List of improvisational theatre companies explained

Improvisational theatre companies, also known as improv troupes or improv groups, are the primary practitioners of improvisational theater. Modern companies exist around the world and at a range of skill levels. Most groups make little or no money, while a few, well-established groups are profitable.

Although improvisational theater has existed in some form or another since the 16th century,[1] modern improv began with the teachings of Viola Spolin in Chicago, Illinois, USA and Keith Johnstone during the 1940-50s in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.[2] [3] Spolin's teachings led to the creation of The Compass Players, the first modern improvisational theater company, in 1955. The presence of The Compass Players, The Second City, and ImprovOlympic in Chicago created a strength in the form within the city that continues to this day.[4] New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Toronto are other major hubs of improvisational theater in the North America.

Many companies host improvisational theatre festivals or give improvisational theatre classes. Professional groups often perform a regular stage show acted by the most senior members. Along with this, they host "house" improv teams made up of improv students or graduates from their classes. In the past decade, professional improvisational theater groups have gradually started working more with corporate clients, using improvisational games to improve productivity and communication in the workplace.

Major Professional companies have branches in more than one city, have touring groups, and/or host large-scale improvisational comedy schools. Professional troupes are those not affiliated with a university or secondary school. Collegiate groups are those associated with a post-secondary educational institution. If a company performs more than one type of improvisational comedy, they are defined as using Multiple improvisational comedy types. If it is unclear what particular kind of improvisational comedy a group performs, they are defined as Improvisational. Those marked Semi-improvisational generally perform shows that are partially improvised and partially scripted.

The following is a list of noteworthy improvisational theatre companies from around the world.

Improvisational theatre companies in Canada

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
The Bad Dog Theatre CompanyProfessionalMultipleToronto, Ontario2003
Die-NastyProfessionalTelevisionEdmonton, Alberta1991[5] [6]
Ligue nationale d'improvisationProfessionalImprovisationalQuebec1977
Loose Moose TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsCalgary, Alberta1977[7]
Rapid Fire TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsEdmonton, Alberta1982

