improv

ceramics, improv, nyc comedy, shannon o'neill, ucb

While many of you have to come, know, and love the fantastic Shannon O’Neill through improv and wherever you watch TV, she has discovered another marvelous facet of herself through her work in ceramics. In fact, she’s just about to close out her very first exhibition Beat One at The Empty Circle in Brooklyn and was very keen on infusing a comedic spirit into the whole experience of making, presenting, and interacting with her pieces. We have a truly wondrous conversation about art, improv, and the cross-pollination of the two on this week’s TCB Field Report.

Follow Shannon @spotastic and @sporamics on IG and make sure to make the closing party for Beat One and the Empty Circle in Brooklyn this Friday, July 11th at 6PM.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 253: Rebecca Drysdale & Using The Force With Improv

April 10, 2025

improv, improv classes, la comedy, rebecca drysdale

Still, to this day, Rebecca Drysdale is one of the funniest improvisers we’ve ever seen. Coupled with her vast writing experience, we’ll take any chance to have her on TCB Field Report and what a chance it was for this episode. We legitimately intertwine The Force from Star Wars into improv theory and practice (along with some other IP based metaphors) for a marvelously comedy philosophy heavy episode.

Follow Rebecca @beckdrys on IG and sign-up for her classes (the latest round start next week) at drysdaleclasses@gmail.com.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 252: Pilot Season & Growing an Improv Show Out of the Writers’ Strike

April 2, 2025

improv, pilot season, ucb, writer's strike

At a time where AI is threatening writing jobs and Trump is mercilessly dismantling all the DEI initiatives that he can, a hybrid improv/writers show, Pilot Season, rises, phoenix-like, from the rubble of the WGA Strike. Hosts/creators Chris De La Cruz and Saleh Karaman lead a packed improv show that creates a freshly baked before the audience eyes and ears where some of the most accomplished TV writers around collaborate with UCB’s best and brightest. Also, very often, as it would happen, the panel of writers and cast of improvisers are from almost every background imaginable. This week’s TCB Field Report talks to De La Cruz and Karaman in how they built this juggernaut of a show and exceeded any expectation they had.

Follow Pilot Season @pilot_szn on IG and get tix for 4/6 show UCB LA here. Follow Chris @chris_dlc_ and Saleh @cirquedusalad.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 249: Sarah Claspell & Doing Improv Literally Everywhere

March 12, 2025

improv, la comedy, sarah claspell, world's greatest improv school

Even though improv had one of the longest roads back from COVID, it’s back and more expansive than we remember. Sarah Claspell, a longtime celebrated veteran of improv in LA, walks us, on this week’s TCB Field Report, through how that’s happening both with her touring the world doing/teaching improv and co-owning the World’s Greatest Improv School (affectionately pronounced WEE-gis) and the best way to take notes on improv.

Follow Sarah @claspy across socials.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by Clay Larsen

Pick of the Day: The Stepfathers 4 Years Later (in NYC) 5/27

May 13, 2024

alex dickson, connor ratliff, improv, nyc comedy, sebastian conelli, shannon o'neill, the stepfathers

One of NYC’s most revered and celebrated improv groups, The Stepfathers, is finally returning to the stage after a long slumber because, well, something happened in 2020. Honestly, NYC improv hasn’t really been the same without them, so let’s hope this is the improv version of Punxsutawney Phil signaling the end of winter coming.

The comedy brilliance of Shannon O’Neill, Connor Ratliff, Alex Dickson & Sebastian Conelli will be assembling at Caveat on Monday, May 27th at 7PM and go above and beyond with “making sad things funny”. Tickets are only $24.41 and, somehow, there are still a few left for you to snag. Better go get them here while you can.

Pick of the Day: UCB NY Previews Starting 4/23

April 17, 2024

improv, nyc comedy, sketch comedy, upright citizens bridage

It feels like so long ago that the Upright Citizens Brigade had a presence/space in NYC and, well, that’s because it has been. As the COVID-19 pandemic caused a wave of venues shuddering in 2020, UCB was certainly not immune and had to close up shop indefinitely both in LA and NYC.

Thankfully, here in 2024, UCB Franklin has been more than alive and kicking again and finally, at last, the very new UCB NY at 242 East 14th Street in Manhattan (right between Gramercy Park and Ukrainian Village) will open with previews of their staple shows (Harold, Maude, Spank, etc.) starting Tues. Apr. 23rd.

