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Upright Citizens Brigade
Upright Citizens Brigade
Upright Citizens Brigade
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The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) is an improvisational and sketch comedy group that emerged from Chicago's ImprovOlympic in 1990.[1] The original incarnation of the group consisted of Amy Poehler, Matthew Walsh, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, Adam McKay, Rick Roman, Horatio Sanz and Drew Franklin. Other early members included Neil Flynn, Armando Diaz, Ali Farahnakian and Rich Fulcher.

Key Information

In 2013, Besser, Roberts and Walsh wrote The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual.[2]

History

[edit]
The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre on West 26th Street in Manhattan, a former location

The Upright Citizens Brigade began performing improv and sketch comedy at Kill the Poet in Chicago in 1991. Their first show was called Virtual Reality. The group followed with shows titled UCBTV, Conference on the Future of Happiness, Thunderball, Bucket of Truth, Big Dirty Hands, The Real Real World, and Punch Your Friend in the Face.[3]

In 1993, the Upright Citizens Brigade (Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, Amy Poehler, Adam McKay, Rick Roman, and Horatio Sanz) were regular guests on stage at the New Variety produced and hosted by Richard O'Donnell at the Chicago Improv comedy club, 504 N. Wells.[4]

In 1996, prior to opening their own theatre, the Upright Citizens Brigade relocated to New York performing their signature improv show, ASSSSCAT, first at KGB Bar, and then later at Solo Arts. Solo Arts was the first semi-permanent home to the Upright Citizens Brigade's Harold Teams and is considered by some to be the group's first theatre.[5][6][7] The shows and classes at Solo Arts were so popular that the UCB were able to open their own theater, the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, at 161 W. 22nd Street in Chelsea on February 4, 1999.[8] This was a 75-seat auditorium that used to be the Harmony Burlesque Theater, an all-nude lap-dancing club—essentially a storefront. The original theatre was closed on November 18, 2002, after a building inspector ordered the theater to be shut down due to fire code violations. In the months that followed, the theater found a temporary home at the Access Theater on lower Broadway, then moved to the Chelsea Playhouse for a short time before finding a permanent space.[9]

On April 1, 2003, the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre moved to its second official space in Chelsea, a 150-seat theater at 307 West 26th Street in NYC in the former Maverick Theater. The new venue had several advantages over the previous theater on 22nd Street, such as double capacity, a more professional tech booth, larger green room with a greater separation from the stage area, two dressing rooms, storage rooms, twice the number of bathrooms, and a "chill out room".[10][11]

In 2005, the Los Angeles branch of the theater opened at 5919 Franklin Avenue in Hollywood, offering improv, sketch and stand-up comedy shows nightly with a 120-seat capacity. Soon after, Comedy Bang! Bang! (formerly Comedy Death-Ray), a Los Angeles alternative comedy show, moved from its former home at the M Bar to join the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, appearing on Tuesday nights.[12]

In September 2011,[13] UCB opened a second theater on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, at 153 E 3rd St. This theater featured 124 seats, two lobbies, and a full bar known as the "Hot Chicks Room" in reference to an episode of the Upright Citizens Brigade TV show.[14] Often referred to as "the Beast" (a portmanteau shortening of "UCB East"), the theater was initially opened in hopes of showcasing more stand-up comedy. This venue ran smaller-scale shows for $10 or less.[15][16] The UCB East permanently closed on February 9, 2019. In its stead, the group once (but no longer) offered three nights of programming per week in the nearby SubCulture theatre on Bleecker Street.[15]

An expansion in Los Angeles started in 2014.[17] In 2014, UCBLA announced the opening of UCB Theatre Sunset located at 5419 Sunset Boulevard for November 1. The venue played home to Upright Citizens Brigade's training center, an 85-seat theatre, cafe/performance space called Inner Sanctum, video production offices, and even retail stores on street level.[18] This location was sold in December 2020, leaving the Franklin theater as the only space owned by UCB.[19]

At the start of 2017, ticket prices increased (the first in ten years).[20] In October 2017, it was announced that the UCB Chelsea location would close. The last show in Chelsea was Wednesday, November 28, 2017.[21]

The next UCB space, from November 30, 2017, was at 555 42nd Street in Hell's Kitchen,[22] the former home to the Pearl Theatre Company.[23]

