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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 and Keith Johnstone in the 1940-50s.[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, 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 will 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.

Improvisational theatre companies in the United States

Major Professional companies are those which 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.

Name Group Level Improv Type Location Date Established Reference
3 for All Professional Multiple San Francisco, California [5]
Ad-Libs Comedy Improv Troupe Professional Improvisational Dallas, Texas 1986 [6]
The Annoyance Theater Professional Improvisational Chicago, Illinois 1987
Atlas Improv Co. Professional Multiple Madison, Wisconsin 2004 [7]
Awkward Face Professional Longform Oakland, California 2002 [8]
BATS Improv Professional Theatresports San Francisco, California 1986
The Basement Theatre Professional Multiple Atlanta, Georgia 2004 [9]
Bay Area Improv Theater Professional Longform Tampa, Florida 2004 [10]
The Bent Theatre Professional Multiple Charlottesville, Virginia 2005 [11]
Bovine Metropolis Theater Professional Multiple Denver, Colorado 1998 [12]
The Brave New Workshop Comedy Theater Professional Multiple Minneapolis, Minnesota 1958 [13]
Calvin Improv Collegiate Shortform Grand Rapids, Michigan 1984
CHiPs Improv Collegiate Multiple Chapel Hill, North Carolina 1995
ColdTowne Theater Professional Multiple Austin, Texas 2006
Comedy City Professional Multiple Green Bay, Wisconsin 1987 [14]
ComedySportz Major Professional Theatresports Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1984 [15]
Compass Players Professional Cabaret Chicago, Illinois 1955* [16]
Dad's Garage Theatre Company Professional Multiple Atlanta, Georgia 1995 [17]
The Diggers Professional Guerrilla San Francisco, California 1966* [18]
Dead Parrots Society Collegiate Multiple Bellingham, Washington 1999
Eclectic Improv Co. Professional Shortform Buffalo, New York 1998 [19]
Einstein Simplified Professional Shortform Knoxville, Tennessee 1994 [20]
Erasable Inc. Collegiate Improvisational College Park, Maryland 1986 [21]
Face Off Unlimited Professional Multiple New York City, New York 2003 [22]
Fish Sticks Comedy Professional Shortform Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2007 [23]
Four Day Weekend Professional Improvisational Fort Worth, Texas 1997 [24]
Francis Bacon Experiment Professional Longform Buffalo, New York 2008 [25]
Friday Night Improvs Collegiate Improv Jam Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1989
Friday Night Face Off Professional Shortform Port Jefferson, New York 2003 [26]
FRISCO - Free Range Improv School & Company Professional Multiple San Francisco, California 2009 [27]
GayCo Productions Professional Semi-improvisational Chicago, Illinois 1996 [28]
Gross National Product Professional Multiple Washington, D.C. 1982 [29]
Groundlings Major Professional Semi-improvisational Los Angeles, California 1974
Hideout Theatre Professional Multiple Austin, Texas 1999 [30]
Hit and Run: Musical Improv Professional Multiple Hollywood, California 2007 [31]
IMF (improv) Professional Longform Buffalo, New York 2010 [32]
The Immediate Gratification Players Collegiate Longform Cambridge, Massachusetts 1986 [33]
ImprovOlympic Major Professional the Harold Chicago, Illinois 1980 [34]
Improv Asylum Professional Semi-improvisational Boston, Massachusetts 1998 [35]
Improv Boston Professional Multiple Cambridge, Massachusetts 1982 [36]
Improv Colorado Professional Improvisational Colorado Springs, Colorado 2008 [37]
Improv Everywhere Professional Guerrilla New York City, New York 2001 [38]
Improv Institute Professional Improvisational Chicago, Illinois 1983*
Improv Shmimprov Professional Multiple Fullerton, California 1998 [39]
Impulse Theater Professional Improvisational Denver, Colorado 1988 [40]
In Between The Lines Comedy Improv Troupe Collegiate Shortform Rochester, New York 1999 [41]
Indyprov Professional Improvisational Indianapolis, Indiana 2003 [42]
Jest Serendipity Professional Theatresports Las Vegas, Nevada 2005 [43]
JaCKPie Professional Longform Atlanta, Georgia 2001 [44]
