The Depot
200 South Jones AvenueInitiations and Gifting w. Rich Talarico
(in-person, Improv)
Students will learn how to initiate organic scenes, emphasizing discovery over intention. Giving and using gifts allow players to focus on relationships over situations and to dig deeper into character games. Explore relationships and build characters by exploring endowments from our scene partners. In this one-day class you’ll engage in exercises that foster strong, organic starts. Have you ever come off stage and said, “Great scene, who were we?” or “Great scene where were we?” Learn to use object work to discover WHO AND WHERE organically, then use gifting to heighten character and story.
STUDENT GUIDES
15-20 Participating Students
Unlimited Paid Auditors
PG-13 Conduct and Content
No Recording - Group pic at end OK
Rich is a Peabody® Award-winning writer/producer with four Emmy® and four WGA Award nominations, best known for his work on Key & Peele. Rich was responsible for K&P fave Substitute Teacher, (“…Ay-ay-Ron?”) which in 2024 was added to The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum Of American History. Rich wrote dozens of K&P faves: Racist Zombies, Karim and Jahar, Hatz, Teaching Center, Obama Greets, Black Ice, and co-wrote many more.
Other credits include: MADtv, The Tonight Show w. Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, and the critically-acclaimed, Review. An alum of Chicago’s The Second City and Improv Olympic, Rich also provided punch-up work on Mean Girls and Get Out. As an improviser, Rich teaches, coaches and performs with long-form group Dasariski, Rich played in the early casts of Chicago’s The Armando Diaz Show and co-created the shows, Close Quarters, Strap Heads and Trio.
As an actor, Rich appeared on screen on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, MADtv, the feature film High Fidelity, and in A&W Root Beer’s classic TV ad, “Mr. Dumass.” Talarico’s extensive experience in the comedy industry has made him a sought-after teacher, writer and consultant. Rich is currently teaching and performing stand-up comedy around the US.
“Rich Talarico is one of the all time great Caucasian Improvisers.”
— Tina Fey
“As a teacher, Rich Talarico brings Lakers legendary coach Phil Jackson to mind. A cerebral educator who brings out the best in people.”
— Keith “Lucky” Lehrer original drummer of “Circle Jerks”
“Rich is an absolute virtuoso in his understanding of his approach and how to deliver it in a classroom setting. A rare combination of both mastery in practice and in lesson delivery.”
— Eric Pederson, Student - Improv Cincinnati
Tue, Mar 25, 2025 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
The Depot
200 South Jones Avenue
The Depot, located in the historic Santa Fe Train Depot, is an arts organization and event venue. It produces the Summer Breeze Concert Series, The Depot Gallery, Depot Concerts, Depot TV, and serves as the venue for community gatherings, workshops, and events. The facility is available to the public as a rental venue for weddings, gatherings, and other activities by contacting us at office@normandepot.org.
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