The Upright Citizens Brigade has performed in the Comedy Tent at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,[24] UCB had locations in the New York City neighborhoods of Hell's Kitchen and the East Village, and on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this location and the New York training center were closed on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, leaving no NYC locations of UCB, with no confirmed plans for revival.[25]

In March 2022, former owner and CEO of The Onion, Mike McAvoy, and co-founder of Mosaic talent management, Jimmy Miller, acquired UCB and its lone remaining theater with the backing of private equity firm Elysian Park.[26] They reopened the Los Angeles UCB comedy theater and Los Angeles training centers in September 2022.[27] On June 29, 2023, UCB announced its return to New York at 242 E. 14th Street, featuring a 130-seat theater, a bar, and a lounge. The space officially reopened in September 2024.[28]

Theatre

[edit]

The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (shortened to UCB Theatre or just UCB) is an American improvisational and sketch comedy training center and theatre, originally founded by UCB troupe members Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh.[29][9]

Philosophy

[edit]

The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Training Center teaches long-form improv, sketch, writing, parts of directing, and various other comedy skills.[29] The training center's philosophy of improv is based largely on the teachings of Del Close, with a strong emphasis on the "game" of the scene.[30] In 2013, they co-authored a manual titled The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual.[31][32] 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.[33]

Screen ventures

[edit]

The original group, Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, Ian Roberts, and Amy Poehler, have had two TV shows—Upright Citizens Brigade and The UCB Show—and their show ASSSSCAT has been televised twice. In addition, they had a TV movie called Escape From It's a Wonderful Life and appeared weekly on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in the '90s.

In 2002 they created and starred in the film Martin & Orloff, and made another movie in 2007 titled Wild Girls Gone. Neither film was particularly successful or well received.

The group has participated in web series including the ongoing series UCB Comedy Originals, created in 2008, which occasionally shows sketches, and I Hate Being Single, created in 2012.

In 2016, Universal Cable Productions announced signing Upright Citizens Brigade to a first-look production deal.[34]

Pop culture

[edit]

Saturday Night Live has been known for seeking top talent from UCB's pool of students.[35]

TV shows like The Chris Gethard Show created by Chris Gethard, and Broad City created by Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, started out as UCB experiments.

Notable alumni

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Upright Citizens Brigade

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) is an American comedy organization renowned for its improvisational theater, sketch comedy performances, and training programs that have shaped modern alternative comedy. Founded in 1996 by performers Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh, the UCB emerged from a Chicago-based improv collective that began performing in 1991 at the ImprovOlympic theater, where the founders honed their skills in long-form improvisation and sketch work. After relocating to New York City in 1996, the group quickly gained prominence by producing a sketch comedy television series for Comedy Central, which aired for three seasons from 1998 to 2000 and featured satirical narratives often revolving around a fictional conspiracy-laden organization. In February 1999, the UCB opened its inaugural theater at 161 West 22nd Street in , transforming a former into a venue for nightly and sketch shows that emphasized collaborative, audience-driven formats like the "Harold" structure. The organization expanded westward in July 2005 with a second theater in , establishing bicoastal operations focused on live performances, classes in , sketch writing, stand-up, and TV/film development. Over the years, UCB's rigorous training centers have mentored generations of comedians, including alumni who have starred on shows like , , and , solidifying its role as a cornerstone of the comedy industry. In March 2022, the UCB was acquired by a collective of comedy professionals, including improv instructors and producers, allowing it to resume operations after a pandemic-related hiatus. The New York theater reopened in a new East Village location in fall 2023, while the venue continues to host shows seven nights a week; in August 2025, UCB launched a training center in .

History

Formation and Early Years

The Upright Citizens Brigade improv group was formed in 1991 in by , , Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh, and other early members such as Armando Diaz and Ali Farahnakian as a sketch and improv comedy group. The four performers had met and trained together at the ImprovOlympic (iO) theater under the guidance of influential improv instructor , whose emphasis on collaborative storytelling shaped their early approach. The group's initial performances occurred at the , where they debuted their first show, titled , in 1991, blending with improvisational elements. These appearances helped establish their loose dynamic, drawing from a pool of Chicago's improv scene performers while honing a distinctive ensemble style. Over the next few years, the troupe transitioned from short-form improv games to more narrative-driven long-form structures, influenced by Close's innovative methods. Key early milestones included participation in local Chicago festivals, which provided platforms to refine their material and build cohesion among the core members amid occasional lineup changes. This period of experimentation and internal evolution solidified the group's identity before they began planning a move eastward.

