The Upright Citizens Brigade sends emissaries of improv comedy to tickle Carmel.

The Upright Citizens Brigade began life in 1990 as improv and sketch comedy players in Chicago. Two of its earliest members included Adam McKay, who co-wrote Anchorman and Talladega Nights with Will Ferrell, and Horatio Sanz of Saturday Night Live. There was a comedy series on Comedy Central in the late ’90s.

But their biggest calling card is their roster of famous alumni, including Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari, Ed Helms, Aubrey Plaza, Rob Corddry and Kate McKinnon.

Today it’s a comedy dynasty devoted to the vanguard of funny business, with a theater each in New York’s Chelsea and East Village, and two theaters and a training center in Hollywood where they teach comedy. Like a college. With classes and teachers and a student union.

They even have a diversity coordinator. His name is Mano Agapion and he’s also a comedian, one of four UCB Touring Company members performing this Thursday – and doing workshops in local schools while they’re here – including Anthony Gioe (Key & Peele, Funny or Die Exclusives), Suzi Barrett, who studied improv at Second City and iO, and Drew DiFonzo (Reno911,MANswers).

Agapion says he found his way to comedy as a salvation from his “estranged” existence.

“I grew up in a Greek family in a medium-sized town in North Carolina. I felt very weird. I was very fat. And gay. I had to laugh.

“There’s an attitude of inclusion,” Agapion says of the UCB. “Having a diversity of people of all types will lead to the most kinds of comedy. We’re eager to hear as many jokes as possible.”

So how does UCB make a person funny? By not relying on the conventions of other sketch comedy. That’s the first step. Next: honesty.

“I think a big part of the curriculum and philosophy is being yourself,” Agapion says. “You learn how you are funny and how to cultivate that. You learn how to be who you are, what’s real, what’s funny about how you are.”

They’ll start the Carmel show in typical improv style: interviewing a random audience member for source material, which they will then toss around and build into a nonstop, 75-minute, stream-of-consciousness show. The content is yet to be created, but because of possible adult language and themes, late teens seems to be the recommended level of maturity. It’s a daring kind of show to do in front of a live audience. But Agapion says he doesn’t get nervous anymore.

“I’ve done so many shows,” he says, “I just accept it for what it is.”

UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE TOURING COMPANY performs 8pm Thursday at Studio 105, Sunset Center, Ninth and San Carlos, Carmel. $30/general; $20/student and military with ID. 620-2048, www.SunsetCenter.org