Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre

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The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre on West 26th Street in Manhattan.

The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre or UCB Theatre is an improvisational theatre and associated improv and sketch training center[1] with locations in Chelsea, New York, the East Village, New York and Hollywood, California.

The theater was founded by Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh, a group of comedians who perform as the Upright Citizens Brigade.[2] The troupe had a show on Comedy Central from 1998 to 2000 and was originally trained by Del Close at Chicago's ImprovOlympic.[3]

Contents

Philosophy[edit]

The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Training Center teaches longform improv, sketch writing, and various other comedy skills.[1]

History[edit]

Solo Arts[edit]

Prior to opening their own theatre, the Upright Citizens Brigade performed their signature improv show, ASSSSCAT, first at KGB Bar, and then later at Solo Arts. Solo Arts was the first semi-permanent home to the Upright Citizens Brigade's Harold Teams and is considered by some to be the group's first theatre.[4][5][6]

161[edit]

The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre's first permanent space was at 161 West 22nd Street, a 75-seat auditorium that used to be the Harmony Burlesque Theater, an all-nude lap-dancing club—essentially a storefront.

The original theatre was closed on November 18, 2002 after a building inspector ordered the theater to be shut down due to fire code violations, specifically because of an inadequate rear exit. In the months that followed, the theater found a temporary home at the Access Theater on lower Broadway, then moved to the Chelsea Playhouse for a short time before finding a permanent space.[7]

Current location in Chelsea[edit]

On April 1, 2003, the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre opened its second official, current space - a 150-seat theater at 307 West 26th Street in NYC in the former Maverick Theater. This new space had several advantages over its previous theater at 161, such as double capacity, a more professional tech booth, larger green room with a greater separation from the stage area, two dressing rooms, storage rooms, twice the number of bathrooms, and a "chill out room".[8][9]

Los Angeles[edit]

Comedy Bang Bang, a Los Angeles alternative comedy show moved from its former home at the M Bar to join the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, appearing on Tuesday nights.[10] Created by Scott Aukerman, Comedy Bang Bang regularly features comics such as Patton Oswalt, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Silverman, and Nick Kroll.[10]

The Del Close Marathon[edit]

Del Close worked in improvisational comedy in Chicago for over 30 years and a strong influence on Upright Citizens Brigade. After Del's death in 1999, the UCB started the Del Close Marathon to celebrate their mentor and keep alive his name and teachings for future generations.[11]

Notable performers[edit]

New York (current)[edit]

Based partially on the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre web site:[12]

Los Angeles (current)[edit]

Based partially on the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre web site:[13]

Other notable alumni and guest performers[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Classes: New York". Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center. Retrieved December 24, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c d e McKinley, Jesse (2003-01-27). "Masters of Improv Are Stumped". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-23. 
  3. ^ "And....Scene". New York Magazine. September 25, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2012. 
  4. ^ Levy, Ariel (August 10, 1998). "The Odd Squad". New York Magazine. Retrieved December 24, 2011. 
  5. ^ "Jason Mantzoukas interview". jesterjournal.com. Retrieved December 24, 2011. 
  6. ^ "Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Nightclub in Chelsea, NY". clubplanet.com. Retrieved December 24, 2011. 
  7. ^ McKinley, Jesse (2003-01-27). "Masters of Improv Are Stumped; Losing a Permanent Theater Is No Joke for a Comedy Troupe". The New York Times. 
  8. ^ "[UCBT] No more Chelsea". Improv Message Boards. March 14, 2003. Retrieved December 24, 2011. 
  9. ^ "We need this for the UCB chill out room". Improv Message Boards. March 9, 2005. Retrieved December 24, 2011. 
  10. ^ a b "Comedy Bang Bang: Standup". UCB Theatre. Retrieved December 24, 2011. 
  11. ^ http://delclosemarathon.com/dcm8/index.php?option=home
  12. ^ "New York: Performers". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2008-03-23. 
  13. ^ "Los Angeles: Performers". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2008-06-12. 
  14. ^ "New York: Shows: Soundtracks Live!". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2009-01-25. 
  15. ^ "New York: Shows: Todd Barry: Icky". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2008-12-06. 
  16. ^ "Los Angeles: Shows: Mo VS. Mo". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2008-06-12. 
  17. ^ "Los Angeles: Shows: Naked Babies". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2008-12-06. 
  18. ^ Brown, Janelle (2006-07-17). "Eliza Coupe". Variety. 
  19. ^ "New York: Shows: Dratch & Fey". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2008-12-06. 
  20. ^ "Los Angeles: Shows: The Zach Galifianakis Surprise". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2008-06-12. 
  21. ^ "Los Angeles: Shows: Jeff Garlin's Combo Platter". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2008-06-12. 
  22. ^ "Videos: ASSSSCAT: Gibby Haynes #1". UCBcomedy.com. Retrieved 2008-12-06. 
  23. ^ "New York: Shows: Andy Kindler: One Hold Barred". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2009-01-25. 
  24. ^ "Los Angeles: Shows: ET: The Extra-Terrestrial". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2008-06-12. 
  25. ^ "New York: Shows: Naked Babies / Scheer & McBrayer". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2009-01-25. 
  26. ^ "Los Angeles: Shows: Hammy and the Kids". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2008-06-12. 
  27. ^ "New York: Shows: Andy Milonakis Is Not Funny: The Musical!". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. 
  28. ^ "Los Angeles: Shows: Patton, Doug and Brian's Movie Nerd Out". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2008-06-12. 
  29. ^ "Videos: Worst Laid Plans: Trailer". UCBcomedy.com. Retrieved 2008-12-06. 
  30. ^ "Los Angeles: Shows: Scottastrophy". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2008-06-12. 
  31. ^ "Los Angeles: Shows: Tim and Eric's Guide To...". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Retrieved 2009-01-25. 

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 40°44′51″N 73°59′52″W / 40.74753°N 73.99764°W / 40.74753; -73.99764

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