01/04/16 Gary Austin, Founder of The Groundlings Theater & School
GARY AUSTIN, one of the country\u2019s premiere improvisational acting teachers, is the Founder and Original Director of\xa0The Groundlings, Los Angeles\u2019 premier character-based improvisational theatre company.
Gary began his professional career as a performing member of San Francisco\u2019s famed improvisational company, The Committee, where he worked with Second City\u2019s Del Close. His work has been featured on\xa0NPR\u2019s\xa0\u201dFresh Air,\u201d in major trades and in several books, including\xa0Acting Teachers of America\xa0by Ronald Rand,\xa0The Actor\u2019s Guide to Qualified Acting Coaches,\xa0by Larry Silverberg, and\xa0The Funniest One in the Room \u2013 The Lives and Legends of Del Close\xa0by Kim \u201cHoward\u201d Johnson.
Gary\u2019s students work throughout the world of entertainment as actors, singers, comedians, writers, directors and producers. His students include Academy Award winner Helen Hunt, Paul Feig (Director Bridesmaids), Helen Slater, Lisa Kudrow, Paul Reubens (Pee Wee Herman), the late Phil Hartman, Academy Award & Emmy nominee Lindsay Crouse, Tony winner Lillias White, Jennifer Grey, the late Pat Morita (Oscar nominee), Donna Summer, Loretta DeVine, Mark Dacascos (Iron Chef America & Hawaii Five-O), Robert David Hall (CSI) and Daphne Zuniga.
Gary holds a BA Degree in Theatre from San Francisco State University. He is Producer and Artistic Director of The Gary Austin Workshops and teaches, directs and performs in Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Washington DC.
www.garyaustinworkshops.com