Tickets are all very much on sale right now and you best snatch them up quick before they very likely will sell out. Do so right now right here.

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The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 198: Jeremy Culhane & What Makes for Good Improv

January 10, 2024

improv, Jeremy Culhane, short form improv, the harold

When one goes to see an improv show, the supposition is that your going to see comedy gold being born out of thin air, something that’s almost beyond a veritable comedy alchemy. If you’ve gone to enough improv shows or taken classes, you ought to know that there is a precision and structure applied to much of improv to make it seem magical. One of LA improv’s favorite sons, Jeremy Culhane, joins us on this week’s TCB Field Report to break down the importance of the Harold, what makes good improv (especially short form), and, most importantly, whether bad stand up or bad improv is worst (apologies for one of the mics cutting out for the last 15 min. or so and doing this podcast at our favorite Gelato place, Pazzo Gelato).

Follow Jeremy @jazzy_jelly on TikTok

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by Strikethrough Project

Pick of the Day: Aaron & Josh Do Improv (Feat. Jeff Hiller) (in NYC) 12/21

November 20, 2023

aaron jackson, improv, josh sharp, nyc comedy

One of the statement movies of this Summer, Dicks: The Musical, (sure, Barbenheimer did it’s thing, but did it have The Sewer Boys), sprouted from the beautifully demented minds of co-stars and co-writers Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp. Nothing really comes close to the experience of A24’s first fledged musical, that also happens to be a very R-rated comedy, which is why the prospect of seeing Jackson and Sharp doing improv shouldn’t be missed whatsoever.

Jackson, Sharp, and Somebody Somewhere‘s Jeff Hiller are all doing improv together at Brooklyn’s Bell House, a brief return to humble beginnings after having bright shining moments throughout the last couple years. It should be some unforgettably hysterical chaos. This special evening is set for Thurs. Dec. 21st at 10PM and tickets are $12.94 and you best get them here before they sell out.

Pick of the Day: 9th Annual High and Mighty: Thanksgiving Eve Power Hour! (in LA) 11/22

November 6, 2023

dynasty typewriter, high and mighty, improv, jon gabrus, thanksgiving

Halloween is done and dusted and we’re on to the thick of the holiday season with Thanksgiving approaching fast. That actually means a lot of things for comedy, but one of the main things is Jon Gabrus’ annual High and Mighty: Thanksgiving Eve Power Hour, a true blue hour of 6 friends doing 60 shots of beer each and then letting the most hysterical Turkey Day ridiculousness unravels on stage.

This 2023 edition will be the 9th year that Gabrus and company endeavor on downing a lot of brew in just an hour’s time and will be doing so in the lovely walls of Dynasty Typewriter on Wed. Nov. 22nd at 7:30PM. It’s such a rip roaring good time that a livestream will be available as well (7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET). In-person tickets for Jon Gabrus’ annual High and Mighty: Thanksgiving Eve Power Hour are $20 and live-stream are $15 and you can (and should) go start in on the holiday gift buying by snagging a pair here.

Pick of the Day: Blacula (in LA) 10/24

October 16, 2023

blacula, halloween, improv, la comedy, ucb

Halloween is just two weeks and change away and a whole slew of Halloween themed comedy shows are about to take over any and all comedy venues (and you absolutely should take make the most of the horror/comedy combo while you can).

Case in point, some of UCB’s best black improvisers are going to do their own improvised versions of vampire lore/cinema/TV the week before Halloween. Appropriately called Blacula, the likes of Shakira Paye, Carl Tart, Moni Oyedepo, Jerah Milligan, X Mayo, Corin Wells, Jacquis Neal, Lamar Woods, Blake Edwards, and Ashley Parchment will give you the flip of what has been predominantly a white subgenre (except for Blade and the latest Interview with the Vampire?). If they end up improvising the infamous baseball scene from Twilight, the audience ought to pay more than the $10 that this show costs.

Blacula is set for Tues. 10/24 at 10PM. You very much can (and should) go get your tickets here.