Establishment in New York City

In 1996, the founding members of the Upright Citizens Brigade—Amy , Matt , Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh—relocated the troupe from to to tap into the city's expanding comedy landscape and advance their ambitions for a television series. The move positioned them amid a burgeoning improv scene, allowing for more frequent performances and networking opportunities in . Initially, the group staged shows at rented spaces such as the in the East Village, where they debuted their long-running improvisational format ASSSSCAT as a weekly event, drawing small but dedicated crowds through innovative long-form techniques. These early gigs, often at low-rent bars and theaters, helped refine their act while exposing them to New York's diverse audience, though many outings operated at a loss due to inconsistent attendance and venue costs. By February 1999, the troupe had secured their first dedicated venue, the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at 161 West 22nd Street in Chelsea, transforming a former known as the New Harmony into a 74-seat space for performances and classes. Funded primarily through grassroots , personal investments, and revenue from introductory improv classes, the theater marked a shift toward a sustainable model where tuition supported operations alongside ticket sales. Early programming featured weekly improv nights and sketch shows, establishing a training center that integrated with live to build a community of performers. Despite these advancements, the late brought significant financial challenges, including mounting debts from rented performances and slim margins at the new theater, which relied heavily on class enrollments to avoid closure. Audience growth occurred organically via word-of-mouth among comedy enthusiasts and emerging talents, gradually transforming the UCB into a cornerstone of New York's improv ecosystem by the early 2000s.

Expansion to Los Angeles

In 2004 and 2005, the Upright Citizens Brigade decided to expand to primarily because numerous alumni from the New York operation had relocated to the West Coast for opportunities in television and , creating a demand for improv and performance spaces tailored to the entertainment industry. The organization opened its first venue, the UCB Theatre LA, on July 1, 2005, at 5919 Franklin Avenue in Hollywood, replicating elements of the New York model while adapting to local needs. This 92-seat space immediately hosted nightly improv, sketch, and stand-up shows, alongside classes at the adjacent UCB Center, attracting aspiring performers eager to hone skills for Hollywood careers. From its inception, the theater emphasized programming that supported the city's vibrant entertainment ecosystem, including free signature shows like ASSSSCAT 3000 on Sundays, which drew crowds and fostered a of performers. The venue quickly integrated with the broader LA comedy scene by featuring alumni-led ensembles and emerging talent, contributing to a pipeline of comedians who advanced to shows such as Reno 911! and . A key milestone came in 2014 with the opening of a second Los Angeles location, UCB Theatre Sunset at 5419 Sunset Boulevard, which expanded capacity to accommodate surging attendance and class enrollments. This move reflected the theater's growing prominence in Hollywood, where it solidified its role as a hub for innovative amid the local scene's evolution. Operationally, the branch differed from its New York counterpart by prioritizing industry networking, with classes and shows designed to connect students directly to television and film professionals, capitalizing on the region's production infrastructure. During the , enrollment at the LA training center grew substantially, driven by the influx of aspirants, leading to frequent sold-out performances and the need for additional facilities.

Recent Developments

In March 2020, the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) closed its theaters in and in response to the , halting in-person shows and classes amid widespread shutdowns. To sustain operations, UCB pivoted to online classes and virtual performances, enabling continued training and audience engagement through digital platforms. These adaptations, however, could not offset severe financial strains, including abrupt layoffs of dozens of staff members and the permanent closure of New York City's Hell's Kitchen theater and Eighth Avenue training center in April 2020, as well as the Sunset theater in December 2020 due to unpaid mortgage obligations. The crises exacerbated longstanding issues, prompting a leadership overhaul in June 2020 focused on diversifying the board and addressing systemic and inequality within the organization. In March 2022, the UCB was acquired by a collective of comedy professionals, including improv instructors and producers, facilitating the resumption of operations. The Franklin theater reopened in 2021 following structural changes, including a transition to nonprofit status, while New York operations faced prolonged uncertainty with temporary virtual programming until a full in-person return. By September 2024, UCB relaunched live shows in New York at a new venue on East 14th Street near Union Square, marking a significant recovery milestone, with expanded programming continuing into November 2025. In 2025, UCB pursued geographic expansion to bolster its national footprint. In March, the organization acquired Austin's ColdTowne Theater, integrating its operations, classes, and shows under the UCB banner while preserving local community elements. This move established a new training hub in Texas. Similarly, in June, UCB invested in Pittsburgh's Bottlerocket Social Hall, partnering to launch a dedicated comedy training center aimed at fostering regional talent development. Internally, UCB appointed Rachel Olson as of the Los Angeles operations in August 2025, restructuring reporting lines to enhance oversight of artistic and venue management. Amid these changes, the organization has continued addressing workplace concerns, including allegations of hostile conditions and mismanagement raised in 2024 by the former Head of People & Culture, building on earlier 2020 efforts to improve equity and communication.

