Connor Ratliff Presents: The Acting Class Season 1, Episode 25: Acting In Commercials

The Russian Doll Experience

CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The first in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes.

AVAIL Check

CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 2nd in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "What is an AVAIL check?" "What's an example of GOOD acting?" and "In general, what's the most popular seltzer? Plain or Lemon-lime?"

Please Hold Your Applause Until the End

CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The third in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "When To Applaud" "What Is It Like Working In The Parks Department For An Entire Lifetime?" and "An In-Depth Exploration of SpongeBob SquarePants' Boss, Mr. Krabs."

There's No Shame in Giving Up

CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The fourth in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "Being An Understudy" "Does $100 Count As Payment?" and "What Do You Call A Group Of Actors?"

How to Spell P-R-I-V-I-L-E-G-E

CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 5th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "Should The Word 'Restaurant' Be Spelled That Way?" "What Is Man's Essential Nature?" and "What's Something That You'd Like To See A Breakdown About?"

Tonight, the Role of Glad Hand Will Be Played by Daniel Day-Lewis

CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 6th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "Being Good At Acting" "Small Roles" and "Multiple Roles."

Acting, from Alex to Zach

CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 7th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "Being The Grinch" "How To Be A Recurring Character On A TV Series" and "Cory Flock Has A Backstory In The Y2K Movie."

How to Get Cast on SNL

CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 8th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. This special SNL50 edition of CRpTAC is a master class on how to get cast on Saturday Night Live, taught by someone who has never even auditioned for it. If you watch this video and later join the cast of SNL, please let us know and give us partial credit for your success.

Secular Santa Edition

CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 9th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. This special "Secular Santa Edition" is focused on booking work as the popular holiday character of "Santa Claus."

I Saw The TV Glow - Coming To Max - December 17th

CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 10th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "Booking A Promotional VO" "Be Careful What You Wish For" and "Auditioning For ELSBETH"

60 min

With Special Guest GRIFFIN NEWMAN

January 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from San Francisco's Gateway Theatre for SF Sketchfest. The 11th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person* shows pretending to be real acting classes. This episode features Special Guest GRIFFIN NEWMAN (Blank Check podcast, The Tick, Vinyl)! [*Yes, this episode features TWO people. But it's not a MATH class, it's an ACTING class.]

96 min

Al Capone In Love

February 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. The 12th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "The Many Kinds Of Failure" "Winning Awards" and "Whether Or Not To Use Elastic Search."

86 min

Another Day In Paradise

February 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 13th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "Time Travel" "How To Act Like A Baby" and "Moving Furniture Around."

65 min

Stop Breathing On Me

March 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 14th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "Acting For Film & TV" "Li'l Abner" and "Being An Understudy."

61 min

With Special Guest Brandon Scott Jones

April 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. The 15th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person* shows pretending to be real acting classes. This episode features Special Guest BRANDON SCOTT JONES (Ghosts, The Good Place, The Other Two)! [*Yes, this episode features TWO people. But it's not a MATH class, it's an ACTING class.]

109 min

The Rise & Fall Of Will Rogers

April 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 16th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "Don Ameche," "Does Josh Baskin Have A Dad?" and "How Did Will Rogers Die?" Filmed by Keith Haskel & Tom Levin

58 min

SPECIAL ACTING REQUESTS

May 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 17th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. This SPECIAL ACTING REQUESTS edition of CRpTAC was part of a 24-hour marathon event of THAT SHOW with Chris Gethard, raising over $33,000 for the mental health organization, LAUGHING TOGETHER.

56 min

Zoomgarry Zoom Ross

May 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 18th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "Zoom Meetings," "Social Change Organizations," "Psychiatric Genetics," "Cocaine," and "Postage Meter Salesmen."

61 min

Gut Stuff feat. JEFF HILLER

June 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live from CAVEAT, on New York City's Lower East Side. The 19th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person* shows pretending to be real acting classes. This episode features Special Guest JEFF HILLER (Emmy nominee for Somebody Somewhere, author of Actress Of A Certain Age)! [*Yes, this episode features TWO people. But it's not a MATH class, it's an ACTING class.]

