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 amazing improv and sketch comedy shows. Improv means making up scenes on the spot, without a script. Sketch comedy involves short, funny scenes that are written beforehand.

The group was started by Gary Austin in 1974. Their comedy style was inspired by Viola Spolin, who taught special improv techniques. These techniques were also used by other famous comedy groups like the Second City. The name "Groundlings" comes from a play by William Shakespeare called Hamlet. In the play, "groundlings" were the audience members who stood on the ground in front of the stage.

In 1975, The Groundlings bought their own building on Melrose Avenue. Today, The Groundlings School teaches over 2,000 students each year. Many famous comedians and actors have learned and performed here. Some have even gone on to star in shows like Saturday Night Live and MADtv.

The Groundlings Story

How the Group Started

In 1972, a performer named Gary Austin Jr. brought together a group of actors in Los Angeles. They wanted to practice their acting skills. They would improvise, perform characters, and act out scenes. After about a year, they started putting on shows for their friends. Soon, more people heard about their fun workshops. A main group of performers began to show their work at different places in Hollywood.

In January 1974, Gary Austin decided to create a real theater company. Fifty people became the first members. They practiced new material in workshops and performed the best parts in weekend shows. Their very first show was in a small basement theater. A well-known theater critic, Sylvie Drake, saw the show and wrote a great review. She said, "This could be the start of something big!"

Becoming Famous

As more people talked about The Groundlings, the entertainment world started to notice. The famous comedian Lily Tomlin often watched their shows. She even hired some Groundlings to perform on her TV show, The Lily Tomlin Show. Later that year, Lorne Michaels, who created Saturday Night Live, asked Groundling Laraine Newman to join his new show.

The group grew quickly to 90 members. To keep the group a good size, they started holding auditions. Even Phil Hartman, who later became a big star, had to wait over a year to perform after being accepted. With so many members and sold-out shows, The Groundlings needed their own permanent home.

The Groundlings School and Sunday Company

The Groundlings School officially opened in 1978 with 17 students. Teachers included Gary Austin and other original members. Today, the school teaches more than 4,200 students every year. In 1982, Suzanne Kent created the Sunday Company. This group helps new talent from the school develop their skills even further.

Finding a Home on Melrose Avenue

In 1975, The Groundlings bought the building at 7307 Melrose Avenue. Before that, it had been a furniture store and other businesses. The members worked hard to turn the building into a theater. They faced many challenges with building rules and permits. For four years, they performed their shows at other theaters around town. Finally, in April 1979, their own 99-seat theater opened its doors.

In November 1979, Gary Austin stepped down as the artistic director. Tom Maxwell took over and led the group for ten years. Since 1989, Groundlings members or former members have directed all the new shows. The main company, which has no more than 30 members, makes all the important decisions together. In 2017, The Groundlings honored their founder, Gary Austin, after he passed away.

How to Join The Groundlings

The Audition Process

To join the Basic class at The Groundlings School, you must pass an audition. These auditions are led by a Groundlings teacher. They are like a mini first class and are all about improvisation. Auditions are free and happen every week. You can sign up for an audition online.

If you pass the audition, your results are good for one year. If you don't pass, you can try again in four months. Students are allowed to audition a total of three times.

Moving Through the Program

The Groundlings program has five levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced Improv, Writing Lab, and Advanced Lab. Students must do well in each class to move to the next level. It can take years to finish the program. Sometimes, students might have to repeat a class. There can also be long waiting lists between the higher levels.

Joining the Sunday Company

After finishing the Advanced Lab level, a student might be voted into the Sunday Company. This group performs new material every Sunday night. They write, rehearse, and perform new scenes each week. Members usually stay in the Sunday Company for six months to two years.

Becoming a Main Company Member

All members of the Main Company are chosen from the Sunday Company. These are the performers known as "The Groundlings." Main Company members can stay as long as they want, but most leave after about ten years to pursue other opportunities. 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

Main Shows and Revues

The Groundlings Revues, now called the Main Shows, were the first shows performed by the company. They created the unique Groundlings style of improv, characters, and sketch comedy. In 1981, the shows started getting special titles. Now, every new show has "Groundling" in its name.

At first, they performed one or two shows a year. By the 1990s, they did three, and by 2007, four shows a year. They also have a special holiday show in December. Main Shows are performed every Friday and Saturday night.

Other Popular Shows

In 1992, Melanie Graham created Cookin With Gas. This is a weekly improv show where performers play short, fun games. Groundlings, former Groundlings, Sunday Company members, and even celebrity guests perform in it. It's the longest-running improv show in Los Angeles, happening every Thursday night.

In 2001, they added Crazy Uncle Joe Show. This is a long-form improv show, meaning they create longer scenes and stories on the spot. It runs every Wednesday night.

Famous Groundlings Creations

The Pee-wee Herman Show

In 1981, The Groundlings started adding different kinds of shows to their schedule. One of the first was The Pee-Wee Herman Show. This show was created by Paul Reubens to feature his character, Pee-Wee Herman. Paul created Pee-Wee during Groundlings workshops and shows.

Pee-Wee and his friends, played by other Groundlings like Phil Hartman and Lynne Marie Stewart, performed on Saturday nights. The show became a huge hit in Los Angeles. It 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 stage show was even brought back to Broadway in 2010 and filmed for another HBO special.

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. The skit became super popular after it was uploaded to YouTube. It has been viewed millions of times!

The skit stars Mitch Silpa pretending to be the magician David Blaine. He copies Blaine's magic tricks and his style in a hilarious way. The skit was written by Michael Naughton and Mikey Day, who play the two surprised people watching the "magic."

Groundlings Performers

Current Main Company Members

Famous Groundlings Alumni

Many talented people have been part of The Groundlings Main Company and gone on to have successful careers in movies and TV.

Other Notable Alumni

Many other well-known actors and comedians have studied at The Groundlings School or performed in the Sunday Company.

• Fortune Feimster

Acting Instructors

• Cynthia Szigeti