An improvisational comedy group performing onstage.

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[nb 1] 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
Bassprov Professional Long-form Chicago 2000 [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 Limits Major Professional Shortform New York City, New York 1977 [22][23]
Comedy Arts Theater of Charlotte Professional Longform Charlotte, NC 2016 [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
HUGE TheaterProfessionalLong-formMinneapolis, Minnesota2005[35]
The Immediate Gratification PlayersCollegiateLong-formCambridge, Massachusetts1986[36]
ImprovOlympicMajor Professionalthe HaroldChicago, Illinois1980[37]
Improv AsylumMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalBoston, Massachusetts1998[38]
ImprovBostonMajor ProfessionalMultipleCambridge, Massachusetts1982[39]
Improv EverywhereProfessionalGuerrillaNew York City, New York2001[40]
Improv for the PeopleProfessionalMultipleLos Angeles, California2009
Improv InstituteProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1983*
Jet City ImprovProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992[41]
Just Add WaterCollegiateImprovisationalNew Haven, Connecticut1986[42]
Laughing MattersProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1985[43]
The LobbyProfessionalShortformFullerton, California2005[44]
Madcap TheaterProfessionalShortformWestminster, Colorado2006[45]
Magnet TheaterMajor ProfessionalLong-FormNew York City, New York2005[46]
The N CrowdProfessionalShortformPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005[47]
The National Comedy TheatreMajor ProfessionalShortformSan Diego, California[48]
On Thin IceCollegiateShortformCambridge, Massachusetts1984[49]
Peoples Improv TheaterMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York2002[50]
Philly Improv Theater (PHIT)Major ProfessionalMultiplePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005[51]
The PlaygroundProfessionalLong-formChicago, Illinois1997
Providence Improv GuildProfessionalMultipleProvidence, Rhode Island2013[52]
The Purple Crayon of YaleCollegiateLong-formNew Haven, Connecticut1985[53]
SAK Comedy LabMajor ProfessionalMultipleOrlando, Florida1991[54]
The San Francisco Improv AllianceProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2005
The Second CityMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalChicago, Illinois1959[55][56]
Second Nature ImprovCollegiateLong-formLos Angeles, California2002
Starla and SonsCollegiateLongformProvidence, Rhode Island2006[57]
Theatre Strike ForceCollegiateMultipleGainesville, Florida1989[58]
The National Comedy TheatreProfessionalMultiplePhoenix, Arizona2007[59]
Unexpected CompanyProfessionalLong-formWarwick, Rhode Island2003[60]
Unexpected ProductionsProfessionalTheatresports, Long-formSeattle, Washington1983[61]
Under the Gun TheaterProfessionalMultipleChicago, Illinois2014[62]
The Upfront TheatreProfessionalMultipleBellingham, Washington2004[63][64]
The Un-Scripted Theater CompanyProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2002
Upright Citizens BrigadeMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York1999
Washington Improv TheaterProfessionalLongformWashington, DC1998[65]
Whole World TheatreProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1994[66]
Wing-It ProductionsProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992[41]
The Yale Ex!t PlayersCollegiateShort-formNew Haven, Connecticut1984[67]

*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[68]
The Free AssociationProfessionalLong-formLondon2014[69]
The Oxford ImpsSemi-ProfessionalImprovisationalOxford, England2003[70]
ShowstoppersProfessionalMusical TheatreLondon, England2008[71]
The SuggestiblesProfessionalImprovisationalNewcastle upon Tyne, England2001[72]
The Spontaneity ShopProfessionalMultipleLondon, England1996
The AnticsCollegiateShortformSheffield, England2008[73]
The MaydaysProfessionalLongformBrighton, England2003[74]
Austentatious Professional Longform London, England 2011 [75]
Mischief Theatre Professional Multiple London, England 2008

Improvisational theatre companies in Asia

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate Established LanguageReference
Tokyo Comedy StoreProfessionalMultipleTokyo, Japan1994 [76]
Seoul City ImprovProfessionalMultipleSeoul, South Korea2007 [77][78]
TBC Improv HK Professional Multiple Hong Kong 2014 English [79][80][81]
The Improv Company Professional Multiple Singapore 2013 [82]
Beijing Improv Semi-Professional Multiple Beijing, China - English [83]
Zmack Semi-Professional Multiple Shanghai, China 2009 English, Chinese [84][85]

*This group is no longer performing.