Just the Funny Professional Multiple Miami, Florida 1999 [45]
Kings of Improv Professional Shortform Colorado Springs, Colorado 2009 [46]
Laughing Gas Improv Professional Improvisational Miami, Florida 1992 [47]
Laughing Matters Professional Shortform Atlanta, Georgia 1985 [48]
Let's Try This Collegiate Improvisational Atlanta, Georgia 1989 [49]
The Lobby Professional Shortform Fullerton, California 2005 [50]
Madcap Theater Professional Shortform Westminster, Colorado 2006 [51]
Magnet Theater Professional Multiple New York City, New York 2005 [52]
Massive Improv Professional Longform Houston, Texas 2004 [53]
MissImp Professional Shortform Nottingham, United Kingdom 1998 [54]
Mod 27 Productions Professional Multiple Lake Worth, Florida 2002 [55]
The N Crowd Professional Shortform Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2005 [56]
The National Comedy Theater Major Professional Shortform San Diego, California [57]
New & Improv'd Collegiate Shortform Harrisonburg, Virginia 1999 [58]
The Original Comedy Rangers Professional Shortform Chicago, Illinois 1977
On Thin Ice Collegiate Shortform Cambridge, Massachusetts 1984 [59]
The Oxymorons Professional Shortform San Antonio, Texas 1989 [60]
Pan Theater Professional Longform Oakland, California 2002 [61]
Peoples Improv Theater Professional Multiple New York City, New York 2002 [62]
pH Productions Professional Multiple Chicago, Illinois 2002 [63]
Philly Improv Theater (PHIT) Professional Multiple Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2005 [64]
The Playground Professional Longform Chicago, Illinois 1997
Pop Scholars Professional Longform Grand Rapids, Michigan 2009
The Purple Crayon of Yale Collegiate Longform New Haven, Connecticut 1985 [65]
The Puzzled Players Comedy Improv Theater Professional Shortform Binghamton, New York 2003 [66]
Random Acts Improv Comedy Troupe Professional Multiple Richmond, Virginia 2005 [67]
Rare Bird Show Professional Longform Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2003 [68]
Relapse Theatre Professional Multiple Atlanta, Georgia 2005 [69]
ROAR Theatre Professional Multiple San Diego, California 2008 [70]
River City Improv Professional Shortform Grand Rapids, Michigan 1993
Salvage Vanguard Theatre Professional Multiple Austin, Texas 2007 [71]
The San Francisco Improv Alliance Professional Multiple San Francisco, California 2005
The San Francisco Improv Co-Operative Professional Multiple San Francisco, California 2000
Sea Tea Improv Professional Multiple Hartford, Connecticut 2008 [72]
The Second City Major Professional Semi-improvisational Chicago, Illinois 1959 [73][74]
Second Nature Improv Collegiate Longform Los Angeles, California 2002
Scared Scriptless Improv Professional Multiple Anchorage, Alaska 2000 [75]
The Skinny Improv Professional Multiple Springfield, Missouri 2002 [76]
Something Dada Professional Improvisational Cleveland, Ohio 1995
The Stagebenders Comedy Duo Professional Improvisational Los Angeles, California / Minneapolis 1993
Starla and Sons Collegiate Longform Providence, Rhode Island 2006 [77]
Stick Horses in Pants Professional Shortform Colorado Springs, Colorado 2004 [78]
The Super Happy Improv Troupe Professional Multiple New York City, New York 2008 [79]
Theatre 99 Professional Improvisational Charleston, South Carolina 2000
THEY Improv Professional Multiple Fort Lauderdale, Florida 2005 [80]
The Torch Theatre Professional Longform Phoenix, Arizona 2007 [81]
Unexpected Company Professional Shortform Warwick, Rhode Island 1986 [82]
Unexpected Productions Professional Theatresports Seattle, Washington 1983 [83]
The Un-Scripted Theater Company Professional Multiple San Francisco, California 2002
Upright Citizens Brigade Major Professional Multiple New York City, New York 1999
Vamp Shows Professional Multiple Midwest 2007
Village Theatre Professional Multiple Atlanta, Georgia 2008 [84]
Washington Improv Theater Professional Multiple Washington, D.C. 1986
Whole World Theatre Professional Shortform Atlanta, Georgia 1994 [85]
William and Mary Improv Theater Collegiate Shortform Williamsburg, Virginia 1986 [86]
Wing-It Productions Professional Longform Seattle, Washington 1996 [87]

