Teaching Pittsburgh Comedy for over 10 years!
Have fun learning the art of comedy!
Since 2013, Arcade Comedy Theater’s Academy has been helping folks find their comedic voice, gain confidence, connect with others, and have a lot of fun. Comedy brings people together — and we’ve welcomed hundreds of budding performers and comedians into our doors over the years.
Whether it’s improv, sketch, or stand-up, the Arcade Academy can teach you the art of comedy regardless of your experience. If you’re new to our training program, then start at the 100 level of improv classes and learn our philosophy from the ground up! Or if writing is more your style, we offer sketch comedy and stand-up classes too. Our classes are welcoming, accessible, and packed full of insights from some of the most experienced teachers in the city.
Get ready to have fun, meet people, and open yourself up to Pittsburgh’s growing comedy scene!
If you’re looking for more info about how all of this works, check out our Academy FAQ page.
Arcade Academy: Session 4 Practice Mode 2026
943 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15222
Register for individual nights or get the Level 1 Practice Mode 4-Pack and save 25% on all four!
Level 1 Practice Mode is an official Arcade Academy long form improv practice group. This weekly two-hour practice is an opportunity for new or returning students to play with fellow participants in a fun, low-stakes environment. Participants will review the games and principles found in our IMPROV 101: Foundations class; we recommend having previously taken that class or having equivalent training or experience before registering for Level 1 Practice Mode. Sign up for as many of the four nights as you like, or get the Level 1 Practice Mode 4-Pack and bundle all four weeks for a discount! Practice groups are a great opportunity to work with a new coach and play with new community members, and this Level 1 group is perfect for any improviser looking to get back to basics.
Register for individual nights or get the Level 3 Practice Mode 4-Pack and save 25% on all four!
Level 3 Practice Mode is an official Arcade Academy long form improv practice group. This two-hour practice is a great choice for any improviser looking to work on scene work with second beats, as well as callbacks and finding group game. Register for as many of the four nights as you like, or get the Level 3 Practice Mode 4-Pack and bundle all four weeks for a discount! Practice Mode is also a fun opportunity to work with a new coach and play with new community members this summer. For Level 3 Practice Mode we recommend you have either previously taken IMPROV 301 or have equivalent experience or training in long form improvisation.
Here’s what you need to know:
Arcade Academy sessions generally run eight weeks. Classes take place at our theater at 943 Liberty Avenue or on rare occasions off-site at a nearby Cultural Trust-owned property. If you’d like to register for a class, just click the big buttons and you’ll be taken to our ShowClix registration page. It’s a fast & secure way to register for classes online with your credit card. Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferrable. Unless specified otherwise, these classes are for adults 18 and older. Teachers listed may be subject to change at the Arcade’s discretion or as a result of unforeseen scheduling conflicts — while we try to avoid teacher substitution, it does happen from time and time and is not grounds for a refund.
The Arcade is also accepting a limited number of interns. Click here to learn more about our internship program.
We’ve revised our policy regarding course prerequisites: students need to meet all pre-reqs before signing up for an advanced level class. Every improv school approaches these techniques and philosophies differently, and so does the Arcade. So it’s good for you and your classmates if everyone has the same level of Arcade Academy training and vocabulary. You can find all of our current policies on our Academy FAQ page.
If you have any questions at all, feel free to call us at 412-339-0608 and we’ll get back to you right away!
Accessibility
Arcade is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our patrons, students, and performing artists. If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact us at: academy@arcadecomedytheater.com
943 Liberty Avenue
During the week, the Arcade transforms into an amazing, multi-classroom learning space with classes taking place in our downstairs and upstairs theaters as well as our second floor lounge.
937 Liberty Avenue
Certain classes may take place next door to the Arcade in the Cultural Trust multi-use space of 937 Liberty Ave on the third floor.