Uptown Theatre for Creative Arts

02/24/2025

Classes start Saturday March 1! For Kids (9-12) and Teens (13+). Enroll at uptownutica.org. Improvisation is a form of LIVE THEATER where the plot, characters, and dialogue are all MADE UP on the spot, in the moment. It’s a fun way to build confidence, practice communication, and embrace weirdness.

🌟The Uptown’s teen team performs Friday at 7 — see improv skills in action!

02/18/2025

If you've ever wanted to write comedy, this is an opportunity you can't miss! If you write comedy and want to be better at writing comedy, this is an opportunity you can't miss!

Rich Talarico shares insights and techniques from his years in comedy and late night TV (SNL, MADtv, Key & Peele, The Tonight Show) and from having co-written five resident company shows for Second City in Chicago. Students will learn essentials: how to write jokes, how to identify and use comedic devices, how to brainstorm, and develop ideas. Class will learn how to write basic comedy staples as well as brainstorming & pitching technique.

RICH TALARICO BIO
Rich is a Peabody® Award-winning writer/producer with four Emmy® and four WGA Award nominations, best known for his work on Key & Peele. Rich was responsible for K&P fave Substitute Teacher, (“…Ay-ay-Ron?”) which in 2024 was added to The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum Of American History. Rich wrote dozens of K&P faves: Racist Zombies, Karim and Jahar, Hatz, Teaching Center, Obama Greets, Black Ice, and co-wrote many more. Other credits include: MADtv, The Tonight Show w. Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, and the critically-acclaimed, Review. An alum of Chicago’s Second City and Improv Olympic, Rich also provided punch-up work on Mean Girls and Get Out. As an improviser, Rich teaches, coaches and performs with long-form group Dasariski, Rich played in the early casts of Chicago’s The Armando Diaz Show and co-created the shows, Close Quarters, Strap Heads and Trio. As an actor, Rich appeared on screen on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, MADtv, the feature film High Fidelity, and in A&W Root Beer’s classic TV ad, “Mr. Dumass.” Talarico’s extensive experience in the comedy industry has made him a sought-after teacher, writer and consultant. Rich is currently teaching and performing stand-up comedy around the US.

WEDNESDAYS, 6-9PM
CLASS DATES: 3/19, 3/26, 4/2 (ONLINE) // $100

Space is limited! Sign up now at UptownUtica.org

02/04/2025

More live music coming your way —> Saturday Feb 8 7pm⚡️All ages 🎸 $10 ⬇️ Lineup ⬇️

(Connecticut Emo)
(Gloversville Pop Punk)band (Utica Pop Punk)
(Solo Acoustic Indie)

01/31/2025

No Friday night plans? We've got your back with a night of totally original, completely improvised long form improv comedy from house ensemble Bus Stop Robot! Plus the return of our new, soon-to-be named featured ensembles Placeholder and Lorem Ipsum!

Say "yes" to the most fun you'll have this week and get down to the Uptown! See you there!

8PM / Doors and bar at 7:30
Tickets $8 online or $10 at the door.

01/10/2025

Kick off the new year with night of live, local, never-seen-before, never-to-be-seen-again unscripted comedy at The Uptown! Friday Night Improv with house ensemble Bus Stop Robot returns tonight at 8PM! Featuring special guest SkittleFit () and brand new Uptown team Placeholder! Don't miss this one because it won't happen twice!

Doors and bar @ 7:30.
Tickets $8 online/$10 Door uptownutica.org

01/05/2025

is back with an all ages show and free earplugs 🗣️🎧💥 Jan 11 $10 at the door

01/02/2025

Ready to add a little laughter and creativityw to your life this year? New improv classes at the Uptown Theatre kick off next week and we’d love for YOU to join the fun! Whether you’re looking to sharpen your wit, build confidence, or just add a night of silliness to your week, our improv classes are for you!

📅 Classes (6 weeks) start January 8
📍 Uptown Theatre, South Utica
🎭 No experience necessary—just bring your sense of humor! Payment plans and scholarships available!

Don’t wait—classes start Wed, January 8. Sign up at uptownutica.org today!

12/20/2024

See you tonight!

Brush off the work week and put on your fancy hat, it's improv night at the Uptown! Three completely improvised shows from Bus Stop Robot with special guest SkittleFit (Salt City Improv Syracuse), plus a preview of our newest ensemble, Placeholder!
8PM/$10 ($8 online presale)
7:30 Doors & Bar

12/14/2024

Merch models 🤩 Faves from last night’s photo shoot because we are excited* about new hoodies and tees! Get em online uptownutica.org or in person during any of our events. Special discounted holiday pricing so hurry!

*some models were less excited about modeling but still loved the merch and were good sports about it anyway.

12/05/2024

The energy on Saturday was everything🙌I’m almost fully recovered from this past weekend so I have the ability to address just how amazing you all are. Taking the time to show up, dress up, dance, and give it your all. Thank you for partying with Derrick J TheKandiGod and I (that B2B2B at the end was so much fun), and a MASSIVE shout out to Uptown Theatre for Creative Arts for hosting this event. Can’t wait to do this again with you all SOON 😈

12/05/2024

Jumpstart Your Creativity This New Year!

Why not try something new in 2025? Improv classes aren’t just for performers—they’re for anyone looking to boost confidence, think on their feet, and have a ton of fun along the way. Whether you want to sharpen your communication skills, meet new people, or simply laugh more, an improv class is the perfect way to start your year with creativity and connection.

New classes start in January! Reserve your spot today at uptownutica.org today!!!

12/04/2024

❄️ December at the IUptown: Where Winter Magic Meets Merry Mayhem! ❄️

✨ Thursday Nights: Drop-in improv classes—perfect for letting loose and trying something new!
🤣 Friday Nights: Hilarious improv shows guaranteed to leave you in stitches.
🎓 Class Performances: Cheer on our rising stars as they hit the stage!
🤘 Heavy Metal Toy Drive: Bring a toy, rock out, and make a difference.
🎄 UTCA Merry Mixer: Check out the progress we’ve made restoring the theater this year and help the Uptown and keep the magic alive for seasons to come!!!

Get down to the Uptown this December and join in the fun!

WWW.UPTOWNUTICA.ORG

11/29/2024

Friday Night Improv TONIGHT 11/29 at 8. Deep Dish + Bus Stop Robot + afterparty improv jam.💃🕺Doors and bar at 7:30 🍺 tix discounted online uptownutica.org

11/21/2024

NOVEMBER 30 - rave with us at the Uptown. Here’s a look back at the last time we did this with . He’s back with and next Saturday for a Thanksgiving weekend dance party. Doors at 7 Music at 8. EDM 🚦dubstep 🚦house 🚦techno 🚦

Photos by

11/08/2024

Support filmmaking in Utica, New York and Oneida County, NY and go check out the premiere of The Christmas Letter at The Stanley Theatre this weekend!

📽️🎅 Holiday fun for the whole family!

Join us on November 9 at 6 PM for the premiere of The Christmas Letter, a festive comedy filmed partly at The Stanley Theatre! 🌟 Tickets are only $5 and are on sale now in person at the box office and by phone at 315-724-4000.

11/01/2024

Friday Night Improv 💰 Nov 1 🍭 doors + bar at 7:30, show at 8 👒 Uptown Studio 🦁

10/24/2024

🎃Spend your spooky Saturday in our probably haunted theater. Party starts at 8 with
🎧music from DJs .fresco315, &
👻costume contest
📸 Photo Booth