musical Improv 301, we’ll spend the first 5 classes continuing our skill-building including narrative moves, interview-based songs, finding humor in difficult content, improving harmonies and musicality, walk-ons, and rap battles. Throughout these classes, the students will be asked to think about and devise a pitch for a musical show, which can be a traditional form or an original one.
The next 2 classes will give students an opportunity to workshop their original idea for the public, followed by director notes and class-driven analysis to help diagnose issues, ask questions, and strengthen our collective instincts.
The class will culminate with a MainStage show, for which students will be expected to come up with a show title, theme/hook, poster, and marketing plan to prepare them for producing their own original shows going forward!
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Musical Improv Level 1 and 2. Please write your prior experience in the form when registering if applicable.
7-Week Class: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 21st - December 9th, 2026
Please note: This class may end between 9:30 - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 25 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
In-Class Show: Wednesday, December 2nd. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum St). 7:00pm
In-Class Show: Wednesday, December 9th. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum St). 7:00pm
Class Show: Friday, December 18th. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave). 7:00pm.
Accompanist: TBD
Bio:
Ali Reed is an actor, improviser, producer and educator that dreams of bringing improvised musical theater to Broadway. She has toured globally with productions like Baby Wants Candy, Shamilton, and Thrones! The Musical Parody, and performed Off-Broadway in Once Upon A Mattress and Blank! The Musical. Reed has regional credits nationwide and has played on house teams at The Upright Citizens Brigade, The Magnet Theater, and The PIT. A co-creator of Shitzprobe, she showcases Broadway stars in improvised musicals. Reed facilitates musical improv as an artist-in-residence at Carnegie Hall Ensemble Connect, Princeton University, The American High School Theatre Festival, and more. Currently, she performs in NYC with Baby Wants Candy, Shitzprobe, and Your Love Our Musical. Follow @alisreed.
Testimonials:
Ali is a phenomenal teacher. She is energetic, encouraging, and brings so much life to each class.
Ali always made us feel like she believed in us and this was very empowering. Even if she was giving a note it was given with so much love.
I really appreciate Ali’s kindness and passion. She’s so great at bringing the class together while being a natural leader. Her energy is infectious and I’d take a class with Ali again any day.
STand-up
Learn the art of stand-up comedy, find your voice, and own your confidence onstage. Taught by veteran performers whose credits include Just For Laughs, HBO, Comedy Central, Peacock, Sirius XM, Showtime and perform on stages all of NYC.
Drop-in
Workshop limited to 14 students.
Do you love standup but have a hard time sitting down and putting pen to paper? This workshop is for you! Do you have a stand up set but are having a hard time extending it? This workshop is for you! Through a series of exercises students will learn how to generate standup material through improvisation. This class is a hybrid of writing and performing-- we will jump back and forth from being up on our feet to sitting down in front of the page. Beginners welcome!
Prep: Come with jokes or come with nothing, just bring yourself and a willingness to get messy (metaphorically speaking).
Workshop: Saturday, September 26th, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Where: BCC Pig Pen, Studio A (130 Graham Ave)
Teacher: Natasha Vaynblat
Bio:
Natasha Vaynblat is an NYC based writer/performer/director with frequent flyer miles seen on The Tonight Show, A Little Late with Lilly Singh, and Comedy Central.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Full-Length Classes
Level 1
Have you always wanted to perform stand-up but don't know where to begin? In this class, we will breakdown how to get started writing a stand-up routine and finding your voice as a comedian.
Stand-Up: Finding Your Voice
Class limited to 12 students.
Have you always wanted to perform stand-up but don't know where to begin? In this class, we will breakdown how to get started writing a stand-up routine and find your voice as a comedian. Our methods will include how to mine personal stories for material, how to write one-liners and premises, and how to use improvisation to generate ideas instead of staring down a blank page. Classes will also give students the lay-of-the-land on the NY comedy scene - from welcoming weekly open mics to the best shows to see pros in action. Every class will include stage time to try out original material in front of classmates.
7-Week Class: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 21st - December 9th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 25 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Friday, December 11th. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave). 7:00pm.
Bio:
Sara Hennessey is an acclaimed Toronto comedian who now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Sara has performed at Just For Laughs Montreal multiple times, and has 3 comedy albums available: Huge Bitch, They Know Too Much & Trouble in Saradise. Sara writes and performs for television when possible, and has a whirling affinity for live comedy & making indie projects with her incredibly talented friends.
Testimonials:
Truthfully I have been doing comedy but never took a stand up class. Sara helped me hone in on my "character" and speak more strongly in her voice. Also she's just so patient and excited with everyone which is very encouraging to witness and contagious.
Sara couldn't have done a better job teaching this class! She struck a perfect balance between holding our hand in the early stages of the process while knowing when to push us and how much. She was kind and approached comedy without being pretentious or gatekeep-y.
She was an open book and I appreciate her being candid to all sorts of questions I had—what do you do when you get nervous, how to deal with hecklers, etc.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
![[Oct-Dec] Stand-Up Level 1: Finding Your Voice w/ Sara Hennessey (Oct-Dec '26) (Sunday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/2f424413-254e-4bce-bb05-dd98f7a2f6cf/sara.webp)
Stand-Up: Finding Your Voice
Class limited to 12 students.