Theatre and Training

Venues and Operations

The Upright Citizens Brigade maintains theaters and training centers across several U.S. cities as of 2025, focusing on live comedy performances and educational programs. In , the primary venue is located at 242 East 14th Street in the Union Square area, which reopened in fall 2024 after a period of closure; this space includes a fully accessible 130-seat mainstage theater, an upstairs performance area, and a spacious bar and lounge designed to enhance audience experience. In , operations center on the UCB Franklin Theatre at 5919 Franklin Avenue, a multi-space facility that supports ongoing shows and classes following the permanent closure of the original location in 2020 due to pandemic-related financial pressures; a secondary training center operates at 2829 in Silver Lake. Expansion efforts include the acquisition of Austin's ColdTowne Theater in March 2025, where UCB began offering improv classes in late summer, preserving the venue's role as a hub for while integrating UCB's curriculum. Additionally, in June 2025, UCB formed a partnership with Pittsburgh's Bottlerocket Social Hall, providing investment for a full-scale training center that launched classes in August, marking the first such outpost outside New York and . UCB's operational model emphasizes consistent live programming, with seven nights of and shows at its core venues, supplemented by hybrid in-person and online livestream events to broaden . Ticket prices are kept affordable, typically ranging from $8 to $12 for general admission, allowing broad audience participation while integrating bar service to support and social atmosphere. Management is structured under a board overseen by owners and Mike McAvoy, who acquired the brand in 2022; key staff roles include executive directors—such as Rachel Olson for the operations, appointed in August 2025—and venue managers reporting to central , with derived primarily from ticket , class tuition, and bar concessions, though programs form a substantial portion to subsidize low show prices. Post-2020, UCB has prioritized safety and inclusivity in its operations, implementing protocols such as mandatory masking for audiences during indoor shows, proof of or medical exemption for performers, and adherence to local guidelines across venues. Accessibility features include wheelchair-accessible seating and facilities in the New York theater, along with diversity scholarships for training programs to support underrepresented participants; these measures reflect a commitment to creating secure environments amid ongoing health considerations.

Training Programs

The Upright Citizens Brigade's core training in improvisation follows a four-level progression from Improv 101 to 401, designed to build skills from foundational techniques to advanced long-form performance. Improv 101 introduces essential principles such as , the "yes, and" agreement rule, and basic scene construction, serving as the entry point for beginners seeking to enhance creativity and collaboration. Improv 201 advances this by emphasizing the "game of the scene," where students learn to identify and heighten unique comedic elements within improvisations. Improv 301 delves into the structure of the Harold, a signature long-form improv format involving interconnected scenes, while Improv 401 focuses on workshopping complete Harold performances to refine ensemble dynamics and narrative flow. Parallel to the improv track, UCB offers dedicated programs in and writing, fostering short-form skills and character development through distinct levels. The Sketch program comprises three progressive courses: Sketch 101 teaches the fundamentals of writing comedic sketches, including UCB's game-based approach to scene construction; Sketch 201 builds professional tools for character creation and idea generation; and Sketch 301 culminates in collaborative development of a full sketch show. Separate writing classes, such as those in the Television Writing Program, emphasize script structure and comedic storytelling, with hybrid in-person and online formats introduced since 2020 to broaden accessibility. Graduation from the core programs unlocks performance opportunities, including end-of-class showcases like those in Improv 401 and Sketch 301, where students present their work to live audiences. Completing Improv 401 qualifies graduates to audition for Harold teams, elite ensembles that perform the Harold format at UCB venues, providing ongoing stage experience. Alumni retain access to advanced workshops, allowing continued skill enhancement beyond initial certification. Across its New York and locations, UCB enrolls thousands of students annually in these programs, underscoring its role as a premier training hub. Core eight-week classes, held three hours per session, typically cost $450, though fees vary by location and format. To promote inclusivity, UCB provides scholarships including the Diversity Scholarship Program, offering $250 credits for new and returning students from underrepresented backgrounds, and the UCB x SNL Scholarship, which fully funds classes for select performers aged 18 and older.

