List of improvisational theatre companies

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[5]
Die-NastyProfessionalTelevisionEdmonton, Alberta1991[6]
Ligue nationale d'improvisationProfessionalImprovisationalQuebec1977
Loose Moose TheatreMajor ProfessionalTheatresportsCalgary, Alberta1977[7]
Montreal Improv TheatreProfessionalImprovisationalMontreal, Quebec2007[8]
ProjectprojectProfessionalImprovisationalToronto, Ontario2007[9]
Rapid Fire TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsEdmonton, Alberta1982
GRIMprovSemi-ProfessionalImprovisationalOttawa, Ontario2011[10]
Staircase ImprovProfessionalImprovisationalHamilton, Ontario1997[11]
Theatre on the EdgeProfessionalImprovisationalWaterloo, Ontario1981[12]
Vancouver Theatresports LeagueProfessionalTheatresportsVancouver1980

Improvisational theatre companies in the United States

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
ACME Comedy TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsLos Angeles, California1989[13]
American Improv TheatreProfessionalLong-form, MusicalsSan Jose, California2015[14]
Awkward ComplimentProfessionalImprovisationalSomerville, Massachusetts2010

[15]

The Annoyance TheatreProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1987
Arcade Comedy TheaterProfessionalMultiplePittsburgh, Pennsylvania2013[16]
Atlas Improv Co.ProfessionalMultipleMadison, Wisconsin2004[17]
Baltimore Improv GroupProfessionalMultipleBaltimore, Maryland2004[18]
Bay Cities Improv CompanyProfessionalShortformMobile, Alabama2013
BATS ImprovMajor ProfessionalTheatresportsSan Francisco, California1986
The Bent TheatreProfessionalMultipleCharlottesville, Virginia2004[19]
Black Sheep ImprovCollegiateLong-FormAthens, Ohio2007[20]
Bovine Metropolis TheaterProfessionalMultipleDenver, Colorado1998[21]
The Brave New Workshop Comedy TheatreProfessionalMultipleMinneapolis, Minnesota1958[22]
Carolina Improv CompanyProfessionalMultipleMyrtle Beach, South Carolina2008[23]
Charm City Comedy ProjectProfessionalMultipleBaltimore, Maryland2014[24]
CHiPs ImprovCollegiateMultipleChapel Hill, North Carolina1995
Coalition TheaterProfessionalMultipleRichmond, Virginia2009[25]
Columbus UnscriptedProfessionalImprovisationalColumbus, Ohio2006[26]
ComedyCityProfessionalShortformGreen Bay, Wisconsin1987[27]
Comedy CornerCollegiateMultipleTucson, Arizona1979
Commedus InterruptusCollegiateMultipleLos Angeles, California1989[28]
ComedySportzMajor ProfessionalShortformMilwaukee, Wisconsin1984[29]
Compass PlayersProfessionalCabaretChicago, Illinois1955*[30]
The Crazy MonkeysCollegiateShortformWest Lafayette, Indiana1988[31]
Dad's Garage Theatre CompanyProfessionalMultipleAtlanta, Georgia1995[32]
Defiant Monkey ImprovProfessionalShort-formBuffalo, NY2009[33]
The DenialsThe Overtime TheaterShort-formSan Antonio, Texas2009[34]
The DiggersProfessionalGuerrillaSan Francisco, California1966*[35]
Endgames ImprovProfessionalLong-FormSan Francisco, California2010[36]
Erasable Inc.CollegiateImprovisationalCollege Park, Maryland1986[37]
Face Off UnlimitedProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York2003[38]
False Profits ComedyCollegiateMultipleChapel Hill, North Carolina2013[39]
The First Time OffendersCollegiateMultipleSan Antonio, TX2008[40]
The Focus GroupProfessionalLong-formBangor, Maine2009
Freudian SlipCollegiateImprovisationalCollege Station, TX1994
Friday Night ImprovsCollegiateImprov JamPittsburgh, Pennsylvania1989
Full Frontal NudityProfessionalMultipleColumbus, Ohio1993
Good On Paper Professional Short-form Traverse City, MI 2010 [41]
GroundlingsMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalLos Angeles, California1974
HUGE TheaterProfessionalLong-formMinneapolis, Minnesota2005[42]
The Immediate Gratification PlayersCollegiateLong-formCambridge, Massachusetts1986[43]
ImprovOlympicMajor Professionalthe HaroldChicago, Illinois1980[44]
Improv AsylumMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalBoston, Massachusetts1998[45]
ImprovBostonMajor ProfessionalMultipleCambridge, Massachusetts1982[46]
Improv EverywhereProfessionalGuerrillaNew York City, New York2001[47]
