feature on Bastian.

here is a feature i wrote about UCB that may actually get submitted to a maplewood publication:

Towering skyscrapers create wind tunnels as they hug New York City streets and alleys, inevitably carving a frozen path for the herds of pedestrians venturing downtown from Penn Station. Complaints of the weather whisper from each burrow through a booming Times Square—even the tree at Rockefeller Center was complaining. But a flock of people contained by a yellow fence remained lined up outside, huddling for warmth and keeping their complaints quiet. If the mass of people anxiously awaiting entrance into one of New York City’s most reputable comedy theaters did not catch your attention, you could very well pass the modest venue. Upright Citizen’s Brigade is neatly tucked into the side of West 26th st. The theater routinely sells out—even on a Tuesday night.

As fans travel down the steep creaky stairs of UCB, they wait to purchase their five dollar roll ticket behind a seemingly endless line. You then pass off your ticket to a collector standing next to a small beer stand, and if you are lucky, you find a seat. If you arrive late, you can expect to tip toe your way to the back and stand there for the next hour of “Harold” performances. The name refers to the unique improvisational format that UCB prides itself on. While standing, you can hope to catch glimpses of the show, but your view will most likely be obstructed by the dozens of people already standing in front of you. Out from corners the all black and barren stage bursts “Bastian,” the theaters longest standing team. The atmosphere erupts with cheering and clapping as the team explodes onto the scene with energy and music, forcing the crowd’s adrenaline to rush before the show even begins.

The seven member squad formed in January of 2007, each member with their own background and story. One member is a Princeton graduate who writes for a foreign newspaper. Another is an actress, wed to “Saturday Night Live” comedian Bill Hader. But one consistent thread remains in each member’s history: they all were UCB students before they became performers.

26-year-old Brandon Gardner graduated from Binghamton University in a small Upstate, New York town. After graduation in 2005, Gardner says he enrolled in classes at UCB for about a year—classes that were taught by former UCB students. Just two years later, he found himself performing at the theater regularly. The transition from student to performer put Gardner in the spotlight of a stage that serves as one of the comedy world’s biggest icons. Less than a year later, Gardner started coaching individual teams and substitute teaches some of the classes he once took. Gardner says before he took on the coaching role, he went directly to one of his former coaches, Christina Gausas, for advice. “Her biggest idea that I try to do is really planning out what I’m going to teach” Gardner said. “She taught everything to the minute and had a plan for what thing led into the next.”
Gardner is now able to pay his bills through creative means. Teaching and coaching jobs are paid positions at the theater, while performing is not.

But UCB students-turned-performers might be the only ones who have a legitimate shot at eventually achieving these paid positions. Gardner says that he thinks all of UCB’s teachers were students at one point, and that the school functions within itself because UCB has of it’s patented specific improv style and format. He also said this largely contributes to the school’s success. “The UCB style of improv is refined by the fact that students become teachers who then teach more students” Gardner said.

The school’s ability to recycle within itself has allowed the expansion into other creative endeavors. On top of coaching, teaching, and performing, Gardner is also a part of the theater’s touring company that performs at colleges and other venues, and is developing a two man show with fellow Bastian performer and teammate, Oscar. The odd couple eventually wants to take their two-man act to the stage.
As for future goals, Gardner says that there is a limit on improv, as he is fortunate enough to have taken on so many roles at the theater. “There is kind of a ceiling that you reach” Gardner said. “Bastian luckily is one of the strongest team and I’m already teaching and coaching.” The school’s ability to recycle also gives wings to its performers, and many of its students, performers, and teachers are now on comedy staple “Saturday Night Live” or correspondents on the wildly popular “The Daily Show.” One of Bastian’s team members just landed a Los Angeles job writing for a new sitcom. Gardner said that this is typical. “Most people go onto to writing their own things for television or further acting” said Gardner.

Performances at UCB can be seen daily, with “Harolds” on Tuesday.