The State (comedy troupe)

The State
MediumTelevision
NationalityAmerican
Alma materNew York University
Years active1988–present
Genres
Notable works and rolesThe State
MembersKevin Allison
Michael Ian Black
Robert Ben Garant
Todd Holoubek
Michael Patrick Jann
Kerri Kenney-Silver
Thomas Lennon
Joe Lo Truglio
Ken Marino
Michael Showalter
David Wain

The State is an American comedy troupe. The troupe was founded by a group of New York University students in 1988, as an offshoot of the NYU improv comedy group The Sterile Yak; it was briefly named The New Group before landing on the name The State.[1] The troupe's members are Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Robert Ben Garant, Todd Holoubek, Michael Patrick Jann, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter and David Wain. As a group, the troupe is best known for creating and starring in the 1993-1995 MTV sketch comedy series The State. However, since the show aired, members of the troupe have frequently collaborated on other television and film projects, including Viva Variety, Reno 911!, and the Wet Hot American Summer media franchise. The comedy group Stella is composed of three of The State's members, Showalter, Black and Wain, and starred in the 2005 sketch comedy series Stella, among other works. Additionally, some members of The State have achieved independent success as comic actors, writers and directors.

  1. ^ Stulce, Corey (May 2, 2016). "The State Before They Were the State: An Oral History of How the Beloved Sketch Group First Met in College". Vulture.