Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA., April 1, 2025 – ArtsQuest is pleased to offer its spring comedy classes, featuring Improv 101 with Matt Candio, Improv 201 with Stu Shaw, Improv 301 with Danielle Tampier and Intro to Standup with Kirk Griffiths. Led by seasoned comedians, these classes provide a fun and supportive atmosphere where beginners and those wanting to sharpen their skills can thrive. Starting in April, each course runs for several weeks and concludes with a graduation ceremony, giving participants the chance to showcase their new material and demonstrate everything they’ve learned.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a fun teambuilding experience that teaches affective ways to enhance communication, creativity and teamwork in the workplace, check out our Improv Teambuilding Workshops. Guided by professional improvisers, these engaging workshops teach core principles such as “Yes, and…” for collaboration, A to C thinking for creative problem-solving and active listening for improved communication. These exercises will improve confidence, spark creativity and build stronger, more effective teams. The workshops are flexible, tailored to your team’s needs and can be conducted in person or virtually. With no stage performance required, participants engage in supportive, low-pressure exercises that promote unity and reduce stress, making them ideal for team building. Group pre-registration is required. Please contact Addyson Young, ArtsQuest Programming Specialist, at ayoung@artsquest.org to learn more.
For more information and to sign up for comedy classes, visit www.steelstacks.org. Students must be 18 years of age or older.
Comedy Classes Offered:
Improv 101 with Matt Candio
Tuesdays, April 15-June 3 at Lincoln Elementary School | 7-9 p.m.
Grad Show: Monday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas
Price: $179 | $160 ArtsQuest Member
Improv 101 focuses on the three core principles of comedic improvisation: agreement, being active and justification. We’ve designed our classes to create an energetic and supportive environment for play whether you’ve never taken the stage before, you’re a seasoned improviser or you’re simply looking to help yourself in your career and/or life.
Improv 201 with Stu Shaw
With teaching assistant Megan Jaxheimer
Tuesdays, April 15-June 3 at Lincoln Elementary School | 7-9 p.m.
Grad Show: Tuesday, June 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas
Price: $179 | $160 ArtsQuest Member
Improv 201 builds on the basic principles of improv and helps develop your improv skills to make strong comedic choices. By finding and exploring Game you will expand your ‘Yes, and’ abilities while also discovering all avenues that Game can play in scenes.
Must have completed Improv 101 at ArtsQuest or have equivalent experience.
Improv 301 with Danielle Tampier
Thursdays, April 10-May 29 at the Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health | 7-9 p.m.
Grad Show: Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas
Price: $179 | $160 ArtsQuest Member
Now that you’ve mastered the basic improv principles of “yes, and” and Game, Improv 301 shows you how to put these skills into action in an Improv form of your instructors choosing. Each 301 showcases a different improv form.
Must have completed Improv 101 and Improv 201 at ArtsQuest or have equivalent experience.
Intro to Standup with Kirk Griffiths
Sundays, April 27-June 8 at ArtsQuest Center (skips May 25) | 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Grad Show: TBD
Price: $154 | $140 ArtsQuest Member
This class is an introduction to standup comedy from both a creative and practical approach. Attendees will learn and apply the basics of joke construction, acquire useful tips for beginners and receive individualized feedback with the goal of producing five minutes of material. The class will culminate with a graduation show where participants will perform their material.
About the Comedians:
Matt Candio is a comedian, performer and improv instructor. He began his comedy career in 2009 and studied at Upright Citizens Brigade (NYC), Magnet Theater (NYC) and The Second City (Chicago). Matt teaches for the ArtsQuest Improv Comedy Program and leads team-building workshops for businesses. He performs regularly at SteelStacks in shows like “We’re Good, You’re Great!”
Stu Shaw trained in Improv at ArtsQuest and Second City. He has been on six SteelStacks Improv house teams and currently performs with Tim For Short, Model Citizen and Portal. In his spare time, he enjoys playing bad golf and pretending to exercise at the gym.
Danielle Tampier is an actress and comedian based in the Lehigh Valley. With a background in theater and fashion design, Danielle found her love for improv at ArtsQuest. She performs with Staycation and Cranks & Pulleys and has appeared in various shows like Pigeon City Sketch Show and Tony & Tina’s Wedding. Outside of performing, she enjoys time with her family and crafting.
Kirk Griffiths is a seasoned stand-up comedian with over 10 years of experience, having performed in theaters, comedy clubs and festivals. He has featured for national headliners like Mike Birbiglia and Chris Gethard. Originally from the Bronx and an alumnus of Kutztown University, Kirk brings diverse perspectives to his comedy. He’s a regular performer at ArtsQuest and can be found on Instagram @Captainkeith24.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which nearly 40 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.
Media Contact
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