THE HOME FOR NASHVILLE COMEDY
THIRD COAST TRAINING CENTER
COMEDY CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
2026
CLASS CALENDAR
Session 1
January 5 - March 2
(no class 1/19)
Session 2
March 11 - May 11
(no class 4/1-4/6)
Session 3
May 28 - July 26
(no class 7/2-7/5)
Session 4 (tentative dates)
August 7 - October 5
(no class 9/4-9/7
Session 5
TBD mid-Oct to mid-Dec
Comprised of teachers who have lived, performed, and taught comedy all over the country, the Third Coast Training Center exists to cultivate well-rounded, highly-trained performers in the areas of improv, sketch, stand-up, and acting.
Our 6-level improv track teaches students the art of short- and longform improv, starting with the fundamentals and culminating in a run of shows on the Third Coast stage! Our classes are suited for both hobbyists and individuals serious about honing their craft. Whether you’re looking to learn a new artform, find a community, take on a fun challenge, gain confidence, or just laugh a lot, you’ll find what you’re looking for here at the Third Coast Training Center!
Take a dive into the art of stand-up comedy! Our stand-up track offers 2 levels of classes designed to let students develop their writing and performance skills, and get them actual stage time to perform for crowds! All of our classes are taught by experienced stand-up comedians, with frequent drop-ins from local talent who help you punch-up and perfect your set. Graduates will have a showcase at Third Coast and will get the opportunity to network and secure even more stage time in shows all around town!
Combining improv knowledge with the local spirit of Music City, our musical improv track teaches students of all musical backgrounds everything they need to know to improvise full musicals! Classes span from the basics of commitment and song structure to the creation of full shows and ensemble performances. Always a favorite of students, our musical track culminates with a run of shows completely created and performed by the graduating class!
Classes, camps and workshops for kids, tweens and teens! From improv to stand-up, check out Third Coast’s new offerings for our youngest comedians!
SCROLL DOWN FOR ELECTIVES, WORKSHOPS, & SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
SPECIAL OFFERINGS
This workshop starts with joke structure, teaches you skills to write jokes at volume on demand, and puts you in the experience of a writers' room. Get those vague joke ideas out of your head, sharpen your instincts, and start writing the jokes only you can write.
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Saturday, April 25th 3:30-7:30 p.m.
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Join our Mainstage cast members from the Third Coast Comedy Show in a series of workshops to help hone your improv skills! Click the links below to read more and register. Spaces are limited, so grab a spot now with your favs!​
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​SATURDAYS 3:15-6:15 p.m.​​
April 18th: Make it Worse with Isaac Kirk
April 25th: Finding the Funny in Vulnerability with Andrea Ley
May 2nd: Hell Yes, And with Brooks Alford
May 9th: Yes But Why? with Cammie York
May 30th: Do that again, and THIS time...with Allison Summers
June 6th: Too Much? Perfect with Katie McDonald
June 13th: Making Friends with Silence with Gabe Cyrus
June 20th: No Line Left Behind with Mike Garvin
June 27th: Hell Yes, And with Brooks Alford
July 11th: Build the Tension, Break the Tension with Bill Hillsman
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Improv + Puppets = Magic
This workshop introduces adults to the fundamentals of puppet performance in a supportive, playful environment. Whether you’re an improviser, actor, comedian, or total beginner, you’ll leave with practical skills and a deeper appreciation for the craft--and your own set of peepers!
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NOTE: While this course was created with couples in mind, romance is not a requirement. The focus is on listening, communication and play. Platonic besties welcome!
Grab your partner and spend an afternoon laughing, listening, and seeing each other with fresh eyes. Then stick around for an awesome date night (on us*)! Come see how the art of improvisation can make you a better partner, a better communicator, and just a more fun person to be around. We guarantee it’ll be the most fun date you’ve had in years!​
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Saturday, May 16th 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.*
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*Includes two tickets to the 7 p.m. show!
If you’re looking to step outside of your comfort zone and add more emotional truth to your Improv, this is the class for you. Learn how to utilize the Meisner technique in order to help you be a more active listener, get out of your own head, activate your point of view, and commit to each moment with your scene partner 100%. In this 6 week course you will be accessing tools to make your Improvisation more authentic, honest, and spontaneous.
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*This is a 6-week class*​​​
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Join Third Coast co-founder Scott Field each Sunday for the second iteration of Improv Book Club. Our next book is Mick Napier's Improvise: Scene from the Inside Out. The class will be part analysis, part improv. Students can expect to read a few chapters each week, come prepared to discuss, and ready to hop up on their feet and try out some of the exercises covered in the book.
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​Pre-requisite: Third Coast Improv Level 3
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Ready to stop guessing what your scene is about and start playing long form with confidence? You’ll practice spotting the first unusual thing, aligning quickly with your partner, and turning it into a clear, repeatable pattern you can escalate. Instead of wandering through plot, you’ll learn how to build focused, dynamic scenes around a strong playable idea — leading to cleaner edits, sharper second beats, and performances that feel intentional rather than accidental.
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*This is a 4-week class*
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THIRD COAST TRAINING CENTER CLASS OVERVIEW
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Click on class links for more information on class content, dates, and prices.
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Tuition for all classes is non-refundable. All sales are final.
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Missing more than two classes means you may be asked to repeat the Level. Students are encouraged to attend class on another night to gain the knowledge and skills missed, but doing so is for the student’s benefit and does not excuse the absence.
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Level 1 is required unless you have recently graduated from a formal training program; if you have questions please email the training center. No student may begin past Level 2.
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Third Coast is a safe, creative, and collaborative environment; any behavior to the contrary will be dealt with immediately; if you need to make a report use our Anonymous Reporting Form here.
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Teachers are subject to change without notice.
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If you have any questions please email the training center for more information.
SCHOLARSHIPS
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR SESSION 2 IS FEBRUARY 14TH!
Want to sponsor another student's full or partial tuition, either directly or anonymously? You can donate to a specific classmate, or to the general scholarship fund. Email max@thirdcoastcomedyclub.com for info!
The Third Coast Scholarship Fund provides one Level 1 scholarship to a student each session. In an effort to increase access and diversity on our stages, priority is given to groups underrepresented and historically excluded from improv, such as women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Jason Bain Memorial Scholarship Fund exists to assist Third Coast students in financial need by providing full and partial scholarships to improv classes at all levels. It was established in memory of Jason Bain, a graduate of the Third Coast Training Center.
Click the banner to learn more about our non-profit partner, Unscripted!