Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre

Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
Name	Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
City	New York City
Country	United States
Type	Improvisational theatre
Opened	1999
Closed	2020 (original NYC location)
Yearsactive	1999–present
Othernames	UCB Theatre

Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Founded by the Upright Citizens Brigade comedy troupe, this theatre became a cornerstone of the alternative comedy scene in the United States. It served as a vital performance space, training center, and incubator for a generation of comedic talent, profoundly influencing television, film, and live performance. The theatre's commitment to long-form improvisation, particularly the Harold structure, defined its artistic identity and pedagogical approach.

History

The theatre's history is deeply intertwined with the rise of alternative comedy in the late 1990s and 2000s, emerging from the vibrant scene centered in Chicago. After the founding troupe gained notoriety through their Comedy Central sketch series, they established a permanent home to cultivate the improvisational techniques they championed. For over two decades, it operated as a key cultural institution in New York City and later Los Angeles, hosting nightly shows before ceasing operations at its original Chelsea location in 2020. Its legacy continues through its extensive alumni network and the enduring popularity of its signature comedic forms across entertainment.

Founding and early years

The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre was established in 1999 by comedians Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh. The founders, all alumni of the famed ImprovOlympic and The Second City in Chicago, sought to create a dedicated venue for the long-form improvisation styles they had mastered. They initially operated out of a small, raw space in Chelsea, Manhattan, quickly attracting a community of performers and writers from the New York comedy scene. Early success was bolstered by the popularity of the troupe's Comedy Central show and the growing appetite for alternative live comedy, distinct from traditional stand-up comedy clubs.

Locations and venues

The original and most iconic venue was located at 307 West 26th Street in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood, housing a 150-seat main stage and a smaller 74-seat studio theatre. In 2005, the organization expanded to the West Coast with the UCB Theatre in Los Angeles, opening a 86-seat venue on Franklin Avenue in Los Feliz. A second, larger 250-seat Hollywood location on Sunset Boulevard followed in 2014. These venues hosted a relentless schedule of improv, sketch, and stand-up shows, alongside popular weekly performances like *Asssscat 3000* and various Comedy Death-Ray events.

Influence and legacy

The theatre's influence on modern American comedy is immense, systematizing and popularizing long-form improvisation as a foundational skill for writers and performers. Its aesthetic, characterized by fast-paced, game-based scenes, directly shaped the tone of countless television shows on networks like NBC, Comedy Central, and Adult Swim. It created a sustainable ecosystem where performers could develop characters and ideas that often transitioned to shows like *Saturday Night Live*, *30 Rock*, and *Broad City*. The theatre's model inspired similar institutions nationwide, cementing improv as a critical pipeline into the entertainment industry.

Notable alumni and performers

A vast number of prominent comedians and actors performed on its stages, including Aziz Ansari, Aubrey Plaza, Donald Glover, Kate McKinnon, and Billy Eichner. Writers and performers from the theatre have been central to the success of *Saturday Night Live*, *Parks and Recreation*, *The Office*, and *Key & Peele*. Troupes and shows like The Stepfathers, Death by Roo Roo, and *The Chris Gethard Show* originated there. The founding members themselves remained active as performers, teachers, and directors, guiding the theatre's artistic vision for years.

Training and education programs

The UCB Training Center became one of the largest and most influential improv and sketch comedy schools in the world. Its structured curriculum, developed primarily by Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Will Hines, focused intensely on the Harold and other long-form structures. Thousands of students, including many aspiring professionals, progressed through its core levels, studying under a faculty of working performers. The school also offered specialized courses in sketch writing, character development, and television writing, creating a direct talent funnel for the broader entertainment industry.

Category:Improvisational theatre groups Category:Comedy clubs in the United States Category:Performing arts education in the United States