Improvisational theatre companies in the United States

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
ACME Comedy TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsLos Angeles, California1989[8]
Baltimore Improv GroupProfessionalMultipleBaltimore, Maryland2004[9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]
The Annoyance TheatreProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1987
BassprovProfessionalLong-formChicago2000[16]
BATS ImprovMajor ProfessionalTheatresports, Long-form, MusicalsSan Francisco, California1986
The Bent TheatreProfessionalMultipleCharlottesville, Virginia2004[17]
Blackout ImprovProfessional-Minneapolis, Minnesota2015[18] [19]
Bovine Metropolis TheaterProfessionalMultipleDenver, Colorado1998[20]
The Brave New Workshop Comedy TheatreProfessionalMultipleMinneapolis, Minnesota1958[21]
Chicago City LimitsMajor ProfessionalShortformNew York City, New York1977[22] [23]
Comedy Arts Theater of CharlotteProfessionalLongformCharlotte, NC2016[24]
ComedySportzMajor ProfessionalShortformMilwaukee, Wisconsin1984[25]
Compass PlayersProfessionalCabaretChicago, Illinois1955*[26]
Complete Theater CompanyProfessionalImprovisationalManhattan, New York2009[27]
Dad's Garage Theatre CompanyProfessionalMultipleAtlanta, Georgia1995[28]
Dead Parrot's SocietyCollegiateMultipleBellingham, Washington1998[29] [30] [31]
The DiggersProfessionalGuerrillaSan Francisco, California1966*[32]
Erasable Inc.CollegiateImprovisationalCollege Park, Maryland1986[33]
Face Off UnlimitedProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York2003[34]
The Focus GroupProfessionalLong-formBangor, Maine2009
Friday Night ImprovsCollegiateImprov JamPittsburgh, Pennsylvania1989
The GroundlingsMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalLos Angeles, California1974
Highwire ImprovProfessionalMultipleBaltimore, Maryland2020[35] [36]
HUGE TheaterProfessionalLong-formMinneapolis, Minnesota2005[37]
The Immediate Gratification PlayersCollegiateLong-formCambridge, Massachusetts1986[38]
ImprovOlympicMajor Professionalthe HaroldChicago, Illinois1980[39]
ImprovolutionProfessionalNew York City, New York2002[40]
Improv AsylumMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalBoston, Massachusetts1998[41]
ImprovBostonMajor ProfessionalMultipleCambridge, Massachusetts1982[42]
Improv EverywhereProfessionalGuerrillaNew York City, New York2001[43]
Improv for the PeopleProfessionalMultipleLos Angeles, California2009
Improv InstituteProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1983*
Jet City ImprovProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992[44]
Just Add WaterCollegiateImprovisationalNew Haven, Connecticut1986[45]
Laughing MattersProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1985[46]
The LobbyProfessionalShortformFullerton, California2005[47]
Madcap TheaterProfessionalShortformWestminster, Colorado2006[48]
Magnet TheaterMajor ProfessionalLong-FormNew York City, New York2005[49]
The N CrowdProfessionalShortformPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005[50]
The National Comedy TheatreMajor ProfessionalShortformSan Diego, California[51]
On Thin IceCollegiateShortformCambridge, Massachusetts1984[52]
Peoples Improv TheaterMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York2002[53]
Philly Improv Theater (PHIT)Major ProfessionalMultiplePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005[54]
The PlaygroundProfessionalLong-formChicago, Illinois1997
Providence Improv GuildProfessionalMultipleProvidence, Rhode Island2013[55]
The Purple Crayon of YaleCollegiateLong-formNew Haven, Connecticut1985[56]
SAK Comedy LabMajor ProfessionalMultipleOrlando, Florida1991[57]
The San Francisco Improv AllianceProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2005
The Second CityMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalChicago, Illinois1959[58] [59]
Second Nature ImprovCollegiateLong-formLos Angeles, California2002
Starla and SonsCollegiateLongformProvidence, Rhode Island2006[60]
Stevie Rays ComedyProfessionalMultipleChanhassen, Minnesota1988[61]
Theatre Strike ForceCollegiateMultipleGainesville, Florida1989[62]
The National Comedy TheatreProfessionalMultiplePhoenix, Arizona2007[63]
Unexpected CompanyProfessionalLong-formWarwick, Rhode Island2003[64]
Unexpected ProductionsProfessionalTheatresports, Long-formSeattle, Washington1983[65]
Under the Gun TheaterProfessionalMultipleChicago, Illinois2014[66]
The Upfront TheatreProfessionalMultipleBellingham, Washington2004[67] [68]
The Un-Scripted Theater CompanyProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2002
Upright Citizens BrigadeMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York1999
Washington Improv TheaterProfessionalLongformWashington, DC1998[69]
Whole World TheatreProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1994[70]
Wing-It ProductionsProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992
The Yale Ex!t PlayersCollegiateShort-formNew Haven, Connecticut1984[71]
*This group is no longer performing.

Improvisational theatre companies in the United Kingdom

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
The Comedy Store PlayersProfessionalImprovisationalLondon, England1985
ImprovertsCollegiateTheatresportsEdinburgh, Scotland1989
Hoopla ImproProfessionalMultipleLondon, England2005[72]
The Free AssociationProfessionalLong-formLondon2014[73]
The Oxford ImpsSemi-ProfessionalImprovisationalOxford, England2003[74]
ShowstoppersProfessionalMusical TheatreLondon, England2008[75]
The SuggestiblesProfessionalImprovisationalNewcastle upon Tyne, England2001[76]
The Spontaneity ShopProfessionalMultipleLondon, England1996
The AnticsCollegiateShortformSheffield, England2008[77]
The MaydaysProfessionalLongformBrighton, England2003[78]
AustentatiousProfessionalLongformLondon, England2011[79]
Mischief TheatreProfessionalMultipleLondon, England2008

Improvisational theatre companies in Asia

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedLanguageReference
Tokyo Comedy StoreProfessionalMultipleTokyo, Japan1994[80]
Seoul City ImprovProfessionalMultipleSeoul, South Korea2007[81] [82]
TBC Improv HKProfessionalMultipleHong Kong2014English[83] [84] [85]
The Improv CompanyProfessionalMultipleSingapore2013[86]
Beijing ImprovSemi-ProfessionalMultipleBeijing, China-English[87]
ZmackSemi-ProfessionalMultipleShanghai, China2009English, Chinese[88] [89]
*This group is no longer performing.