*This group is no longer performing.

Improvisational theatre companies outside the United States

Name Group Level Improv Type Location Date Established Reference
AttiMatti Professional Improvisational Torino, Italy 1999 [88]
Associazione Culturale Belleville Professional Improvisational Bologna, Italy 1996 [89]
No Potatoes Professional Improvisational Lublin, Poland 2008 [90]
Associazione Nova Urbs Professional Improvisational Rome, Italy 1992 [91]
The Bad Dog Theatre Company Professional Multiple Toronto, Canada 2003 [92]
Boom Chicago Professional Multiple Amsterdam, Netherlands 1993 [93]
The Comedy Store Players Professional Improvisational London, United Kingdom 1985
Curiously Canadian Improv Guild Professional Shortform Calgary, Canada 2003 [94]
Insensitivity Training Professional Multiple Ottawa, Canada 2007 [95]
Czech improvisation league Professional Theatresports Czech Republic
Die-Nasty Professional Television Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 1991 [96]
Dirty Laundry Professional Longform Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1999 [97]
Easylaughs Professional Multiple Amsterdam, Netherlands 2003 [98]
Edge Improv Professional Multiple Brisbane, Australia 2001 [99]
El Moustachios Professional Improvisational Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2005 [100]
Eux - Compagnie d'Improvisation Professional Multiple Paris, France 2006 [101]
forum improvisation Professional Multiple Berlin, Germany 2002 [102]
Grand Theft Impro Professional Shortform London, United Kingdom 2003 [103]
Impatient Theatre Co. Professional Longform Toronto, Canada 2001 [104]
Impro Australia Theatresports Professional Multiple Sydney, Australia 1985 [105]
Impro Melbourne Professional Multiple Melbourne, Australia 1996 [106]
Impro Theater ACT Professional Theatresports Canberra, Australia 2005 [107]
Improfessionals Professional Multiple Paris, France 2001 [108]
Improvisades - Compagnie "A l'improvisade" Professional Multiple Paris, France 1996 [109]
Improvisation & co Professional Improvisational Stockholm, Sweden 1996 [110]
The Impromaniacs Professional Improvisational Victoria, Canada 1989
The Improvements Professional Longform Stockholm, Sweden 2009 [111]
Improteatro Major Professional Theatresports Torino, Italy 2006 [112][113]
Improverts Collegiate Theatresports Edinburgh, Scotland 1989
The Improvisors Professional Theatresports Wellington, New Zealand 1990 [114]
Ligue nationale d'improvisation Professional Improvisational Quebec, Canada 1977
Loose Moose Theatre Major Professional Theatresports Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1977 [115]
Ludus Ludius Improv Theatre co. Professional Multiple Cardiff, Wales 2007 [116]
The Maydays Professional Multiple Brighton, England 2004
Narobov Professional Theatresports Ljubljana, Slovenia 2004
The Noise Next Door Professional Shortform Brighton, England 2007 [117]
Oh Susanna! Professional Multiple Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 1999
The Oxford Imps Collegiate Improvisational Oxford, England 2003 [118]
Panda Smackdown Professional Improvisational Sydney, Australia 2009 [119]
Projectproject Professional Improvisational Toronto, Canada 2007 [120]
Rapid Fire Theatre Professional Theatresports Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 1982
Scallabouche Professional Multiple Budapest, Hungary 2003 [121]
The Extant Jesters Theatre Professional Multiple Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2007 [122]
The Spontaneity Shop Professional Multiple London, United Kingdom 1996
Sprout Ideas Professional Multiple London, United Kingdom 1998 [123]
The Suggestibles Professional Improvisational Newcastle, New South Wales [124]
Theatersport Berlin Professional Multiple Berlin, Germany 1995 [125]
Teatribu Professional Improvisational Milan, Italy 1999 [126]
Vancouver TheatreSports League Major Professional Theatresports Vancouver, Canada 1980 [127]
Vanguard Comedy Theatre Professional Multiple Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2009 [128]
Voci e Progetti Professional Improvisational Italy 1994 [129]
The Party Quirks Professional Multiple Islamabad, Pakistan 2005 [130]
Wellington Improvisation Troupe Professional Improvisational Wellington, New Zealand [131]
People's Liberation Improv Professional Multiple Hong Kong, China 2007 [132]
Beijing Improv Professional Multiple Beijing, China [133]
Yersiz Oyuncular Professional Multiple Istanbul, Turkey [134]

