The Orange County Crazies offers classes in Improv, Stand-up, Sketch Comedy, how to develop Original Characters as well as workshops on filmmaking, writing, and acting techniques. The Orange County Crazies also offer classes for Tweens/Teens and Seniors. Courses range from weekly sessions to one-day, work-day, and weekend workshops. Graduation performances follow each weekly class series. The OC Crazies conduct all classes and shows on-site at its De Pietro Performance Center, a 78-seat, black-box theater, located in the heart of the arts district in Santa Ana. The Crazies school always keeps enrollments to a minimum to ensure lots of personalized attention.
Over the past 35 years, the Orange County Crazies has remained the longest-running and most prominent comedy organization of its kind in Orange County. It has received rave reviews, coveted awards, and many accolades for its highly creative and authentic works and school of study. It's shows--student gradation ones and those of its Main Company--are always audience-pleasing. Crazies was founded by Cherie Kerr, a founding member of the legendary L.A. Groundlings. She has served as the non-profit's Artistic Director since its inception in 1990.
Coming in 2026 – Sketch Comedy Writing – February 25, 2026 (6 Sessions) – Registration Opens Soon!
“After School Improv Comedy” starts Wednesday, January 14 – 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Register Now!
“Beginner StandUp” starts Wednesday, February 25 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Register Now!
(See below for each class description and enrollment instructions)
Little ‘Lil Crazies go real crazy in new OC Crazies workshop!!!
** WORKSHOP IS NOW SOLD OUT!! **
** Please email assistant@occrazies.com to get on the waitlist for the next session **
If your child is between 6 and 9, inquisitive, chatty, energetic; one who is always sharing his/her creative ideas with you (and the rest of the family) and doesn’t know what to do with all that mental energy; and needs a positive outlet to foster that kind of creativity – send him/her our way!
Since we continue to get requests for a workshop opportunity for kids from 6-9 years old, and they aren’t really old enough to join the Tween/Teen class, we are moving forward to do a 90-minute class where we can teach the younger ones the fundamentals of improv, all the while, letting their imaginations run wild and blossom via fun and creativity. Our first (pilot) date is set for Saturday morning December 20 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuition for the session is $75. The class includes a custom-tailored lesson plan specifically designed for this age group. We anticipate the class will go well! As a result, we will set up a 6-week program for them which will start after the new year. They will do six sessions, then a 7th one–a performance! Class size is limited, so let us know soon if you would like to enroll your child.
If you are one of the parents who have been asking about such a workshop and want more information, please call the Crazies at 714 550-9890 or email us at assistant@occrazies.com
Team Crazies!!
In 2025, the OC Crazies, now celebrating its 35th year, will be hosting monthly StandUp Shows on Saturday nights. Dates are below:
Saturdays: December 13 (Show is SOLD OUT), February 21
Yes, we need comics to commit to sell 4 tickets per show, but we’re also doing social media and other promo to FILL THE HOUSE!! Help us do that! This is a great opportunity to work on new material, tape your set to submit to those broadcast outlets looking for talent and enjoy an audience who is not there to drink and talk, but to watch your set! You will get 10 to 15 minutes of stage time:) And, our shows start at 7:30 p.m.
Contact: Assistant@occrazies.com for more info. If you’ve never been on the Crazies StandUp stage, send us a clip of you performing and we will consider you.
Photo: Saturday, December 13, 2025 – Comics pictured from left to right:
Dustin Saidi, Monica Trieu, Dave Lack, Ryan Peeler, Prakash Joshi
To De Pietro Performance Center students, visitors and all others: Please ignore the misinformation posted on the driveway pole sign nearest Pop’s Cafe. It says that OCSA manages the parking lot. No, they don’t. They share the parking lot and its oversight with the De Pietro building at 809 N. Main Street in Santa Ana. You are entitled to park in our regular spaces against the orange wall and have rights to ingress and egress to all three driveways on the property 24/7, 365 days a year. If you receive a flier with mis-or disinformation, please report it to the management at the De Pietro immediately.
What They’re Saying About OC Crazies Classes!
“Cherie is phenomenal! Her skills at teaching kids (and adults) improv are exceptional. She has a warm, fun, and engaging style that makes everyone feel comfortable and excited to participate. All three of my children attended her summer camp—and they absolutely loved it. I even had the chance to sit in on a class myself, and it was a joy to watch her effortlessly connect with each student, drawing out their creativity and confidence. Cherie is easy to work with, incredibly talented, and truly gifted at creating an environment where kids thrive. We can’t wait to join her programs again!” – Jola Cruise
“Had a blast in the improv course I took. It was fun, supportive, and pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. Learned so much! Cherie is a fantastic instructor, full of energy!” – Edith Huerta
“Took a standup comedy class here. Had an amazing time. The instructor was very supportive and encouraging, as was the other students. The grad show was super fun. I didn’t leave a pro of course, but definitely feel equipped to get myself out there on stage, which I didn’t believe before I took this class. My classmates too made progress leaps and bounds during our 6 week course. I highly recommend it.” – Rusty Felbob
Our History
Celebrity personalities who have studied, performed or started their careers at the Orange County Crazies or it’s film company offshoot, Ree-invent Films include: Mikey Day– SNL; Kylie Rogers, TV and Film actress; Malia Pyles, actress “Baskets”; Jay Abdo “Queen of the Desert” and “Criminal Minds”; Maz Jobrani, Standup Comedian, “Curb Your Enthusiasm,”; Drake Doremus, Director ”Like Crazy” Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2011 and other indie films; Julia Sweeney, writer/actress- “Sex in the City,” SNL“; Shirley Prestia,“Wag the Dog,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm”; Lynne Stewart, Actress, Miss Yvonne, PeeWee’s Playhouse, many sit-coms; and Gary Austin, founder of L.A. Groundlings. The OC Crazies was also selected to perform for the jurors in the O.J. Simpson trial and was cited by the U.S. Secretary of Defense for having created Project Smile, a program wherein the Crazies mobilized several comedy organizations across the country to send humorous materials to the troops during the Persian Gulf War.
