Comedy at Ground Zero
Comedy at Ground Zero
The Groundings has served as a factory for Saturday
Night Live comics for years. The secret? Let's just say UCLA has something
to do with it...By Emily Forster
While UCLA may not be recognized as a training ground for comedians, the
institution has given alumni like Mike Hitchcock enough material for a
lifetime.
"UCLA was a great place to be, but there were little things that pissed
me off. It gave me a lot of material," says Hitchcock.
Currently performing at the Groundlings in the comedy theater's latest
show, "The Audience is Listening," Hitchcock is still writing about what
pisses him off.
The two sketches he wrote for "The Audience is Listening" emerged from
his disgust with Rush Limbaugh and people who shop at Trader Joe's.
Although Hitchcock performs in both of his sketches, one of the things
he hates most is acting.
"I'm a writer. I'll act if somebody asks me, but I won't audition," says
Hitchcock.
Many of Hitchcock's fellow Groundlings share this hatred for
auditions.
Melanie Graham, director of "The Audience is Listening," prefers trying
to get a script produced to auditioning for a part because "all you have to
do is hand a script to a bunch of people, and then you can go home and
watch O.J."
Unfortunately for Hitchcock and Graham, auditioning is an integral part
of being a Groundling.
"The process for getting a part in a show starts when Groundlings
audition material that they wrote. Melanie will give them suggestions to
move things along but the sketch ideas and writing are theirs," says
Allison Kingsley, executive director of Groundlings.
In order to polish their sketch ideas and writing skills, Groundlings
take classes in improv, writing and performing at the theater's own comedy
school.
"Those who excel in the classes move on to the Sunday company. They
always feel like they're auditioning when they reach that point because we
take our Groundling cast members from the Sunday company," Graham says.
The few lucky members of the Sunday company that ascend to the rank of
Groundling are strong performers and writers as well as gifted improv
comedians.
"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Some people do incredibly
detailed characters and don't write as well, where others are very strong
writers and not as strong in improv. But to be a Groundling, you have to be
fairly good at everything," says Graham.
Hitchcock was involved in the theater for a year and a half before he
became good enough at everything to acquire the title of Groundling.
Hitchcock felt he was well prepared to be part of the comedy troupe because
the constructively competitive atmosphere of the theater was just like the
atmosphere at UCLA's film school.
"The competition to succeed at Groundlings was very familiar to me
because it was the same in film school. Everyone was there to learn and we
competed with each other in a positive way. Film school gave me a lot of
confidence that I am thankful for because it helped me a lot," says
Hitchcock.
Hitchcock is also thankful for several things, including the script he
wrote for the upcoming film "House Arrest" starring Kevin Spacey and Jamie
Lee Curtis.
"The experience of writing for Kevin and Jamie was so amazing. I
remember when I first went to Groundlings when I moved out to L.A. and saw
Jon Lovitz perform. I wanted to write great things and be in Groundlings.
Now I'm performing at Groundlings and writing for great actors," says
Hitchcock.
Hitchcock is just one of the many success stories that originated from
the 20-year-old theater. The company can boast about the fame of past
members like Phil Hartman and Lisa Kudrow, as well as the success of
several writers and producers.
"There are a lot of writers and producers who were in Groundlings that
aren't household names, but they hold a lot of clout," says Kingsley.
The reason behind the success of so many Groundlings might be the goal
of the theater itself. Kingsley views the purpose of Groundlings more like
an educational institution than a theater.
"The goal is to teach the craft of a comedic actor. They can go and
create anything that they want. It's an opportunity that they can't get
anywhere else."STAGE: "Groundlings: The Audience is Listening." Through Jan. 6
at The Groundlings Theatre. Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 and 10
p.m. TIX: $17.50. For more info call (213) 934-9700.
ANDREW SCHOLER/Daily Bruin
Jennifer Cooldge stars in the one-woman sketch "My Trip to Hawaii." ANDREW SCHOLER/Daily Bruin
The Groundlings' skit "Trader Joe's" featured Mary Jo Smith, Mike Hitchcock and Jim Wise.
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