The Lobby was formed by Josh Nicols, Matt Thomas, and Chase Hooper in the lobby of the Haugh Performing Arts Center
while rehearsing for an adult Christmas show. However, the name, "The
Lobby," comes from the 1950s advertisement jingle played in movie theaters, "Let's All Go to the Lobby."
The Lobby first performed on December 23, 2005 at the Renaissance Theatre in Glendora, California. After the Renaissance Theatre closed at the end of 2007, The Lobby moved to The Fontana Community Players' Theatre in Fontana, California and STAGEStheatre in Fullerton, California, where they currently remain.
On April 8, 2009, MyFOX Los Angeles announced that The Lobby was voted "Best Improv Comedy Group" in Orange County for 2009. The Lobby won again in 2010.
The Lobby started the Orange County Improv Cup, an improv tournament with randomly assigned teams of improvisers from all over Southern California, to raise money for the Hole in the Wall Camps. The team of Tony Rey, Staci Pratt, Kristin Sanchez, and Jill Tsai won the first ever Improv Cup title.