Improvisational Philosophy

The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) prioritizes long-form improvisation over short-form formats, emphasizing extended structures that allow for deeper character development and comedic exploration. This approach centers on the "game of the scene," a core technique where performers identify an unusual element in the scenario—such as an atypical behavior or reaction—and repeatedly heighten it to generate humor and progression. By focusing on this repeatable pattern, improvisers create a consistent comedic engine rather than relying on disjointed gags, distinguishing UCB's style from more fragmented, audience-participation-heavy short-form . Central to UCB's philosophy are foundational principles like "Yes, and," which encourages performers to affirm and build upon their partners' offers without denial, fostering collaborative scene-building. Character endowments, where improvisers assign specific traits or backstories early to enrich roles, further support this by ensuring vivid, believable interactions. The UCB outlines a four-stage scene structure—initiation to establish base reality, pattern recognition to spot the unusual element, game heightening through repetition and escalation, and resolution to conclude the arc—providing a blueprint for maintaining momentum and comedy. These concepts, detailed in the troupe's official manual, enable improvisers to construct scenes that feel organic yet purposefully funny. UCB's philosophy draws heavily from Del Close's teachings at Chicago's ImprovOlympic (iO), where founders Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh, and Amy Poehler trained in the 1990s. Close advocated rejecting competitive, game-show-style improv in favor of artistic ensemble work, promoting group storytelling that weaves interconnected scenes from audience suggestions into cohesive narratives, as seen in formats like the Harold. This audience-driven emphasis shifts focus from individual spotlighting to collective discovery, prioritizing the ensemble's shared reality over rivalry. In the , UCB evolved its philosophy to enhance inclusivity, introducing guidelines that prohibit inappropriate verbal, physical, or sexual conduct during classes and scenes to maintain a non-threatening creative environment. These adaptations, including conduct policies aimed at preventing and supporting diverse , reflect a commitment to safer, more equitable practices amid broader industry reckonings with toxicity.

Media Productions

Television Series

The Upright Citizens Brigade television series, created by founding members , , Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh, premiered on on August 19, 1998, and ran for three seasons totaling 30 episodes until 2000. The show was developed as an extension of the troupe's live improvisational and performances, drawing directly from their stage work in after relocating from . It featured the four creators as the core cast, portraying a fictional secret organization dedicated to sowing chaos and disrupting societal norms through absurd interventions. The format blended pre-written sketches with improvisational elements, emphasizing and to critique everyday life and authority figures. Recurring themes included escalating running gags across episodes, such as interconnected storylines culminating in each season finale, with standout sketches like "Bucket of Truth" and "Pro Thunderball" exemplifying the troupe's signature blend of surreal humor and character-driven chaos. The series incorporated the troupe's improvisational philosophy by occasionally weaving in unscripted segments, allowing for spontaneous character development within the overarching narrative of the UCB agents— (Roberts), Colby (Poehler), Trotter (Walsh), and Adair (Besser)—battling . Produced on a modest budget typical of early Comedy Central programming, the show was filmed primarily in New York City studios, reflecting the troupe's base at their Chelsea theater. Despite critical acclaim for its innovative sketch style and sharp wit—earning an 8.1/10 rating on IMDb from over 2,600 users—the series was canceled after three seasons due to insufficient viewership ratings, though it developed a strong cult following. As of 2025, all episodes are available for streaming on Paramount+, preserving its influence on modern sketch comedy.

