UPCOMING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
The Siren Theater is committed to offering classes in all things comedy taught by performing professionals!
Classes will take place in person at The Siren Theater
3913 N. Mississippi Ave
Classes are for those 18+
Classes will take place in person at The Siren Theater
3913 N. Mississippi Ave
Classes are for those 18+
STAND UP COMEDY
WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
WITH
ARLO WEIERHAUSER
MAY 18 - JUNE 22
(NO CLASSES MAY 25)
Arlo Weierhauser is a stand up comedy wunderkind who has graced the stage of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Epix's Unprotected Sects. You've seen them performing their signature brand of stand up on every stage in Portland as well as in the Disney movie Timmy Failure and at The Bridgetown Comedy Festival, High Plains Comedy Festival, Treefort Fest, Big Sky Comedy Fest and Montreal's Just for Laughs Comedy Fest. They were named Portland's Funniest Person in 2017!
Arlo has been teaching classes in stand up comedy at The Siren Theater since 2023, and loves seeing students build confidence on stage and off!
Arlo has been teaching classes in stand up comedy at The Siren Theater since 2023, and loves seeing students build confidence on stage and off!
5 WEEKS
SUNDAYS
MAY 18 - JUNE 22
(no class May 25)
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
No experience necessary! This 5 week course will cover:
1) The basics of stand up comedy as a whole
2) The joke writing process, broken down to three major writing principles
3) Performance mechanics and practice every week
4) Notes and feedback from Arlo!
You'll perform/present something every week and will be assigned homework with practice, culminating in a student showcase at The Siren Theater (Date TBA)
REGISTRATION LINK ABOVE
SUNDAYS
MAY 18 - JUNE 22
(no class May 25)
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
No experience necessary! This 5 week course will cover:
1) The basics of stand up comedy as a whole
2) The joke writing process, broken down to three major writing principles
3) Performance mechanics and practice every week
4) Notes and feedback from Arlo!
You'll perform/present something every week and will be assigned homework with practice, culminating in a student showcase at The Siren Theater (Date TBA)
REGISTRATION LINK ABOVE
SUNDAY
MAY 18
2:00 - 5:00 PM
For students who have completed Level 1 workshops with Arlo or anywhere else, or students with some performing experience.
Continue to build a tight 5-7 minute set that you will feel confident performing!
Students of this workshop are encouraged to perform in the student showcase on Thursday April 24 at The Siren Theater
REGISTRATION LINK ABOVE
SUNDAY
JUNE 1
2:00 - 5:00 PM
This class builds on the basics taught in Level 1 and/or also the basics learned from doing open mics and beginner level showcases.
Work on expanding our writing methods to include alternative methods of stand up comedy writing in order to further hone your comedy voice on stage, focusing on
- Physical bit/act outs/Non verbal punchlines
- Storytelling
- Short form
- Crowd work
- Hosting shows
Students of this workshop are encouraged to perform in the student showcase on at The Siren Theater (DATE TBA)
REGISTRATION LINK ABOVE
JUNE 1
2:00 - 5:00 PM
This class builds on the basics taught in Level 1 and/or also the basics learned from doing open mics and beginner level showcases.
Work on expanding our writing methods to include alternative methods of stand up comedy writing in order to further hone your comedy voice on stage, focusing on
- Physical bit/act outs/Non verbal punchlines
- Storytelling
- Short form
- Crowd work
- Hosting shows
Students of this workshop are encouraged to perform in the student showcase on at The Siren Theater (DATE TBA)
REGISTRATION LINK ABOVE
SUNDAY
JUNE 8
2:00 - 5:00 PM
This workshop focuses on a more advanced level of the writing process for stand up:
-Exploration of processes- writing on stage and off stage
-Digging in to find your point of view
-Joke dissection & editing
-Getting more out of a 'bit'
-Methods for getting un-stuck
Students of this workshop are encouraged to perform in the student showcase on at The Siren Theater (DATE TBA)
REGISTRATION LINK ABOVE
SUNDAY
JUNE 15
2:00 - 5:00 PM
This workshop is to get some reps in and work on your stage presence. You'll be performing short sets with a focus on developing on-stage skills. Bring 5-7 minutes of previously written material. Topics covered include:
-Stage presence
-Voice, Delivery & physicality
-Riffing, crowd work, hecklers
Students of this workshop are encouraged to perform in the student showcase on at The Siren Theater (DATE TBA)
REGISTRATION LINK ABOVE
SUNDAY
JUNE 22
2:00 - 5:00 PM
This workshop aims to provide structure and a productive environment to develop your writing and stand up material. You'll be challenge to create new content and polish up existing bits with writing exercises and performing on stage. Themes explored include:
1. Originality through personal experiences and POV
2. Strengthening POV through exploration
3. Increasing impact by punching up existing material
4. Approaching subjects in new and exciting ways
Students of this workshop are encouraged to perform in the student showcase on at The Siren Theater (DATE TBA)
REGISTRATION LINK ABOVE
PAST CLASSES AT THE SIREN THEATER
SKETCH COMEDY INTENSIVES WITH
THE ACES
WINTER 2025
BEGINNING IMPROV COMEDY WITH
NICHOLAS KESSLER
SPRING, 2023
Whether your goal is to perform or not, these classes teach you valuable skills that apply to every area of life, like
Listening
Accepting
Building
Getting out of your head
Triggering creativity
Reducing self judgment
Learn the basic skills of improv comedy and scene work in a fun and supportive environment, from a skilled an experienced instructor!
