After-School Enrichment Course Creates Characters, Confidence, and Comedy

With silly voices, bold poses, and loads of laughter, lower school students are diving headfirst into comedy in the after-school enrichment course Comedy Sketch Writing and Improv. Designed by Library Technologist Allison Sparks for students in Grades 2 through 4, the class is a lively blend of imagination, performance, and collaboration, where students who love comedy, acting, and writing learn how to turn quick thinking and big ideas into scenes that end in the biggest laugh.

Having graduated from The Groundlings Writing Lab in Los Angeles and performed and written comedy at the Comedy Central Stage and The Upright Citizens Brigade, Sparks brings deep professional experience to the program. She also worked as a professional comedy writer in advertising and views comedy as a core part of her identity in and out of the classroom.

“I decided to run the club like a mini ‘Groundlings' training, with rigorous expectations, weekly performances, and an emphasis on team-building,” she said. “The students' enthusiasm, dedication, and how they've 'shown up' has truly, truly blown me away. Their serious commitment to comedy is far beyond my expectations.”

Weekly sessions begin with improv warm-ups focused on trust, followed by a lesson on a specific comedy skill. Students watch kid-friendly comedy clips, analyze what makes them funny, and then break into groups to write and rehearse sketches based on prompts. At the end of each class, they perform for one another. 

Sparks has been especially struck by the group’s sense of unity across grades. “I see a real team spirit. I love that, and it’s a part of the Viking fabric!”

While students' skills in creativity, writing, character work, and scene-building will culminate at the end of the month with a filmed performance of their favorite sketch, the class's impact can already be seen beyond the afternoon gatherings.

“Teachers are reporting that the kids are writing sketch comedy at recess, and I’m getting emails from parents complimenting the group,” said Sparks, who praised the students for their serious approach to comedy.