Improv HawaiiProfessionalMultipleHonolulu, Hawaii2012[48]
ImprovhiProfessionalMultipleHonolulu, Hawaii2012[48]
Improv InstituteProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1983*
The Improv ShopProfessionalImprovisationalSaint Louis, Missouri2009[49]
In Between The Lines Comedy Improv TroupeCollegiateShortformRochester, New York1999[50]
Jet City ImprovProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992[51]
Just Add WaterCollegiateImprovisationalNew Haven, Connecticut1986[52]
Just The FunnyProfessionalMultipleMiami, Florida1999[53]
Laughing MattersProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1985[54]
Lee County Flannel ClubCollegiateShortformAuburn, Alabama2011[55]
LeelaProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2003[56]
The LobbyProfessionalShortformFullerton, California2005[57]
Madcap TheaterProfessionalShortformWestminster, Colorado2006[58]
Magnet TheaterMajor ProfessionalLong-FormNew York City, New York2005[59]
Monkey Business InstituteProfessionalShortformMadison, Wisconsin2004[60]
My Mother's FleabagCollegiateShort-formChestnut Hill, Massachusetts1980[61]
The N CrowdProfessionalShortformPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005[62]
The National Comedy TheatreMajor ProfessionalShortformSan Diego, California[63]
On Thin IceCollegiateShortformCambridge, Massachusetts1984[64]
Peoples Improv TheaterMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York2002[65]
Philly Improv Theater (PHIT)Major ProfessionalMultiplePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005[66]
The PlaygroundProfessionalLong-formChicago, Illinois1997
Providence Improv GuildProfessionalMultipleProvidence, Rhode Island2013[67]
The Purple Crayon of YaleCollegiateLong-formNew Haven, Connecticut1985[68]
Sacramento Comedy SpotMajor ProfessionalMultipleSacramento, California2004[69][70][71]
SAK Comedy LabProfessionalMultipleOrlando, Florida1991[72]
The San Francisco Improv AllianceProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2005
The San Francisco Improv Co-OperativeProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2000
San Francisco Improv CollectiveProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2013[73]
Sea Tea ImprovProfessionalMultipleHartford, Connecticut2009[74]
The Second CityMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalChicago, Illinois1959[75][76]
Second Nature ImprovCollegiateLong-formLos Angeles, California2002
SEE Saw ComedyProfessionalMultipleSayville, NY2006[77]
Sick Puppies ComedyProfessionalMultipleBoca Raton, Florida2012[78]
Silverbacks Improv TheatreProfessionalMultipleLafayette, Louisiana2012[79]
State Theatre Improv Fun ForceProfessionalMultipleEustis, FL2015[80]
Starla and SonsCollegiateLongformProvidence, Rhode Island2006[81]
Steel City Improv TheaterProfessionalLongformPittsburgh, PA2010[82]
Syracuse Improv CollectiveProfessionalMultipleSyracuse, New York2011[83][84]
Theatre Strike ForceCollegiateMultipleGainesville, Florida1989[85]
Tucson Improv MovementProfessionalMultipleTucson, Arizona2012[86]
The National Comedy TheatreProfessionalMultiplePhoenix, Arizona2007[87]
Unexpected CompanyProfessionalLong-formWarwick, Rhode Island2003[88]
Unexpected ProductionsProfessionalTheatresportsSeattle, Washington1983[89]
Under the Gun TheaterProfessionalMultipleChicago, Illinois2014 [90]
The Un-Scripted Theater CompanyProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2002
Upright Citizens BrigadeMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York1999
Vaudeville Performing Arts (Vaudeville Central Florida)ProfessionalShort Form/ImprovisationalOrlando, Florida2015[91][92]
Washington Improv TheaterMajor ProfessionalLong-formWashington, DC1995[93]
Whole World TheatreProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1994[94]
Wing-It ProductionsProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992[51]
The Yale Ex!t PlayersCollegiateShort-formNew Haven, Connecticut1984[95]
WHIP Comedy ImprovCollegiateMultipleWestfield, Massachusetts2012[96]

*This group is no longer performing.

