The Lincoln Lodge Training Center
Unleash Your Inner Comedic Genius
​At The Lincoln Lodge Training Center, we know everyone has a story. Our classes aren’t just about nailing the punchline; we help you unearth your one-of-a-kind comedic voice. Whether you’re a comedy newbie, simply looking to get out of the house, or are a comic stuck in a joke rut, we've got a class for you —including improv comedy classes and improv workshops to help you think on your feet and sharpen your comedic instincts.
Fem Com
Women & Non-binary Classes
Fem Com is a beginners' foundation course that strives to give women and non-binary performers the confidence and skills they need to begin a career in stand-up comedy.
Students will spend five weeks in a supportive environment while learning the fundamentals of writing and performing stand-up. The course is founded on the comedy principles of the critically acclaimed Lincoln Lodge, a national leader in cultivating and developing new comedy talent.
The weekly 2-hour sessions of this course will focus on:
​
-
Joke structure
-
Development of material
-
Finding an attitude and persona
-
Connecting with an audience
-
Creating a cohesive set
​
The class requires no previous stand-up comedy or writing experience and culminates with a live performance of the five minutes of material developed in class. ** Please note that this class is for women and non-binary performers. Info on the co-ed version of the class is listed below.
Stand-up Seminary Co-ed Classes
The Lincoln Lodge has created The Stand-Up Seminary - a beginner's foundation course that strives to give prospective performers the confidence and skills they need to begin a career in stand-up comedy or just have some fun trying a new experience!
The 5-week course is founded on the comedy principles of the critically acclaimed Lincoln Lodge, a national leader in cultivating and developing new comedy talent.
The weekly 2 hour sessions of this course will focus on:
​
-
Joke structure
-
Development of material
-
Finding an attitude and persona
-
Connecting with an audience
-
Creating a cohesive set
​
​The class requires no previous stand-up comedy or writing experience and culminates with a live performance of the material developed in class.
The Punchup (Fem Com)
The Punch Up is an advanced course in stand-up comedy meant for comedians who have been pursuing standup for at least 1 year or have completed Fem Com.
The weekly 2 hour sessions will focus on:
​
-
Finding your voice
-
Developing fresh material
-
Act - outs, hosting, editing
-
Creating a cohesive set.
​
The class will culminate in a graduation showcase, during which students will perform 6-7 minutes of original content.
** Please note that this class is for women and non-binary performers. Info on the co-ed version of the class is listed below.
The Punchup
(Stand-up Seminary)
The Punch Up is an advanced course in stand-up comedy meant for comedians who have been pursuing standup for at least 1 year or have completed Stand-up Seminary.
The weekly 2 hour sessions will focus on:
​
-
Finding your voice
-
Developing fresh material
-
Act - outs, hosting, editing
-
Creating a cohesive set.
​
The class will culminate in a graduation showcase where students will perform 6-7 minutes of original content.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS SESSION IS A CO-ED CLASS FOR ALL GENDERS
Stand-up on the Spot
The Lincoln Lodge presents Stand-up On The Spot! This advanced course in standup comedy uses techniques from the improv world to help comedians get more comfortable with being present and in the moment during standup sets.
The class will also help participants get past writer's block by providing tips and tricks for generating material both on and off the stage. The class requires at least one year of stand-up comedy or completion of either the Lincoln Lodge Fem Com or Standup Seminary course.
​
The weekly 2 hour sessions of this course will focus on:
​
-
Crowd work
-
Riffing on stage
-
Generating new material
-
Hosting
​
The class will culminate in a graduation showcase, during which students will perform 6-7 minutes of original content.
Queer Live Lit
What does it take to be a great Live Lit performer?
In this six-week course, students will explore everything there is to know about live lit (storytelling) in Chicago through writing live lit, seeing a few storytelling shows, talking about performance, and culminating in a live performance of the material developed in class.
​
This will be the kindest, most loving, and most supportive environment -- BY QUEER FOLKS AND FOR QUEER FOLKS -- if you've always wanted to perform in a Chicago storytelling show but have been nervous or worried about it, this class is for you.
Write on! How to Create a Consistent Comedy Writing Practice
This course will provide participants with a comprehensive source of information and is designed to improve the participant’s comedy writing practices by focusing on weekly writing assignments and feedback sessions in a writer’s room environment.