Improvisational theatre companies in other regions

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
Improv BanditsProfessionalMultipleAuckland, New Zealand1997[86][87]
Improv Comedy CopenhagenProfessionalMultipleCopenhagen, Denmark2014[88][89][90][91]
The Court JestersProfessionalMultipleChristchurch, New Zealand1989[92]
Wellington Improvisation TroupeProfessionalMultipleWellington, New Zealand2004[93]
Boom ChicagoProfessionalMultipleAmsterdam, Netherlands1993[94]
IGLU TheatreProfessionalMultipleLjubljana, Slovenia2013[95]
NarobovProfessionalTheatresportsLjubljana, Slovenia2004

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ A company is presumed noteworthy if it has received significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the company and satisfies the inclusion criteria for a stand-alone article.

References

  1. ↑ Mel Gordon, Lazzi: The Comic Routines of the Commedia dell'Arte 2001, ISBN 978-0-933826-69-4
  2. ↑ Improvisation for the Theater ISBN 0-8101-4008-X (1963)
  3. ↑ Reddick, Grant. "Keith Johnstone," Theatre 100. Calgary: Alberta Playwrights Network, 2006
  4. ↑ Bernstein, David (September 3, 2005). "In Chicago, Honoring Athletes of Improv". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  5. ↑ Irvine, Lindesay (December 22, 2005). "Say yes to improv", Guardian Unlimited, Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Improv Embassy studio aims to be Ottawa's comedic hub". Metro Ottawa. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  7. ↑ Calgary Plus. "Loose Moose Theatre Company". Archived from the original on October 5, 2006. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
  8. ↑ http://www.acmecomedy.com/ .
  9. ↑ "Maryland improv comedy shows & classes". Baltimore Improv Group (BIG). Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  10. ↑ Chillag, Amy (5 July 2018). "How an improv class is relieving anxiety". CNN. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  11. ↑ Kaltenbach, Chris (24 May 2017). "Baltimore's comedy scene continues to grow, nurture aspiring talent". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  12. ↑ "Baltimore Improv Group tries unconventional method of growing business: offering its shows for free". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  13. ↑ "Nine Great Improv Scenes from around the Country". pastemagazine.com. 2019-02-03. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  14. ↑ Gerr, Sheilah Kast, Melissa. "XFest Celebrates Gender Minorities in Comedy". www.wypr.org. Retrieved 2020-03-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ↑ "Coffee With: Baltimore Improv Group". Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  16. ↑ Torontoist (2011-05-20). "Fishing for Life's Answers with BASSPROV". Torontoist. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  17. ↑ http://www.benttheatre.com .
  18. ↑ Hewitt, Chris (July 28, 2016). "Blackout Improv strives to shed comedic light on what's not so funny". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  19. ↑ Combs, Marianne (September 20, 2017). "At Blackout Improv, comedy wrestles with tragedy". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  20. ↑ http://www.bovinemetropolis.com/ .
  21. ↑ http://www.bravenewworkshop.com/ .
  22. ↑ Bruckner, D. J. R. (1995-08-18). "THEATER REVIEW; Challenges for a Troupe Of Fast-Thinking Actors". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  23. ↑ "OB's Chicago City Limits Celebrates Two Decades With New Lineup, Opening June 8". Playbill. 2000-06-08. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  24. ↑ Charlotte, Comedy Arts Theater of. "Be bold. Say yes. CATCh some improv". Comedy Arts Theater of Charlotte. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  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. ISBN 978-0-226-11345-6.
  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. ↑ "WWU's Dead Parrots Society wins 2010-2011 national College Improv Tournament | Western Today | Western Washington University".
  30. ↑ "Dead Parrots Society advances to national improv tournament | Western Today | Western Washington University".
  31. ↑ "Dead Parrots Society seeks second national title | Western Today | Western Washington University".
  32. ↑ "Overview: who were (are) the Diggers?". The Digger Archives. . Retrieved June 17, 2007.
  33. ↑ Woodhouse, Kellie (September 19, 2008). "Do Terrapins have a funny bone?" Archived 2008-09-21 at the Wayback Machine. The Diamondback. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  34. ↑ http://www.faceoffunlimited.com/ .
  35. ↑ http://www.hugetheater.com/about-us/ .
  36. ↑ http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=506019 .
  37. ↑ "IO Chicago Theater". Archived from the original on 2009-03-31. Retrieved 2009-03-28..
  38. ↑ http://www.improvasylum.com/ .
  39. ↑ http://www.improvboston.com/ .
  40. ↑ Gallagher, Brian Thomas. "Prank You Kindly". New York. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  41. 1 2 http://www.jetcityimprov.org .