Have you always wanted to perform stand-up but don't know where to begin? In this class, we will breakdown how to get started writing a stand-up routine and find your voice as a comedian. Our methods will include how to mine personal stories for material, how to write one-liners and premises, and how to use improvisation to generate ideas instead of staring down a blank page. Classes will also give students the lay-of-the-land on the NY comedy scene - from welcoming weekly open mics to the best shows to see pros in action. Every class will include stage time to try out original material in front of classmates.
7-Week Class: Sundays, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, October 25th - December 14th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 29 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Class Show: Sunday, December 20th. 8:30pm. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave).
Bio:
Sara Hennessey is an acclaimed Toronto comedian who now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Sara has performed at Just For Laughs Montreal multiple times, and has 3 comedy albums available: Huge Bitch, They Know Too Much & Trouble in Saradise. Sara writes and performs for television when possible, and has a whirling affinity for live comedy & making indie projects with her incredibly talented friends.
Testimonials:
Truthfully I have been doing comedy but never took a stand up class. Sara helped me hone in on my "character" and speak more strongly in her voice. Also she's just so patient and excited with everyone which is very encouraging to witness and contagious.
Sara couldn't have done a better job teaching this class! She struck a perfect balance between holding our hand in the early stages of the process while knowing when to push us and how much. She was kind and approached comedy without being pretentious or gatekeep-y.
She was an open book and I appreciate her being candid to all sorts of questions I had—what do you do when you get nervous, how to deal with hecklers, etc.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
![[Oct-Dec] Stand-Up Level 1: Finding Your Voice w/ JoAnn Schinderle (Oct-Dec '26) (Tuesday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/80869fd2-ddbd-4585-962b-6a262224fcc0/JoAnn_Schinderle_headshot.webp)
Stand-Up: Finding Your Voice
Class limited to 12 students.
Have you always wanted to perform stand-up but don't know where to begin? In this class, we will breakdown how to get started writing a stand-up routine and find your voice as a comedian. Our methods will include how to mine personal stories for material, how to write one-liners and premises, and how to use improvisation to generate ideas instead of staring down a blank page. Classes will also give students the lay-of-the-land on the NY comedy scene - from welcoming weekly open mics to the best shows to see pros in action. Every class will include stage time to try out original material in front of classmates.
7-Week Class: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 20th - December 8th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 24 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Saturday, December 12th. Eris MainStage (137 Montrose Ave). 7:00pm.
Bio:
JoAnn Schinderle is a Brooklyn-based standup, actress, and writer. Getting her start in Portland, OR she was voted PDX's Funniest Person by peers and industry, as well as an ‘Undisputable Genius of Comedy’ by local papers. A seasoned opener for touring acts including Fortune Feimster, Tom Papa, and Lena Dunham (‘14 book tour), JoAnn has also been featured nationally in festivals such as; SF Sketchfest, Bridgetown, Bumbershoot, B4UDIE, & 10,000 Laughs.
In 2019, JoAnn wrote and produced an album of period jokes titled ‘Dark Jeans', as a middle finger to the notion that 'period jokes aren’t funny'. Turns out, they are? Dark Jeans sat #1 on iTunes during the week of its release with Comedy Dynamics. From there, she's a proud featured talking head on the 2024 MSNBC documentary 'Periodical' featuring Gloria Steinem. Schinderle serves her day job duties as a live audience host for network TV, Venue Manager for UCB LA (‘22-’23) & UCB NYC (‘23-24’), and her most favorite job of writing commissioned erotica under her not-yet-famous company, ‘JoJosNosNos’.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Level 2
By focusing on each individual’s strengths, this course will focus on how to craft a clean a 10-min set, host and put together a show, and solidify your own voice.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Stand-Up or equivalent experience.
![[Oct-Dec] Stand-Up Level 2: Solidifying Your Set w/ JoAnn Schinderle (Oct-Dec '26) (Mondays)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/4a02b162-00d5-4af8-91e6-a518a6b425fa/JoAnn+Schinderle.webp)
Solidifying Your Set
This class is limited to 12 students.
Building on Level 1 "Finding Your Voice", Stand-up: Level 2 is all about solidifying your choices to develop your voice and find your niche. By focusing on each individual’s strengths, this course will focus on how to craft a clean set, host and put together a show, and develop tricks to solidify your own voice.
We will workshop material as a group and I’ll give personalized feedback every week. If you want to take your sets to a deeper level and have a better understanding of what makes you funny, take this class. Class will culminate in a performance of each student’s 10-minute sets, leading you to the beginnings of your very own stand alone show.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Stand-Up OR students who have taken at least one full-length stand-up course at a major comedy theater (UCB, PIT, Magnet, Squirrel, Second City, iO, Annoyance, etc.) or have similar prior training or performance experience can begin at this level. Please write your prior experience in the form when registering.
7-Week Class: Mondays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 26th - December 7th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Wednesday, December 9th. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave). 7:00pm
Class Show: Wednesday, December 9th. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave). 7:00pm
Bio:
JoAnn Schinderle is a Brooklyn-based standup, actress, and writer. Getting her start in Portland, OR she was voted PDX's Funniest Person by peers and industry, as well as an ‘Undisputable Genius of Comedy’ by local papers. A seasoned opener for touring acts including Fortune Feimster, Tom Papa, and Lena Dunham (‘14 book tour), JoAnn has also been featured nationally in festivals such as; SF Sketchfest, Bridgetown, Bumbershoot, B4UDIE, & 10,000 Laughs.
