After college, Austin moved to Los Angeles where he became a stage manager for the L.A. branch of San Francisco's famed improvisational comedy group, The Committee.

When the Los Angeles company closed in 1969, Austin moved to San Francisco where he became a performing member of The Committee.

After a year he decided it was time for the actors to perform publicly and he began directing shows in Los Angeles.

In January 1974, Austin created the non-profit improvisational theatre company, The Groundlings, composed of members of his workshops.

The night before the vote, Austin was reading Hamlet's speech to the players "with the intention of using Shakespeare's acting lesson as a jumping off point for the next day's workshop" and came up with the name Groundlings (a reference in the play to the lower class audience members who sat on the ground in front of the stage to watch plays at the Globe Theatre in Shakespeare's day.)

Austin was interviewed by Sylvie Drake, Los Angeles Times theatre critic, one week before the opening show.

He asked Gary to move to New York City to direct the cast and Austin declined in order to continue his work with The Groundlings.

Due to building codes, parking restrictions and problems with contracting, it would take four years for the theatre to open to the public.

[6] Gary Austin will forever be considered one of the greats, always interested in producing work that is funny and moving, because it's true and utterly unique.