Theatres: Improvisation Theatre
Websites
Improv Resource Center
facebook.com/improvresourcecenter
Classes, podcasts, news, and forums.
The New Improv Page
A resource for the world of improvisational theatre.
Seattle Comedy
seattlecomedy.org/groups/improv
The entire Seattle Comedy Scene in one Neat Little Website.
Seattle Improv
seattleimprov.com/seattle-improv-theaters–groups.html
Seattle Improv theaters and groups including class listings.
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_improvisational_theatre_companies
List of Improvisational Theatre Companies
YesAnd!com
An improv blog and forum.
Seattle
CSz Seattle – Producers of ComedySportz
c/o The Atlas Theater
3509 Fremont Ave N.
Seattle, WA 98103
(425) 954-5618
facebook.com/ComedySportzSeattle
Contact: Alex Grindeland, Owner & Manager.
Founded in 2012, CSz Seattle performs a variety of improv shows several times a week. CSz Seattle also plays corporate, college, church, school and convention events, and offers a slate of improv classes for adults and teens, plus Applied Improvisation workshops for corporate clients.
Jet City Improv
5510 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 352-8291
jetcityimprov.org/about-us/auditions
Contact: Brandon Jepson, Production Director.
Since its founding in 1992, Jet City Improv has invented new formats and innovative improv experiences in pursuit of a “higher plane of comedy.” JCI also manages several festivals and a 40-week Improv Academy. Auditions to join the main cast of Jet City Improv or the cast of a Jet City Improv Presents show take place throughout the year. Check website and Facebook for announcements.
Playback Theater Northwest
PO Box 70166
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 726-1415
Contact: Harold Costa Jr., Artistic Director. Founded in 1991, Playback Theater Northwest uses an original form of improvisational theater known as Playback Theater, creating a space where personal stories and experiences can be shared.
Seattle Festival of Improvisational Theater
5510 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 352.8291 x 0
[email protected], [email protected]
Contact: Andrew McMasters, Executive Producer.
Founded in 2002, Seattle Festival of Improvisational Theater has grown to become America’s best showcase of unscripted, interactive theater. SFIT has earned a national reputation as a fun and exciting stop on the national Improv festival circuit.
Unexpected Productions
The Market Theater
1428 Post Alley
Seattle, WA 98101-2034
(206) 587-2414
facebook.com/UnexpectProductions
Contact: Randy Dixon, Artistic Director.
Founded in 1983, Unexpected Productions runs improv shows from Wednesday through Sunday, year round. UP also conducts the Seattle Improv School. Auditions are announced on the TPS website as well as UP’s newsletter and website.
East Side
Valley Center Stage
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1123
North Bend, WA 98045
Performance Address:
Masonic Lodge
119 and a half , North Bend Way
North Bend, WA 98045
(425) 831-5667
Contact: Gary Schwartz, Executive Director. Valley Center Stage produces 3 full-length productions (musicals and plays) and several special events (variety, stand-up comedy and improv) each season. To audition, email a headshot and resume. Auditions are announced through the the VCS email list, the TPS website and The Performers Callboard list-serv. Rehearsals are held 2 to 3 evenings per week with some weekend commitments. Performance schedules vary. Actors are not paid. See Ch.1 Theatres: Community Theatre, Musical Theatre, Stand-Up Comedy Theatre. See Also Theatre Production Guide: Road Houses)
North Sound
The Upfront Theatre
1208 Bay St
Bellingham, WA
(360) 733-8855
Contact: Billy Tierney, General Manager
Established by Ryan Stiles in 2004, The Upfront Theatre’s 99-seat cabaret style venue offers live improv comedy every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Featuring a standout cast of local performers, The Upfront presents many styles of improv comedy ranging from themed long form to open improv, musicals, and short form. The Upfront also has a school of improvisation and is active in teaching Applied Improvisation.
Peninsula and Islands
The Edge
c/o Bainbridge Performing Arts
200 Madison Avenue North
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Box office (206) 842-8569
Contact: Bhama Roget, artistic director.
Founded in 1993, The Edge performs improv the first Saturday every month at Bainbridge Performing Arts.
UMO Ensemble
PO Box 347
Vashon Island, WA 98070-0347
(206) 408-8059
Contact: Esther Edelman, Founding Member. Since 1989, UMO Ensemble has created over 20 original works using improvisations in movement, character, vocalizing and writing with a special emphasis on physical theatre.
Eastern Washington
The Blue Door Theatre
Mailing Address:
PO Box 9286
Spokane, WA 99209
Performance Address:
815 W Garland Ave
Spokane, WA 99205
(509)747-7045
facebook.com/The-Blue-Door-Theatre-65483635632
Instagram.com/ bluedoortheatre
Contact: Kevin Benson, President.