Listening
Accepting
Building
Getting out of your head
Triggering creativity
Reducing self judgment
Learn the basic skills of improv comedy and scene work in a fun and supportive environment, from a skilled an experienced instructor!
SUMMER 2022
IMPROV FOR SKETCH COMEDY WRITING
WITH SKETCH COMEDY DUO BRUNCH!
Kerri Donaldson and Allie Entwistle are Brunch: an award-winning comedy duo from Vancouver, BC. Brought to you by two women raised on Mary Kate & Ashley movies and Celine Dion’s greatest hits, Brunch promises to tell you that you’re not the Miranda of your friend group. Allie and Kerri are both on faculty at Blind Tiger Comedy and perform monthly at Little Mountain Gallery. They have performed at the All Jane Comedy Festival, Montreal SketchFest, the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs NorthWest & Edmonton’s Improvaganza, to name a few. Simply need to hear their voices? Check out their podcast, When Kerri Met Allie where they grapple with their love/hate, hate/love relationships with Rom Coms
SUMMER 2016-2020
THE SWEATHOGS
SUMMER SKETCH COMEDY INTENSIVE
with SHELLEY MCLENDON
Once a year for 5 years, Siren Theater owner and artistic director, Shelley McLendon, facilitated a sketch comedy writing and performance intensive at The Siren called THE SWEATHOGS. Students were required to apply and be accepted into the program- committing to work their ass off of 8 weeks of writing, rewriting, and rehearsing culminating in a fully produced show at The Siren Theater (except for 2020 when a live show was not possible- the students filmed and edited all of their sketches!)
Check out the gorgeous alumni...
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FALL 2019
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FEBRUARY 2018
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The Siren Theater was THRILLED to host its second month-long improv teaching residency with this amazing improviser.
An Amsterdam-based teacher and performer in the fields of improvisation, theatre, dance and communication skills, part of 5 Dutch improvisation groups performing theatresports, longform, and impro for children. An experienced improv performer and founding member of the Ohana project. She has been teaching for 14 years, including 9 years in her own theatre school, with a background in theatre, dance and Business Administration. Laura taught 3 weekly classes offered throughout February, 2018 and one weekend, two-day intensive, which culminated in a show at The Siren Theater. |
IMPROV WORKSHOPS WITH JAIME MOYERMs. Moyer has gifted The Siren Theater twice with improv workshops in winter 2015 & 2017. Ms. Moyer has been seen on Modern Family, Parks & Rec, 2 Broke Girls and performs weekly at IO West and Second City Hollywood. She is an alum of Second City Detroit. Locally, Ms. Moyer performed in Portland Center Stage's Twist Your Dickens.
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IMPROV WORKSHOPS WITH TORONTO'S BLOODY MARYS, SUMMER 2017
The Bloody Marys' Leigh and Kirsten wowed Portland with their appearance at The Stumptown Improv Fest, so we were THRILLED when they agreed to teach two workshops on STAYING WEIRD and SO MANY CHARACTERS! Both workshops sold out so we hope they will return soon!
JANUARY 2017- IMPROV TEACHING RESIDENCY WITH RACHEL ROSENTHAL
Rachel taught classes in improv comedy for an entire month. Rachel is known for being in New York based the hip hop improv troupe North Coast.
Rachel taught classes in improv comedy for an entire month. Rachel is known for being in New York based the hip hop improv troupe North Coast.