79 min

One Foot In Front Of The Other feat. GRIFFIN NEWMAN

July 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at the Brooklyn Comedy Collective, as part of the annual FUN & DUMB Improv Festival. The 20th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person* shows pretending to be real acting classes. This episode features Special Guest GRIFFIN NEWMAN (Blank Check podcast, The Tick, Vinyl), returning for his 2nd appearance! [*Yes, this episode features TWO people. But it's not a MATH class, it's an ACTING class.]

LIVE! at HARTFORD, CT

July 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at Sea Tea Comedy Theater in Hartford, Connecticut. The 21st in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "Requesting Payment", "3-D Game Acting" and "Seat Belts."

82 min

LOVELY JUBBLY

July 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 22nd in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "Batman's butler, Alfred", "Streaming Numbers", and "Clean Up On Aisle 7."

65 min

LIVE from Portland, Maine

August 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at the Portland Media Center in Portland, Maine. The 23rd in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "The Kidnapping KIller Who Gets Killed," "Women's Sports," "Bat Biology," "Toxic Podcast Production" and "Hamlet." Produced at the Portland Media Center Directed for television by Brendan McDonald Camera Operators: Kharis Lumeya Kuka & Cindy Czubryt

91 min

The 50th Birthday Show

August 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 24th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. Topics include: "Turning 50," "Ticketing Systems," "The Real Oliver Twist," & "Beauty & The Beast."

61 min

The HORROR

October 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 26th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. For this special HALLOWEEN edition, the horrifying topics include: "The Ballad Of Dave & Margaret", "Drenched Audition", "My Best Friend Is A Spider" and "The Fall Of David."

73 min

DREAM THEATER

November 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at the Greenhouse Theater Center in Chicago. The 27th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. This one takes place at a venue formerly known as The Body Politic, where Connor's dad performed as a member of The Chicago Extension in 1970 and 1971. The group was assembled and directed by improv legend Del Close, and their show, "Dream Theater," featured the improvisers performing scenes inspired by audience members' dreams. Topics for this show include: "Physics," "Components," "Resellers," "Mad Doctors," "Leather Daddies" and "Pizza Cookies."

89 min

SANTACONNOR II

December 2025: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 28th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes. For this special SECULAR SANTA EDITION, a fundraiser to benefit Feeding America -- the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a network of more than 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs -- professional actor Connor Ratliff was unable to attend, and was replaced by the actual Santa Claus. Or was he? Over the course of 2 hours, you may never learn the answer as to whether you are watching Santa pretending to be Connor or Connor performing the role of "Santa Claus."

123 min

The Lawyer, The Frenchman and The Boy Scout feat. special guest GRIFFIN NEWMAN

January 2026: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at SF SKETCHFEST. The 29th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person* shows pretending to be real acting classes. This episode features Special Guest GRIFFIN NEWMAN (Blank Check podcast, unspecified upcoming feature film, Golden Globes), returning for his 3rd appearance! [*Yes, this episode features TWO people. But it’s not a MATH class, it’s an acting class.] Lessons include: "How To Appeal To a Jury," "How To Get Cast On CHEERS," and "How To Get Cast In A Staight-To-DVD Cuba Gooding, Jr, Action Movie"

93 min

A Little Spider Secret feat. D’Arcy Carden

January 2026: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. The 30th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person* shows pretending to be real acting classes. This episode features Special Guest D'ARCY CARDEN (The Good Place, Barry, A League Of Their Own, Sunny Nights)! [*Yes, this episode features TWO people. But it’s not a MATH class, it’s an acting class.] Lessons include: " Created by Connor Ratliff (Dead Eyes, State Farm commercial, unspecified upcoming feature film)

79 min

LIVE! In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

January 2026: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at SF SKETCHFEST. The 31st in an ongoing series of improvised one-person* shows pretending to be real acting classes, this one occurred at the 13th annual SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival! The footage was taken in the least processional manner possible and is borderline unwatchable. But the show contains many valuable lessons, including: "Chair Positioning," "High Severity Data," and "Assassins."

