List of improvisational theatre companies

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.

An improvisational comedy group performing onstage.

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]
Impro Montréal / Montreal ImprovProfessionalMultipleMontreal, Quebec2008
Ligue nationale d'improvisationProfessionalImprovisationalQuebec1977
Loose Moose TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsCalgary, Alberta1977[7]
Rapid Fire TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsEdmonton, Alberta1982
Vancouver Theatresports LeagueProfessionalTheatresportsVancouver1980

Improvisational theatre companies in the United States


Dad's Garage Theatre Company||Professional||Multiple||Atlanta, Georgia||1995||[8]

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
ACME Comedy TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsLos Angeles, California1989[9]
Baltimore Improv GroupProfessionalMultipleBaltimore, Maryland2004[10][11][12] [13][14] [15][16]
The Annoyance TheatreProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1987
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]
Brooklyn Comedy CollectiveProfessionalMultipleBrooklyn, New York2018[22]
Chicago City Limits Major Professional Shortform New York City, New York 1977 [23][24]
Commedus InterruptusCollegiateMultipleLos Angeles, California1989[25]
ComedySportzMajor ProfessionalShortformMilwaukee, Wisconsin1984[26]
Compass PlayersProfessionalCabaretChicago, Illinois1955*[27]
Complete Theater CompanyProfessionalImprovisationalManhattan, New York2009[28]
The DiggersProfessionalGuerrillaSan Francisco, California1966*[29]
Erasable Inc.CollegiateImprovisationalCollege Park, Maryland1986[30]
Face Off UnlimitedProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York2003[31]
The Focus GroupProfessionalLong-formBangor, Maine2009
Friday Night ImprovsCollegiateImprov JamPittsburgh, Pennsylvania1989
The GroundlingsMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalLos Angeles, California1974
HUGE TheaterProfessionalLong-formMinneapolis, Minnesota2005[32]
The Immediate Gratification PlayersCollegiateLong-formCambridge, Massachusetts1986[33]
ImprovOlympicMajor Professionalthe HaroldChicago, Illinois1980[34]
Improv AsylumMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalBoston, Massachusetts1998[35]
Improv At The Comedy PalaceProfessionalLong-FormSan Diego, CA2019[36]
ImprovBostonMajor ProfessionalMultipleCambridge, Massachusetts1982[37]
Improv EverywhereProfessionalGuerrillaNew York City, New York2001[38]
Improv for the PeopleProfessionalMultipleLos Angeles, California2009
Improv InstituteProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1983*
Jet City ImprovProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992[39]
Just Add WaterCollegiateImprovisationalNew Haven, Connecticut1986[40]
Laughing MattersProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1985[41]
The LobbyProfessionalShortformFullerton, California2005[42]
Madcap TheaterProfessionalShortformWestminster, Colorado2006[43]
Magnet TheaterMajor ProfessionalLong-FormNew York City, New York2005[44]
Moment Improv TheaterProfessionalLong-FormSan Francisco, California2014[45]
The N CrowdProfessionalShortformPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005[46]
The National Comedy TheatreMajor ProfessionalShortformSan Diego, California[47]
On Thin IceCollegiateShortformCambridge, Massachusetts1984[48]
The Pack TheaterMajor ProfessionalMultipleLos Angeles, California2007[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]
The RevivalProfessionalMultipleChicago, Illinois2015
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 Un-Scripted Theater CompanyProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2002
Upright Citizens BrigadeMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York1999
Whole World TheatreProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1994[63]
Wing-It ProductionsProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992[39]
The Yale Ex!t PlayersCollegiateShort-formNew Haven, Connecticut1984[64]

*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[65]
The Free AssociationProfessionalLong-formLondon2014[66]
The Oxford ImpsSemi-ProfessionalImprovisationalOxford, England2003[67]
ShowstoppersProfessionalMusical TheatreLondon, England2008[68]
The SuggestiblesProfessionalImprovisationalNewcastle upon Tyne, England2001[69]
The Spontaneity ShopProfessionalMultipleLondon, England1996
The AnticsCollegiateShortformSheffield, England2008[70]
The MaydaysProfessionalLongformBrighton, England2003[71]
Mischief Theatre Professional Multiple London, England 2008
The Blank Slates Collegiate Multiple London, England 2011

Improvisational theatre companies in other countries
NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
Yours Truly Theatre Professional Multiple Bangalore, India 2003
Improv BanditsProfessionalMultipleAuckland, New Zealand1997[72][73]
The Court JestersProfessionalMultipleChristchurch, New Zealand1989[74]
Wellington Improvisation TroupeProfessionalMultipleWellington, New Zealand2004[75]
Boom ChicagoProfessionalMultipleAmsterdam, Netherlands1993[76]
easylaughsProfessionalMultipleAmsterdam, Netherlands2005
IGLU TheatreProfessionalMultipleLjubljana, Slovenia2013[77]
NarobovProfessionalTheatresportsLjubljana, Slovenia2004
ImprovvisartProfessionalMultipleLecce, Italy2009
Tokyo Comedy StoreProfessionalMultipleTokyo, Japan1994[78]
Seoul City ImprovProfessionalMultipleSeoul, South Korea2007[79][80]

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
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