Ridgefield Playhouse to Host Comedy & Screenwriting Workshops in February

Want to learn how to polish your comedy routine or write a saleable screenplay? Comedian Christine O'Leary is back with her wildly popular 8-week Comedy Writing Workshop at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Mondays from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. beginning February 2 thru March 23. Katie Torpey's Screenwriting workshop is back on Thursdays starting February 19 thru April 9, from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. This workshop is sponsored by HamletHub.

With a good idea for a comedy routine, the inner comedic talents that are dying to be discovered can be honed with a little help from a pro. Award-winning comedienne Christine O'Leary will share her secrets for how to make people laugh. This workshop is focused on crafting, economizing and performing a 5-minute stand-up set. Learning how to write comedy offers students stress-relief and inspiration. They will have the opportunity to deliver their original routines on the Playhouse stage at the Comedy Graduation Showcase on Sunday, March 29, at 11 a.m. before a live audience!

With a good idea for a movie, Katie Torpey's Screenwriting Workshop on Thursdays, starting February 19 thru April 9 from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., may be just the catalyst needed to send an original screenplay to Hollywood. Katie Torpey is an award-winning WGA screenwriter/filmmaker who has worked for numerous networks and studios and sold several screenplays including the 2005 romantic comedy The Perfect Man (starring Hilary Duff, Heather Locklear and Chris Noth). Students will learn the basics of screenwriting and storytelling including structure, formatting, theme, plot, characterization, dialogue, conflict and genre. Katie Torpey wrote and directed the independent film Truth About Kerry (starring Stana Katic of ABC's "Castle").

To sign up ($300 tuition), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or go online to ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Bruce Becker Scholarship fund has been established to subsidize classes that foster participation in the performing arts. To apply for a scholarship, email allison@ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT, ridgefieldplayhouse.org.