Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Have no fear, for this is the type of cliché joke that one will ever encounter at the most mindblowingly funny comedy club in all of Los Angles. This laugh factory is in the middle of Franklin Avenue in Hollywood and is the mecca for the best and brightest young talent in comedy.

Founders Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh established the theater in 1996. Their goal was to create a fostering environment where people could learn and perform improv, and they accomplished just that. This venue for comedy has gained a reputation for turning out powerhouse talents such as Donald Glover, Aziz Ansari and Ed Helms among many others.

The crowd consists of those in their teens to those in their golden years and have come from all walks of life to see the finest in improv and stand-up comedy. The intimate seating of the theater provides a stimulating atmosphere for both the performers and audience members. Once the performers step on stage, the environment becomes electric.

Every night the theater offers a wide variety of shows for a low fee of $5, and sometimes performances are even free. Tuesday is Comedy Bang Bang, a long running show that features a who’s who of standup comedians from Zach Galifianakis to Sarah Silverman. The location is also utilized as a training center for aspiring performers and writers. It offers spectacular classes in improv and sketch writing that are also quite affordable.

This sanctuary for laughs is a wonderful go-to place for gut-splitting memories. It is the ideal way to get out of your comfort zone and do something radically different. This venue is one of the gems of L.A. that few people know about, but the people who do venture outside their own bubble and have seen a show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre are grateful they did.