Pick of the Day: Superego: Forgotten Classics (in LA w/Livestream) 8/24

August 7, 2023

dynasty typewriter, improv, los angeles comedy, paul f tompkins, superego

When it comes to watching improv live on stage, there should be no question when it comes to catching one of the most renowned troupes/groups/improv podcasts around, Superego. Comprised of improv superstars Jeremy Carter, Matt Gourley, Mark McConville, Paul F. Tompkins, and James Bladon, they beautifully relish their own special brand of tasteful chaos.

It has been quite some time, even pre-pandemic since we’ve been all graced with their improv majesty, but the time for their return is nigh. Not only will be they taking the Dynasty Typewriter stage once again, but they’ll be improvising their version of James Joyce’s Ulysses, one of the most revered pieces of literature that’s also considered by many to be one of the most dense and confounding literary works of all time.

Thus, it should be one hell of a night of comedy to remember on Thurs. Aug. 24th at 7;30PM. Tickets are $20 right now and there’s a livestream option available for $15. Do not waste time in snagging your tickets right now here.

Pick of the Day: Raaaatscraps 2 Yr. (in NYC) 8/6

July 25, 2023

caveat, improv, nyc comedy, raaaatscraps

Since the return of live long form improv in NYC, Raaaatscraps has dutifully filled in the gap of NYC comedy needing a marquee improv show with scenes based off of esteemed guest monologist (you guys remember ASSSSCAT, right?) that gives New Yorkers top tier improv every week. That was an especially tall order considering UCB’s absence in NYC for the last three years (don’t worry, there’s a new space coming to Manhattan later this year) and the coming and going of many a comedy venue.

That said, Raaaatscraps has planted its roots at Caveat and simulcasts their live, in-person performances and have been making Sunday nights an improv in NYC, especially in LES for quite some time now. They’ll be celebrating two years of being one of NYC’s go to improv shows on Sun. Aug. 6th at their normally slotted time of 7:30PM ET/4:30PM PT. Tickets will still be $8 and they will very likely have an unbelievably special monologist for this one.

Go get your tickets right now right here.

Pick of the Day: Holy Shit Improv 2 Year Anniversary All Day Improv Festival (in LA) 7/15

June 9, 2023

comedy festival, improv, los angeles comedy, silverlake, silverlake lounge

Though UCB has reopened months ago, when and how the next Del Close Marathon, the legendary multi-day, non-stop improv festival, has yet to be revealed. As such, NYC has their Fun and Dumb Improv Festival out of the Brooklyn Comedy Collective, and in the stead of DCM here in LA, the good folks at Holy Shit Improv are throwing an all day improv festival featuring the very best in long form improv, house teams and indie teams alike, in Los Angeles. It will double as a two year anniversary of doing improv at Silverlake’s favorite gussied up dive bar, The Silverlake Lounge.

This Holy Shit Improv 2 Year Anniversary All Day Improv Festival will include sets from:
Holy Shit
Dinosaur Improv
The Big Team
JV
Pretty Darn Queer
The Smokes
Bitchin’
Astronomy Club
Bimbos
Menudo
Behind A Paywall
Rat Ass
Lemon Pepper Wet
NY Piss Rangers
LYLAS
The Big Boys of Comedy
Shag
PBR Tallboys
Queen George
Sister
DopeTown 300
WIld
Glass Clown

This quasi non-stop festival will run from 1PM-9PM on Sat. Jul. 15th. Tickets are only $17 (and you ought to know space is limited). Get tickets here right now.

Pick of the Day: Standups Doing Improv (in NYC) 2/9

February 7, 2023

conor janda, improv, jeff wright, kaneez surka, nyc comedy, ruby karp, sabrina wu, stand up comedy

Of the disciplines in comedy, there will always seem to be the thickest line in the sand drawn between stand-up and improv. That line should be kicked away, but, in the indefinite mean time, seeing either side do the other can still be immensely fun. We still fondly hold a memory of Andy Peters “asking” for a suggestion of a car dealership and a planet and going with Saturn and Saturn on a show once called ImproVStandup.

So, Kaneez Surka and Ruby Karp are going to wrangle NYC comedy scene staples Jeff Wright, Sabrina Wu, and Conor Janda to let them do stand-up, then, make them take a suggestion and attempt to do scenes together. We wonder how many sweep edits or tagging out will happen (or if they’re even aware that those are options that are crucial to doing improv).

Standups Doing Improv is set to happen this Thurs. Feb. 9th at Friends & Lovers in Brooklyn at 8PM. Tickets are only $7.18 and you can (and should) get them here.