Film and Other Ventures

The Upright Citizens Brigade has extended its improvisational and influence into film through contributions from its founding members and alumni, often blending their signature style of absurd humor with narrative storytelling. Matt Walsh, a co-founder, appeared in the 2008 comedy , directed by , where he played a supporting role that highlighted his delivery in a story about fantasy game enthusiasts mentoring at-risk youth. Similarly, fellow UCB members and co-wrote the 2010 independent film , a satirical take on affluent New York parents navigating elite admissions, drawing on the troupe's observational wit to critique upper-class anxieties. UCB also produced short films and sketches, such as those featured in their UCB Comedy Originals series, which showcased experimental improv-based content distributed through platforms like starting in the mid-2000s. Beyond scripted features, UCB embraced stage adaptations and musical parodies, including a 2007-2013 run of The King of Kong: The Musical at their theaters, inspired by the documentary : A Fistful of Quarters and featuring Walsh in early iterations as it lampooned competitive gaming rivalries with improvised songs and sketches. This production exemplified UCB's approach to transforming pop culture events into live, interactive spectacles. The group's touring efforts, particularly through the UCB TourCo formed in the early , brought their format to national and international audiences, performing at colleges, theaters, and festivals across the U.S. and beyond, such as shows at venues like the Weinberg Center for the Arts. These tours emphasized long-form , often incorporating audience suggestions to create unique narratives, and helped expand UCB's reach during a period of growing popularity for live in the . Complementing these live outings, UCB developed audio formats like the UCB Sports & Leisure, hosted by Walsh and Scot Armstrong since 2009, which humorously dissected sports and pop culture through comedic interviews and sketches, amassing a dedicated following. In the digital realm, UCB launched its official YouTube channel in 2007, uploading improv clips, short sketches, and behind-the-scenes content that have collectively garnered millions of views, serving as an accessible entry point for fans worldwide. Following the 2020 pandemic, UCB pivoted to virtual formats, producing Zoom-based specials and livestreamed improv shows like adaptations of their signature ASSSSCAT series, which maintained audience engagement through remote monologues and collaborative scenes. As of 2025, UCB continues to release audio recordings and video captures of live performances, including full shows from their New York and theaters available on platforms like and their website, preserving the spontaneity of events such as Weekend Sketch Extravaganza for on-demand viewing. These ventures underscore UCB's adaptability, prioritizing collaborative, audience-driven content over traditional production models.

Publications

The Upright Citizens Brigade's primary publication is The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual, authored by founding members Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh and released in 2013 by Comedy Council of Nicea, LLC. This 384-page instructional book serves as a comprehensive guide to the UCB's distinctive approach to long-form improvisational comedy, emphasizing collaborative scenework, character development, and the identification of "games" or repeatable comedic patterns within scenes. It includes detailed explanations of foundational techniques, such as two-person scene basics and "yes, and" principles for building agreement, alongside practical exercises, diagrams, and examples drawn from UCB performances to illustrate concepts like heightening emotional stakes and structuring improvisational forms. The manual codifies the troupe's philosophy of discovery-driven improvisation, making it an essential resource for students and practitioners seeking to internalize UCB's methods beyond in-person training. Developed over seven years, the book distills decades of UCB teaching experience into a structured curriculum that aligns with their training programs, promoting an environment where improvisers prioritize and emergent humor over scripted preparation. It has been praised for its clarity and , enabling readers to apply UCB techniques in various contexts, from theater to writing rooms. An audiobook edition, narrated by the authors, was released in 2020, extending its reach to auditory learners and further embedding UCB's instructional voice in the education landscape. Complementing the manual, the UCB maintains online resources through its official website, including "Day One Sheets" for various classes that outline preparatory exercises, historical context, and key principles—such as those for and writing courses—effectively extending the manual's teachings into digital formats for prospective students worldwide. These materials, updated periodically to reflect evolving curricula, reinforce the manual's role in disseminating UCB's improvisational framework without requiring physical attendance at their theaters.

Legacy

Cultural Influence

The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) has established itself as a primary pipeline for comedic talent into mainstream television, serving as a foundational training ground for performers who later joined major shows. Alumni such as , who starred on from 2001 to 2008, and , a cast member from 1998 to 2006, exemplify this influence, with subsequent hires including (2010–2019) and others contributing to the show's ensemble in the 2000s and beyond. On , UCB-trained actors like and creator brought improv-honed spontaneity to the series, while , created by UCB graduates and and executive produced by Poehler, directly channeled the troupe's collaborative sketch style into its unscripted, character-driven humor. UCB's innovations in improvisational comedy, particularly the popularization of the "game of the scene" technique, have reshaped long-form improv practices in the United States. This approach, which emphasizes identifying and heightening a central comedic premise within a scene, originated from UCB's departure from Chicago's iO Theater in 1996 to develop their distinct methodology, focusing on structured escalation over narrative breadth. By codifying this in their training programs and performances, UCB influenced broader improv education, prompting adaptations at institutions like Second City and contributing to a more unified comedic framework across competing schools in New York and Los Angeles. References to UCB in underscore its status as a . The 2016 film , directed by and starring , portrays a fictional improv troupe modeled closely after UCB's ensemble dynamics and career struggles in the competitive New York scene. Similarly, , which debuted as a live stage production at UCB's New York theater in 2011 before transitioning to television, drew directly from the troupe's experimental, audience-interactive format to pioneer unconventional late-night programming. In response to social movements, UCB has played a role in advancing diversity and accountability within the comedy industry. Following the protests against racial injustice, the organization launched an initiative led by performers including Shukri R. Abdi and , aiming to address systemic exclusion of and minority artists in training and hiring. During the #MeToo era, UCB's early actions—such as investigating and banning performers accused of misconduct in 2016 and 2018—highlighted the challenges of rapid accountability, ultimately contributing to industry-wide reforms through leadership overhauls and policy changes implemented in 2020 to foster safer, more inclusive environments.

