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Revision as of 17:03, 6 June 2024 editSer Amantio di Nicolao (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Administrators6,296,811 edits removed Category:Improv Theatre companies in New York City; added Category:Improv theatre companies in New York City using HotCat← Previous edit Latest revision as of 17:04, 12 September 2024 edit undoKlbrain (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, New page reviewers87,320 edits Merged content to Upright Citizens Brigade#Theatre, redirecting; unopposed 2023 proposal; overlap (easy-merge)Tag: New redirect 
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{{Short description|Improvisational comedy venue}}
{{Merge to|Upright Citizens Brigade|discuss=Talk:Upright Citizens Brigade#Proposed merge of Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre into Upright Citizens Brigade|date=December 2023}}
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{{R from merge}}
The '''Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre''' (shorter '''UCB Theatre''' or '''UCB''') is an American ] and sketch comedy training center and theatre <ref name="newyork.ucbtheatre.com">{{cite web|url=http://newyork.ucbtheatre.com/classes/ |title=Classes: New York |publisher=Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center |access-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref> originally founded by ] troupe members ], ], ] and ].<ref name="nyt">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/27/arts/masters-improv-are-stumped-losing-permanent-theater-no-joke-for-comedy-troupe.html |title=Masters of Improv Are Stumped |first=Jesse |last=McKinley |work=] |date=January 27, 2003 |access-date=March 7, 2022}}</ref>
{{R to section}}

Prior to the ],<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Connell |first1=Mikey |title=Amy Poehler, UCB Co-Founders Address NYC Facility Closures: "We're Really Trying to Keep It Alive" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/amy-poehler-ucb-founders-address-nyc-facility-closures-we-trying-keep-it-alive-1290602/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=22 April 2020}}</ref> UCB had locations in the ] neighborhoods of ] and the ], and on ] in ]. UCB was located in Chelsea West 26th Street location from April 2003 until November 2017, after which it moved to Hell's Kitchen, 555 West 42nd Street in December 2017. The second NYC theatre located in the East Village opened in 2011, and the Los Angeles expansion started in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/ucb-is-moving-from-chelsea-to-hells-kitchen-next-month.html|title=UCB Is Moving from Chelsea to Hell's Kitchen Next Month|last=Wright|first=Megh|work=Vulture|access-date=2018-11-26|language=en}}</ref>

Members of the Upright Citizens Brigade originally trained with ] at ]'s ] where they created their signature ''ASSSSCAT'' show, the success of which led to the troupe founding the UCB Theatre in New York City.

==Philosophy==
The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Training Center teaches long form improv, sketch, writing, parts of directing, and various other comedy skills.<ref name="newyork.ucbtheatre.com"/> The training center's philosophy of improv is based largely on the teachings of ], with a strong emphasis on the "game" of the scene.<ref>{{cite web|last=Voss|first=Eric|title=Improv's Babel: Defining the Game of the Scene|url=http://splitsider.com/2012/11/improvs-babel-defining-the-game-of-the-scene/|publisher=Splitsider|access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref> In 2013, they co-authored a manual titled ''The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual''.<ref>, The New York Times, 20 February 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nymag.com/arts/comics/features/upright-citizens-brigade-2011-10/|title=And....Scene|publisher=New York Magazine|date=September 25, 2011|access-date=July 4, 2012}}</ref> The primary improvisational form is "]", and the theater in all its incarnations has had a group of "Harold Teams", house teams that perform regularly.<ref>{{cite web|title=New York: Shows: Harold Night|url=http://newyork.ucbtheatre.com/shows/view/5|access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref>

==History==
===New York===
Prior to opening their own theatre, the Upright Citizens Brigade performed their signature improv show, ASSSSCAT, first at ], 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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Levy |first=Ariel |url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/features/3044/ |title=The Odd Squad |publisher=New York Magazine |date=August 10, 1998 |access-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jesterjournal.com/IntMantzoukas.htm |title=Jason Mantzoukas interview |publisher=jesterjournal.com |access-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clubplanet.com/Venues/133647/New-York/Upright-Citizens-Brigade-Theatre |title=Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Nightclub in Chelsea, NY |publisher=clubplanet.com |access-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref> The troupe'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 ] 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. 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.<ref name="nyt"/>

On April 1, 2003, the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre moved to its second official space in Chelsea, a 150-seat theater at 307 West 26th Street in NYC in the former Maverick Theater. The new venue had several advantages over the previous theater on 22nd Street, 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.improvresourcecenter.com/mb/showthread.php?t=12091 |title= No more Chelsea |publisher=Improv Message Boards |date=March 14, 2003 |access-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.improvresourcecenter.com/mb/showthread.php?t=34286&highlight=chill+out+room |title=We need this for the UCB chill out room |publisher=Improv Message Boards |date=March 9, 2005 |access-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref>