In 2019, JoAnn wrote and produced an album of period jokes titled ‘Dark Jeans', as a middle finger to the notion that 'period jokes aren’t funny'. Turns out, they are? Dark Jeans sat #1 on iTunes during the week of its release with Comedy Dynamics. From there, she's a proud featured talking head on the 2024 MSNBC documentary 'Periodical' featuring Gloria Steinem. Schinderle serves her day job duties as a live audience host for network TV, Venue Manager for UCB LA (‘22-’23) & UCB NYC (‘23-24’), and her most favorite job of writing commissioned erotica under her not-yet-famous company, ‘JoJosNosNos’.
Testimonials:
Jo created a supportive and fun environment in which to explore ideas that feel too intimidating to try out in other stand up contexts!
JoAnn is awesome!
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Solidifying Your Set
This class is limited to 12 students.
Building on Level 1 "Finding Your Voice", Stand-up: Level 2 is all about solidifying your choices to develop your voice and find your niche. By focusing on each individual’s strengths, this course will focus on how to craft a clean set, host and put together a show, and develop tricks to solidify your own voice.
We will workshop material as a group and I’ll give personalized feedback every week. If you want to take your sets to a deeper level and have a better understanding of what makes you funny, take this class. Class will culminate in a performance of each student’s 10-minute sets, leading you to the beginnings of your very own stand alone show.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Stand-Up OR students who have taken at least one full-length stand-up course at a major comedy theater (UCB, PIT, Magnet, Squirrel, Second City, iO, Annoyance, etc.) or have similar prior training or performance experience can begin at this level. Please write your prior experience in the form when registering.
7-Week Class: Saturday, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, October 24th - December 13th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 28 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Thursday, December 17th. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave). 7:00pm
Class Show: Thursday, December 17th. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave). 8:30pm.
Testimonials:
Shalewa taught there is more than one way to be funny. And rather than manufacture formulaic comedy clones, Shalewa nurtured our unique styles.
All my comic friends told me not to waste my time and money with a comedy class. But when I told them WHO was teaching it and they said, "Oh--Great! She's ACTUALLY funny."
She's fantastically supportive and communicated her knowledge and experience superbly. Shalewa is the best, and you can quote me on that!
So many things! Shalewa is naturally very funny! She's a very chill and accessible person as an introduction to comedy. She levels with us, provides great advice, makes strong connections. She meets us where we're at and she allows all comics to develop their own voice. She provides great instruction and guides us towards exercises that are actually helpful. I can't say enough good things! It was an awesome class!
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Sketch
Come get freaky at the BCC. Learn the art of sketch & character comedy taught by veteran teachers whose work has been featured on The Tonight Show, Late Night w/ Seth Meyers, Just For Laughs, Comedy Central and stages all over NYC.
Drop-IN
Full-Length Classes
Level 1
This class is for anyone interested in learning the process of writing sketch comedy. Through improv, finding the game of a sketch, and writing characters we will polish sketches that will culminate in a staged class show.
![[Oct-Dec] Sketch: Level 1 w/ Jared Bronen (Oct-Dec '26) (Monday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/12daa4d7-21fd-48b2-b9f7-33191e6ec52d/jared+bronen+%281%29.jpg)
The Building Blocks of Sketch
This class is limited to 12 students.
This class is for anyone interested in learning the process of writing sketch comedy. Throughout the seven-week course, we will discuss, practice, and polish scenes that will culminate in a staged show. Each week will focus on one specific part of the sketch comedy world. These include creating through improv, finding the “game” of a sketch, writing characters, and more! Why do we love certain sketches? How does one go about writing a character? How do we create something from a blank page? Questions like these will be explored in a positive, low stakes/high fun environment. There is no magic key to unlocking great sketch comedy, but this introductory class will help beginning writers find some doors and start knocking.
7-Week Class: Mondays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 26th - December 7th
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Saturday, December 12th, BCC Pig Pen Theater (144 Boerum Ave). 7:00pm
Tech Rehearsal: Saturday, December 12th. BCC Pig Pen Theater (144 Boerum Ave). 4:00pm - 6:00pm.
Teacher: Jared Bronen
Bio: Jared Bronen is a writer and filmmaker living in Brooklyn, NY. He has been writing. producing, and performing sketch since 2012. Since then, he's been a writer and performer for Maude Night at the Upright Citizens Brigade, where he directs Sketch Cram and hosts The Trash King, which has been featured in New York Comedy Festival, Chicago's ioFest, as well as Jezebel and Time Out NY. Jared previously wrote for CollegeHumor and had a recurring role as "Mike Fink" in the Jake & Amir web series. His short film "The Debut" was a finalist at the 2025 Just For Laughs festival in Montreal. He has been in two bike accidents in the last two years.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
![[Oct-Dec] Sketch: Level 1 w/ Devin Bockrath (Oct-Dec '26) (Sunday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/1679700119640-ROMJS6XYUGFAKZB0ST6B/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-18%2Bat%2B11.30.39%2BAM.jpg)
The Building Blocks of Sketch
This class is limited to 12 students.
This class is for anyone interested in learning the process of writing sketch comedy. Throughout the seven-week course, we will discuss, practice, and polish scenes that will culminate in a staged show. Each week will focus on one specific part of the sketch comedy world. These include creating through improv, finding the “game” of a sketch, writing characters, and more! Why do we love certain sketches? How does one go about writing a character? How do we create something from a blank page? Questions like these will be explored in a positive, low stakes/high fun environment. There is no magic key to unlocking great sketch comedy, but this introductory class will help beginning writers find some doors and start knocking.
