THE GROUNDLINGS

'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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