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Our philosophy at the American Comedy Institute is that the best comedy training does three things. One, it helps you find your own comic voice – what is original and different and wonderful about your sense of humor. Two, it teaches you how to communicate your unique comedy skillfully, fearlessly and entertainingly to the largest possible audience. And three, it instills love and respect for comedy and its capacity to help us survive by showing us that we can face the truth – and laugh!

It is our belief that by offering our students training, performing opportunities, and information, and by introducing their work to the entertainment industry, we are significantly enhancing their capability to pursue comedy as a career.

– Stephen Rosenfield, Director
"Stephen Rosenfield is the best-known comedy teacher in the country."
–

"Best, most acclaimed top of the line-stand-up comedy workshop
anywhere. "

– , America's Talking

"Stephen Rosenfield is the best stand-up comedy teacher in North America."

– Marc Breslin, owner and booker of the largest chain of comedy clubs in the world –

About the American Comedy Institute

“At the American Comedy Institute, we offer people training to pursue comedy professionally or simply as something they love and want to learn to do well.

– American Comedy Institute Director, Stephen Rosenfield

Our comedy school offers three programs:

Stand-Up Comedy Classes

Offered 9 times a year, the Stand-Up Comedy Classes are designed to develop your own strong comedy material, and confident skillful delivery. It is offered to both beginners and advanced students. The Stand-Up Comedy Classes will help you:

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 Create funny new material
•
 Punch up your current material
•
 Learn how to get more laughs from your comedy idea
•
 Learn how to turn your funny stories into stand-up comedy material
•
 Get more laughs by performing characters and acting out scenes
•
 Crystallize your comic persona
•
 Learn advanced comedy writing techniques
•
 Increase your understanding of how to get agents, managers, and bookings

With intensive training in classes and private writing sessions conducted by award winning comedy director, Stephen Rosenfield, you will create your own stand-up comedy set and perform at New York's premier comedy club, Gotham Comedy Club.

The One Year Program in Comedy Performing and Writing. 

This program is the only comedy school of its kind in the United States, encompassing comedy performing and comedy writing in all its venues, from live performances to performing and writing for TV and film. The program starts in September. The One Year Program in Comedy Performing and Writing, is for people who know they want careers in comedy.

Making a career of comedy comes down to two things: Get Good and Get Seen. We provide our students with opportunities to do both. They perform at major comedy clubs such as Gotham Comedy Club and the Broadway Comedy Club. The One Year Program culminates in a showcase at Gotham Comedy Club attended by talent agents, managers and casting directors.

The One Year Program in Comedy Performing and Writing encompasses classes in:

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 Stand-Up Comedy
•
 Comedy Writing
•
 Improvisation
•
 Sketch Comedy
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 On Camera TV and Film Audition Technique
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 Commercial Audition Technique
•
 Acting
•
 Late Night Talk Show Writing and Performing
•
 Industry Presentation
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS:

"If you could only have one relationship in stand-up comedy, make it ACI. Over the last 22 years ACI has established itself as the National Center for stand-up performance. Headliners find their voice at ACI and return year after year to brush up their technique. Just about every comic you've ever heard of has passed through ACI."

"People often ask me if I believe in 'Comedy Schools'. I don't. Unless it's Stephen Rosenfield's Stand-Up Comedy Workshop..."

"He's not a wannabe comic who's just teaching while waiting for his big break. Steve Rosenfield is simply a teacher, professor, a Master of the art of comedy and that is why he's the best. Plus I never have to worry about him stealing my jokes!"

- Sunda Croonquist

Sunda has appeared on Comedy Central, HBO, CBS, VH-1, Lifetime, was featured in the movie "Sex and Bullets" with Judd Nelson.

"As a corporate speaker I was motivated to take The American Comedy Institute's year long program. Stephen Rosenfield and his staff are those rare diamonds that have taken me to the next level. My bookings have increased and my ability to write and deliver humorous material is the edge I was looking for...it has definitely set me apart from my colleagues."