7-Week Class: Sundays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, October 25th - December 13th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 8:30-9:00 PM depending on number of enrollments.
This class skips November 29 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Tech Rehearsal: 4:00 — 6:00 PM. Saturday, October 24th. Eris Deep Space (167 Graham Ave).
Class Show: Saturday, December 19th. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum St). 7:00pm
Testimonials:
“Devin did an amazing job at facilitating group bonding, breaking down technique, pointing out individual strengths and making us laugh/ creating a playful atmosphere.”
“Devin found a way to make every moment a teachable one. She was friendly and funny and so smart and it made the class a joy.”
“Hard to say one thing. I looked forward to Devin’s class every week. Extremely supportive, great at keeping our energy up, made every class a pleasure and no one wanted it to be over so soon!”
“Hard to pick one greatest quality about Devin - genuine interest, caring, insight, experience, patience, enthusiasm.”
“Devin made every class an absolute joy! Also, taking this class made me feel like I could be a part of the BCC community, and that kind of openness in an age of gatekeepers is refreshing as hell.”
“BCC is a breath of fresh air and reminds me why I fell in love with improv.”
“Devin's ability to care for and encourage all of us was really impactful. It felt like she was truly taking the time to get to know each of us as a performer and see which skills we needed to help us grow.”
“Devin is the best. She’ll make you feel like you were destined to find yourself in an improv classroom. She creates a space of belonging and camaraderie while making you feel like you can create incredibly fun, very silly organic moments on the stage.”
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Level 2
Learn how to write a sketch revue as an ensemble with a director. This is a process-driven experience, learning through the act of doing the thang by cranking out material on Day 1 and refining it over the course into a fully-realized thematic sketch show with two performances on the Mainstage.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Sketch 1 or equivalent experience.
![[Oct-Dec] Sketch: Level 2 w/ Alise Morales (Oct-Dec '26) (Wednesday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/429bf0d7-4d12-47b6-81ff-cc41fd14f139/AliseMorales.jpg)
Professional Ensemble Process
This class is limited to 12 students.
Build on the skills in Level 1 by learning how to write a sketch revue as an ensemble with a director. This is a process-driven experience, learning through the act of doing the thang by cranking out material on Day 1 and refining it over the course into a fully-realized thematic sketch show. We’ll create game and character-based comedy through improv, pitching, writing, rewriting, adding in technical/musical/digital elements, strengthening performance technique, and highlighting each performer's unique voice and role in the ensemble. This class requires being on-time, present for all classes and ready to do the homework expected for a professional show revue. The final show will debut with two performances on the MainStage at Eris.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Sketch OR students who have taken at least one full-length sketch course at a major comedy theater (UCB, PIT, Magnet, Squirrel, Second City, iO, Annoyance, etc.) or have similar prior training can begin at this level. Please write your prior experience in the form when registering.
7-Week Class: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 21st - December 9th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 25 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Tech Rehearsal: Saturday, December 12th. 4:00p - 6:00p. Eris MainStage (137 Montrose Ave).
Class Show: Saturday, December 12th. 7:00pm. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave).
Class Show: Saturday, December 19th. 7:00pm. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave).
Bio:
Alise Morales is an actress, stand-up comedian, writer, and podcaster based in NYC. She is a 2023 CBS Showcase alum and the co-host of the Go Touch Grass podcast on Sonoro. On social media, Alise has racked up millions of views on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for her original characters, which she also performs monthly as a house performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York. You may recognized her from her roles on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Our Cartoon President, and Tooning Out the News.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
CHARACTERS
Want to create a set for an SNL audition? Working on a solo show? Wanna post your character videos on TikTok and the rest? This workshop will teach you the skills needed to make your characters pop for both live performance and filmed content.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Sketch 1 or Improv 1 or equivalent experience.
5-WEEK CLASS
![[Oct-Dec] Crafting Characters w/ Nick Mestad (Oct-Dec '26) (Sunday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/9787852b-becc-4328-a216-4c1260ae093a/Screenshot+2026-09-14+at+3.27.01+PM.png)
Crafting Characters
This workshop is limited to 10 students.
Crafting Characters is the workshop for any comedian looking to hone their comedic character skills. Want to create a set for an SNL or JFL audition? Working on a solo show? Wanna post your character videos on TikTok and the rest? This workshop will teach you the skills needed to make your characters pop for both live performance and filmed content.
This class will culminate in a performance at Eris Deep Space.
Prerequisite: Completion of BCC Level 1 Sketch or Level 1 Improv. We will also accept students who have taken at least one full-length Sketch/Improv course at a major comedy theater (UCB, PIT, Magnet, Squirrel, Second City, iO, Annoyance, etc.) or have similar prior training or performance experience can begin at this level. Please write your prior experience in the form when registering.
5-Week Class: Sundays, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, October 25th - November 22nd, 2026
Note: Class may end between 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
Class Show: Sunday, November 22nd. 7:00pm. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum St).
Bio:
Nick Mestad is a New York City based writer and performer. An alumnus of iO and The Annoyance Theaters in Chicago, he can be seen all around NYC performing his highly physical style of comedy. He was a Just For Laughs New Face in 2022 and has recently appeared on The Tonight Show as well as NBC’s Chicago Fire and Seeso’s Shrink. He can next be seen on Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal and the upcoming independent feature Molli & Max In The Future opposite Zosia Mamet. His work has been featured in Vulture and Clickhole, and he has amassed millions of views online with his characters.
