Doors at 7:00 PM || Writing at 7:30 PM || FREE Creative Experience
Please bring: Your sense of humor, something to write on, and something to write with!

Participants get a complimentary beverage or a drink coupon for a future Sherbino program, because comedy should be loose, not thirsty!

Looking to stretch your creative muscles? Just want some free funny on a Wednesday night? You’re in luck! The Sherbino is launching a brand-new program: Sherbino Writers Room: Sketch Comedy!

Led by long-time Sherbino Night Live writer and local comedic comrade Lexi Trachy, this drop-in writing group welcomes anyone interested in writing (or just laughing through) sketch comedy. Whether you’re a seasoned joke-slinger or just sketch-curious, no experience is necessary; everyone is welcome!

Meetings will take place at least twice a month on Wednesdays, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

What to expect from a Writers Room session:

• Table reads of group work  
• Group idea sharing and editing
• Brainstorming games and inspiration exercises
• Collaborative idea-sharing
• Laughs (hopefully)
• Let’s get writing. Let’s get weird. Let’s get funny again.

Group Agreements

• Start promptly at 7:30 PM, end by 9:00 PM
• Meetings will include:
  • Quick intros
  • if people want it, some degree of light instruction or creative warm-ups
  • Group brainstorming or writing

Sketch Writing 101: What Is a Sketch?

Two common types:

• Premise-based: Built around a funny idea or “what if” (e.g., tourists asking bizarre questions)
• Character-based: Built around a strong personality pr character in a simple setting (e.g., “I live in a van down by the river!”)

• Basic Structure:
  • Set-Up → Twist → Escalation → Button (punchline/ending)
• Classic Examples:
  • SNL, In Living Color, Portlandia, Carol Burnett Show, etc

 Reminder: We’re here to play, not polish.
No pressure to be perfect—just bring your sense of humor and willingness to explore.

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Creative Challenges: For THE JUNE 25 SESSION

 Challenge 1: “If This Town Were a Sitcom…”

Bring ideas based on this prompt:

• Recurring character: e.g., a hyper-local influencer, a conspiracy theorist, a historic reenactor with zero historical accuracy
• Go-to location: e.g., the post office, Ridgway Yoga-Goat Brewery, downtown traffic jam, Farmers Market
• Cold open sketch: A short, standalone moment that introduces the tone and absurdity of the show

We may break into groups and build out these ideas next time.

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 Challenge 2: Build a Sketch Beat Sheet

Pick one idea—any topic you love—and sketch it out using this simple format:

• Premise – What’s the core funny idea?
• Game – What pattern or absurdity repeats?
• Escalation – How does it get more ridiculous?
• Button – What’s the closing punch or twist?

Doesn’t need to be polished. A bullet-point outline is great!