Join NYWIFT for our Masterclass Series: Comedy Writing with Saturday Night Live writers Alison Gates and Emily Spivey.
Step inside the writers’ room with two acclaimed Saturday Night Live writers as they share their secrets and skills of crafting sketches that land. Whether you’re an aspiring comedian, writer, or just a fan of great comedy, you’ll gain insider tips, writing strategies, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Price: $20 for Members* / $50 for Non-Members
Price includes admission for all sessions.
*Executive, Platinum, and Leadership Circle members attend for free. Contact membership@nywift.org to upgrade your membership.
*This is a virtual event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants closer to the date of the program. The sessions will be recorded and sent to all registrants after.
NYWIFT Masterclass Series: Comedy Writing
SESSION 1 with Alison Gates
Date: Monday, September 15, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 8pm ET
Come for an inside look at the SNL weekly writing and production process, plus advice for putting together a great submission packet. Stay for the writing tips, writers’ room stories, and the chance to ask your SNL questions!
SESSION 2 with Emily Spivey
Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 8pm ET
Sketch comedy is the cornerstone of comedy writing. In this class we will explore the basics of sketch comedy writing and how to mine your everyday life for comedic characters and premises. You’ll, also get a chance to ask Emily questions about her time at SNL!
About the Instructors:
Alison Gates is a Co-Head Writer of Saturday Night Live. She has written on Praise Petey and Mulligan and is an alumna of The Second City Touring Company and of Virgin Daiquiri (iO Chicago).
Emily Spivey was the Executive Producer and Creator of the animated series Bless the Harts for Fox. Prior to that, she served as Co-Executive Producer on Fox’s The Last Man on Earth. Emily also created and Executive Produced the NBC series Up All Night. Previously, she was a Producer on the NBC comedy Parks & Recreation, writer and writing supervisor for Saturday Night Live for ten years, and a writer on King of the Hill and Mad TV. Currently, she is working on the Apple TV show: Loot staring Maya Rudolph. Emily started her career at The Groundlings Theater.
About the NYWIFT Masterclass Series
The NYWIFT Masterclass Series offers in-depth virtual multi-class workshops that explore various aspects of the film, television, and media industry. Led by award-winning experts, the classes will teach students about the craft, content, and business strategies involved in each creative pursuit, building a solid foundation for artistic fulfillment and commercial success.
This program will take place virtually via Zoom. All registrants will receive a Zoom link to attend the virtual program closer to the day of the event.
We encourage you to download and create a Zoom account in advance.
programs@nywift.org
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#nywift | @nywift
NYWIFT programs, screenings and events are supported, in part, by grants from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
