The Pitchell Players
The Pitchell Players were a San Francisco improvisation company formed in 1972, one of three groups that emerged directly from the dissolution of The Committee. The company was named after Roland and Barbara Pitschel, a master carpenter and head waitress respectively who had been foundational backstage contributors to The Committee since its opening in 1963.
History
When The Committee disbanded in 1972, three successor companies formed from its membership: The Pitchell Players, The Wing, and Improvisation Inc. The Pitchell Players continued the politically satirical improvisation tradition of The Committee. Documented alumni include Paul Willson and Edie McClurg, both of whom later achieved broader television careers. The company operated in the Mission District of San Francisco and dissolved at an undetermined date in the mid-1970s. Primary documentation has not survived in indexed public sources.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). The Pitchell Players. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/companies/the-pitchell-players
The Improv Archive. "The Pitchell Players." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/companies/the-pitchell-players.
The Improv Archive. "The Pitchell Players." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/companies/the-pitchell-players. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.