I.O.

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It has been suggested that IO_WEST be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

The iO, or iO Chicago, (formerly known as "ImprovOlympic") is a theater located at 3541 N. Clark St., in Chicago, Illinois. The theater both has performances of, and teaches improvisational comedy. It was founded in the 1980s by Del Close and Charna Halpern. iO concentrates on "long-form" improvisational structures, in contrast to the "short-form" or "improv game" format of Theatresports or the television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?. The iO's signature piece is the "Harold".

The I.O. has two other franchises located in Los angeles, California, IO WEST and in Raleigh, North Carolina, IO SOUTH.

[edit] History

1981 - The Improv Olympic was created, putting competing teams of comedic improvisers on stage in front of audiences.

1983 - Shows began shifting to a long-form approach.

1997 - Paul Vaillancourt opened a companion theater, iO WEST, in Los Angeles, California. Today it is managed by James Grace.

2001 - The International Olympic Committee threatened the theater legally over its use of the name "Improv Olympic" and the name was subsequently changed to "iO."

Sept 2, 2005 - iO holds its 25th anniversary show in Chicago. The Microphones go dead shortly into the show.

2006 - iO began a joint venture with ComedyWorx of Raleigh, NC to create the third iO training center, named the iO South.