In September 2011,<ref name=ucbeastsched92011>{{cite web|title=Schedule - UCB Theatre|url=https://east.ucbtheatre.com/schedule/09/2011|website=UCBTheatre.com|access-date=7 October 2015}}</ref> UCB opened a second theater on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, at 153 E 3rd St. This theater featured 124 seats, two lobbies, and a full bar known as the "Hot Chicks Room" in reference to an episode of the '']'' TV show.<ref name="New York Times">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/31/arts/upright-citizens-brigade-theater-opens-in-east-village.html?_r=0 |title=Comedy Troupe Delivers Its Second New York Baby |work=The New York Times |date=October 30, 2011}}</ref> Often referred to as "the Beast" (a ] shortening of "UCB East"), the theater was initially opened in hopes of showcasing more stand-up comedy. However, it primarily featured improv and sketch shows. In January 2019 it was announced that UCB East would close in February 2019, following financial issues.

At the start of 2017, ticket prices increased (the first in ten years).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/arts/upright-citizens-brigade-raises-prices-comedy-fans-shouldnt-laugh.html?action=click&module=RelatedCoverage&pgtype=Article&region=Footer|title=Upright Citizens Brigade Raises Prices. Comedy Fans Shouldn't Laugh.|work=The New York Times |date=30 January 2017 |access-date=2018-11-26|language=en |last1=Zinoman |first1=Jason }}</ref> In October 2017, it was announced that the UCB Chelsea location would close. The last show in Chelsea was Wednesday, November 28, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/11/ucb-theatre-chelsea-closing-night-improv|title=Comic Chaos Reigns at the U.C.B. Chelsea's Final Night|last=McGlynn|first=Katla|work=HWD|access-date=2018-11-26|language=en}}</ref> The next UCB space was at 555 42nd Street in Hell's Kitchen, the former home to the ] Company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://splitsider.com/2017/10/ucb-is-moving-from-chelsea-to-hells-kitchen-next-month/|title=UCB Is Moving from Chelsea to Hell's Kitchen Next Month|date=Oct 16, 2017}}</ref> Due to the ], this location and the New York training center were closed on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, leaving no NYC locations of UCB, with no confirmed plans for revival.<ref>{{cite web |title=30 iconic NYC institutions that have now permanently closed|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/25-iconic-ny-institutions-that-have-permanently-closed |website=Time Out |date=23 February 2021 |access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref> However, on June 29, 2023, UCB announced its return to New York at 242 E. 14th Street, which will house a 130-seat theater, a bar, and a lounge. The space is expected to open in early 2024.

===Los Angeles===
In 2005, the Los Angeles branch of the theater opened at 5919 Franklin Avenue in Hollywood, offering up improv, sketch and stand-up comedy shows nightly with a 120-seat capacity. Soon after, '']'' (formerly Comedy Death-Ray), a Los Angeles ] show moved from its former home at the M Bar to join the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, appearing on Tuesday nights.<ref name="losangeles.ucbtheatre.com">{{cite web|url=http://losangeles.ucbtheatre.com/shows/745 |title=Comedy Bang Bang: Standup |publisher=UCB Theatre |access-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref>

In 2014, UCB announced the opening of UCB Theatre Sunset located at 5419 ] for November 1. The venue played home to Upright Citizens Brigade's training center, an 85-seat theatre, cafe/performance space called Inner Sanctum, video production offices, and even retail stores on street level.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://splitsider.com/2014/10/ucb-announces-the-grand-opening-of-ucb-theatre-sunset/|title=Upright Citizens Brigade Announces the Grand Opening of UCB Theatre Sunset - Splitsider|work=Splitsider}}</ref> This location was sold in December 2020, leaving the Franklin theater as the only space owned by UCB.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/12/upright-citizens-brigade-closes-los-angeles-sunset-theater.html |title=Eight Months After Shuttering Their NYC Venue, Upright Citizens Brigade Closes L.A.'s Sunset Theater - Vulture |work=Vulture |date=23 December 2020 |access-date=April 20, 2021}}</ref>

In March 2022, former owner and CEO of The Onion, Mike McAvoy, and co-founder of Mosaic talent management, Jimmy Miller, acquired UCB and its lone remaining theater with the backing of venture capitalist, Elysian Park. They reopened the UCB comedy theater and Los Angeles training centers in September 2022.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=ucbtla |url=https://twitter.com/ucbtla/status/1569778465632813056?s=20&t=KvS4EeM4iiid4MoZ5PXGEQ |number=1569778465632813056 |lang=en |title=UCB is back! |access-date=2023-04-11}}</ref>

==Pop Culture==
'']'' has been known for seeking top talent from UCB's pool of students.<ref>{{cite web|title=Second City vs. Groundlings vs. UCB: Where Do the Most 'SNL' Cast Members Come From?|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/03/second-city-vs-groundlings-vs-ucb-where-do-the-most-snl-cast-members-come-from.html|website=]|date=March 14, 2013|access-date=April 22, 2019 |first=Bradford|last=Evans}}</ref>

TV shows like ] created by ]; and ] created by ] and ] started out as UCB experiments.