Notable Alumni

The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) has produced numerous prominent figures in comedy, many of whom credit their and early performances there for launching their careers in television, film, and other media. Founding members , , Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh established the troupe in 1996 after moving from to New York, where they developed an improvisational style that emphasized absurdity and collaboration. Amy Poehler, a co-founder, joined Saturday Night Live in 2001 and remained until 2008, earning acclaim for her versatile impressions and sketches before starring as Leslie Knope in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation from 2009 to 2015. Matt Besser has sustained a multifaceted career, co-creating the Comedy Central series Upright Citizens Brigade and hosting the improv podcast improv4humans since 2011, while performing stand-up and directing. Ian Roberts transitioned into writing and producing, contributing to episodes of The Office and co-authoring the UCB's improv manual The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual in 2002. Matt Walsh gained widespread recognition for his role as Mike McLintock in HBO's Veep from 2012 to 2019, earning multiple Emmy nominations, alongside film roles in projects like The Hangover series. Other key alumni include Horatio Sanz, who performed with the early UCB troupe and joined Saturday Night Live in 1998, staying until 2006 and becoming known for musical sketches. Adam McKay, an early member, evolved from performer to acclaimed director, helming films like The Big Short (2015), which won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and Don't Look Up (2021). Donald Glover trained at UCB before creating and starring in FX's Atlanta (2016–2022), earning multiple Emmys, and achieving success as a musician under the name Childish Gambino. Kate McKinnon, a UCB graduate, joined Saturday Night Live in 2012 and became its longest-tenured female cast member until 2022, renowned for characters like Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Aziz Ansari honed his skills at UCB, leading to roles on Parks and Recreation and creating Netflix's Master of None (2015–2021), for which he won a Peabody Award. Ellie Kemper, another trainee, starred as Kimmy Schmidt in Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015–2019), earning a Golden Globe nomination. UCB's training programs have notably influenced Saturday Night Live, with at least six cast members emerging from its ranks by 2013, including Poehler, Sanz, McKinnon, and , and continuing into recent seasons, such as Jeremy Culhane in 2025. The organization's alumni reflect growing diversity, exemplified by and , who met at UCB and co-created Comedy Central's (2014–2019), a landmark series for female-led . By the mid-2010s, dozens of UCB graduates had secured major television credits, underscoring the troupe's role in shaping modern comedy talent.