Pick of the Day: Sagher & Gethard (in NYC) 11/5

October 24, 2022

brooklyn comedy collective, chris gethard, improv, nyc comedy, tami sagher

Though they have ascended to the glitzy heights of critically acclaimed movies (Don’t Think Twice) and television (Inside Amy Schumer) and live tours and podcasts (Beautiful Anonymous) even their own specials (Career Suicide), Tami Sagher and Chris Gethard once were and will always be legendary when it comes to long form improv in NYC. Really, we shouldn’t even corral it to just NYC as Gethard and Sagher’s rise in comedy came through both of their prowess as improvisers, then blossoming infinitely into their successful comedy present.

So, NYC shouldn’t, no matter the circumstance, miss out on the two of them playing together at one of NYC’s all-inclusive comedy theaters, Brooklyn Comedy Collective, which ought to be a very intimated, unforgettable night of how damn good improv can be.

Mark down Sat. Nov. 5th and 8:30PM and go get tickets for $15 here right now.

Pick of the Day: Improvised Stand-Up with Rory Scovel (in LA) 2/27

February 7, 2022

elysian theater, improv, improvised, los angeles comedy, rory scovel, stand up comedy

There are plenty a comedian that try to do, shall we say, comedy alchemy by, ostensibly, taking nothing and making comedy gold out of it. There’s even a long running improv comedy podcast called Alchemy This that seeks out to attempt this feat.

Rory Scovel has made it a mission of his to completely improvise his stand-up sets and, for our money, we think that he has figured it out. His fearlessness in getting abjectly silly and then masterfully dissecting his own flights of absurdity is truly captivating for an hour. All told, it really feels like magic.

So, all of LA, you shouldn’t miss out on Rory’s latest trek into the comedy unknown at the end of this month at The Elysian. Improvised Stand-Up with Rory Scovel is set for Mon. Feb. 27th at 7PM PT. Tickets are only $12 and you best go get them now here.

The Pack Theater Is Coming Back Next Month! (and Is Accepting Submission for Live Shows)

February 3, 2022

improv, live comedy, los angeles comedy, open call, pack theater, sketch comedy, stand up comedy, submissions

Pre-pandemic, you could often find us more than once a week at tiny, but mighty comedy venue known as The Pack Theater. Founded by legendary improviser Miles Stroth, it was a great place for in-betweeners, experimenters, risk-takers, and comedy folks who had that DIY/punk rock spirit to what they wanted to do in the art form. That really resonated with us, which is why we ended up catching some of our favorite shows there as well as coming on board to produce the micro-short-form variety show, Speedface.

That’s why we’re overjoyed to hear that The Pack survived all the way to this side of the pandemic, especially being one of the pioneering venues when it came to transitioning to virtual comedy, and they’re going to reopen for in-person shows back in Hollywood starting next month.

In fact, they’re accepting pitches for new shows right now.

Think about/keep the following in mind when considering applying:

-Slots will be available on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights with the possibility of having a Saturday night slot as well.

-All applications will go to the Artistic Committee for evaluation. We are especially interested in shows that come from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and all traditionally marginalized voices.

We are looking for the the following types of shows including, but not limited to:

-Stand Up shows (roast shows, open mics, booked shows with a hook)
-Improv based shows with a hook or theme
-Variety shows
-One-off shows to be featured on 5th weeks (one person shows and comedic theater type shows welcomed)
-And of course the random weird wtf shows that we love at the Pack

If interested, read up more and apply here.

Keep up to date with everything Pack Theater related @packtheater across socials.

SF Sketchfest Announces Dates for 2022, Open Submissions, and Will Require Proof of Vaccination

August 24, 2021

improv, open call, podcasts, sf comedy, sf sketchfest, sketch comedy, stand up comedy, submissions

SF Sketchfest snuck in one of the last big festivals in 2020 right before lockdown and then went virtual for 2020 and, we’re glad to say, is back for a full-fledged, in-person festival for 2022.

Specifically, one of the world’s foremost comedy festivals, both in duration and depth and variety of comedy, will be taking place from Jan. 7th-23rd, 2022 all throughout San Francisco. Even though that’s a ways away, you’ll be glad to know that they’re taking proper precautions by requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for everyone involved including attendees, performers and staff.