== Notable alumni ==
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Aziz Ansari |url=https://ucbcomedy.com/user/2067 |website=ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref>
* ]
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni">{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/02/the-25-most-famous-ucb-alumni/ben-schwartz|title=The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni|website=] }}</ref>
* ] - founder<ref name = "Vanity Fair 12">{{Cite magazine|last=Busis|first=Hillary|title=12 Stars Who Got Their Start at the U.C.B. Theatre|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/photos/2017/11/ucb-theatre-alumni-amy-poehler-matt-walsh|access-date=2021-05-05|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=29 November 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ]
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ]
* ]
* ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Ilana Glazer |url=https://ucbcomedy.com/user/8509 |website=ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref>
* ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Donald Glover |url=https://ucbcomedy.com/user/3970 |website=ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref>
* ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Ed Helms |url=https://ucbcomedy.com/user/465 |website=ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ed Helms |url=https://www.biography.com/actor/ed-helms |website=Biography.com |date=5 September 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Abbi Jacobson |url=http://www.ucbcomedy.com/user/8134-title=Abbi |website=www.ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Abbi Jacobson |url=https://www.mica.edu/art-articles/details/abbi-jacobson/ |website=MICA |language=en}}</ref>
* ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Ellie Kemper |url=https://www.ucbcomedy.com/user/2983 |website=www.ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref>
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ]<ref name="EW interview">{{cite magazine |last1=Snierson |first1=Dan |title=Wild times at UCB with Amy Poehler, Ilana Glazer, Nick Kroll and more |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/06/28/amy-poehler-ilana-glazer-nick-kroll-upright-citizens-brigade/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}</ref>
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ]<ref name="EW interview" /><ref name="Vanity Fair 12" />
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
*]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Ego Nwodim |url=http://egonwodim.ucbcomedy.com/ |website=egonwodim.ucbcomedy.com |language=en |access-date=2021-07-19 |archive-date=2018-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020040344/http://egonwodim.ucbcomedy.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ]
* ]
* ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Aubrey Plaza |url=https://www.ucbcomedy.com/user/3831 |website=www.ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref>
* ] - founder<ref>{{cite web |title=Amy Poehler {{!}} Bio {{!}} Broad City |url=https://press.cc.com/series/broad-city/bio/431972 |website=Comedy Central Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Amy Poehler |url=https://ucbcomedy.com/user/2186 |website=ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref>
* ]
* ]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weldon |first1=Annie |title=Rob Riggle at House of Blues: From Marines Brigade to Upright Citizens Brigade |url=https://www.offbeat.com/news/rob-riggle-at-house-of-blues-from-marines-brigade-to-upright-citizens-brigade/ |website=OffBeat Magazine|date=16 June 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rob Riggle |url=https://ucbcomedy.com/user/901 |website=ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref>
* ] - founder<ref>{{cite web |title=Ian Roberts |url=https://ucbcomedy.com/user/1426 |website=ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Times Overhall">{{cite web |last1=Cohn |first1=Gabe |title=Upright Citizens Brigade to Overhaul Its Leadership |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/14/theater/upright-citizens-brigade-reorganizing.html |website=The New York Times |date=14 June 2020}}</ref>
* ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rosaescandon/2019/06/28/28-year-old-sudi-green-is-a-comedian-on-the-forefront/?sh=17b3f476beb3 | title=28-Year-Old Sudi Green is a Comedian on the Forefront | website=] }}</ref>
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Ben Schwartz |url=https://ucbcomedy.com/user/2641 |website=ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref>
* ]
* ]
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
* ] - founder<ref>{{cite web |title=Matt Walsh |url=https://ucbcomedy.com/user/2292 |website=ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Times Overhall" />
* ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Zach Woods |url=https://ucbcomedy.com/user/314 |website=ucbcomedy.com |language=en}}</ref>
* ]
* ]<ref name="The 25 Most Famous UCB Alumni"/>
{{div col end}}

==See also==
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* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
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==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|New York City}}
*{{official website|http://www.ucbtheatre.com/}}

{{Chelsea, Manhattan}}
{{East Village, Manhattan}}
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] ]

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