Testimonials:
Nick was very encouraging and created a positive, supportive environment for sharing our work. He did a great job making sure each person had time to share each class. He very clearly wanted us all to bond and helped cultivate an environment where we talked to each other like friends instead of just classmates.
Nick was an awesome teacher who provided honest feedback while being supportive and welcoming of his students’ varied comedic voices. I had a great time and met some awesome comedians!
Nick was the man and this course overall was a great way to build the foundations of sketch comedy and meet people with similar interests.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
CLOWN
Learn to perform with authenticity, play, and fearless creativity in a community of wonderful weirdos in Brooklyn, taught by NYC’s best clown instructors whose work has been featured on The Chris Gethard Show, Just For Laughs, A24 & more.
DROP-INs and workshops
![[Sep-Oct] Advanced Workshop - Clown Town: Level Up w/ Tallie Medel (Fridays)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/1713636968154-PNVG85BVOCTJBXFO09SJ/IMG_5348.JPG)
This class is limited to 12 students.
Tallie Medel wants everyone to know about clown because it’s good stuff. Now that you know about clown and you know Tallie, it’s time to go harder. Sweet Tallie goes Salty and it’s time to level up, Ciara-style. In this class, we’re holding each other to a tougher standard as we perform and devise. Ready? 5. 4. 3, 2, 1, let’s go
This class culminates in a class show for the public.
Prerequisite: Clown Level 1 at BCC.
5-Week Class: Fridays, 3:30 - 6:30 PM, Sep 25th - October 23rd
Note: Class may end between 6:00-6:30 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
Where: The BCC DogHouse, Studio #2 (137 Montrose Ave)
Class Show: Friday, October 30th. 7:00pm. BCC Pig Pen.
Teacher: Tallie Medel
Bio:
Tallie Medel (all pronouns) is a multidisciplinary performer and educator in New York City. Medel is one third of Cocoon Central Dance Team alongside Sunita Mani and Eleanore Pienta. Recent work includes the role of Becky in A24’s EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE which makes them very happy. Tallie's from Alaska and has big, juicy eyeballs. They're also a gif.
Testimonials:
Tallie is the best teacher I could ask for. Everything they did I internalized and was able to hit a higher mark in the scenes and shows following. If they have a class it is not to be missed!
I loved my clown class with Tallie! I felt encouraged to be silly, to be ridiculous, and to experiment with new things.
I learned how to be more vulnerable, more physical, more present, and how to be your most clown self on stage.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Each class is limited to 14 students.
Do you want to try out one single clown class? Have you been wondering what this joyful world is all about? Come to the drop-in class! In each class students will practice exercises from some of the greats (Lecoq, Conway, Johnstone) while working on taming their ego and bringing out their true inner clown. Come to just one class, come to all of them, do what your heart desires. This is the perfect place to get your feet wet and learn from the incomparable Hannah Mitchell.
All experience levels welcome.
Drop-in Class: Saturday, September 19th, 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM.
Where: BCC Pig Pen, Studio B (130 Graham Ave, Brooklyn)
Bio:
Hannah Mitchell is a performer, theater-maker, and educator whose process is guided by the improvisational arts, especially clown, bouffon & being a human with a body. She regularly collaborates with various ensembles to make new works, including with her clown company, WüfPak, and the experimental theater collective, CHILD. She’s performed at venues around NYC including The Public Theater, The Brick, The Collapsable Hole, Lincoln Center, LifeWorld, The New Ohio, Theater Mitu, HERE Arts, Target Margin, and The Brooklyn Comedy Collective, among others. And regionally/internationally she’s performed at The Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Bard SummerScape, Princeton Seuls en Scène, & The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Each class is limited to 14 students.
Slapstick: Physical Comedy in Clowning
We’ll explore the craft of slapstick comedy with a focus on precision, timing, and physical clarity. We’ll work on how character fuels comedy, character matching, character dissonance - The “Straight Man” and The “Fool”.
We’ll also cover tried-and-true slapstick classics like the double take, convincing trips, the invisible chair fall, chases, and well-timed collisions.
All experience levels welcome.
Drop-in Class: Saturday, September 26th, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
Where: BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum Street, Brooklyn)
Bio:
Anya Opshinsky is a German American mime, actor, director, improvisor, physical theater creator and teacher. Originally from NYC Anya moved to Paris to study physical theater at École Jacques Lecoq 8 years ago and has been creating, teaching and performing there ever since. Anya is the co-founder of Shift Shape Theater through which she creates and tours original shows the most recent of which is entitled "ROVERS: Two Mimes on the Run" which is currently touring around France. Anya has taught mime, mask-making, clown, physical theater and improv with HUGE Improv, MN, Vis à Vis Théâtre, Rise Comedy, Denver and Théâtre de Verre, Paris. She is the creator and producer of The Ultimate Set-Up that performs in Denver, Paris and NYC and works as a solo artist performing original drag, mask, burlesque and clown pieces in the Parisian cabaret circuit
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
![[Oct-Dec] Clown: Body, Mask & Gag w/ Anya Opshinsky (Oct-Dec '26) (Wednesday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/912116bc-a9c0-44f1-81cb-546337f50051/Screen+Shot+2026-04-09+at+12.45.27+PM.png)
Each class is limited to 14 students.