- Brad Szollose

The One Year Program in Comedy Performing and Writing culminates in an Industry Showcase at Gotham Comedy Club, where students perform their stand-up comedy. Casting directors from CBS, ABC, NBC, HBO, MTV, Paramount, and Nickelodeon, along with leading agents, managers, and bookers have seen the work of The One Year Program's graduating students.

Stephen Rosenfield's students have made development deals with CBS, ABC, FOX, HBO, Paramount, the Henson Co. and Tribune Entertainment to star in their own sitcoms. He has produced, written and directed comedy shows at Gotham Comedy Club, Caroline's on Broadway, Stand-Up New York, The Comic Strip, The Broadway Comedy Club, The Duplex, Don ?t Tell Mama and The New York International Fringe Festival.

Private Comedy Coaching

•
 Feel stuck and want to get your comedy juices flowing again?
•
 Want to brainstorm new ideas and write new comedy material?
•
 Need to punch-up and tighten existing comedy material?
•
 Want Steve's input on a video of your stand-up comedy performance?
•
 Want to be totally prepared for an audition or upcoming performance?

Then do what comedians across the country and around the world do when they need to do their best – book a private comedy coaching session with American Comedy Institute's Director, Stephen Rosenfield.

His experience as an award-winning director, writer and coach will be focused on bringing your comedy up to a new level of excellence.

Stand-Up Comedy Classes:

DECEMBER FIVE-DAY INTENSIVE COMEDY CLASS

Begins Tuesday, December 10th with performances at Gotham Comedy Club on Saturday, December 14th and Sunday, December 15th. For exact dates of classes please click on our calendar.

•
 Turn your funny ideas and stories into stand-up comedy material
•
 Work one-on-one and in classes with award winning comedy director and writer, Stephen Rosenfield
•
 Advance your abilities as a performer and writer
•
 Showcase your talent at Gotham Comedy Club, NY's premier comedy club

We accept checks, VISA and MasterCard.
Email or call (212) 279-6980 to Register.

Get more info about ACI's Stand-Up Workshop here.

JANUARY THREE-WEEK STAND-UP COMEDY CLASS

Begins the week of January 20th with performances at Gotham Comedy Club the weekend of February 8th. For exact dates of classes please click on our calendar.

•
 Turn your funny ideas and stories into stand-up comedy material
•
 Work one-on-one and in classes with award winning comedy director and writer, Stephen Rosenfield
•
 Advance your abilities as a performer and writer
•
 Showcase your talent at Gotham Comedy Club, NY's premier comedy club

We accept checks, VISA and MasterCard.
Email or call (212) 279-6980 to Register.

Get more info about ACI's Stand-Up Workshop here.

JANUARY FIVE-DAY INTENSIVE STAND-UP COMEDY CLASS

Begins on Tuesday, February 4th and concludes with performances at Gotham Comedy Club the weekend of February 8th. For exact dates of classes please click on our calendar.

•
 Turn your funny ideas and stories into stand-up comedy material
•
 Work one-on-one and in classes with award winning comedy director and writer, Stephen Rosenfield
•
 Advance your abilities as a performer and writer
•
 Showcase your talent at Gotham Comedy Club, NY's premier comedy club

We accept checks, VISA and MasterCard.
Email or call (212) 279-6980 to Register.

Get more info about ACI's Stand-Up Workshop here.

THE ONE YEAR PROGRAM IN COMEDY PERFORMING & WRITING

•
 Learn Stand-Up Comedy, Sketch-Comedy, Sitcom and Commercial audition technique, Acting, Improv and Sitcom Writing
•
 Develop your writing and performing skills
•
 Showcase your talent for casting directors, agents and managers at Gotham Comedy Club

Email or call (212) 279-6980 to Register.

Get more info about ACI's One Year Program here.