58 min

With Special Guest RACHEL ZEGLER

January 2026: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 32nd in an ongoing series of improvised one-person* shows pretending to be real acting classes. This episode features Special Guest RACHEL ZEGLER (Golden Globe Winner for Steven Spielberg's West Side Story, Disney's Snow White, Romeo + Juliet on Broadway, Evita on London's West End.) [*Yes, this episode features TWO people. But it’s not a MATH class, it’s an acting class.] Lessons include: "THE Dentist & THE Hygienist," "Two Lawyers," "Fowl Martha & Her Terrible Uncle"

65 min

LIVE! In St. Louis, MO (Early Show)

February 2026: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live in St. Louis, MO! The 33rd in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes, this was the first of two back-to-back shows performed at the Greenfinch Theater & Dive. Lessons include: "Tiny Tim," "Semi-BDSM Film Acting," and "The Story of John Dublin, Founder of Dublin, California."

71 min

LIVE! In St. Louis, MO (Late Show)

February 2026: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live in St. Louis, MO! The 34th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes, this was the second of two back-to-back shows performed at the Greenfinch Theater & Dive. Lessons include: "Data Engineering," "Dancing," and "The Hunt for Confederate Gold."

71 min

With Special Guest PATRICK WILSON

February 2026: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 35th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person* shows pretending to be real acting classes. This episode features Special Guest PATRICK WILSON (Angels In America, Watchmen, Insidious, The Conjuring, Little Children, Fargo, Prometheus, Jay Kelly). [*Yes, this episode features TWO people. But it’s not a MATH class, it’s an acting class.] Lessons include: "Auditioning For A Horror Film Set In A Bakery," "1930s Old Timey Musical," and "Promotional Improv Demonstration For The Upcoming Feature Film, RUN AMOK."

67 min

With Special Guest JAMES III

March 2026: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at the Imposters Theater in Cleveland, Ohio. The 36th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person* shows pretending to be real acting classes. This episode features Special Guest JAMES III (Abbott Elementary, Black Mirror, Astronomy Club, Big Mouth, Good Burger 2, I Think You Should Leave, Modern Family). [*Yes, this episode features TWO people. But it’s not a MATH class, it’s an acting class.] Lessons include: "Crying & Talking Fast," "Musical Medical Drama," and "Sitcom Acting."

80 min

With Special Guests JACK QUAID & MEG RYAN

March 2026: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at the UCB Theatre in New York City. The 37th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person* shows pretending to be real acting classes. This episode features Special Guest JACK QUAID (The Boys, Companion, Novocaine, Scream, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Oppenheimer, Ithaca, Vinyl) and SURPRISE Special Guest MEG RYAN (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless In Seattle, You've Got Mail, City Of Angels, Anastasia, Top Gun, Ithaca, Courage Under Fire, French Kiss, When A Man Loves A Woman, Joe Vs The Volcano, Innerspace). [*Yes, this episode features THREE people. But it’s not a MATH class, it’s an acting class.] Lessons include: "Being Brave," "The Meaning Of Charm," and "Tom Jones Introduces His Mother, Eleanor Jones, to his rival, Blifil."

62 min

LIVE! AT THE HARTFORD IMPROV FESTIVAL

March 2026: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, headlining at the Hartford Improv Festival! The 38th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person shows pretending to be real acting classes, this one was performed to a packed house at the Sea Tea Improv Theater in Hartford, Connecticut. Lessons include: "Electricity," "Improv Therapy," "The Wicked Witch Of The West," and "The Ugly Duckling's Brother."

84 min

ZACH CHERRY

April 2026: CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS, live at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. The 39th in an ongoing series of improvised one-person* shows pretending to be real acting classes. This episode features Special Guest Emmy nominee ZACH CHERRY (Severance, Fallout, Crashing, Spider Man: Homecoming, Succession) [*Yes, this episode features TWO people. But it’s not a MATH class, it’s an acting class.] Lessons include: "Backdoor Pilot for Roller-skating Detective Show," "Comfort Vs Stability," and "Playing Coy at Jersey Mike's."