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

*This group is no longer performing.

Improvisational theatre companies in the United Kingdom

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
The Comedy Store PlayersProfessionalImprovisationalLondon, England1985
Shoot From The Hip!ProfessionalMultipleLondon, England2011[88]
Impro FXProfessionalMultipleEdinburgh, Scotland2013[89]
ImprovertsCollegiateTheatresportsEdinburgh, Scotland1989
The Oxford ImpsSemi-ProfessionalImprovisationalOxford, England2003[90]
Showstopper!ProfessionalMusical TheatreLondon, England2001[91]
The SuggestiblesProfessionalImprovisationalNewcastle upon Tyne, England2001[92]
The Spontaneity ShopProfessionalMultipleLondon, England1996
The AnticsCollegiateShortformSheffield, England2008[93]
The MaydaysProfessionalLongformBrighton, England2003[94]
To Be Continued...ProfessionalMultipleEdinburgh, Scotland2009[95]
Upstairs DowntonProfessionalLongformLondon, England2012[96]
CSz Manchester...ProfessionalMultipleManchester, England2001[97]
Monkey ToastProfessionalMultipleLondon, England2013[98]

Improvisational theatre companies in Australia

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
The Sherbet Underground Improv TheatreAmateurLongformBrisbane, Queensland2009[99]
ImproMafiaAmateurMultipleBrisbane, Queensland2004[100]
Edge ImprovAmateurMultipleBrisbane, Queensland2001[101]
ImprovactuallyAmateurLongformSydney, New South Wales2009[102]
Ivan Chew - Improv Your LifeProfessionalMultipleSydney, New South Wales2011[103][104][105][106][107]

Improvisational theatre companies in other countries

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
Stranger Things Have HappenedProfessionalMultipleGroningen, Netherlands2009[108]
Boom ChicagoProfessionalMultipleAmsterdam, Netherlands1993[109]
ImpromptuProfessionalLong-formAmsterdam, Netherlands2002[110]
IGLU TheatreProfessionalMultipleLjubljana, Slovenia2013[111]
NarobovProfessionalTheatresportsLjubljana, Slovenia2004
Tokyo Comedy StoreProfessionalMultipleTokyo, Japan1994[112]
ImproBeirutProfessionalMultipleBeirut, Lebanon2008[113]
Improvtheater - IsraelProfessionalLongformTel-Aviv, Israel2009[114]
Impro BrasilProfessionalShortformRio de Janeiro, Brazil2013[115]
Théâtre de l'OignonProfessionalMultipleStrasbourg, France2003[116]
Kinengkoy Comedy ExpressProfessionalShort & LongformBacolod, Philippines2000[117]
InstantâneosProfessionalMultipleLisboa, Portugal2011[118]
KurzFormChaosAmateurMultipleDarmstadt, Germany2010[119]
Zigzag Improv GenevaAmateurMultipleGeneva, Switzerland2010[120]

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.
  7. ↑ Calgary Plus. "Loose Moose Theatre Company". Retrieved October 18, 2008.
  8. ↑ .
  9. ↑ .
  10. ↑ "GRIMprov". Late Night Cabaret Review. June 16, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  11. ↑ "The mothers (and fathers) of improv invention". theSpec.com. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Theatre on the Edge". Waterloo Region Settlement Services Directory. March 21, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  13. ↑ .
  14. ↑ .
  15. ↑ .
  16. ↑ .
  17. ↑ .
  18. ↑ .
  19. ↑ .
  20. ↑ .
  21. ↑ .
  22. ↑ .
  23. ↑ .
  24. ↑ .
  25. ↑ .
  26. ↑ Winn, S. (November 26, 1990). "These Games Are Strictly for Laughs". Sports Illustrated.
  27. ↑ 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.
  28. ↑ .
  29. ↑ .
  30. ↑ .
  31. ↑ .
  32. ↑ "Overview: who were (are) the Diggers?". The Digger Archives. . Retrieved June 17, 2007.
  33. ↑ .
  34. ↑ Woodhouse, Kellie (September 19, 2008). "Do Terrapins have a funny bone?". The Diamondback. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  35. ↑ .
  36. ↑ .
  37. ↑ .
  38. ↑ .
  39. ↑ .
  40. ↑ .
  41. ↑ .
  42. ↑ Gallagher, Brian Thomas. "Prank You Kindly". New York. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Official Website . Founded by Kimee Balmilero
  44. ↑ .
  45. ↑ .
  46. ↑ .
  47. ↑ .
  48. ↑ .
  49. ↑ .
  50. ↑ .
  51. ↑ .
  52. ↑ .
  53. ↑ .
  54. ↑ .
  55. ↑ Walsh, Bruce (July 25, 2007). "The N Crowd: They're Making Philly Funny" (PDF). Philadelphia Metro. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
  56. ↑ .
  57. ↑ "Improv Comedy Groups Play for Laughs". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  58. ↑ .
  59. ↑ McCormack, Max (April 7, 2008). "Philly Improv an Out of Control 'Comedy Vortex'". The Temple News. Retrieved December 26, 2008.
  60. ↑ .
  61. ↑ http://www.sacbee.com/2014/09/11/6696426/sacramento-comedy-festival-unleashes.html
  62. ↑ http://www.capradio.org/news/insight/2014/09/08/insight-090814/
  63. ↑ http://www.sactownmag.com/The-Weekender/2014/The-Sactown-Weekend-Update-for-Sept-12-14/
  64. ↑ .
  65. ↑ .
  66. ↑ .
  67. ↑ 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.
  68. ↑ Robertson, Campbell (June 4, 2008). "Paul Sills, a Guru of Improv Theater, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  69. ↑ .
  70. ↑ .
  71. ↑ .
  72. ↑ . Facebook.
  73. ↑ "Improv: Making It Up for Laughs". The Providence Journal.
  74. ↑
  75. ↑ .
  76. ↑ http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/01/syracuse_improv_collective_hos.html
  77. ↑
  78. ↑
  79. ↑
  80. ↑ "Best Comedy Troupe". Rhode Island Monthly. August 2004. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  81. ↑ Burton, Lynsi (June 12, 2008). "Unexpected Productions Celebrates 25 Years". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  82. ↑ Wachtler, Mark (September 29, 2014). "Under The Gun Theater Opening in Wrigleyville". Illinois Herald. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  83. ↑ .
  84. ↑ .
  85. ↑ .
  86. ↑ .
  87. ↑ .
  88. ↑ .
  89. ↑ .
  90. ↑ "The Oxford Imps". BBC. June 2005. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  91. ↑
  92. ↑ .
  93. ↑ .
  94. ↑ .
  95. ↑ .
  96. ↑ .
  97. ↑ .
  98. ↑ .
  99. ↑ .
  100. ↑ .
  101. ↑ .
  102. ↑ .
  103. ↑ .
  104. ↑ .
  105. ↑ .
  106. ↑ .
  107. ↑ .
  108. ↑ .
  109. ↑ van Gelder, Henk (May 6, 2008). "NRC Review: Best Boom Show in 15 Years". NRC Next.
  110. ↑ .
  111. ↑ IGLU: Čar improvizacije sta spontanost in iskrenost, Planet Siol.net, 19 November 2013.
  112. ↑ .
  113. ↑ .
  114. ↑ .
  115. ↑ .
  116. ↑ .
  117. ↑ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/lifestyle/2014/06/26/summer-bacolod-350334
  118. ↑ .
  119. ↑ .
  120. ↑