How a Chicago improv troupe became the powerhouse behind modern American comedy
In short: Emerging from the 1990s Chicago comedy scene, the Upright Citizens Brigade evolved from a small improv troupe into a global training institution. By codifying the game-based approach to long-form improvisation, they created a pipeline that has shaped the talent and style of television programs from Saturday Night Live to Broad City.
The Upright Citizens Brigade was founded in 1990 at Chicago's ImprovOlympic by Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh, among others. Their comedic philosophy, heavily influenced by the teachings of Del Close, centers on the concept of the game of the scene. This structured approach to long-form improv, most notably the Harold, became the bedrock of their training centers. In 2013, the founders codified these techniques in The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual, solidifying their pedagogical legacy.
The group's influence expanded through their own television projects, including the 1998 sketch series Upright Citizens Brigade and the later UCB Show. However, their broader impact lies in their role as a talent incubator. Alumni have gone on to staff and create influential shows, while the organization itself has served as a primary recruiting ground for major programs like Saturday Night Live. Shows such as Broad City and The Chris Gethard Show originated as experiments within the UCB community, demonstrating the group's ability to foster distinct comedic voices.
Following decades of fluctuating physical locations in New York and Los Angeles, the organization underwent a significant transformation in 2022 when it was acquired by Mike McAvoy and Jimmy Miller with backing from Elysian Park Ventures. This new era has seen an aggressive expansion strategy. In 2025, UCB acquired the Coldtowne Theater in Austin and a stake in Pittsburgh's Bottlerocket Social Hall, establishing training centers in both cities. By February 2026, the group announced an international partnership with Monkey Barrel Comedy in Edinburgh, marking their first expansion into the United Kingdom.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Upright Citizens Brigade
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