- The Groundlings
The Groundlings is an
improvisational comedy troupe based in Los Angeles,California , USA. The troupe was formed byGary Austin in1974 and uses an improv format influenced byViola Spolin to produce sketches and improvised scenes. The troupe moved into their current location onMelrose Avenue in 1979. The current Executive Director of The Groundlings isDan Fishbach who has led the company since December, 2006.The Groundlings School sees over 1,000 students per year go through their program. The competitive program consists of 4 levels (Basic, Intermediate, Writing Lab and Advanced). Participants must be successfully advanced from each level by the instructor. After completing the Advanced level, one may be voted into the Sunday Company, which performs on Sunday. Members of the Main Company are selected from members of the Sunday Company.
Many Groundlings performers have found success in movies and television, including several who have become cast members and writers on "
Saturday Night Live ", "MADtv ", and "Reno 911! "."David Blaine Street Magic"
In 2006 The Groundlings recorded a skit in the alleyway behind the theater called "David Blaine Street Magic". It was later uploaded to
YouTube where it's become one of the most popular videos on the website. [ [http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/22/entertainment/ca-groundlings22 LA Times Entertainment] 22 June 2008. Collected 9 October 2008.] As of October 2008, the video has had over twenty million views and forty five thousand comments since 12 October 2006. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYxu_MQSTTY David Blaine Street Magic] atYouTube . Collected 9 October 2008.] The skit starsMitch Silpa parodyingDavid Blaine in both the nature of Blaine's performance and his mannerisms.Notable alumni
References
External links
* [http://www.groundlings.com/ The Groundlings website]
*
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