  42. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-03-20. Retrieved 2011-01-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link).
  43. ↑ http://www.laughingmatters.com/ .
  44. ↑ http://thelobbyimprov.com/ .
  45. ↑ http://www.madcapimprov.com/newsupdates/1-latest-news/61-articlequickwittedfamily.html .
  46. ↑ http://www.magnettheater.com/ .
  47. ↑ Walsh, Bruce (July 25, 2007). "The N Crowd: They're Making Philly Funny" (PDF). Philadelphia Metro. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
  48. ↑ "National Comedy Theatre - San Diego improv comedy, corporate entertainment, San Diego Comedy, San Diego Comedy Shows and Improv Workshops". Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2009-01-06..
  49. ↑ "Improv Comedy Groups Play for Laughs". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  50. ↑ http://www.thepit-nyc.com/ .
  51. ↑ McCormack, Max (April 7, 2008). "Philly Improv an Out of Control 'Comedy Vortex'". The Temple News. Retrieved December 26, 2008.
  52. ↑ "P.I.G. Providence Improv Guild". Improvpig.com. Retrieved 2017-01-10.
  53. ↑ "The Purple Crayon of Yale". Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2009-06-12..
  54. ↑ http://www.sak.com/ .
  55. ↑ 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.
  56. ↑ Robertson, Campbell (June 4, 2008). "Paul Sills, a Guru of Improv Theater, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  57. ↑ "Improv: Making It Up for Laughs". The Providence Journal.
  58. ↑ "Home". theatrestrikeforce.org.
  59. ↑ "National Comedy Theatre | Phoenix's Home for Improv Comedy". National Comedy Theatre.
  60. ↑ "Best Comedy Troupe". Rhode Island Monthly. August 2004. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  61. ↑ Burton, Lynsi (June 12, 2008). "Unexpected Productions Celebrates 25 Years". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  62. ↑ Wachtler, Mark (September 29, 2014). "Under The Gun Theater Opening in Wrigleyville" Archived 2014-10-11 at the Wayback Machine. Illinois Herald. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  63. ↑ "Our Story | the Upfront Theatre | Improv Comedy Club". Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  64. ↑ "Bellingham's Upfront Theatre in Four Acts".
  65. ↑ http://witdc.org .
  66. ↑ http://www.wholeworldtheatre.com .
  67. ↑ http://www.exitplayers.com .
  68. ↑ http://www.hooplaimpro.com/ .
  69. ↑ thefreeassociation.co.uk " https://thefreeassociation.co.uk/". Retrieved July 5, 2019. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  70. ↑ "The Oxford Imps". BBC. June 2005. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  71. ↑ "The Showstoppers – The award-winning creators of improvised musicals, comedy and drama". Showstopperthemusical.com. Retrieved 2017-01-10.
  72. ↑ http://www.thesuggestibles.com/ .
  73. ↑ http://www.anticsimprov.com/ .
  74. ↑ http://www.themaydays.co.uk/ .
  75. ↑ "Austentatious".
  76. ↑ http://www.tokyocomedy.com/ .
  77. ↑ https://seoulcityimprov.com/ .
  78. ↑ Kerry, Paul (May 29, 2018). "SCI offers improv course to help you think on your feet" The Korea Herald. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  79. ↑ "Talking improv with TBC". Time Out Hong Kong. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  80. ↑ "The People Behind TBC Improv HK Just Want To Play". VENDORS. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  81. ↑ "TBC Improv Comedy: (We're No) Spring Chickens". Sassy Hong Kong. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  82. ↑ "The Improv Company". Time Out Singapore. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  83. ↑ BeijingImprovEnglish (2019-12-02). "Beijing Improv: Improvised Comedy". www.thebeijinger.com. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  84. ↑ "Lilian Shen on 12 Years of Zmack Improv Comedy Laughs". That's Online. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  85. ↑ "Zmack Improv Shanghai | SmartShanghai". www.smartshanghai.com. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  86. ↑ Christian, Dionne (2016-11-23). "Review: Improv Bandits back again". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
  87. ↑ "Improv Bandits". Improv Bandits.
  88. ↑ https://www.improvcomedy.eu/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  89. ↑ "NYT teater byder på impro-comedy i København". 3 July 2017.
  90. ↑ http://cphpost.dk/news/two-years-and-450-performances-later-how-improv-is-here-to-stay.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  91. ↑ "Murmur » Copenhagen says 'yes' to improv comedy".
  92. ↑ http://www.courtjesters.co.nz/ .
  93. ↑ "The Wellington Improvisation Troupe". The Wellington Improvisation Troupe.
  94. ↑ van Gelder, Henk (May 6, 2008). "NRC Review: Best Boom Show in 15 Years". NRC Next.
  95. ↑ IGLU: Čar improvizacije sta spontanost in iskrenost Archived 2014-05-05 at the Wayback Machine, Planet Siol.net, November 19, 2013.
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