The Groundlings facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Groundlings
The Groundlings building on Melrose Avenue
Genre	Sketch comedy Improvisation
Date of premiere	1974; 51 years ago (1974)
Location	Los Angeles, California, United States
Official website: https://groundlings.com

The Groundlings is a famous comedy group and school in Los Angeles, California. They are known for their improv and sketch comedy shows. Improv means making things up on the spot, and sketch comedy involves short, funny scenes.

The group started in 1974 thanks to Gary Austin. They use special improv techniques to create their funny acts. The name "Groundlings" comes from a play by William Shakespeare called Hamlet. In 1975, the group found its permanent home on Melrose Avenue.

The Groundlings School is very popular, with thousands of students each year. It has a tough program with five levels. Students must pass auditions and meet requirements to move up. Many famous actors and comedians have learned their skills here.

The Groundlings: A Comedy Story

The Groundlings began in 1972 when Gary Austin brought together performers in Los Angeles. They practiced many types of acts, like improv, monologues, and funny scenes. After a year, they started performing for friends. Soon, more people wanted to watch their shows.

How the Groundlings Started

In January 1974, Gary Austin decided to create a real theater company. Fifty people became founding members. They practiced new material and performed their best acts on weekends. Their first show was in a small basement theater. A newspaper critic from the Los Angeles Times loved the show and wrote a great review.

As the group became more popular, people in the entertainment world noticed. Comedian Lily Tomlin hired some Groundlings for her TV show. Later, Lorne Michaels, who created Saturday Night Live, asked Groundling Laraine Newman to join his new show.

The company grew to 90 members. To keep the group manageable, they started holding auditions. Phil Hartman, who later became very famous, was accepted in the first audition. However, he had to wait over a year to perform because of all the talent.

Finding a Home on Melrose Avenue

In 1975, the Groundlings bought their own theater building on Melrose Avenue. It used to be an interior decorator's studio and other businesses. The members worked hard to turn it into a performance space. It took four years to get everything ready.

During those four years, the Groundlings performed their shows at other theaters around town. Finally, in April 1979, their own 99-seat theater opened its doors.

The Groundlings School and Sunday Company

The Groundlings School officially started in 1978 with 17 students. Today, it teaches over 4,200 students every year. In 1982, Suzanne Kent created the Sunday Company. This group helps students from the school develop their skills even further.

In November 1979, Gary Austin stepped down as the artistic director. Tom Maxwell took over for the next ten years. Since 1989, Groundlings members or alumni have directed all the new shows. The main company, with up to 30 members, makes all the important decisions together. In April 2017, the Groundlings honored their founder, Gary Austin, after he passed away.

Becoming a Groundling Performer

To join the Groundlings school, you must first pass an audition for the Basic class. If you pass, your results are good for one year. If you don't pass, you can try again in four months. You can audition a total of three times.

The Sunday Company Experience

After finishing the Advanced Lab level, students can be voted into the Sunday Company. This group performs every Sunday night. Members write, rehearse, and perform new material each week.

After six months in the Sunday Company, members are voted on again. They might stay for another six months, leave the school, or be voted into the Main Company. No one can stay in the Sunday Company for more than 18 months.

Joining the Main Company

All members of the Main Company are chosen from the Sunday Company. Main Company members can stay as long as they wish. However, most members usually retire within ten years. The Main Company has no more than 30 members at any time. They work together to make all the artistic and business decisions for the organization.

Groundlings Shows and Performances

The Groundlings Revues, now called Main Shows, were the first shows the company performed. They created the unique Groundlings style of improv and sketch comedy. Since 1981, every show has had its own funny name, always including the word "Groundling."

Main Shows are performed every Friday and Saturday night. In 1992, Melanie Graham created Cookin With Gas. This is a weekly improv show featuring Groundlings, alumni, and special guests. It's the longest-running improv show in Los Angeles. In 2001, the Crazy Uncle Joe Show started, which is another popular improv show.

The Pee-wee Herman Show's Beginning

In 1981, the Groundlings started adding different kinds of shows. One of the most famous was The Pee-wee Herman Show. Paul Reubens created his character, Pee-wee Herman, in Groundlings workshops.

Pee-wee and his friends, played by other Groundlings like Phil Hartman, performed late-night shows. It quickly became a huge hit in Los Angeles. The show was even filmed for an HBO special. Pee-wee Herman became a pop culture icon, leading to movies, toys, and a children's TV show. The original stage show was brought back in 2010 and performed on Broadway.

The Viral David Blaine Street Magic Skit

In 2006, the Groundlings made a funny skit called David Blaine Street Magic. They filmed it in the alley behind their theater. When it was uploaded to YouTube, it became incredibly popular.

The skit stars Mitch Silpa making fun of magician David Blaine. It shows Blaine's performance style and mannerisms in a hilarious way. The skit was written by Michael Naughton and Mikey Day, who play the surprised bystanders.

Meet the Groundlings: Performers and Alumni

Many talented people have been part of the Groundlings.

Current Main Company Members

Famous Groundlings Alumni

Many Groundlings have gone on to become big stars in movies and TV. Some have even joined shows like Saturday Night Live.

Other Notable Alumni from the School and Sunday Company

Many other talented people have passed through the Groundlings school and Sunday Company.

More About Improv and Comedy

• The Second City
• Upright Citizens Brigade
• ImprovOlympic
• ComedySportz
• Under the Gun Theater
• Annoyance Theatre
• Footlights