National Comedy Theatre
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National Comedy Theatre was founded in Los Angeles in January of 2000 by James Thomas Bailey.
In July of 2000, the name was extended to an association of theaters across the United States, including locations in San Jose, Kansas City, Indianapolis, San Diego, New York and Austin, Texas. In some cities, the NCT name serves as a stamp of approval, and in some cities, such as San Diego, New York and Austin, the theatres carry the National Comedy Theatre name.
In Los Angeles, National Comedy Theatre is located at 733 Seward Street in Hollywood and serves as the home of ComedySportz Los Angeles. It was built in the 1920s, and through the years, the theatre was both a bakery and later a photographer's studio. It was converted into a theatre in 1977 by Paul Kent and Jomarie Ward, and produced plays and musicals as the Melrose Theatre for two decades. In the late 1990s, the theatre was known as the HBO Workspace, a famous showcase stage, where comedy acts could audition for the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. In 2000, the theatre was jointly managed by HBO and Warner Brothers Television (then called the HBO Warner Brothers Television Workspace), where they also developed material for television.
Prior to being christened with the National Comedy Theatre and ComedySportz names in 2002, the theatre was given an extensive remodel. The theatre has been described as a "jewel" and one of the nicest small theatres in Los Angeles, with large lobby, video capability, dressing rooms, new seats and an outdoor patio. In May 2007, it was voted favorite rehearsal/rental space by Back Stage West.
Although not on Santa Monica Boulevard, NCT is considered part of Theatre Row Hollywood and is also part of the Media District.
ComedySportz is the resident operating company, and although the ComedySportz show plays six times per week, the theatre is used on off-nights and during the daytime for theatrical productions, classes, casting sessions and film shoots.
[edit] References
Spindle, L. "Readers' Choice Awards: Favorite Rehearsal/Rental Space", Back Stage West, May 10-16, 2007
