Skip the clubs, skip the drugs and start seeing comedy. I grew up in a house with parents whose ideal night out was dinner and a show: a tradition they passed onto me and my theatre-loving self. As I got older, and fell more in love with the stage, I started taking my friends out for nights of live performances that will forever remain some of our favorite memories together. What’s more fun than watching the next generation of the comedy scene take the stage? Here are my favorite places for a night of stomach-aching laughter.
- . THE GROUNDLINGS
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The Groundlings Theatre is a staple of Los Angeles comedy, with alumni like Will Ferrell, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jimmy Fallon, Will Forte, Jennifer Coolidge, Ashley Padilla and countless others. In fact, I saw Ashley Padilla performing at The Groundlings the year that she was scouted for SNL! The Groundlings Theater also has a comedy school where I am currently training on the improv and sketch track.
- . UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE THEATRE
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Upright Citizens Brigade is a national comedy institution, with theatres in New York City and Los Angeles. Alumni include Amy Poehler, Ellie Kemper, Ed Helms, Donald Glover, Aubrey Plaza, Nick Kroll and other comedy legends. Jeremy Culhane, a recent SNL recruit, is an alumni as well. Every month you’ll be able to catch UCLA’s own improv troupe, Rapid Fire, performing with groups from other California schools! More on that at #5.
- . THE IMPROV
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The Improv is a dominant stand-up comedy establishment in Los Angeles, with performers like Nikki Glaser, David Spade, Preacher Lawson, Kam Patterson and Michael Longfellow. Here, you’ll be able to catch some of your favorite comedians, as well as up and comers.
- . THE COMEDY STORE
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Yet another iconic Los Angeles stand-up comedy venue! Notable comedians like Howie Mandel, David Spade, Eric Andre, Bobby Lee, Trevor Wallace and others are currently performing here!
- . UCLA COMEDY TROUPES
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We are so lucky to have some really incredible teams here at UCLA. Rapid Fire, a popular improv team at UCLA, just performed at UCB Franklin this week at LA College Comedy night, a monthly show held every third Saturday, founded by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh featuring teams from USC, LMU, and Columbia College Chicago. You can find their show schedule on their Instagram…take a look here!
I truly cannot recommend seeing a live show enough. This past year, I’ve had countless nights out full of cocktails, improv, sketch and stand-up comedy, and it’s always a guaranteed fun night out. Nothing beats a good laugh!