Clown: Body, Mask & Gag
Dive into the world of Commedia dell’Arte, exploring iconic archetypal characters and the comic timing and rhythm of the traditional lazzi (stage gags). Through working in half-masks, you'll learn how to expand your physicality and amplify your stage presence—building a foundation of big, clear movement that translates directly to modern clowning, improv, and physical theatre.
All experience levels welcome.
5-Week Course: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00PM, October 21st - November 18th, 2026
This class may end between 9:30 PM and 10:00PM depending on enrollment.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Thursday, November 19th. 7:00pm. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave).
Bio:
Anya Opshinsky is a German American mime, actor, director, improvisor, physical theater creator and teacher. Originally from NYC Anya moved to Paris to study physical theater at École Jacques Lecoq 8 years ago and has been creating, teaching and performing there ever since. Anya is the co-founder of Shift Shape Theater through which she creates and tours original shows the most recent of which is entitled "ROVERS: Two Mimes on the Run" which is currently touring around France. Anya has taught mime, mask-making, clown, physical theater and improv with HUGE Improv, MN, Vis à Vis Théâtre, Rise Comedy, Denver and Théâtre de Verre, Paris. She is the creator and producer of The Ultimate Set-Up that performs in Denver, Paris and NYC and works as a solo artist performing original drag, mask, burlesque and clown pieces in the Parisian cabaret circuit
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Full-length Classes
Level 1
Clown trains us to be fully present. Class curriculum includes exercises from Jacques Lecoq, Jean Taylor, Merry Conway, Nader Farman, Keith Johnstone and more, aiming to move us past ego and toward our shared humanity. Come on out, try on the red nose.
This class is limited to 12 students.
Level 1: Welcome to Clown Town
Clown. The great equalizer.
"It's you, of course, the clown. And that's important." -Nader Farman
Clown trains us to be fully present. Class curriculum includes exercises from Jacques Lecoq, Jean Taylor, Merry Conway, Nader Farman, Keith Johnstone and more, aiming to move us past ego and toward our shared humanity. Winter is coming. But class is joyful and warm! Come on out, try on the red nose.
Recognize the universal shared experience that is clowning.
This class culminates in a public class performance.
7-Week Class: Saturdays, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, October 24th - December 13th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 28 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Thursday, December 17th. 8:30pm. Pig Pen Theater (144 Boerum St).
Bio:
Tallie Medel (all pronouns) is a multidisciplinary performer and educator in New York City. Medel is one third of Cocoon Central Dance Team alongside Sunita Mani and Eleanore Pienta. Recent work includes the role of Becky in A24’s EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE which makes them very happy. Tallie's from Alaska and has big, juicy eyeballs. They're also a gif.
Testimonials:
I loved my clown class with Tallie! I felt encouraged to be silly, to be ridiculous, and to experiment with new things.
I learned how to be more vulnerable, more physical, more present, and how to be your most clown self on stage.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
![[Oct-Dec] Clown Level 1: Welcome to Clown Town w/ Jeff Seal (Oct-Dec '26) (Tuesday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/da29606f-2c16-482d-8da6-44cfeb3a2f6b/Screenshot+2026-09-14+at+1.05.33+PM.png)
This class is limited to 12 students.
Level 1: Welcome to Clown Town
Clown. The Great Equalizer.
"It's you, of course, the clown. And that's important." -Nader Farman
Clown trains us to be fully present. Class curriculum includes exercises from Jacques Lecoq, Jean Taylor, Merry Conway, Nader Farman, Keith Johnstone and more, aiming to move us past ego and toward our shared humanity. Winter is coming. But class is joyful and warm! Come on out, try on the red nose.
Recognize the universal shared experience that is clowning.
This class culminates in a class show at the BCC Pig Pen.
7-Week Class: Tuesday, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 20th - December 8th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 24 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Class Show: Monday, December 14th. BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum St). 8:30pm.
Teacher: Jeff Seal
Bio:
Jeff Seal is a graduate of the Clown Conservatory at the San Francisco Circus Center and studied Decroux-based corporeal mime at the Hippocampe Project in Paris. He performs regularly with his two-man clown act, Jeff and Buttons, makes comedy videos with Bankrukt Productions and is one of the founding artistic directors of Cloud City Theater and Art space. His films and documentaries have been published by The New York Times, The Discovery Channel, AJ+, gothamist.com and screened at The Tribeca Film Festival.
Testimonials:
Jeff is an incredible coach and director. I loved Jeff's pragmatic teaching style, which really lends itself to the Level 3 Clown course. I think his best strength as a teacher was meeting us where we were with whatever ideas/bits we brought in and helping us figure out what was working or not (and how it would be different performing in front of the audience than in front of the rest of the class). Jeff put us in position to learn how the skills we had picked up in the earlier levels could be applied to an act that would work in front of an audience.
Jeff is really good at helping people find the game in their bits - this class is a great next step after Chris’ level 2.
Jeff's an inspiring director with tons of funny and creative ideas. He helped us develop our ideas into much stronger and tighter bits, with many more games than we would have thought to include, while helping us think about structure so that all those games came together in a cohesive way without getting confusing or going all over the place. He also has a great mind for comedic possibility and guided us to discover entire bits from even the smallest seeds of ideas.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
![[Oct-Dec] Clown Level 1: Welcome to Clown Town w/ Hannah Mitchell (Oct-Dec '26) (Monday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/53a2646a-097a-4e50-b9c2-769116aad463/hannahheadshot.webp)
This class is limited to 12 students.
