The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual

The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual is a rigorous, analytical, and highly influential manifesto that codified the 'UCB Style' and transformed the landscape of modern comedic improvisation. Published in 2013, the book reflects the decades of experience of Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh, three of the original founders of the UCB Theatre (alongside Amy Poehler). While other schools focus on 'story' or 'vulnerability,' the UCB approach is built on a single, laser-focused objective: finding and playing 'The Game of the Scene.'

The work is organized methodically, moving from the 'Basics' of active listening and agreement (Yes, And) to the complex mechanics of 'The Unusual Thing.' The authors argue that every scene has a 'first unusual thing' which, once identified, becomes the source of all further comedic development. They provide a clear framework for 'Justification': the illogical but consistent 'truth' that explains why the internal logic of the scene makes sense to the characters. The book is particularly noted for its focus on 'The Harold': providing the most detailed and exhaustive blueprint ever written for the long-form structure first developed by Del Close, but refined here for maximum comedic impact.

The text is written in a direct, instructional, and characteristically 'analytical' voice. It eschews the 'preciousness' of some theatrical manuals for a 'hard-headed' approach that views improv as a masterable craft. They emphasize that 'being funny' is the result of applying logic to an absurd premise and urge the performer to be 'active' and 'specific' at all times. The UCB Comedy Improvisation Manual serves as the definitive and primary reference for any student or professional looking to master the high-speed, high-stakes style of the UCB school. It remains one of the most comprehensive and influential training manuals in the history of the improvisational arts.

The UCB Comedy Improvisation Manual has been hailed as the 'New Testament' of improvisational theater. Critics praise the authors for their visionary intellect and for the meticulous detail of their methodology. The 'Game of the Scene' concept is frequently cited as a 'game-changer' for performers and directors alike. While it is a technical manual, its profound influence on the 'New York Style' and its success in making improv a masterable craft is a testament to its universal and enduring truth.