The relaxed setting, and having the opportunity to unwind and share before digging in each week was great. It helped the process to get to know each other, to feel safe and I think it enhanced the process. The materials were comprehensive and the worksheets a fun tool to open up our creativity and get ideas flowing.
This was a life changer! Even if I never get up on stage again (although I REALLY want to) it was a growth experience like few others. Tom is a natural teacher with the perfect combination of patience, encouragement and the ability to critique while keeping even the most fragile of us (who shall remain nameless…) intact. He’s funny as hell too!

I loved the collaboration with working comics. It was a close knit group that got along really well. Tom has a knack for giving input and ideas and helping comics fine tune their material. Tom is very positive and upbeat and never makes anyone feel like they don’t belong. I’m glad this school exists and I’m proud to have gone through both the beginners class and the writers workshop. I am telling everyone I know about SOS and I hope it stays around for a long time.

So many things. First, I love how Tom works with your material as an artist and doesn’t try to make you write jokes that are not your style. He really encourages each comic to dig into their individuality and he has the amazing talent of pulling out the best in you. Additionally, Tom has created an incredibly collaborative environment in which artist feel comfortable not only sharing their jokes but their process. We entered as strangers and left as friends. Incredible experience.

That our instructor, Tom Riehl, created a comfortable, safe, relaxed, & fun environment for us students new to stand-up comedy to be able to express ourselves freely, be true to ourselves, be confident in our writing & presentation. I would recommend this Class to anyone that has had even a slight interest in doing Stand-up Comedy or even for someone who just needs help with Public Speaking. I’m looking forward to taking the Comedy Writer’s Workshop.

Had a blast with Tom and the other classmates, the performance was surreal and so cool to do! I had an awesome time in class! Thanks Tom for all the love and support!

Thank you so much for the great class and great experience! Attempting stand-up has always been a dream of mine, if I were honest I would say a dream that I thought was largely dead. So doing your class and show was really a dream come true! and I thank your for your part in it. This is a great class for anyone looking to try their hand at stand-up. Tom knows how to bring out the funny in everyone and his experience and expertise guided well.