Level 1: Welcome to Clown Town
Clown. The great equalizer.
"It's you, of course, the clown. And that's important." -Nader Farman
Clown trains us to be fully present. Class curriculum includes exercises from Jacques Lecoq, Jean Taylor, Merry Conway, Nader Farman, Keith Johnstone and more, aiming to move us past ego and toward our shared humanity. Winter is coming. But class is joyful and warm! Come on out, try on the red nose.
Recognize the universal shared experience that is clowning.
This class culminates in a public class performance.
7-Week Class: Monday, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 26th - December 7th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Friday, December 11th. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave). 8:30pm
Bio:
Hannah Mitchell is a performer, theater-maker, and educator whose process is guided by the improvisational arts, especially clown, bouffon & being a human with a body. She regularly collaborates with various ensembles to make new works, including with her clown company, WüfPak, and the experimental theater collective, CHILD. She’s performed at venues around NYC including The Public Theater, The Brick, The Collapsable Hole, Lincoln Center, LifeWorld, The New Ohio, Theater Mitu, HERE Arts, Target Margin, and The Brooklyn Comedy Collective, among others. And regionally/internationally she’s performed at The Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Bard SummerScape, Princeton Seuls en Scène, & The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
This class is limited to 12 students.
Level 1: Welcome to Clown Town
Clown. The great equalizer.
"It's you, of course, the clown. And that's important." -Nader Farman
Clown trains us to be fully present. Class curriculum includes exercises from Jacques Lecoq, Jean Taylor, Merry Conway, Nader Farman, Keith Johnstone and more, aiming to move us past ego and toward our shared humanity. Winter is coming. But class is joyful and warm! Come on out, try on the red nose.
Recognize the universal shared experience that is clowning.
This class culminates in a public class performance.
7-Week Class: Thursdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 22nd - December 11th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 26 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Thursday, December 17th. 7:00pm. Pig Pen Theater (144 Boerum St).
Bio:
Hannah Mitchell is a performer, theater-maker, and educator whose process is guided by the improvisational arts, especially clown, bouffon & being a human with a body. She regularly collaborates with various ensembles to make new works, including with her clown company, WüfPak, and the experimental theater collective, CHILD. She’s performed at venues around NYC including The Public Theater, The Brick, The Collapsable Hole, Lincoln Center, LifeWorld, The New Ohio, Theater Mitu, HERE Arts, Target Margin, and The Brooklyn Comedy Collective, among others. And regionally/internationally she’s performed at The Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Bard SummerScape, Princeton Seuls en Scène, & The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Level 2
In this class, we will learn that anything can be the clown's script. We will lean into the most vulnerable parts of yourself and heighten them to a ridiculous extent. By the end, you will have the tools to begin building your own clown show.
Prerequisite: BCC Clown Level 1 or equivalent clown experience.
This class is limited to 12 students.
In this class, you will learn that anything can be the clown's script.
We will build on the skills learned in Level 1, leaning into the most vulnerable parts of yourself and heightening them to a ridiculous extent. You’ll learn that anything can be the clown’s script, lean into the most vulnerable parts of ourselves and heighten them. You’ll identify pieces of yourself and find ways to explore them that are both loving and silly. By the end, you will have the tools to begin building your own clown show.
Through your relationship to everything, you are the clown.
Prerequisite: Clown Level 1 at BCC or similar clown experience.
7-Week Class: Mondays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 26th - December 7th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Tuesday, December 8th. Eris MainStage. 7:00pm. (167 Graham Ave).
Testimonial:
“Chris helped each of us find our voices in the class and learn to create authentic relationships with the audience. Clown has made me better at performance in general including improv. I would highly recommend this class to anyone who wants to get deeper into clown technique, have more fun and fulfilling audience interactions, or wants to get ‘unstuck’ and out of their head while performing. Rock on weirdos!”
"Chris was so great at pushing us in a way to help us grow as clowns. It was wonderful to see such noticeable growth among my classmates, all in an environment that felt incredibly safe, warm, and welcoming."
"Chris is a beautiful teacher. He's knowledgeable, open, kind, generous, warm, intelligent. He creates a classroom where students are free to take emotional risks, and an ensemble forms."
Bio:
Chris Manley (he/they) is an American writer, performer and clown. He is best known for his character Buttons. He was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for his performance in "The Nosebleed," has performed with Cirque du Soleil and is honored to be listed in Le Petit Clown August Alphabetique alongside Abbott & Costello. He has performed at Lincoln Center, Ars Nova, The Montreal Just for Laughs Festival, the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, The People’s Improv Theater, the Toronto Sketch Fest and the Chicago Sketch Fest. You can see him in several national commercials and award winning films.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
This class is limited to 12 students.
In this class, you will learn that anything can be the clown's script.
We will build on the skills learned in Level 1, leaning into the most vulnerable parts of yourself and heightening them to a ridiculous extent. You’ll learn that anything can be the clown’s script, lean into the most vulnerable parts of ourselves and heighten them. You’ll identify pieces of yourself and find ways to explore them that are both loving and silly. By the end, you will have the tools to begin building your own clown show.
Through your relationship to everything, you are the clown.
Prerequisite: Clown Level 1 at BCC or similar clown experience.
7-Week Class: Thursdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, October 22nd - December 11th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 26 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Class Show: Wednesday, December 16th. MainStage (167 Graham Ave). 8:30pm.
