The Groundlings School

The Groundlings School is the training arm of the nonprofit theatre company that gave the world a startling share of its comedy stars; the company's own alumni list runs from Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Fallon to Kaitlin Olson and Nasim Pedrad. The company incorporated in 1974 out of Gary Austin's workshop, and the school formally opened in 1979. It operates two buildings on Melrose: the theatre at 7307 and the school at 7280.

The curriculum is famously sequential. The Intro Track is open enrollment, from a $55 one-day beginners class to the six-session Improv Workshop A at $365. Entering the Core Track requires a free group placement audition, after which Basic and Intermediate Improv run $580 for twelve sessions. Beyond that, the Lab Track, writing and performance labs, and the Sunday Company form the pipeline to the Main Company, which is capped at thirty performers. A parallel sketch writing track and specialty classes, including commercial-audition improv and voiceover intros, round out the catalog.

Classes run seven days a week, new sections post every Tuesday at 1 PM Pacific and popular ones fill fast. Teens train in two bands, 10 to 13 and 14 to 18, with camps and a Teen Pro program. Audits are not allowed; the one-day class is the sanctioned taste test. Quarterly diversity scholarships have distributed over $400,000. Street parking around Poinsettia is the local sport.

Techniques taught

• Improv and sketch: Improvisation and sketch training: agreement, spontaneity, and ensemble play.

Class types

• Improv
• Comedy
• Commercial acting

Enrollment and schedule

Intro Track and sketch classes require no audition; free group Placement Audition required to enter Core Track (Basic Improv); results emailed in 2-3 business days; no headshot/resume needed for online auditions. Schedule: Classes daily, mornings/afternoons/evenings; new sections posted Tuesdays 1pm PT; school office hours Mon-Thu 9am-3pm and 6:30-11pm, Sat 9am-3pm. Duration: One-day drop-ins ($55, ~3 hr) up to 12-session core classes; core classes last 6-12 weeks.

Audit, trial, or intro class

No. Auditing not allowed; school suggests the $55 one-day Improv for Beginners class as a trial

Published pricing

Prices are the school's own published rates on the dates shown. We never estimate prices. Always confirm before enrolling.

Instructors

• Phyllis Katz, Teacher. Original school staff member (1979); still listed teaching Performance WOW classes in 2026
• Lyric Lewis, Teacher. Listed teaching Performance Lab (sketch) in 2026
• Kevin Berntson, Teacher. Listed teaching Performance WOW in 2026
• Diego Parada, Teacher. Listed teaching Performance WOW and commercial-audition improv in 2026

Practical notes

Parking: Street parking around Poinsettia Pl (read signs); Melrose meters free after 8pm; two ~$10 cash valets: CurbStand at 7315 Melrose and National Parking at 7275 Melrose

Scholarships: Quarterly Groundlings Diversity Scholarships for Intro, Core and Lab Track classes plus Teen Camps; over $400,000 invested since program inception

Location

Questions actors ask

Sources and verification

• The Groundlings School - School Home Page, accessed 2026-07-16
• Getting Started | The Groundlings, accessed 2026-07-16
• Plan Your Visit | The Groundlings, accessed 2026-07-16
• Our History | The Groundlings, accessed 2026-07-16
• Teen Classes | The Groundlings, accessed 2026-07-16
• Scholarships | The Groundlings, accessed 2026-07-16

Researched 2026-07-16, last verified 2026-07-16. Facts above come only from these sources. Anything we could not confirm is simply not shown. Report incorrect information or claim this listing if you represent the school.

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