The Bird Comedy Theater teaches comedy classes through our Training Center, built on the foundations of improvisation.
Improv is more than comedy — it’s collaboration, creativity, and connection. It’s actors, lawyers, and dungeon masters all playing pretend in the same room. And that’s kind of magical.
Whether you’re diving into a full class or just trying a workshop, there’s a way in.
No experience required. Just show up.
We’ll take it from there.
Recommended for EVERYONE! No experience required.
In this eight-week class, students will learn the fundamental skills of improvised comedy. You'll practice living in the moment, thinking creatively, listening to your scene partners, and working together toward a common goal.
These skills aren't just for the stage. Whether you're hoping to become a performer, want to feel more comfortable speaking in public, are looking to meet new people, or simply want to try something fun, Intro to Improv is for you.
Classes meet Tuesdays from 7pm to 9pm, January 12 through March 2, 2027.
Includes a class performance on Thursday, February 25 at Open Thursdays. All classes take place at The Bird Comedy Theater in Kansas City's Crossroads Arts District.
Recommended for Intermediate Improvisers. Completion of Intro to Improv or instructor approval required.
Take the skills you've learned in Intro to Improv and build on them in this eight-week class, with a focus on creating characters and developing stronger scenes.
You'll continue practicing how to stay present, listen to and support your scene partners, and make choices that keep your scenes moving. And, of course, have some fun.
Classes meet Sundays from 7pm to 9pm, January 10 through February 28, 2027.
Includes a class performance Thursday, February 25 at Open Thursdays. All classes take place at The Bird Comedy Theater in the Crossroads Arts District.
Completion of Intro to Improv encouraged, but not required.
Ever wanted to write sketch comedy but weren't sure how to start? Here's your chance.
Over eight weeks, students learn how to take funny ideas and develop them into complete, polished sketches. You'll explore different kinds of sketch comedy, how to build on a premise, structure a scene, and find the jokes along the way.
You'll also get individual feedback from your instructor, work with your classmates to brainstorm new ideas, and revise and strengthen your material.
Whether you're a first-time writer or looking to develop your comedy writing further, this class provides the tools and practice to make it happen.
Classes meet Sundays from 4pm to 6pm, January 10 through February 28, 2027.
Includes a class presentation on Thursday, February 25 at Open Thursdays. All classes take place at The Bird Comedy Theater in the Crossroads Arts District.
Recommended for Intermediate Improvisers. Completion of Improv II or instructor approval required.
Continue building your long-form improv skills in this eight-week class, focusing on storytelling, familiar conventions, and genre-based formats.
Students will explore how to use recognizable storytelling elements as a foundation for creating entirely new scenes and stories together onstage.
You'll develop your ability to stay in the moment, create memorable characters, support your scene partners, and build a larger narrative with an ensemble.
Classes meet Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm, January 13 through March 3, 2027.
Includes a class performance Thursday, February 25 at Open Thursdays. All classes take place at The Bird Comedy Theater in the Crossroads Arts District.
Completion of Sketch Comedy I or instructor approval required.
Take your sketch writing from the page to the stage! This eight-week class walks students through the complete creative process of putting together a live sketch comedy performance.
You'll pitch ideas, write and revise original sketches, cast performers, rehearse material, and prepare a 60-minute sketch comedy show.
Students will perform in each other's sketches, explore the fundamentals of producing a show, and work together as an ensemble to turn written comedy into a live performance.
Whether you're primarily a writer, an actor, or someone who wants to do a little of everything, you'll get experience taking a comedy show all the way from an idea to an audience.
Classes meet Sundays from 4pm to 6pm, January 10 through February 28, 2027.
Includes a class performance Thursday, February 25 at Open Thursdays. All classes take place at The Bird Comedy Theater in the Crossroads Arts District.
Completion of Improv III or instructor approval required.
Looking for a new improv format? Been performing for a while and wondering what to try next?
In this four-week workshop, Bobby McCosky introduces Pan-Out, an advanced but accessible form that puts scenes and characters at the center of the work.
Students will explore how characters relate to one another, how individual scenes connect to a bigger world, and how those connections can develop into a long-form improv performance.
Sundays, 4pm to 6pm, November 22 through December 13, 2026.
Includes a workshop showcase on Thursday, December 17 at Open Thursdays. All classes take place at The Bird Comedy Theater in the Crossroads Arts District.
Bobby McCosky is a Kansas City comedian, improviser, musician, and educator. Previously, he was the General Manager of The Improv Shop KC, where he also taught and performed.
Bobby is a former member of The KC Improv Company, where he served as a performer, teacher, and Education Director.
At The Bird, Bobby has taught numerous comedy classes and coaches multiple teams. He performs with BookEnds alongside Jill Gillespie, and MBA alongside Aron Wallis and Mary Crouch Young.
Outside of comedy, Bobby enjoys studying entomology, playing Mega Man, and raising his daughter, generally in the reverse order of that list.
Does improv make you nervous? Do you get stuck in a scene, unsure of what to do next, just hoping somebody will end it for you?
This workshop is all about taking some of that pressure away. Connor Ratliff explores ways to simplify your approach to improv, trust the choices you make, and have more fun performing.
The goal is to make the experience more enjoyable for both the people onstage and the audience watching.
Saturday, December 12, 2026 at 10am. The Bird Comedy Theater, Kansas City, Missouri.
Connor Ratliff is a New York-based actor and comedian, best known as the creator of the acclaimed podcast Dead Eyes.
His film and television appearances include Widow's Bay, Étoile, Ghosts, Bob's Burgers, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Search Party, Orange Is the New Black, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Daily Show, Don't Think Twice, Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game, Run Amok, and the Mean Girls movie musical.
His other credits include appearances on This American Life and Comedy Bang! Bang!, as well as the audiobook of Tom Hanks' novel The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece.
Connor has been a fixture of the New York improv scene for more than fifteen years. At the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, he has performed in ASSSSCAT, The Stepfathers, and RAAAATSCRAPS.
He is also a longtime host of The George Lucas Talk Show, a cult comedy series that has developed a dedicated following.
His work has received praise from The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Men's Journal, The Financial Times, and Time Magazine, as well as comedians Mike Birbiglia and Seth Meyers.
© 2026 The Bird Comedy Theater.
