THE GROUNDLINGS

The Groundlings building on Melrose Avenue

'The Groundlings' is an improvisational comedy troupe based in Los Angeles, California, USA. The troupe was formed by Gary Austin in 1974 and uses an improv format influenced by Viola Spolin to produce sketches and improvised scenes. The troupe moved into their current location on Melrose Avenue in 1979. Many Groundlings performers have gone on to success in movies and television, including several who have become cast members and writers on ''Saturday Night Live'', ''MAD TV'', and ''Reno 911!''. The Groundlings School sees over 2,000 students per year go through their program. The highly competitive program consists of 4 levels (Basic, Intermediate, Writing Lab and Advanced). You must be successfully advanced from each level by your instructor. After Advanced you may be voted into the Sunday Company which performs on Sunday. Members of the Main Company are selected from members of the Sunday Company. The current Executive Director of The Groundlings is Dan Fishbach who has led the company since December, 2006.
Notable Groundlings alumni include:

Joey Arias

Adam Carolla

Jennifer Coolidge

Christian Duguay

Will Ferrell

Will Forte

Daniele Gaither

Janeane Garofalo

Ana Gasteyer

Kathy Griffin

Rachael Harris

Phil Hartman

Cheryl Hines

Alex Kapp Horner

Damon Jones

Chris Kattan

Lisa Kudrow

Jon Lovitz

Phil LaMarr

Steve Little

Tress MacNeille

Edie McClurg

Michael McDonald

Wendi McLendon-Covey

Pat Morita

Laraine Newman

Conan O'Brien

Cheri Oteri

Michelle Paradise

Chris Parnell

Cassandra Peterson

Joe Ranft

Paul Reubens

Maya Rudolph

Kevin Ruf

Bob Saget

Dax Shepard

Mindy Sterling

Julia Sweeney

Kristen Wiig

Jim Wise

Contents
External links

External links



The Groundlings website



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