AZAA presents Spring Intensives in Comedy

Registration Closed

Take a break from doom scrolling, anxiety, taxes and anything politics!

We invite you to spend this Spring laughing, clowning and playing.

We start with a one weekend physical comedy intensive led by the legendary Randy Messersmith, who humbly puts down his sword for this one. Followed by a six week Shakespeare intensive, led by the incredible Maren Mascarelli, focused on your favorite comedic characters from his most beloved plays. This one finishes in the 7th week with a performance for family and friends so you can share the laughs.

Discounted bundled pricing available!

Registration Closed
Advanced Ongoing Shakespeare

AZAA presents FUNNY BUSINESS

Nerds, Jerks, Dweebs, Misfits and Oddballs

TWO DAY PHYSICAL COMEDY INTENSIVE

Day 1: Friday, March 24th 6:30 – 9:30pm
Day 2: Saturday March 25th 9:30am – 1:00pm

General Students: $175 | Enrolled (AZAA) Students: $150

This one weekend physical comedy intensive puts the WHAMMO in the DOINK of your BLAM!  

Some of our most beloved actors and comedians share a secret. They trained as clowns. Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, David Hyde Pierce, Lucille Ball, Will Ferrell, Steve Martin to name just a few! In this intensive, maestro Randy Messersmith puts down his sword to bring our students – clowning techniques! pratfalls! slapstick! physical comedy archetypes! character masks!  transformation exercises!!!!  exclamation points!!!!!

Discover your inner Kate McKinnon, Key & Peele or Tiffany Haddish by exploring and developing your own comic character. Learn what it takes to MAKE ‘EM LAUGH!

One weekend only with limited spots.

Guest Artist Randy Messersmith

SAG/AFTRA

Randy has taught acting for film for AZ Actor’s Academy, Arizona State University, Mira Costa Community College, Scottsdale School of Film + Theatre, Phoenix College, Glendale Community College, Desert Mountain High School and for the professional summer acting training program Scottsdale Conservatory Theatre. He studied acting with a variety of incredible teachers including Albert Pertalion, Peter Sander, Uta Hagen, Roger Simon, John Basil, Patrick Tucker and John Barton.  After working in New York City for 5 years as an actor and director appearing on daytime television series such as All My Children, Another World, and Guiding Light, as well as in commercials, industrial videos, karaoke videos and indie films,  AZ called him to start an outdoor Shakespeare Festival in Mesa in 1992, where for the past 30 years he has worked in a variety of entertainment media and wearing a variety of hats, most recently as writer/producer/co-director/actor of his film Saving Faith, currently appearing at film festivals around the country and internationally  in 2022 and 2023, produced by his new film production company, Luckystory Productions, LLC founded in 2020.

Randy's imdb
Advanced Ongoing Shakespeare

AZAA presents Shakespeare Spring Intensive

Fools, Clowns & Jesters!

SIX WEEK INTENSIVE

Sundays: 5:30pm-8:30pm

April 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, May 14th – Showcase May 21st (no class May 7th)

General Students: $395 | Enrolled (AZAA) Students: $370

Instructor: Maren Maclean Mascarelli

They’re among Shakespeare’s most beloved characters! They’re some of the most challenging for actors requiring physical and comedic timing. They can be the wisest character in a tragedy or just a bumbling fool causing mayhem and inspiring laugh out loud belly laughs. This intensive will immerse you in the joyful, wild, bumbling world of Shakespeare’s buffoons and mischief makers! We end with a performance or rather a pageant of fools at AZAA for family and friends. 

Note: full attendance required to participate in our performance. 



Advanced Ongoing Shakespeare

SAVE $25.00

when you Bundle! 



AZAA presents Spring Intensive in Shakespeare

Advanced Ongoing Shakespeare

AZAA presents Shakespeare Spring Intensive

Fools, Clowns & Jesters!

SIX WEEK INTENSIVE

Sundays: 5:30pm-8:30pm

April 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, May 14th – Showcase May 21st (no class May 7th)

General Students: $395 | Enrolled (AZAA) Students: $370

Instructor: Maren Maclean Mascarelli

They’re among Shakespeare’s most beloved characters! They’re some of the most challenging for actors requiring physical and comedic timing. They can be the wisest character in a tragedy or just a bumbling fool causing mayhem and inspiring laugh out loud belly laughs. This intensive will immerse you in the joyful, wild, bumbling world of Shakespeare’s buffoons and mischief makers! We end with a performance or rather a pageant of fools at AZAA for family and friends. 

Note: full attendance required to participate in our performance. 



Register for Spring Intensives

Registration for this Intensive is Closed.