Teachers

Writing for Late Night / Variety - Level 1 (ONLINE)

Coming in June!

Joel Boyd is an Emmy-nominated writer, actor, producer, and director, praised by audiences for his visceral wit and authentic storytelling. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Joel first gained prominence as a Just For Laughs New Face of Comedy in Montreal in 2018, and has since established himself as a versatile talent both on screen and behind the scenes.

As a writer, producer, and script consultant, Joel has contributed to notable shows including DROP THE MIC (TBS), HISTORY OF SWEAR WORDS (Netflix), EARTH TO NED (Disney+), NAILED IT! THE BIG NAILED IT BAKING CHALLENGE (Netflix), and ARSENIO! LIVE FROM NETFLIX IS A JOKE FEST (Netflix). His recent role as a producer on LeBron James' documentary special, RECIPE FOR CHANGE: CELEBRATING BLACK MEN (The SpringHill Co.), earned him a 2024 Daytime Emmy nomination. Joel has also penned comedic material for stars like Halle Berry, Marlon Wayans, Nicolas Cage, and Nicole Byer.

Joel is notably recognized as the co-creator, star, and co-director of the award-winning dark comedy web series SAD-ASS BLACK FOLK, and for his role in THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK, the Sopranos prequel film.

Comedy Buffet

Next Class: TBD

Ana-Marija Stojic is a queer comedian, writer, and performer. She was born in war-torn former Yugoslavia and raised in Toronto.

In 2023, she won second place in the Shore Scripts TV Pilot ½ Hour Competition with her original pilot. In 2022, she released her debut stand-up comedy album titled "In My Head" with Comedy Records. Her dark comedic pilot, "Stefan" was also a finalist in the 2022 Yes And, Laughter Lab competition.

In 2021, she performed at the prestigious Just For Laughs Originals taping at Dynasty Typewriter. In 2019, she developed a completely improvised, multi-cam, live-switched sitcom called APT 205, which was selected as a pitch finalist at Stareable Fest in NYC 2019.

Ana-Marija was also a recipient of Netflix's 2018 Diversity of Voices fellowship at the Banff World Media Festival, where she was one of only 20 applicants selected for their industry pitch program.

Mastering The Self Tape 1-Day Workshop

Next Workshop 4/27, 3-5pm

Brick Jackson is a comedic actor and writer who has appeared in dozens of TV shows and commercials including the award-winning series GREY'S ANATOMY (ABC), FROM SCRATCH (NETFLIX), HOME ECONOMICS (ABC), BARRY (HBO), and NCIS (CBS) as well as films GOOSEBUMPS 2: SLAPPY'S REVENGE and WE HAVE A GHOST (NETFLIX). In addition, Brick regularly performs live comedy as a host, sketch performer/writer, stand-up comedian, and improviser throughout Los Angeles. He is the producer and creator of THE COOKOUT and AFFIRMATIVE REACTION COMEDY, 2 monthly shows showcased through The H.I.T. comedy, an inclusive theater company in which he also serves as co-founder and Artistic Director.

Improv Levels 1 & 2

Classes begin 4/27 and 5/1

Denny Siegel is a professional improviser and teacher whose TV credits include Whose Line Is It Anyway?, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

She has appeared at venues throughout the country including Chicago City Limits in NYC, The Improv in LA and the Montreal Comedy Festival, where she won MVP.

An empathetic improv teacher, Denny provides in-depth coaching in a safe space, with an emphasis on emotional authenticity. Students have called her “caring,” “generous,” and a “fabulous teacher” who “zeroes in on specific areas of improvement while being supportive,” adding that “if you have a fear of improv, Denny will fix it for you.” Her focus on creating a supportive environment enables students to take chances, grow creatively and have fun.

Her writing credits include corporate event scripts, TV game and sketch shows, ghost joke-writing for celebrity appearances and copywriting. Currently, she is writing an animated kids' series and rhyming storybooks. As a script consultant, she provides razor-sharp insights and expert joke punch-ups. She also has an extensive background as a corporate show performer and host.

Improv Level 3

Next Class: TBD

Born in Manila, Philippines, Bryan Philip Cruz moved to the United States at the age of five, growing up in Houston, TX, where he balanced his Philippine heritage with American culture. An academically driven student with a love for performance, he discovered improvisational theater early on and never let go.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin, Bryan pursued a career as an ER nurse while continuing to perform improv. His dual passions for medicine and comedy shaped his unique perspective, blending high-stakes intensity with quick-thinking humor.

Bryan eventually relocated to Los Angeles with his wife, furthering his improv training at Second City, Groundlings, and UCB, all while launching his own improv school in Long Beach. During the pandemic, he worked for Westbrook Inc. before transitioning into comedic writing, focusing on both comedy and medical dramas. Currently, he serves as co-artistic director of the Pack Theater, a regular performer and is a medical script consultant.

The Murderer’s Guide to Stand-Up Comedy

Classes begin 4/28

Improv Level 5

Next Class: TBD

Micaela Pettigrew has over 16 years of experience in improv/sketch comedy. Starting in Sacramento, she was on several main-stage shows. She started an all-female team, Lady Business in 2010, that is still a main stage show today, highlighting the best and funniest women to sold-out crowds every month.

After moving to Los Angeles, she was on a Mess Hall & Harold team at UCB and is currently on the house improv team Faux Paw and sketch team Darling at The Pack theater. She has experience teaching and coaching as well as producing new shows. She is excited to help improvisers create shows or improve their comedy skills!

Sketch Comedy Director’s Workshop

Next Workshop: TBD

Lesley Tsina directs sketch teams for The Pack Theater and BoogieManja LA and also directs the monthly show Sketch Cram at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade. She teaches sketch writing at UCB and is an alum of both Harold and Maude nights. She has also performed with BIPOC sketch groups Color Collective and The Golden Hour. She’s performed at SF Sketchfest, The Comedy Central Stage, the Vancouver and Minnesota Fringe festivals, and Dallas Solo Fest.

She wrote and performed in the CBS Diversity Showcase and wrote freelance for the long-running sketch TV show Studio C. She studied theater at Swarthmore College, interned in Literary Management at Actors Theatre of Louisville and in Directing with the San Francisco Mime Troupe.

As an actor, Lesley can be seen on Community, Black-ish, Conan and many commercials. She’s written for Warner Bros Animation on “Thundercats Roar” and “Yabba Dabba Dinosaurs” and for Outfit 7 on “Talking Tom and Friends.” She is the author of “Restart Me Up: The Unofficial Un-Accurate Oral History of Windows 95.”