Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center - Los Angeles

The Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center teaches the most systematized long-form improv curriculum in comedy, built on the game of the scene, the idea that every scene contains one funny thing you find and play. Founded in 1996 by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh, UCB went through a rough pandemic contraction, selling its Sunset Boulevard building in 2020, then relaunched under new ownership in 2022. As of 2026 it is unambiguously back: dozens of LA sections with named teachers were open for registration at research time.

LA classes run at two campuses, the Franklin Village theatre complex at 5919 Franklin Ave and the Silver Lake Training Center at 2829 Sunset Blvd. The core ladder is Improv 101 through 401 (the Harold arrives at 301), plus Sketch 101 through 301, Character work, stand-up, musical improv, and clowning. Standard classes are eight three-hour sessions over eight weeks; LA in-person 101 was published at $450 to $500 depending on section, with online sections at $400 and one-week intensives available.

Enrollment for 101 is open, no audition, and nobody skips 201 regardless of resume. Audits are not allowed, but free Improv 101 drop-ins cover the first-day concepts as a sanctioned preview. A diversity scholarship program runs, and the school's house teams perform on UCB stages via separate auditions, which is the carrot the whole ladder points toward.

Techniques taught

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

Class types

film-tv

Enrollment and schedule

No audition is required. Open enrollment; curriculum is prerequisite-gated (must pass each level to advance); Improv 101 bypass possible only with prior training at iO, Magnet, PIT, or Squirrel; Improv 201 cannot be skipped. Schedule: Rolling 8-week sessions starting year-round at Franklin and Silver Lake campuses; weekday, weeknight, and weekend sections; one-week intensives also offered; online sections run on Pacific and Eastern schedules. Duration: Standard core class = 8 three-hour sessions over 8 weeks; intensives compress to 1-4 weeks; workshops are 1-2 sessions.

Audit, trial, or intro class

No. Auditing not allowed; UCB offers free Improv 101 Drop-Ins covering first-day concepts 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

• Johnny Meeks, Academic Director. Named in official Training Center FAQ
• Julie Brister, Improv teacher. Teaching Improv 101 at Franklin Campus, July 2026 schedule
• Betsy Stover, Improv teacher. Teaching Improv 101 at Franklin Campus, Aug 2026 schedule
• Brandon Gardner, Improv teacher. Teaching Improv 101 one-week intensive at Franklin Campus, Aug 2026

Practical notes

Scholarships: UCB Diversity Scholarship Program for students of diverse and/or marginalized backgrounds; financial-need inquiries via classes@ucbcomedy.com; earlier UCB x SNL scholarship (2022) now superseded

Location

Questions actors ask

Sources and verification

• Register for Classes - Upright Citizens Brigade, accessed 2026-07-16
• Venues - Upright Citizens Brigade, accessed 2026-07-16
• About UCB - Upright Citizens Brigade, accessed 2026-07-16
• Improv Program - Upright Citizens Brigade, accessed 2026-07-16
• Training Center FAQ - Upright Citizens Brigade, accessed 2026-07-16
• Upright Citizens Brigade Closes L.A.'s Sunset Theater Location (Hollywood Reporter), accessed 2026-07-16
• Is the UCB Theatre Back? - Will Hines, 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.

Guides for choosing a school

• Acting for beginners: how to start
• How to choose an acting school in LA
• Types of acting classes, explained
• What acting classes cost in LA

Career resources for LA actors

Practical next-step guides from the LA Actor Guide.

• Actor headshots: the complete LA guide
• How auditions and casting work in LA
• Talent managers: what they do and when you need one

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