References

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  12. https://thecomicscomic.com/2013/01/29/the-economics-of-the-ucb-indie-rooms-and-stand-up-comedy-adding-it-all-up/
  13. https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/27/arts/masters-improv-are-stumped-losing-permanent-theater-no-joke-for-comedy-troupe.html
  14. https://www.nyc.com/arts__attractions/the_upright_citizens_brigade_theatre.1635/
  15. https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/a-guide-to-the-upright-citizens-brigade-theatre/
  16. https://deadline.com/2014/11/upright-citizens-brigade-la-sunset-theatre-opening-amy-poehler-matt-walsh-video-1201271044/
  17. https://consequence.net/2020/04/upright-citizens-brigade-closing-new-york/
  18. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-03-24/upright-citizens-brigades-coronavirus-layoffs-spark-distrust-and-anger
  19. https://www.reddit.com/r/improv/comments/j77i2y/value_of_ucb_online_classes/
  20. https://www.npr.org/2020/04/27/845081522/comedy-community-mourns-the-end-of-an-era-as-ucb-closes-new-york-locations
  21. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-12-24/covid-19-upright-citizens-brigade-theater-sunset-closed
  22. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/14/theater/upright-citizens-brigade-reorganizing.html
  23. https://www.vulture.com/2020/06/ucb-second-city-io-diversity-racism.html
  24. https://www.vulture.com/2021/02/amy-poehler-doesnt-know-if-ucb-will-reopen.html
  25. https://evgrieve.com/2024/09/upright-citizens-brigade-nyc-reopens.html
  26. https://ucbcomedy.com/shows/new-york/
  27. https://www.austinmonthly.com/upright-citizens-brigade-coldtowne-theater-austin-comedy/
  28. https://coldtownetheater.com/ucb/
  29. https://www.wesa.fm/arts-culture/2025-06-02/upright-citizens-brigade-pittsburgh-bottlerocket
  30. https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/04/bottlerocket-comedy-troupe-to-pittsburgh
  31. https://www.reddit.com/r/improv/comments/1n3fvr2/rachel_olson_is_ucblas_new_executive_director/
  32. https://www.humorism.xyz/ucb-fires-its-head-people-culture-who-alleges-hostile-working-conditions/
  33. https://ucbcomedy.com/the-ucb-theatre-returns-to-new-york-fall-2023/
  34. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQukggOjXBI/
  35. https://ucbcomedy.com/venues/
  36. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/upright-citizens-brigade-closes-l-a-s-sunset-theater-location-4109372/
  37. https://deadline.com/2022/03/ucb-theatre-reopening-jimmy-miller-mike-mcavoy-acquisition-1234986937/
  38. https://ucbcomedy.com/theatre-covid-19/
  39. https://www.bottlerocketpgh.com/classes
  40. https://ucbcomedy.com/training-center/improv-program/
  41. https://ucbcomedy.com/training-center-old/improv-401/
  42. https://ucbcomedy.com/training-center/sketch-program/
  43. https://ucbcomedy.com/training-center-old/sketch-101/
  44. https://ucbcomedy.com/training-center/writing-program/
  45. https://ucbcomedy.com/training-center-old/sketch301/
  46. https://ucbcomedy.com/auditions/harold-teams/
  47. https://ucbcomedy.com/training-center/scholarships/diversity/
  48. https://ucbcomedy.com/training-center/scholarships/ucb-snl/
  49. https://www.vulture.com/2012/11/improvs-babel-defining-the-game-of-the-scene.html
  50. https://ucbcomedy.com/store/ucb-manual/
  51. https://climber.uml.edu.ni/default.aspx/browse/4010065/TheUprightCitizensBrigadeComedyImprovisationManualMattBesser.pdf
  52. https://www.americantheatre.org/2014/11/21/longform-improv-goes-the-distance/
  53. https://ucbcomedy.com/training-center-old/policies/
  54. https://www.americantheatre.org/2019/03/13/improv-so-white-yes-and/
  55. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167739/
  56. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/UprightCitizensBrigade
  57. https://www.vulture.com/2013/02/looking-back-at-the-upright-citizens-brigade-tv-show-with-the-ucb-4.html
  58. https://ucbcomedy.com/people/matt-walsh/
  59. https://vimeo.com/ucbcomedy
  60. https://laist.com/shows/take-two/king-of-kong-musical-comes-to-the-ucb-theater
  61. https://ucbcomedy.com/ucb-tourco-exclusive/
  62. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ucb-sports-leisure/id333142802
  63. https://www.youtube.com/ucbcomedy
  64. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/15/arts/best-comedy.html
  65. https://ucbcomedy.com/shows/livestream/
  66. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/arts/upright-citizens-brigade-writes-its-book-on-improv.html
  67. https://archive.org/details/uprightcitizensb0000bess
  68. https://www.amazon.com/Upright-Citizens-Brigade-Comedy-Improvisation/dp/0989387801
  69. https://kevinmullaney.com/2013/08/13/get-the-book-ucb-comedy-improvisation-manual/
  70. https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Upright-Citizens-Brigade-Comedy-Improv-Manual-Audiobook/1980063559
  71. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/photos/2017/11/ucb-theatre-alumni-amy-poehler-matt-walsh
  72. https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/brenden-gallagher/the-25-most-famous-ucb-alumni
  73. https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-upright-citizens-brigade-members/user-x
  74. https://www.imdb.com/list/ls049948020/
  75. https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_best_actors_and_comedians_who_came_through_ucb/s1__26562302
  76. https://www.vulture.com/2013/03/second-city-vs-groundlings-vs-ucb-where-do-the-most-snl-cast-members-come-from.html
  77. https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/saturday-night-live-season-51-cast-members-2025-2026-full-list
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