Testimonial:
“Chris helped each of us find our voices in the class and learn to create authentic relationships with the audience. Clown has made me better at performance in general including improv. I would highly recommend this class to anyone who wants to get deeper into clown technique, have more fun and fulfilling audience interactions, or wants to get ‘unstuck’ and out of their head while performing. Rock on weirdos!”
"Chris was so great at pushing us in a way to help us grow as clowns. It was wonderful to see such noticeable growth among my classmates, all in an environment that felt incredibly safe, warm, and welcoming."
"Chris is a beautiful teacher. He's knowledgeable, open, kind, generous, warm, intelligent. He creates a classroom where students are free to take emotional risks, and an ensemble forms."
Bio:
Chris Manley (he/they) is an American writer, performer and clown. He is best known for his character Buttons. He was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for his performance in "The Nosebleed," has performed with Cirque du Soleil and is honored to be listed in Le Petit Clown August Alphabetique alongside Abbott & Costello. He has performed at Lincoln Center, Ars Nova, The Montreal Just for Laughs Festival, the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, The People’s Improv Theater, the Toronto Sketch Fest and the Chicago Sketch Fest. You can see him in several national commercials and award winning films.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Level 3
You’ve started getting laughs as a clown but now how do you do it six days a week and twice on Saturdays for an audience that’s never even heard of clowning? In this class, we’ll use the skills you’ve learned to create a fully realized thematic show, collaboratively created by the ensemble.
Prerequisite: BCC Clown Level 2 or equivalent experience.
![[Oct-Dec] Clown Level 3: Ensemble w/ Tallie Medel (Oct-Dec '26) (Sunday)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a789921cd39c389ed01baa0/b8d2c8e9-5019-4cc5-9ff0-a5904a039ef6/Screenshot+2026-09-14+at+1.58.06+PM.png)
This class is limited to 12 students.
You’ve started getting laughs as a clown but now how do you do it 6 days a week and twice on Saturdays for an audience that’s never even heard of clowning? In this class we’ll take the skills you learned in Clown 1 and 2 honing your clown persona and learn to create working acts as part of a fully realized show, collaboratively created by the ensemble.
How does your clown solve a problem? How do you work as a company? What's the world you're going to set up with lots of clowns?
You will further build your clown character by finding a costume that makes you look and feel stupid and start creating material by finding your own stupid clown logic. We’ll also explore “le jeu” and status in clown duos and trios, as well as building a thematic world that ties the whole show together. Come to class with ideas, costumes, props or anything that ignites your imagination. Students should be prepared to rehearse as they would in a professional ensemble process - with homework prepped outside of class and attending classes and the tech rehearsal on-time and present.
This class culminates in two class shows on the Eris MainStage
Prerequisite: Clown Level 2 at BCC or similar experience.
7-Week Class: Sundays, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, October 25th - December 14th, 2026
Note: Class may end between 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM depending on the number of enrollments.
This class skips November 29 for Thanksgiving.
You will receive a welcome email with your room assignment. Our classes meet at BCC Pig Pen or BCC DogHouse in East Williamsburg.
Tech Rehearsal: Sunday, December 13th. 4:00p - 6:00p. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave).
Class Show: Sunday, December 13th. 7:00pm. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave).
Class Show: Sunday, December 20th. 7:00pm. Eris MainStage (167 Graham Ave).
At least one show is mandatory, ideally both. The purpose of the class is devising and performing as an ensemble and it's complicated to restructure the show around missing students.
There will be another rehearsal between class shows, scheduled closer to the date.
Bio:
Tallie Medel (all pronouns) is a multidisciplinary performer and educator in New York City. Medel is one third of Cocoon Central Dance Team alongside Sunita Mani and Eleanore Pienta. Recent work includes the role of Becky in A24’s EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE which makes them very happy. Tallie's from Alaska and has big, juicy eyeballs. They're also a gif.
Testimonials:
I loved my clown class with Tallie! I felt encouraged to be silly, to be ridiculous, and to experiment with new things.
I learned how to be more vulnerable, more physical, more present, and how to be your most clown self on stage.
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.
Electives/Writing
Put pen to paper or try something a lil’ different. Learn the art of Pilot Writing, Writing your Feature Film, Late Night Writing for TV, Satire Writing, Film & TV Development, Podcasting & more, taught by industry pros with credits such as SNL, The Problem w/ Jon Stewart, Just For Laughs, Reductress, Girls Rewatch Podcast, McSweeney’s, The New Yorker, The Onion and more.
WORKSHOPS
FULL-lENGTH
There’s no gift like comedy.
This digital gift card can be applied toward any class or merch at the BCC (for show gift cards for tickets via Eventbrite, check out our shows gift cards).
The BCC Diversity Scholarship is dedicated to providing access for marginalized voices who are unable to afford a comedy class.
Each class is limited to 14 students.
Slapstick: Physical Comedy in Clowning
We’ll explore the craft of slapstick comedy with a focus on precision, timing, and physical clarity. We’ll work on how character fuels comedy, character matching, character dissonance - The “Straight Man” and The “Fool”.
We’ll also cover tried-and-true slapstick classics like the double take, convincing trips, the invisible chair fall, chases, and well-timed collisions.
All experience levels welcome.
Drop-in Class: Saturday, September 26th, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
Where: BCC Pig Pen (144 Boerum Street, Brooklyn)
Teacher: Anya Opshinsky
If this class is sold out, sign-up for the wait list here.