Improvisational theatre companies in other regions

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
Improv BanditsProfessionalMultipleAuckland, New Zealand1997[90] [91]
Improv Comedy CopenhagenProfessionalMultipleCopenhagen, Denmark2014[92] [93] [94] [95]
The Court JestersProfessionalMultipleChristchurch, New Zealand1989[96]
Wellington Improvisation TroupeProfessionalMultipleWellington, New Zealand2004[97]
Boom ChicagoProfessionalMultipleAmsterdam, Netherlands1993[98]
IGLU TheatreProfessionalMultipleLjubljana, Slovenia2013[99]
NarobovProfessionalTheatresportsLjubljana, Slovenia2004

See also

Notes

  1. Mel Gordon, Lazzi: The Comic Routines of the Commedia dell'Arte 2001,
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  8. http://www.acmecomedy.com/ .
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  10. Web site: How an improv class is relieving anxiety. Amy . Chillag. CNN. 5 July 2018. 2020-03-10.
  11. Web site: Baltimore's comedy scene continues to grow, nurture aspiring talent. Kaltenbach. Chris. baltimoresun.com. 24 May 2017 . 2020-03-10.
  12. Web site: Baltimore Improv Group tries unconventional method of growing business: offering its shows for free. www.bizjournals.com. 2020-03-10.
  13. Web site: Nine Great Improv Scenes from around the Country. 2019-02-03. pastemagazine.com. en. 2020-03-10.
  14. Web site: XFest Celebrates Gender Minorities in Comedy. Gerr. Sheilah Kast, Melissa. www.wypr.org. en. 2020-03-10.
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  16. Web site: Torontoist . 2011-05-20 . Fishing for Life's Answers with BASSPROV . 2023-03-02 . Torontoist.
  17. http://www.benttheatre.com .
  18. News: Blackout Improv strives to shed comedic light on what's not so funny . . July 28, 2016 . September 26, 2017 . Hewitt . Chris .
  19. News: At Blackout Improv, comedy wrestles with tragedy . . September 20, 2017 . Combs . Marianne. September 26, 2017.
  20. http://www.bovinemetropolis.com/ .
  21. http://www.bravenewworkshop.com/ .
  22. News: THEATER REVIEW; Challenges for a Troupe Of Fast-Thinking Actors. Bruckner. D. J. R.. 1995-08-18. The New York Times. 2019-02-13. en-US. 0362-4331.
  23. Web site: OB's Chicago City Limits Celebrates Two Decades With New Lineup, Opening June 8. 2000-06-08. Playbill. 2019-02-13.
  24. Web site: Charlotte . Comedy Arts Theater of . Be bold. Say yes. CATCh some improv. . 2023-08-23 . Comedy Arts Theater of Charlotte . en.
  25. Winn, S. (November 26, 1990). "These Games Are Strictly for Laughs". Sports Illustrated.
  26. Coleman, Janet (1991). The Compass: The Improvisational Theatre that Revolutionized American Comedy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 362 pages. .
  27. BBW NewsDesk (November 18, 2015). Complete Theater Company's US Premiere of Shakespeare (IN SPACE) Begins Tonight".Broadway World.
  28. http://www.dadsgarage.com .
  29. Web site: WWU's Dead Parrots Society wins 2010-2011 national College Improv Tournament | Western Today | Western Washington University .
  30. Web site: Dead Parrots Society advances to national improv tournament | Western Today | Western Washington University .
  31. Web site: Dead Parrots Society seeks second national title | Western Today | Western Washington University .
  32. "Overview: who were (are) the Diggers?". The Digger Archives. http://www.diggers.org/overview.htm. Retrieved June 17, 2007.
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  34. http://www.faceoffunlimited.com/ .
  35. Web site: Highwire Improv - Spreading Joy Through Improv In Baltimore & Beyond. Highwire Improv.
  36. https://www.visitmaryland.org/listing/performing-arts/highwire-improv>
  37. http://www.hugetheater.com/about-us/ .
  38. http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=506019 .
  39. Web site: IO Chicago Theater . 2009-03-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090331224622/http://chicago.ioimprov.com/ . 2009-03-31 . .
