Monkey Barrel Comedy Announces Partnership with the Upright Citizens Brigade

We’re excited to announce a new partnership between Monkey Barrel Comedy and the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) - bringing UCB improv classes to the UK for the first time.

UCB is one of the most widely recognised comedy training organisations in the world, with alumni working across film, TV, and live comedy. Now, their internationally recognised training programme is coming to Edinburgh, giving performers of all levels the chance to train with experienced UCB instructors without travelling to the US.

Alongside the classes, UCB teachers will also be working with Monkey Barrel to develop a new programme of live improvised comedy shows, building on the growing Scottish and UK improv scene and supporting a wider range of performers on stage.

The Upright Citizens Brigade is a comedy institution and training centre founded by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh. With theatres in New York City and Los Angeles, UCB has become a hub for some of the best live comedy in the world. Alongside their stages, the UCB Training Centre is a renowned institution dedicated to teaching and fostering comedic talent.

The first UCB classes at Monkey Barrel Comedy will begin in March. They are on sale now via the UCB website.

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Learn more about the classes below:

Improv 101 Intensive

Improv 101 introduces students to the fundamentals of long-form improvisation through games, group exercises, and scene work. The course focuses on agreement, active listening, character work, and playing to the top of one’s intelligence. Designed for complete beginners as well as those looking to step outside their comfort zone, Improv 101 provides the core building blocks for developing a confident and individual comedic voice.

Dates: March 9th - March 13th

Time: 10:00AM - 2:30PM each day

Class Show: Saturday, March 14th, 3PM

Improv 201 Intensive

Building on the foundations of Improv 101, Improv 201 introduces students to UCB’s philosophy of Game. Participants learn to recognise patterns and comedic ideas within scenes and heighten them for greater impact. The course also covers concepts such as editing, second beats, and more advanced scene dynamics, offering students the next step in their improv development.

Dates: March 16th – March 20th

Time: 6:00PM – 10:30PM each day

Class Show: Saturday, March 21st, 3PM

Workshops

UCB will also be running a number of workshops in March, including a beginner-friendly 'Intro to UCB Style Improv' and more advanced 'Harold Drop In'. More details on those workshops will be released soon.

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To be first to hear about classes, shows, and workshops - sign up for the MBC x UCB mailing list HERE!