See also

References

  1. ^ Mel Gordon, Lazzi: The Comic Routines of the Commedia dell'Arte 2001, ISBN 978-0933826694
  2. ^ Improvisation for the Theater ISBN 0-8101-4008-X (1963)
  3. ^ Reddick,Grant . "Keith Johnstone," Theatre 100. Calgary: Alberta Playwrights Network, 2006
  4. ^ David Bernstein "In Chicago, Honoring Athletes of Improv" New York Times, September 3, 2005. Retrieved 01-05-2009
  5. ^ http://www.3forall.com/main.htm
  6. ^ http://mouthdallas.com/
  7. ^ http://atlasimprov.com/
  8. ^ http://www.Pan awkwardface.com
  9. ^ http://www.thebasementtheatre.com
  10. ^ http://www.tampabait.com/Longform_Improv.html
  11. ^ http://www.benttheatre.com
  12. ^ http://www.bovinemetropolis.com/
  13. ^ http://www.bravenewworkshop.com/
  14. ^ http://www.comedycityonline.com/
  15. ^ Winn, S. "These Games Are Strictly For Laughs", Sports Illustrated, November 26, 1990
  16. ^ Coleman, Janet (1991). The Compass: The Improvisational Theatre that Revolutionized American Comedy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 362 pages. ISBN 978-0226113456.
  17. ^ http://www.dadsgarage.com
  18. ^ "Overview: who were (are) the Diggers?". The Digger Archives. http://www.diggers.org/overview.htm. Retrieved on 2007-06-17
  19. ^ http://www.eclecticimprov.com/
  20. ^ http://www.einsteinsimplified.com/
  21. ^ Kellie Woodhouse, "Do Terrapins have a funny bone? The Diamondback, 09-19-2008. Retrieved 01-05-2009
  22. ^ http://www.faceoffunlimited.com/
  23. ^ http://www.fishstickscomedy.com/
  24. ^ http://www.fourdayweekend.com/Press%20Pages/fwweekly_042607.htm
  25. ^ http://www.thefrancisbaconexperiment.com/
  26. ^ http://www.fridaynightfaceoff.com/
  27. ^ http://friscoimprov.com/
  28. ^ http://gayco.com/
  29. ^ http://gnpcomedy.com/
  30. ^ http://www.hideouttheatre.com/
  31. ^ http://www.hnrimprov.com/
  32. ^ http://buffalocsz.com/pages/theshow
  33. ^ http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=506019
  34. ^ http://chicago.ioimprov.com/
  35. ^ http://www.improvasylum.com/
  36. ^ http://www.improvboston.com/
  37. ^ http://www.improvcolorado.com
  38. ^ Brian Thomas Gallagher "Prank You Kindly" New York Magazine. Retrieved 01-05-2009. http://nymag.com/arts/theater/features/47820/
  39. ^ http://www.improvshmimprov.com/
  40. ^ http://www.impulsetheater.com/
  41. ^ http://sa.rochester.edu/improv
  42. ^ http://www.indyprov.com/
  43. ^ http://www.jestserendipity.com/
  44. ^ http://www.jackpie.com
  45. ^ http://www.justthefunny.com/
  46. ^ http://www.KingsofImporv.com/
  47. ^ http://www.laughinggasimprov.com/
  48. ^ http://www.laughingmatters.com/
  49. ^ http://coweb.cc.gatech.edu/ltt
  50. ^ http://thelobbyimprov.com/
  51. ^ http://www.madcapimprov.com/newsupdates/1-latest-news/61-articlequickwittedfamily.html
  52. ^ http://www.magnettheater.com/
  53. ^ http://www.massiveimprov.com/
  54. ^ http://www.missimp.co.uk/
  55. ^ http://www.mod27.com/
  56. ^ Walsh, Bruce (2007-07-25). "The N Crowd: They're making Philly funny" (PDF). Philadelphia Metro. Retrieved on 2007-07-31
  57. ^ http://www.nationalcomedy.com/index.html
  58. ^ http://orgs.jmu.edu/improv/
  59. ^ The Harvard Crimson. "Improv Comedy Groups Play for Laughs" Retrieved 01-05-2008. http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=89621.
  60. ^ http://www.oxymoronsimprov.com/
  61. ^ http://www.Pan Theater.com
  62. ^ http://www.thepit-nyc.com/
  63. ^ http://www.whatispH.com
  64. ^ Max McCormack, "Philly Improv an out of control 'comedy vortex'",The Temple News, April 7, 2008, retrieved 12/26/2008
  65. ^ http://www.yale.edu/crayon
  66. ^ http://www.thepuzzledplayers.com
  67. ^ http://www.randomactsimprovcomedy.com