This course is designed to increase awareness, knowledge, and understanding of issues related to comedy writing. This course includes foundational instruction and a review of joke structure, comedic characters, sketch comedy writing, videos, comedic perspectives, and writing processes.
Participants will share and review each other’s work and learn the importance of a writer’s room setting. Additionally, participants will better understand their own creative processes, writing routines, and comedic points of view.
The course is founded on the comedy principles of the critically acclaimed Lincoln Lodge, a national leader in cultivating and developing new comedy talent.
The weekly 2-hour sessions of this course will focus on:
​​
-
Joke structure in several comedic genres
-
Development of material in multi-genres
-
Find and hone a comedic point of view
-
Create accountability and structured writing routines
-
Establish rewriting processes
The class requires no previous comedy or writing experience and culminates with a “personal packet” of individual comic material.
TV Pilot Writing: From Idea to First Draft in Six Weeks
TV Pilot Writing: From Idea to First Draft in 6 weeks - is a beginner's course to give writers tricks, tips, and deadlines to push themselves to knock out a TV pilot draft!
Students will leave the class with a completed TV pilot, including basic beats, characters, and conflicts, as well as experience getting peer and teacher feedback on the pilot.
The class requires no previous stand-up comedy or writing experience.
The weekly 2 hour sessions of this course will focus on:
​
-
Generating ideas
-
Developing characters, plot, tone, and setting
-
Outlining Receiving feedback
​
**Please note this class is meant to help participants generate ideas on the page, and while formatting scripts will be addressed, it will not be the main focus of the class!
Script Re-Writing: Taking Your Draft to the Next Level
In this six-week course, students will receive feedback, techniques, strategies, and a full analysis from the instructor on how to push themselves to keep the momentum moving on their project to the next draft.
What’s the requirement for this class? A draft that has some life. That can include; a feature film, TV pilot, play, or even a short film.
The weekly 2.5-hour sessions of this course will focus on:
​
-
Reviewing the foundations of your script
-
Honing your script structure
-
Deep dives into your characters
-
Dialogue techniques
-
Analyzing your action and key moments/twists of your story
-
Receiving feedback​
Workshops
Wedding Toast Workshop
(Coming Soon)
Corporate Training
Is your company in need of customized public speaking training, or a fun and unique professional development day? The Lincoln Lodge Training Center is here to help!
Email lincolnlodgetraining@gmail.com to learn more about how we can help with corporate training.
Code of Conduct
The Lincoln Lodge Theater and Training Center is a place to foster creativity, connection and artistic expression with an aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for performers to grow. Those entering this space must be able to come together in trust and respect while honoring the diversity of its community members. The purpose of this document is to promote student/performer well-being and encourage a collaborative and harmonious theater environment.
The following is a list of expectations for students and performers while in The Lincoln Lodge space:
​​
-
Be aware of the diverse backgrounds of theater attendees and classmates and create material from a place of fun, respect, and kindness toward others.
-
Sexist, racist, homophobic, and discriminatory behavior or jokes will not be tolerated.
-
Behave professionally and respectfully towards others.
-
Treat sensitive and risky subject matter carefully and with emotional intelligence.
-
Be open to having a constructive, open conversation about a performance afterward if the occasion arises.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of prohibited conduct:
​​
-
Physical abuse
-
Theft/damage/misuse of property: Theft or damage, misuse and unauthorized possession or improper use of personal property; and unauthorized or improper use of, or entry into, theater facilities
-
Harassment: Threatening, harassing, bullying, or intimidating a person, either verbally, in writing, or through electronic or other means
-
Sexual Harassment: Unwanted/unwelcome sexual behavior directed at a person in a physical, verbal or non-verbal form
-
Drug/alcohol use: Possession, consumption, sale, distribution, or use of illicit drugs or outside alcohol is strictly prohibited. Additionally, the Lincoln Lodge is a smoke-free zone, including vaping/e-cigarettes.
-
Weapons and hazardous materials: The use, possession, or storage of any firearms or weapons, dangerous materials, or chemicals are prohibited on the theater premises.
​Consequences for breaching our Code of Conduct will be dealt with accordingly and may consist of, but not limited to: warnings, apologies, probation, suspension, or even removal from the premises. All decisions in regard to situations will be at the discretion of the theater director and training center manager.