Cracking the Code: Your Guide to Upright Citizens Brigade Internships and Training

The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), founded by comedy luminaries Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh, stands as a vibrant hub for alternative comedy since 1999. With theaters and training centers in both New York and Los Angeles, UCB has become synonymous with improv, sketch, stand-up, and a delightful array of wonderfully weird comedic expressions. Beyond performances, UCB operates a comprehensive Training Center, offering classes in Improv, Sketch Comedy, TV Writing, Characters, and more, shaping the next generation of comedic talent. Furthermore, UCB extends its expertise to brands, ad agencies, media companies, and universities through branded content, TV production, and a touring company.

UCB's Comedy Training: A Launchpad for Aspiring Comedians

The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) is a theater and school designed to train both dabblers and devotees in the foundations of comedy (including improv, sketch, stand-up, characters, and more.). Originally founded on the techniques of improvisation, UCB continues to evolve its offerings and programming to better address the varied needs of artists today. UCB classes turn beginners into confident performers through world-class instructors and real stage experience. Come join a wildly funny community and meet future collaborators, friends, teammates, and mentors!

Expert Faculty

UCB instructors are performers and writers with impressive credits - SNL, Comedy Central, Netflix, HBO, Peacock, and more!

Performance Opportunities

Many classes culminate in a show at UCB. You can also step into the spotlight at one of our many student jams or open mics!

Beginner Friendly

Start with Improv 101 or try a Drop In - classes built for absolute beginners with no experience needed.

Read also: Is Citizens Bank Right for You?

Life-Changing Skills

Learn transferable life skills such as faster thinking, deep listening, creative collaboration, confident public speaking, and thriving in uncertainty.

Core Curriculum vs. Electives and Workshops

When choosing a class at UCB, it's important to understand the structure of their curriculum. Numbered courses (101-401) are part of the core comedy program in Improv, Sketch, and Character. They are numbered because those curricula are built on a progression and are intended to be taken in order. UCB encourages all their students to complete the core program because of the building block nature of the curriculum, with each course building on the lessons from the previous course. If a course is not numbered, it is an Elective or Advanced Study course that is stand-alone and not progressive. Those courses are meant to enhance your study at UCB by either learning a new or adjacent skill or mastering an improv form like the Harold or other long forms. These classes tend to be more experimental with the instructor using techniques they specialize in or want to explore with the class. Their intent is to build off what students already know and challenge them in exploring parts of the artform they are interested in and/or want to get better at. UCB also offer shorter Workshops; typically one or two three-hour sessions that focus on a specific skill set from the Core program for more practice or a knowledge-oriented focus on an aspect of the business of comedy.

Improv vs. Sketch

“Improv” consists of improvised scenes, without scripts, that are created and performed live on their feet by the improvisers. The UCB curriculum builds up to scene work through exercises and games that center around listening, performing, character-building, and comedy. “Sketches” are short, scripted comedic scenes that explore a central comedic idea, like what you see on SNL. Sketch classes focus on learning the structure of these scenes, generating ideas, writing your own sketches, and giving/receiving feedback. To see these forms in action, we encourage you to check out a sketch or improv show in person!

Bypassing Improv 101

Only students who have taken classes with the Squirrel theater, Pit theater, Magnet theater, or iO are eligible to bypass Improv 101. That said, UCB do not allow students to skip 201 since this is where UCB’s unique perspective on improv and the Harold is honed. These concepts are covered in the UCB Comedy Improvisation Manual.

Scholarship Opportunities

UCB launched the UCB Diversity Scholarship Program to provide ongoing support to UCB students of diverse and/or marginalized backgrounds. This program is separate from previous scholarship opportunities at UCB such as the 2022 SNL Scholarship.

Landing a UCB Internship: A Gateway to Comedy Careers

For aspiring comedians and entertainment professionals, an internship with the Upright Citizens Brigade can be a valuable stepping stone. While specific internship programs may vary, UCB provides opportunities to gain experience in a dynamic comedy environment.

What to Expect from a UCB Internship

A UCB internship offers hands-on experience in various aspects of the comedy world. Interns may assist with:

Theater Operations: Supporting the day-to-day operations of UCB theaters, including front-of-house duties, audience management, and technical assistance.
Training Center: Assisting with class administration, student support, and marketing efforts for UCB's training programs.
Production: Contributing to the creation of online content, live shows, and special events.
Marketing and Social Media: Helping to promote UCB shows, classes, and events through social media, email marketing, and other channels.

How to Get Involved: UCB House Teams

UCB House Teams include Harold (improv), Maude (sketch comedy), Lloyd (junior improv), and Betty (character teams). These teams showcase top talent in improv, sketch, and character performances.

Teams Character / Betty Team

Performers interested in character work and creating unique, game-based character pieces for a live audience.

REQUIREMENTS Completion of Character 101 (NY) or any two performance-based UCB courses (LA).

Sketch Comedy / Maude Team

Writers and performers passionate about sketch comedy, looking to create and perform new material monthly.

REQUIREMENTS Character 101 or any two performance-based UCB courses (LA) and having taken a (paid or free) course, workshop, or seminar within the past two years (NY).

Improv Comedy / UCB LA Harold Team

Aspiring improvisers looking to master long-form improv and perform regularly on stage.

REQUIREMENTS Harold and Lloyd Teams will be cast from the same audition, and eligibility is the same for both. All auditioners will be considered for Lloyd as well, but you can opt out of Lloyd consideration.

Improv Comedy / UCB LA Lloyd Team

Emerging talent in improv seeking to develop their skills and gain performance experience.

