The Groundlings

The Groundlings is one of the most legendary improv and sketch comedy institutions in the world, located at 7280 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Founded in 1974 by Gary Austin, the theater and school have served as a launching pad for an extraordinary roster of comedy superstars who have gone on to define American humor across film, television, and live performance. The alumni list reads like a comedy hall of fame: Will Ferrell, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Phil Hartman, Lisa Kudrow, Paul Reubens (Pee-wee Herman), Jennifer Coolidge, Maya Rudolph, Jon Lovitz, Laraine Newman, Will Forte, Cheryl Hines, Chris Kattan, and Cheri Oteri, among dozens of other working professionals. What distinguishes The Groundlings from other LA improv schools is its emphasis on character-driven comedy and sketch creation — while other schools focus primarily on long-form improv, The Groundlings trains performers to create vivid, specific characters and to write and perform original sketch comedy, skills that translate directly to the demands of Saturday Night Live, sitcoms, and comedic film roles. The theater operates with a unique democratic structure: the Main Company, limited to approximately 30 members, collectively serves as its own artistic director, making creative decisions collaboratively. The Groundlings has maintained its Melrose Avenue home for decades, becoming a landmark of the Los Angeles comedy scene and a destination for comedy enthusiasts from around the world.

In 2025, The Groundlings operates both as a professional sketch comedy theater presenting regular shows and as one of the most sought-after comedy training programs in Los Angeles. The school follows a three-track system: the Intro Track for absolute beginners, the Core Track (Basic Improv through Intermediate) for developing performers, and the advanced Lab Track for students working toward potential Sunday Company membership. Each track builds progressively, developing students' improv skills, character creation abilities, and sketch writing craft through a curriculum refined over five decades of producing comedy professionals. The Main Company performs weekly shows featuring original sketch and improv material, while the Sunday Company — established in 1982 — develops emerging talent from the school in regular Sunday performances of new sketch shows, serving as the primary pathway to Main Company membership. Classes are taught exclusively by working comedians and current or former Groundlings company members who bring genuine professional experience and industry connections to the classroom. The culture at The Groundlings emphasizes commitment, specificity, and bold character choices — performers are trained to make strong, definitive choices rather than playing it safe, a philosophy that produces the kind of memorable, distinctive comedic performances that casting directors and showrunners are looking for. The theater's regular performances draw industry audiences, and the combination of training, performance opportunities, and industry visibility makes The Groundlings one of the most effective career accelerators in the LA comedy landscape.

Enrollment in The Groundlings begins with the Basic Improv class, which requires no prior experience and serves as the entry point for the program. New classes are posted every Monday at 1:00 PM, approximately 4-6 weeks before each session begins, and popular time slots fill quickly — prospective students should be prepared to register promptly when new classes are listed. Unlike traditional school admissions, there is no audition for entry-level classes; however, progression through the program requires invitation from instructors based on performance evaluations at each level. This selective advancement system means that not every student who begins the program will advance to the highest levels — the evaluative process functions as a quality filter that ensures increasingly skilled ensembles at each stage. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at enrollment, with the balance due before the first class. The program is designed for adults who are serious about developing their comedy skills, whether they aspire to professional careers or simply want to improve their performance abilities. The Groundlings also offers specialty options including a one-day Improv for Beginners class ($55) that provides a low-commitment introduction for those who want to sample the experience before committing to a full course. Summer teen improv classes are available for younger aspiring performers.

The training curriculum progresses through carefully structured levels that build skills sequentially, starting with foundational improv principles and advancing through character development, scene work, and ultimately original sketch creation and performance. Basic Improv, the flagship entry-level course, runs for 12 sessions and covers the fundamentals of improvisation including listening, agreement, relationship building, and scene construction. Intermediate levels deepen the work with more complex scene structures, heightened character work, and the introduction of sketch writing techniques that distinguish Groundlings training from purely improv-focused schools. The Lab Track represents the advanced level of the program, where students develop original material, create polished sketch shows, and work toward the level of proficiency needed for potential Sunday Company membership. Throughout all levels, the emphasis on character work is paramount — students learn to create specific, grounded, physically and vocally distinct characters that drive scenes and generate comedy through behavior and commitment rather than relying on jokes or gimmicks. This character-focused approach is directly responsible for the kind of performances that have made Groundlings alumni famous: Melissa McCarthy's physical comedy, Will Ferrell's committed absurdity, Kristen Wiig's eccentric characters, and Jennifer Coolidge's unforgettable persona all bear the unmistakable imprint of Groundlings training. The Sunday Company provides the critical bridge between training and professional performance, giving advanced students regular stage time in front of paying audiences and industry observers.

