MILLBURN, New Jersey — Performers Theatre Workshop (PTW) has announced that acclaimed actress and character comedienne Skye Townsend will lead the first Industry Masterclass of the newly launched PTW Comedy Conservatory for the 2025–2026 season.
Skye Townsend to Lead Secrets to Sketch and Sitcom Industry Masterclass at PTW Comedy Conservatory – Education
The masterclass, titled Secrets to Sketch and Sitcom, will take place on September 21 in Millburn, NJ, marking the inaugural guest artist event for the Conservatory’s expanded comedy training programme.
Townsend is widely recognised for her work on CBS’s The Neighborhood and HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show, where her sharp character work and comedic versatility have earned industry praise. Her appearance signals a significant milestone for PTW as it broadens its professional training offerings for young performers.
A New Chapter for PTW Comedy Training
Founded in 1983 by Juilliard graduates, PTW has long been regarded as a leading performing arts school. Earlier this year, the organisation announced the expansion of its existing Comedy Crew partnership with actress and producer Carlie Craig (MADtv, First Impressions with Dana Carvey), officially rebranding the programme as the PTW Comedy Conservatory.
Described as a first-of-its-kind, professional-style comedy training programme, the Conservatory is designed for performers aged 7 to 16, with a curriculum that mirrors industry expectations.
As part of the expansion, PTW now offers intermediate and advanced on-camera comedy courses, complementing its established instruction in character creation, improvisation, and sketch comedy. The training culminates in showcase performances at Don’t Tell Mama NYC, giving students early exposure to live performance environments.
An Industry-Focused Masterclass
Carlie Craig expressed enthusiasm about Townsend’s involvement, highlighting the relevance of the masterclass for emerging performers.
“Skye Townsend is our dream guest for our first Industry Masterclass of the PTW Comedy Conservatory,” Craig said. “Secrets to Sketch and Sitcom will be an invaluable experience for our dedicated Gen Alpha comedians, combining Skye’s finesse in comedic performance with her industry insight and exceptional skill in character creation.”
Enrollment for the 2025–2026 PTW Comedy Conservatory remains open until October 3, though participation in industry masterclasses is limited to students enrolled in the PTW Comedy Crew Programme.
PTW has confirmed that additional guest artists for Winter and Spring Industry Masterclasses will be announced later in the year.
— The Violin Post Editorial Staff
