UCB Training Center
Encyclopedia
The UCB Training Center is the improvisation and sketch comedy school associated with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
in New York and Los Angeles. After arriving from Chicago in 1997, the Upright Citizens Brigade
performers taught classes in their theater space and rented rooms around New York. In 2003, following the closing of their theater on 22nd Street, the Upright Citizens Brigade taught classes primarily at a location on 23rd Street. Since 2005, the Training Center has had its classroom space and offices at 145 West 30th Street in New York. In Los Angeles, the school operates out of the theater and in various classroom spaces around the city. In 2010, the UCB Training Center became an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
Students who have completed four levels of classes are considered graduates, while additional upper level courses are available. The primary improvisational form is "The Harold", and the theater in all its incarnations has had a group of "Harold Teams", house teams that perform regularly. Teams are composed of people who have completed training at the UCB Training Center, and either auditioned or were asked to be performers. The Training Center also teaches courses in Musical Improv.
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre or UCB Theatre is an improvisational theatre and associated UCB Training Center with locations in Chelsea, New York, the EEast Village, New York and Hollywood, California.....
in New York and Los Angeles. After arriving from Chicago in 1997, the Upright Citizens Brigade
Upright Citizens Brigade
The Upright Citizens Brigade is an improvisational comedy and sketch comedy group that emerged from Chicago's ImprovOlympic in 1990. The most recent incarnation consists of Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh...
performers taught classes in their theater space and rented rooms around New York. In 2003, following the closing of their theater on 22nd Street, the Upright Citizens Brigade taught classes primarily at a location on 23rd Street. Since 2005, the Training Center has had its classroom space and offices at 145 West 30th Street in New York. In Los Angeles, the school operates out of the theater and in various classroom spaces around the city. In 2010, the UCB Training Center became an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
Improvisation
The UCB Training Center teaches long-form improvisation with a strong emphasis on the "game" of the scene.Students who have completed four levels of classes are considered graduates, while additional upper level courses are available. The primary improvisational form is "The Harold", and the theater in all its incarnations has had a group of "Harold Teams", house teams that perform regularly. Teams are composed of people who have completed training at the UCB Training Center, and either auditioned or were asked to be performers. The Training Center also teaches courses in Musical Improv.
Sketch Comedy
The UCB Training Center's sketch comedy classes also focus on the "game" of a scene. Students studying writing are considered graduates after two levels of classes. The theater has "Maude Teams," which perform sketch comedy shows on a monthly basis. These teams are made up of writers who have studied at the Training Center and performers, most of whom have studied improvisation there.Alumni
UCB Training Center alumni include many writers and performers from television and movies, such as:- Eric AppelEric AppelEric Appel is a writer and director currently residing in Los Angeles, California. He has written for MTV's Human Giant, The Andy Milonakis Show and Crank Yankers....
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