Improvisational theatre companies in the United Kingdom

Name Group LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
The Comedy Store Players ProfessionalImprovisationalLondon, England1985
Spontaneous Theatre Company ProfessionalImprovisationalBristol, England2013 Shoot From The Hip! ProfessionalMultipleLondon, England2011[97]
Men With Coconuts ProfessionalMultipleEdinburgh, Scotland2013[98]
Improverts CollegiateTheatresportsEdinburgh, Scotland1989
The Oxford Imps Semi-ProfessionalImprovisationalOxford, England2003[99]
Showstoppers ProfessionalMusical TheatreLondon, England2008[100]
The Shrimps CollegiateShortformSheffield, England2006[101]
The Suggestibles ProfessionalImprovisationalNewcastle upon Tyne, England2001[102]
Shellshock! CollegiateMultipleDurham, England2002[103]
Hoopla Professional Multiple London, England 2006
Music Box Professional Longform London, England 2009
Do Not Adjust Your Stage ProfessionalLongformLondon, England2010[104]
The Spontaneity Shop ProfessionalMultipleLondon, England1996
The Antics CollegiateShortformSheffield, England2008[105]
The Maydays ProfessionalLongformBrighton, England2003[106]
To Be Continued... ProfessionalMultipleEdinburgh, Scotland2009[107]
Upstairs Downton ProfessionalLongformLondon, England2012[108]
CSz Manchester... ProfessionalMultipleManchester, England2001[109]
Monkey Toast ProfessionalMultipleLondon, England2013[110]
The Free Association Professional Multiple London, England 2014
The Nursery Professional Multiple London, England 2011
Austentatious Professional Longform London, England 2011
Mischief Theatre Professional Multiple London, England 2008
The School of Night Professional Esoteric / Poetic London, England 2005 Ken Campbell#The School of Night

Improvisational theatre companies in Australia

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
The Sherbet Underground Improv TheatreAmateurLongformBrisbane, Queensland2009[111]
ImproMafiaAmateurMultipleBrisbane, Queensland2004[112]
Edge ImprovAmateurMultipleBrisbane, Queensland2001[113]
ImprovactuallyAmateurLongformSydney, New South Wales2009[114]
Ivan Chew - Improv Your LifeProfessionalMultipleSydney, New South Wales2011[115][116][117][118][119]

Improvisational theatre companies in other countries

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
Stranger Things Have HappenedProfessionalMultipleGroningen, Netherlands2009[120]
Boom ChicagoProfessionalMultipleAmsterdam, Netherlands1993[121]
ImpromptuProfessionalLong-formAmsterdam, Netherlands2002[122]
IGLU TheatreProfessionalMultipleLjubljana, Slovenia2013[123]
NarobovProfessionalTheatresportsLjubljana, Slovenia2004
Tokyo Comedy StoreProfessionalMultipleTokyo, Japan1994[124]
ImproBeirutProfessionalMultipleBeirut, Lebanon2008[125]
Improvtheater - IsraelProfessionalLongformTel-Aviv, Israel2009[126]
Foxy FreestyleProfessionalLongformBerlin, Germany2007[127]
Impro BrasilProfessionalShortformRio de Janeiro, Brazil2013[128]
Théâtre de l'OignonProfessionalMultipleStrasbourg, France2003[129]
Kinengkoy Comedy ExpressProfessionalShort & LongformBacolod, Philippines2000[130]
Os ImprováveisProfessionalMultipleLisboa, Portugal2008[131]
InstantâneosProfessionalMultipleLisboa, Portugal2011[132]
KurzFormChaosAmateurMultipleDarmstadt, Germany2010[133]
Zigzag Improv GenevaAmateurMultipleGeneva, Switzerland2010[134]

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.

External links

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. "Best of Toronto : Stage". NOW Magazine. October 26, 2006. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  6. Irvine, Lindesay (December 22, 2005). "Say yes to improv", Guardian Unlimited, Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
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