Peter Dirksen has staffed on single camera comedies for ABC (Supervising Producer on Schooled, Co-EP on Goldbergs), and multi-camera comedies for BET (Co-EP on the upcoming Varnell Hill Show), Nickelodeon, Disney, and Netflix. He and his writing partner have sold comedy pilots to NBC, Disney, and Nickelodeon Animation.
Peter’s first staff writing job was two decades ago for What I Like About You on the now-defunct WB Network. He has since been staffed on 13 seasons of television shows. He worked as a solo writer on the original Wizards of Waverly Place for Disney. He then teamed up with his writing partner, Jonathan Howard, and they initially write for multi cam children’s television, staffing on Marvin Marvin, Bella & the Bulldogs, and Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn for Nickelodeon; Kickin It for Disney; and The Prince of Peoria for Netflix. In 2018 they made the leap to Schooled for ABC, and next worked as Co-Executive Producers on The Goldbergs for two and a half seasons. Most recently they were Co-Executive Producers on the upcoming multi camera comedy The Varnell Hill Show for BET, a long time coming spin-off of Martin.
Peter and his writing partner sold an animated show, Tiny Cowpokes, to Nickelodeon Animation, and a live action sci-fi multi cam to Disney, The Minnesota Martians. They also sold a single camera sitcom to NBC which they developed with Adam F Goldberg and John Legend, called Legend in the Making.
Raised in Rochester, MN, Peter went to University of Iowa in Iowa City, where he took classes from graduates of the Writers Workshop. He has twice worked his way up from production assistant to staff writer! He also went through the improv system at Upright Citizens Brigade in LA. Other jobs include groundskeeping at his high school, substitute teaching in East LA, and making food for off-exhibit monkeys at the LA Zoo. He is a modern renaissance man. Also a proud girl dad.
Testimonials
Peter went above and beyond as a teacher, providing valuable feedback, creative notes, and constructive 1-on-1 communication with his students. He has years of experience in the industry, and it shows.
— Callia Chuang
At Peter’s Televisionary class, I learned to both accept my blind spots as a writer, and also to receive feedback while also building discernment around what feedback is useful to me. I learned to use various Script Anatomy tools that will be invaluable to any kind of writing I approach. So glad to have a patient, experienced and understanding instructor to guide us through this process!
— Fatema Khan