The Blue Door Theatre, founded in 1996, is an improv theatre with performances every Friday and Saturday night. The BDT performs both long and short form Improv shows, has Monday night Improv Jam Sessions and offers Adult and Teen Improv classes.
Portland
Brainwaves Improv Comedy
3721 SE 13th, #7
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 796-9550
Brainwaves Improv Comedy is a national touring company that has been invited to create customized improv performances for organizations such as Starbucks, Nike, Toro and countless others. They are veterans of The Chicago Improv Festival, Big Stinkin Improv Festival and many others.
The Brody Theater
16 NW Broadway
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 224-2227
Contact:
Tom Johnson, Artistic Director. The Brody Theater
produces improvised and stand-up comedy theater and offers stand-up comedy and improv classes. Auditions are announced on the BT website.
CSz Portland—Producers of ComedySportz
Mailing Address:
3308 East Burnside St
Portland, OR 97214-1956
Performance Space:
1963 NW Kearney St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 236-8888
facebook.com/comedysportz.portland
Contact: Patrick Short, General Manager.
ComedySportz Portland was founded in May 1993 and hasn’t missed a weekend since. CSz Portland also plays corporate, college, church, school and convention events, offers a slate of improv classes for adults and teens, plus Applied Improvisation training for corporate clients in Customer Service, Leadership and Design Thinking. New performers are recruited out of CSZ’s classes and Minor League System.
Alaska
Scared Scriptless Improv
49th State Brewing Company
717 West 3rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 538-2711
facebook.com/ScaredScriptlessAlaska
Contact: Kristen Doogan, Co-owner and Artistic Director.
Scared Scriptless Improv has performed all over Alaska since 2000 and is Alaska’s premier comedy improv troupe. SSI performs the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturday of every month in downtown Anchorage. SSI is also available for private bookings and corporate functions.
Phoenix
Torch Theatre
4721 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 456-2876
Contact: Jacqueline Arend – General Operations Manager.
Founded in 2007, Torch Theatre presents improvised musicals, films, and countless other formats of improvised longform theatre. Several house teams have been performing with the Torch since its founding. The Torch has recurring weekly and monthly shows plus improv classes for kids, teens, and adults. Organizations, groups, and businesses can hire the Torch for team building workshops or as entertainment for their events.
Canada
Canadian Improv Games
#2 – 153 East 8th
Vancouver BC
V5T 1R8
604.874.7522
Contact: Alistair Cook, Artistic Director. The Canadian Improv Games is a loving competition between teams of high school students trained to perform spontaneous, improvised scenes within the framework of the CIG’s own 5 event competitive format.
Instant Theatre Company
Mailing Address:
529 East Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5T 1X4 Canada
Performance Address:
Havana Theatre
1212 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC V5L 3X4 Canada
(778) 379-7161
facebook.com/instanttheatrecompany
Contact: Nikolai Witschl and Chelsey Stuyt, General Managers.
Founded in 1994, !nstant Theatre Company focuses on both classic and modern styles of improvisational theatre. ITC produces close to two hundred shows a year. ITC offers classes and is available to perform or conduct workshops at corporate and other events. ITC also offers a free introductory workshop to any registered non-profit society in Vancouver.
Loose Moose Theatre Company
Mailing Address:
Cambrian PO Box 75006
Calgary, AB T2K 6J8 Canada
Performance Location:
Crossroads Market, Second Floor
1235 26 Ave SE
Calgary, AB T2G 1R7, Canada
(403) 269-1444
Emai: [email protected]
facebook.com/LooseMoose.Theatre/
Contact: Dennis Cahill, Artistic Director.
Founded in 1977, The Loose Moose Theatre Company has an international reputation for innovation and excellence in
improvisational theatre. Techniques for training and presenting improvisation which have been created by co-founder and former Artistic Director Keith Johnstone, and developed at Loose Moose are used worldwide. LMTC currently performs in the 200-seat theater on the second floor of the Crossroads Market.
Vancouver Theatre Sports League
Mailing Address:
1515 Anderson Street
Vancouver, BC
V6H 3R5 Canada
Performance address:
The Improv Centre on Granville Island
1502 Duranleau St.
Vancouver, BC
V6H 3W7 Canada
(604) 738.7013
Contact: Denise Jones, Artistic Director
Vancouver TheatreSports™ League began in 1980 and is now a local institution and a world wide phenomenon, producing and staging some of the most daring and innovative improv found anywhere. VTSL produces shows 5 nights a week, 52 weeks a year.