  68. ^ http://www.rarebirdshow.com
  69. ^ http://www.relapsecomedy.com/
  70. ^ http://www.roartheatre.com/
  71. ^ http://www.salvagevanguard.org/
  72. ^ http://seateaimprov.com
  73. ^ 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 on 2008-03-07
  74. ^ Campbell Robertson "Paul Sills, a Guru of Improv Theater, Dies at 80" New York Times, June 4, 2008. Retrieved 01-05-2008
  75. ^ http://www.ScaredScriptless.com
  76. ^ http://www.theskinnyimprov.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
  77. ^ Improv: Making it up for laughs, The Providence Journal
  78. ^ http://www.thestickhorses.com/
  79. ^ http://www.superhappyimprov.com/
  80. ^ http://www.theyimprov.com/
  81. ^ [1]
  82. ^ Best Comedy Troupe, Rhode Island Monthly, August 2004 (retrieved January 5, 2008)
  83. ^ Lynsi Burton Unexpected Productions celebrates 25 years seattlepi.com, June 12, 2008. Retrieved 01-05-2008
  84. ^ http://www.villagecomedy.com
  85. ^ http://www.wholeworldtheatre.com
  86. ^ http://web.wm.edu/so/improv/?svr=www
  87. ^ http://www.wingitproductions.org
  88. ^ http://www.attimatti.it
  89. ^ http://www.belleville.it/
  90. ^ http://www.nopotatoes.pl/
  91. ^ http://www.novaurbs.org/
  92. ^ "Best of Toronto : Stage". NOW Magazine. 2006-10-26. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
  93. ^ Henk van Gelder "NRC Review: Best Boom Show in 15 Years" NRC Next, May 6, 2008
  94. ^ "Improv City". Calgary Herald. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  95. ^ http://www.insensitivitytraining.com
  96. ^ Irvine, Lindesay (2005-12-22). "Say yes to improv", Guardian Unlimited, Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved on 6 January 2008
  97. ^ http://www.dirtylaundrycalgary.com/
  98. ^ http://www.easylaughs.nl/
  99. ^ http://www.edgeimprov.com/edge/Home/Home.html
  100. ^ http://www.mrpetermore.com/Moustachios/elMoustachios.htm
  101. ^ http://euximpro.fr/about/english-version/
  102. ^ http://www.forum-improvisation.de
  103. ^ http://www.grandtheftimpro.com/index.php
  104. ^ Eye Weekly, "Yes and...", an interview with Kevin Patrick Robbins about the Impatient Theatre Co. and the Toronto International Improv Festival, Aug. 11, 2005
  105. ^ http://www.improaustralia.com.au/index.html
  106. ^ http://www.impromelbourne.com.au/index.html
  107. ^ http://www.impro.com.au/index.php
  108. ^ http://www.improfessionals.com
  109. ^ http://www.improvisades.eu
  110. ^ http://www.improco.net
  111. ^ http://www.improv.se
  112. ^ http://www.improteatro.it/
  113. ^ http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impr%C3%B2
  114. ^ http://home.xtra.co.nz/hosts/theimprovisors/frontpage.htm
  115. ^ Calgary Plus. "Loose Moose Theatre Company". Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  116. ^ http://www.ludusludius.co.uk/
  117. ^ http://www.thenoisenextdoor.co.uk/
  118. ^ "The Oxford Imps" BBC, June 2005. Retrieved 01-05-2009
  119. ^ http://www.pandasmackdown.com/Home.html
  120. ^ http://www.projectproject.ca/internet!.html
  121. ^ http://www.scallabouche.com
  122. ^ http://www.extantjesters.com
  123. ^ http://www.sproutideas.co.uk/aboutus.php
  124. ^ http://www.thesuggestibles.com/
  125. ^ http://www.theatersport-berlin.de
  126. ^ http://www.teatribu.it/
  127. ^ http://www.vtsl.com/mainstage/index.php
  128. ^ http://www.vanguardcomedy.com/
  129. ^ http://www.vocieprogetti.it/wp/
  130. ^ http://www.thepartyquirks.com
  131. ^ http://www.wit.org.nz/
  132. ^ http://www.takeoutcomedy.com/
  133. ^ http://www.beijingimprov.org/
  134. ^ http://www.yersizoyuncular.com/

94. ^ http://www.improv.se/

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