The Groundlings

The Groundlings are an improvisational comedy troupe based in Los Angeles, California. The troupe was formed by Gary Austin in 1974 and uses an improv format influenced by Viola Spolin to produce sketches and improvised scenes.[1] Its name is taken from Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act III, Scene II: "...to split the ears of the groundlings, who for the most part are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumbshows and noise." [2]

The troupe moved into their current location on Melrose Avenue in 1979.

The Groundlings School holds new sessions every six weeks with over 300 students per session, with over 2,000 students per year going through the program. The competitive program consists of 4 levels (Basic, Intermediate, Writing Lab and Advanced). Participants must be successfully advanced from each level by the instructor. After completing the Advanced level, one may be voted into the Sunday Company, which performs every Sunday at 7:30pm. Members of the Main Company are selected from members of the Sunday Company. The Main Company (now capped at 30 members at a time) collectively acts as the organization's artistic director, democratically making business and creative decisions as a group.[3]

In September 2008, The Groundlings began producing short form sketch episodes for Crackle.[4]

Many Groundlings performers have found success in movies and television, including several who have become cast members and writers on Saturday Night Live, MADtv, and Reno 911!.[5]

Contents

David Blaine Street Magic

In 2006 The Groundlings recorded a skit in the alleyway behind the theater called David Blaine Street Magic. It was later uploaded to YouTube where it's become one of the most popular videos on the website.[6] As of April 2011, the video has had over 31 million views and more than 71,000 comments since 12 October 2006.[7] The skit stars Mitch Silpa parodying David Blaine in both the nature of Blaine's performance and his mannerisms. The skit is written by Michael Naughton and Mikey Day, who play the two innocent bystanders on whom Blaine performs his tricks.

Current main company

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ Fult, Josh (February 19, 2007). "Gary Austin - Part 1 - 2/19/07". Improv Interviews. http://www.improvinterviews.com/2007/02/gary-austin-part-1-21907.html. Retrieved July 19, 2010. 
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ Groundlings School Information Page
  4. ^ "Crackle Launches New Original Programming". PRNewswire. 2008-09-11. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/09-11-2008/0004883317&EDATE=. Retrieved 2009-02-25. 
  5. ^ Groundlings School Alumni Page (see also citations for individual alumni below)
  6. ^ LA Times Entertainment 22 June 2008. Collected 9 October 2008.
  7. ^ David Blaine Street Magic at YouTube. Collected 26 April 2011.
  8. ^ Beaver, Jim. Life's That Way, 2009, Putnam/Penguin Books
  9. ^ "Life's That Way - About Cecily Adams". Lifesthatway.com. http://www.lifesthatway.com/aboutCecily.html. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 
  10. ^ Interview with Joey Arias, Bowie LiveChat, March 18, 1999
  11. ^ a b c d e Liner notes, 7307 Melrose Ave CD. 1996, rip hummer music (634479552052)
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o DIG THE GROUNDLINGS; L.A.'S PREMIER IMPROV COMEDY TROUPE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS, Los Angeles Daily News, September 24, 1999
  13. ^ The Groundlings and Improv in L.A.
  14. ^ Groundlings website, alumni list
  15. ^ From Takeshi's Castle to MXC: Most Extreme Elimination Challenge!, BBC, August 18, 2004
  16. ^ a b When Groundlings Attack, Backstage West, February 22, 2001
  17. ^ Eliza Coupe - Ten Comics to Watch, Variety, July 17, 2006
  18. ^ a b 'Hostage' pushes Alliance's limits, Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2003
  19. ^ Live From New York: Introducing New SNL Star Abby Elliott, People magazine, March 9, 2009
  20. ^ Jimmy Fallon's pleasant tomorrow, USA Today, October 7, 2004
  21. ^ a b c d Groundlings going digital, Variety, April 21, 2008
  22. ^ "bob flanagan, 1952-1996". Hnv.nin.net. http://hnv.nin.net/hnv6/flanagan.html. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 
  23. ^ Burton, Tim. Burton on Burton. Faber & Faber, 2006, ISBN 0571229263, p. 47
  24. ^ CBS network website Alex Kapp Horner
  25. ^ John Kilfudd resume
  26. ^ Nancy Cartwright Chats with Tress MacNeille, Animation World News, December 18, 2008
  27. ^ It's Edie in Here, Back Stage West, October 30, 2003
  28. ^ Groundlings prove comedy is all about teamwork, Daily Trojan, July 2, 2008
  29. ^ COMIC 'GROUNDLINGS' HAS ROOM FOR IMPROV-MENT, New York Daily News, September 7, 1998
  30. ^ Oscar Nuñez "Accounts" for The Office's Success, TV Guide, May 10, 2007
  31. ^ Conan O'Brien Biography, A&E Biography
  32. ^ Q&A with Kaitlin Olson, Oregon Daily Emerald, August 20, 2007
  33. ^ Just Shoot Me Official Site, Sony Pictures Television,
  34. ^ In Praise of Silliness - Los Angeles' own Groundlings are celebrating two decades of, well, just plain silliness. Is this someone's idea of a joke? You bet and it's paid off, Los Angeles Times, September 18, 1994
  35. ^ A conversation with Joe Ranft
  36. ^ Lou Romano bio
  37. ^ Groundlings sputter, singe, Los Angeles Times, December 12, 2003
  38. ^ Famous Michiganders, Outdoor Michigan
  39. ^ Building Character From the Ground Up
  40. ^ CC Swiney, Ultimate Improv
  41. ^ "Family Matters" Actress Dies From Stomach Cancer, Associated Press, December 24, 1998
  42. ^ "Judytoll.com"

External links