Our Classes
AFTER SCHOOL IMPROV COMEDY
Wednesdays 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. starting January 14 – February 18 (6 SESSIONS)
Crazie Teens! The OC Crazies will be offering “After School Improv Comedy” starting Wednesday, January 14 – February 18 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the De Pietro Performance Center. Teens will perform on the last day of class or the following weekend. Enrollment is limited. Class will run for 6 Wednesday afternoons. Crazies encourage the crazy teens to go crazy by exploring their creativity and imaginations. In this class, we encourage impulsivity as the teens are urged to fly by the seat of their pants! Tuition $525.
AFTER SCHOOL IMPROV COMEDY
Wednesdays Starting: Wednesday, January 14 – 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Ends: Wednesday, February 18 – 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
$525.00
IMPROV JAM – INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
Mondays 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. starting January 19 – February 23 (6 SESSIONS)
If you already have some improv comedy training, this class is for you! Our INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED class will offer a mixed bag of drills, exercises, scenes…and more. This class takes the improv player to the next level..introduces more complex rules and tools! It’s fun, energetic, and heavily focused on exploring one’s improv talents. We even get a taste of how to develop original characters. This Crazies class will span 6 weeks and a 7th session is set for a weekend grad show. Overall, this unique and exclusive class provides a great opportunity to strengthen one’s improv chops. Class size is limited to 8 students. Tuition $525.
IMPROV JAM – INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
Mondays Starting: Monday, January 19 – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Ends: Monday, February 23 – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
$525.00
BEGINNER STANDUP
Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. starting February 25 – April 1 (6 SESSIONS)
Whether you have a pet peeve or an absurd story to tell, the OC Crazies can help you fashion that information into a funny bit. The Crazies welcomes first-timers to its standup comedy classes–those who have always had a passion to try this comedic art form, but were too shy to try it. Class size is limited to 4 students.
BEGINNER STANDUP
Wednesdays Starting: Wednesdays, February 25 – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Ends: Wednesdays, April 1 – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
$525.00
WHO’S THERE?
Thursdays 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. starting April 2 – May 7 (6 SESSIONS)
How to conceive, create and develop original characters: A highly personalized course that provides eye-opening lessons to help sketch and improv students/players conceive, create and develop original characters through a series of systematic, yet interactive exercises. This enrollment is kept to a minimum for a highly personalized experience.
WHO’S THERE?
Thursdays Starting: Thursday, April 2 – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Ends: Thursday, May 7 – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
$525.00
CURRENT SHOW DATES:
Check back soon for new 2026 shows!
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS!!!
Email: assistant@occrazies.com to sign up for various volunteer tasks!
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The Orange County Crazies offers classes in Improv, Stand-up, Sketch Comedy, and Workshops on how to develop Original Characters as well as workshop on filmmaking. The Orange County Crazies also offer Tween and Teen classes, as well as comedy writing classes. Courses range from weekly sessions to one-day weekend classes, and one-week classes. Graduation performances follow each class series. The OC Crazies conduct all classes and shows on-site at The De Pietro Performance Center in Santa Ana in its 78-seat, black-box theater.
Over the past 34 years, the Orange County Crazies has become an enviable institution as it remains the longest-running and most prominent organization of its kind in the County of Orange. Based in Santa Ana, California, the O.C. Crazies school and the quality of its classes are unmatched, and the student performances are crowd-pleasing. The organization was founded by Cherie Kerr, a founding member of the famed L.A. Groundlings, who has served as the organization’s Artistic Director since the non-profit comedy organization’s inception. Since its inception, the Crazies has garnered stellar reviews and numerous awards for its original and creative works, as well as for its unparalleled school of comedy.
Please Support Our Incredible Sponsors
Zov’s Restaurant – Tustin, CA – (714) 838-8855
Pop’s Cafe – Santa Ana – (714) 543-2772
Chapter One: The Modern Local, Downtown Santa Ana – (714) 352-2225
OC Crazies
The Orange County Crazies offers classes in Improv, Stand-up, Sketch Comedy, and workshops for how to develop Original Characters, Tween, and Teen classes, as well as writing classes.
Get in Touch
De Pietro Performance Center 809 N. Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714)-550-9890
assistant@occrazies.com
OC Crazies Improv Classes 