Sweeney has free advice for Spokane students

Former “Saturday Night Live” cast member and Spokane native Julia Sweeney is returning to Gonzaga Prep, her alma mater, to present a free comedy workshop for high school and college students.

During the workshop, Sweeney will be leading a comic character building exercise with participating students. In her time on “SNL,” Sweeney created many characters, including the memorably androgynous Pat.

Sweeney will also share anecdotes and advice throughout the workshop, from her beginnings in Spokane through to her successful career as a comedian, writer, actor and monologist. The workshop will end with a Q&A session.

Sweeney hopes to inspire and encourage students from her hometown to pursue careers in the fields she has come to love.

Friday, students and comedy fans alike will also be able to see Sweeney in action when she brings her new comedy show, “Older & Wider,” to the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. The show is at 8 p.m., tickets are $33-$45. Visit foxtheaterspokane.org/ for details.

If you go: Julia Sweeney Student Comedy Workshop, 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Gonzaga Prep, Kubiak Theater, 1224 E. Euclid Ave. Free.