The Groundlings Theatre
1974-present · Los Angeles, CA
Gary Austin's 1974 LA training company — the single most reliable feeder to Saturday Night Live's West Coast pipeline for 50 years.
Known for
- Founded January 1974 by Gary Austin as a 501(c)3 improvisational theatre company evolved from his 1972 Gary Austin Workshops.
- Built its own theater at 7307 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood; the 99-seat space opened April 1979 after four years of red tape and construction.
- Alumni: Paul Reubens, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Laraine Newman, Lisa Kudrow, Will Ferrell, Cheri Oteri, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kathy Griffin, Chris Kattan.
- Austin died April 1, 2017; The Groundlings continues as a non-profit with a five-level school pipeline feeding the Sunday Company performing ensemble.
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Concepts
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