Tommy Dewey ’01 poses for a group photo with Princeton students after a Feeding the Arts event. Photo by Angel Gardner

Actor, producer, writer and alumnus Tommy Dewey ’01 (Casual, Code Black, The Mindy Project) shared personal insights and practical advice about launching and sustaining a professional career in film and television with Princeton students in an informal conversation over dinner.

Dewey co-taught a fall 2021 Princeton Atelier course, “Creating Comedy for Television,” with fellow alum Scott Eckert ‘03 and Al Samuels of the LA-based improv comedy group, Baby Wants Candy. In the course, students participated in the in-process television pitch used by Samuels’ cutting-edge improvisation group, including finalizing concept and script and developing a strong pitch. Mentored by the faculty and guest artists that included Ellie Kemper ‘02 and Ed Helms, students developed their own original television concepts both in teams and individually, and they also created shorter material such as desk bits for late night shows and other online content. Students also had a glimpse into the faculty team’s current project, which culminated in a table read on December 9 by LA actors of their TV pilot, Backwater.

The student event on Dec. 9 was organized by the Center for Career Development and the Lewis Center for the Arts as part of the Feeding the Arts series. Dewey will next star in the FOX comedy Pivoting, premiering January 9, 2022.