Gaining Experience and Exposure

While UCB internships may not always be formally advertised, there are several ways to increase your chances of getting involved:

Take UCB Classes: Enrolling in UCB's improv, sketch, or writing classes is a great way to learn the UCB philosophy, network with instructors and students, and demonstrate your commitment to comedy.
Volunteer: UCB often relies on volunteers to help with shows, events, and administrative tasks. Volunteering is a great way to get your foot in the door, learn about the organization, and meet people.
Attend Shows and Events: Regularly attending UCB shows and events shows your support for the community and allows you to network with performers, writers, and other industry professionals.
Network: Talk to UCB instructors, performers, and staff members about your interest in interning. Let them know your skills and experience, and ask for advice on how to get involved.

Real-World Success: Comedic Arts Students and Beyond

Comedic Arts students have had incredible opportunities to work with some of the biggest names in comedy. They’ve secured internships in production studios, improv theaters, late night shows, satirical magazines, comedy festivals, casting agencies, and more.

Below are just some of the places that have hired Comedic Arts students as interns:

Los Angeles

3Arts Entertainment: A talent management and television/film production company that has produced shows such as King of the Hill, The Office, Parks and Recreation, The Mindy Project, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and American Vandal.
Upright Citizens Brigade LA: Improv theater known to produce top talent, founded by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, and Ian Roberts. Notable alumni include Ilana Glazer, Abbi Jacobson, Seth Morris, Aubrey Plaza, Zach Woods, Ellie Kemper, Andrew Daly, Jason Mantzoukas, D'Arcy Carden, and Ben Schwartz.
Groundlings Theatre & School: Cozy venue for an improvisation & sketch comedy troupe that launched many famous careers. Notable alumni include Will Farrell, Will Forte, Jennifer Coolidge, Melissa McCarthy, and more.
Laugh Factory: Laugh Factory is a chain of comedy clubs, featuring performers such as Adam Devine, Bill Burr, Tiffany Haddish, Tig Notaro, Iliza Sleshinger, Chris D’Elia and more.
The Comedy Store: A comedy club with several locations in southern California with performers such as Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, Larry David, Marc Maron, Jerry Seinfeld and more.
Image Movers: Production company owned by Disney that has produced films such as Cast Away, What Lies Beneath, Polar Express.
The Late Late Night Show with James Cordon: The Late Late Night Show with James Cordon is an entertainment talk show on CBS.
Fox Entertainment: Fox Entertainment is a production company formed in 2019 after Fox's television studio, 20th Century Fox Television was acquired by Disney. is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, and broadcast on ABC.
United Talent Agency: Talent agency representing names such as Iliza Schlesinger, Ali Wong, Tiffany Haddish, and Awkwafina.
Team Coco: The production team behind Conan on TBS show and the podcast "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend."
Jax Media: The production team behind Broad City, Difficult People, Younger and Inside Amy Schumer.
Mythical Entertainment: A digital production company behind the popular YouTube show Good Mythical Morning.
Point Grey Pictures: A production company run by Seth Rogan, responsible for such films as Good Boys, Blockers, and Sausage Party.
ICM Partners: Talent agency that represents Jay Leno, Henry Winkler, Joe Mande, and many other big Emerson names in Comedy.

New York

Upright Citizens Brigade NY: Improv theater known to produce top talent, founded by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, and Ian Roberts. Own the Stage.

Essential Skills Gained at UCB

UCB classes offer transferable life skills such as faster thinking, deep listening, creative collaboration, confident public speaking, and thriving in uncertainty.

Navigating UCB: Key Policies and FAQs

Class Shows

As UCB anticipate opening their new New York theater and more New York training center classrooms in early 2024, allowing their program to grow even further, they will be returning to the pre-pandemic practice of charging for class shows at $5 for guests. Students will continue to be able to see class shows for free. This fee will help cover the cost of event staff and other facility related expenses. Class shows do not count towards your allotted two absences.

Student Ticket Policy

All students can see shows for free. Please read the Student Ticket Policy to learn how.

Work-Study Opportunities

UCB no longer has a work-study program - they’ve chosen to pay fair wages to their co-workers instead. However, they do offer employee discounts on classes for part-time coworkers. Once they verify that they have not previously taken a UCB class, they will set you up with a $100 voucher redeemable for any class you want to take! Simple as that.

Teacher Training

UCB teachers are hired after an interview and training process which includes foundational comedy training, proven mentorship tactics and key DEI concepts, including unconscious bias and microaggressions. After an initial interview process, selected applicants are moved into an Instructor Assistant program where they are paired with an experienced Mentor Instructor. Instructor Assistants work alongside their mentors to learn the job hands-on, through leading exercises and giving notes. At the end of the training program, Instructor Assistants teach their own one-off session that is observed by the Academic Committee.

Absences

While UCB do not offer makeup classes at this time, they can connect you with their Academic Director, Johnny Meeks, to discuss any concepts you may have missed during your absence.

Auditing Classes

Since a lot of the program revolves around building trust with classmates, UCB do not allow prospective students to audit their classes. That said, they do offer free Improv 101 Drop-Ins which cover most of the concepts of the first day of an Improv 101 class. This will help you determine if Improv is something that you’d be interested in!

Grades

Grades will be posted within 2 weeks of the end of every class. If you have not received a grade for your course, please reach out to your teacher directly. As UCB migrate to a new Training Center system, they are working to integrate your old records into the new account. Until then, they have all of your grades stored safely on the back end and can access that information on your behalf.

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