  40. Web site: 2024-03-26 . The Best NYC Improv Classes Improvisation Classes New York City . 2024-06-01 . Time Out New York . en-US.
  41. http://www.improvasylum.com/ .
  42. http://www.improvboston.com/ .
  43. Gallagher, Brian Thomas. "Prank You Kindly". New York. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  44. http://www.jetcityimprov.org .
  45. Web site: Archived copy . 2011-01-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110320095529/http://www.yale.edu/justaddwater/ . 2011-03-20 . .
  46. http://www.laughingmatters.com/ .
  47. http://thelobbyimprov.com/ .
  48. http://www.madcapimprov.com/newsupdates/1-latest-news/61-articlequickwittedfamily.html .
  49. http://www.magnettheater.com/ .
  50. Walsh, Bruce (July 25, 2007). "The N Crowd: They're Making Philly Funny" (PDF). Philadelphia Metro. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
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  52. http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=89621. "Improv Comedy Groups Play for Laughs"
  53. http://www.thepit-nyc.com/ .
  54. McCormack, Max (April 7, 2008). "Philly Improv an Out of Control 'Comedy Vortex'". The Temple News. Retrieved December 26, 2008.
  55. Web site: P.I.G. Providence Improv Guild . Improvpig.com . 2017-01-10.
  56. Web site: The Purple Crayon of Yale . 2009-06-12 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090611190518/http://www.yale.edu/crayon/ . 2009-06-11 . .
  57. http://www.sak.com/ .
  58. Christiansen, Richard (2004). Grossman, James R., Keating, Ann Durkin, and Reiff, Janice L.:"Second City Theatre". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago 744. Chicago Historical Society. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
  59. Robertson, Campbell (June 4, 2008). "Paul Sills, a Guru of Improv Theater, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  60. http://www.projo.com/lifebeat/content/wk-comedyfest_10-16-08_UTBRMUI_v11.261d9a5.html "Improv: Making It Up for Laughs"
  61. https://www.stevierays.org/ .
  62. Web site: Home . theatrestrikeforce.org.
  63. Web site: National Comedy Theatre | Phoenix's Home for Improv Comedy. National Comedy Theatre.
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  69. http://witdc.org .
  70. http://www.wholeworldtheatre.com .
  71. http://www.exitplayers.com .
  72. http://www.hooplaimpro.com/ .
  73. Web site: https://thefreeassociation.co.uk/" . thefreeassociation.co.uk . July 5, 2019.
  74. http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/stage/2005/06/oxford_imps.shtml "The Oxford Imps"
  75. Web site: The Showstoppers – The award-winning creators of improvised musicals, comedy and drama . Showstopperthemusical.com . 2017-01-10.
  76. http://www.thesuggestibles.com/ .
  77. http://www.anticsimprov.com/ .
  78. http://www.themaydays.co.uk/ .
  79. Web site: Austentatious. Austentatious.
  80. http://www.tokyocomedy.com/ .
  81. https://seoulcityimprov.com/ .
  82. Kerry, Paul (May 29, 2018). "SCI offers improv course to help you think on your feet" The Korea Herald. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
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  93. Web site: NYT teater byder på impro-comedy i København. 3 July 2017.
  94. Web site: http://cphpost.dk/news/two-years-and-450-performances-later-how-improv-is-here-to-stay.html.
  95. Web site: Murmur » Copenhagen says 'yes' to improv comedy.
  96. http://www.courtjesters.co.nz/ .
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  98. van Gelder, Henk (May 6, 2008). "NRC Review: Best Boom Show in 15 Years". NRC Next.
  99. http://www.siol.net/kultura/oder/2013/11/trije_domaci_improvizatorji_predstavljajo_iglu.aspx IGLU: Čar improvizacije sta spontanost in iskrenost

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