Tickets go on sale in November, but, more importantly, you can submit for consideration be part of the SF Sketchfest (and they pretty much accept any and all types of comedy) up until midnight PT on Oct. 15th.

Get more details, submit, and more at sfsketchfest.com

Pick of the Day: Lapkus & Tompkins Sings the Blues 7/7

June 30, 2020

dynasty typewriter, improv, lauren lapkus, paul f tompkins

No matter if it’s in a tiny black box or a theater like Dynasty Typewriter or virtually on Zoom, a live improv show featuring the uncanny talents of Paul F. Tompkins and Lauren Lapkus is something that you should catch. Their artful tomfoolery is some of the best improv that we’ve seen amongst numerous other shows/teams/podcasts, etc. over several years (as you might know if you’re reading this).

Presented by Dynasty Typewriter, Tompkins and Lapkus will be doing an exclusive virtual two person improv show next week called Lapkus & Tompkins Sing the Blues. Tickets are only $5-$10 and you can (and should) go get them here.

February 27, 2020

book of mormon, comedy show, improv, los angeles, musical comedy, ucb, upright citizens brigade

Perhaps a ticket to the current run of Book of Mormon at The Ahmanson (starts at $45) is a little too steep for you right now? Maybe you’ve seen the national touring cast of Book of Mormon in tip top form, but would like to see what else they have up their sleeve outside of the groundbreaking musical?

In either case, there’s something that’s perfect on the horizon for both sorts of folks next month. That national touring cast of Book of Mormon and many of UCB’s very best will be going head-to-head in a show that runs them through the gauntlet of improv, bits, musical comedy, and more!

You’ll get the best of so many worlds in one show and all for the nice price of $14. Book of Mormon vs. UCB @ UCB Sunset is set for Mon. Mar. 9th at 8PM and you best get your tickets real quick right here.

August 21, 2019

benefit show, comedy show, el paso, el paso strong, improv, ithamar enriquez, los angeles, spanish aqui presents, stand up, ucb, vanessa gonzalez

Not only is this El Paso Strong brought to you by Whataburger benefit show aiming to raise money for those in need from the recent and devastating El Paso mass shooting, but will be made even more personal as the performers have a personal connection here.

Also, it’s a great collection of LA’s best improv, sketch, and stand-up folks that just happen to be from Texas or are Latinx.

The full line-up includes:
Ithamar Enriquez
Vanessa Gonzalez
Spanish Aqui Presents all-stars

Hosted by Whataburger:
Jonny Svarzbein
Mark Jacob
Edgar Momplaisir
Patrick McDonald
Courtney Sevener
Mike McClendon
Jeremy Culhane
Emily Decker
PJ McCormick
Jeff Whitaker
Brittany Uecker
Jeremy Schmidt
Brittany Powell
Brian Bakos
Weikei Yu
Caitlin Linden
Logan Smith
Mike Christian

They’ll be taking donations for the El Paso Shooting Victims Fund at the show. Get more details here.

We Cordially Invite You to Our Latest Most Wanted List, Sunday June 30th at The Satellite

May 25, 2019

billy wayne davis, carl tart, characters, cholo fit, comedy show, frankie quinones, improv, james austin johnson, los angeles, silverlake, sketch comedy, stand up, what to do, wild improv

It’s about time we put on another show.

So, we’re doing another gathering of our favorite comedy folks from every corner of comedy for another edition of our Most Wanted List on June 30th at Silverlake landmark, The Satellite.

As mentioned above, you’re cordially invited.

Scheduled to appear:
Frankie Quinones
Billy Wayne Davis
Wild Improv
Carl Tart
James Austin Johnson (host)
TCB’s own Jake Kroeger

Tickets are only $8 and you really ought to snag up quick here.

We’re Belatedly Throwing Ourselves an 8th Anniversary

February 7, 2019

anniversary, characters, comedy show, improv, los angeles, sketch, stand up, the comedy bureau, variety show

So, this was supposed to happen at the end of October, but, as you can see from our staff page, we’re a little overworked. Thus, it took awhile to celebrate being LA’s best resource for comedy.

Anyways, we hope you come down to Echoes on Pico and enjoy our favorites from every corner of comedy as well as our very own Jake Kroeger. Tickets are only $10 for this gala worthy show. Go get ‘em here.

January 16, 2019