The Groundlings attracts a wide range of students, from aspiring professional comedians and actors to writers, filmmakers, and working professionals who want to develop their performance skills and comedic instincts. The student body skews toward adults in their twenties and thirties who have relocated to Los Angeles to pursue entertainment careers, though the school welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds. The alumni network is one of the most powerful in the entertainment industry — former Groundlings company members populate writers' rooms, casting offices, talent agencies, and production companies across Hollywood, creating an informal but highly effective professional network. The Saturday Night Live connection is particularly strong: The Groundlings has been one of SNL's most reliable talent pipelines for decades, with alumni including Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Laraine Newman, Maya Rudolph, and many others who joined the show directly from or after training at The Groundlings. For aspiring comedic actors, the school provides both the skills training and the industry exposure needed to build a career in the highly competitive Los Angeles comedy market. The community around The Groundlings extends beyond the classroom into the broader LA comedy scene, with students and alumni supporting each other's work, attending shows, and collaborating on independent projects.

The Basic Improv class at The Groundlings costs $580 for a 12-session course, with higher-level classes priced similarly. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at enrollment, with the remaining balance due before the first class session. The one-day Improv for Beginners workshop costs $55, providing a low-cost entry point for curious newcomers. The full program from beginner through advanced Lab Track levels represents a cumulative investment of several thousand dollars over months or years of training, as progression through the levels is not guaranteed and depends on instructor evaluation at each stage. Compared to other LA improv schools, The Groundlings' pricing is in the mid-to-upper range — UCB classes run $400-$500 per level, while smaller schools may charge less. However, the value proposition of Groundlings training must be measured against the unmatched alumni track record, industry connections, and performance opportunities that the school provides. There are no formal scholarship or financial aid programs, though the staggered nature of the level system allows students to manage their investment over time. The cost of living in Los Angeles adds significantly to the overall financial commitment, and students should budget for rent, transportation, and living expenses alongside their training costs.

The Groundlings is the essential training destination for any serious comedic actor or performer in Los Angeles who wants to develop the character creation, sketch writing, and improv skills that Hollywood comedy demands. If you aspire to work on Saturday Night Live, in comedy film, in sitcoms, or in any arena where strong character work and comedic specificity are valued, The Groundlings' training is among the most effective and industry-relevant available anywhere. The school is particularly well-suited for performers who want to create their own material and develop a distinctive comedic identity rather than simply learning to be a good team player in improv scenes. Performers who are primarily interested in long-form improv should consider UCB or iO as alternatives or complements to Groundlings training. For sketch writing specifically, Second City's Chicago or New York programs offer a different but equally valuable approach. If the selective advancement system feels too competitive, The PIT, Pack Theater, or The Ruby LA offer more accessible LA comedy training environments. Most serious LA comedy performers train at multiple schools to develop a well-rounded skill set, and The Groundlings is typically a cornerstone of that training.

Start with the Basic Improv class even if you have prior improv experience elsewhere — The Groundlings' character-focused approach is distinctive enough that beginning at the foundation ensures you absorb the specific methodology that makes Groundlings training effective. Register for classes immediately when new sessions are posted on Monday at 1 PM, as popular time slots fill within minutes and waiting means potentially delaying your training by weeks. Commit fully to the character work that defines Groundlings training — the performers who advance and succeed are those who create specific, grounded, physically and vocally distinct characters rather than relying on wit or cleverness alone. Attend Groundlings shows regularly — both Main Company and Sunday Company performances — to understand the level of work the school produces and to become a familiar, supportive presence in the community. Build relationships with your classmates, as the connections you make in class often become your first creative collaborators and professional network in LA. If you are not advanced to the next level, use the feedback constructively — many successful Groundlings alumni repeated levels before advancing, and the evaluative process is designed to ensure you are genuinely ready for the next stage of training rather than simply moving through the system.