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]
Improv Embassy Professional Improvisational Ottawa, Ontario 2016 [7]
Ligue nationale d'improvisationProfessionalImprovisationalQuebec1977
Loose Moose TheatreMajor ProfessionalTheatresportsCalgary, Alberta1977[8]
Montreal Improv TheatreProfessionalImprovisationalMontreal, Quebec2007[9]
ProjectprojectProfessionalImprovisationalToronto, Ontario2007[10]
Rapid Fire TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsEdmonton, Alberta1982
GRIMprovSemi-ProfessionalImprovisationalOttawa, Ontario2011[11]
Staircase ImprovProfessionalImprovisationalHamilton, Ontario1997[12]
Theatre on the EdgeProfessionalImprovisationalWaterloo, Ontario1981[13]
Vancouver Theatresports LeagueProfessionalTheatresportsVancouver1980

Improvisational theatre companies in the United States

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
ACME Comedy TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsLos Angeles, California1989[14]
American Improv TheatreProfessionalLong-form, MusicalsSan Jose, California2015[15]
Awkward ComplimentProfessionalImprovisationalSomerville, Massachusetts2010

[16]

The Annoyance TheatreProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1987
Arcade Comedy TheaterProfessionalMultiplePittsburgh, Pennsylvania2013[17]
Atlas Improv Co.ProfessionalMultipleMadison, Wisconsin2004[18]
Baltimore Improv GroupProfessionalMultipleBaltimore, Maryland2004[19]
Bay Cities Improv CompanyProfessionalShortformMobile, Alabama2013
BATS ImprovMajor ProfessionalTheatresportsSan Francisco, California1986
BETA TheaterProfessionalMultipleHouston, TX2013
The Bent TheatreProfessionalMultipleCharlottesville, Virginia2004[20]
Black Sheep ImprovCollegiateLong-FormAthens, Ohio2007[21]
Bovine Metropolis TheaterProfessionalMultipleDenver, Colorado1998[22]
The Brave New Workshop Comedy TheatreProfessionalMultipleMinneapolis, Minnesota1958[23]
Carolina Improv CompanyProfessionalMultipleMyrtle Beach, South Carolina2008[24]
Charlotte Comedy TheaterProfessionalMultipleCharlotte, North Carolina2001[25][26]
Charm City Comedy ProjectProfessionalMultipleBaltimore, Maryland2014[27]
CHiPs ImprovCollegiateMultipleChapel Hill, North Carolina1995
Coalition TheaterProfessionalMultipleRichmond, Virginia2009[28]
Columbus UnscriptedProfessionalImprovisationalColumbus, Ohio2006[29]
ComedyCityProfessionalShortformGreen Bay, Wisconsin1987[30]
Comedy CornerCollegiateMultipleTucson, Arizona1979
Commedus InterruptusCollegiateMultipleLos Angeles, California1989[31]
ComedySportzMajor ProfessionalShortformMilwaukee, Wisconsin1984[32]
Compass PlayersProfessionalCabaretChicago, Illinois1955*[33]
The Crazy MonkeysCollegiateShortformWest Lafayette, Indiana1988[34]
Dad's Garage Theatre CompanyProfessionalMultipleAtlanta, Georgia1995[35]
Defiant Monkey ImprovProfessionalShort-formBuffalo, NY2009[36]
The DenialsThe Overtime TheaterShort-formSan Antonio, Texas2009[37]
The DiggersProfessionalGuerrillaSan Francisco, California1966*[38]
Eclectic Improv Co.ProfessionalShort-FormBuffalo, New York1998[39]
Endgames ImprovProfessionalLong-FormSan Francisco, California2010[40]
Erasable Inc.CollegiateImprovisationalCollege Park, Maryland1986[41]
Face Off UnlimitedProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York2003[42]
False Profits ComedyCollegiateMultipleChapel Hill, North Carolina2013[43]
The First Time OffendersCollegiateMultipleSan Antonio, TX2008[44]
The Focus GroupProfessionalLong-formBangor, Maine2009
Freudian SlipCollegiateImprovisationalCollege Station, TX1994
Friday Night ImprovsCollegiateImprov JamPittsburgh, Pennsylvania1989
Full Frontal NudityProfessionalMultipleColumbus, Ohio1993
Good On Paper Professional Short-form Traverse City, MI 2010 [45]
GroundlingsMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalLos Angeles, California1974
Harrisburg Improv TheatreProfessionalLong-formHarrisburg, Pennsylvania2014[46]
HUGE TheaterProfessionalLong-formMinneapolis, Minnesota2005[47]
The Immediate Gratification PlayersCollegiateLong-formCambridge, Massachusetts1986[48]
ImprovOlympicMajor Professionalthe HaroldChicago, Illinois1980[49]
Improv AsylumMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalBoston, Massachusetts1998[50]
ImprovBostonMajor ProfessionalMultipleCambridge, Massachusetts1982[51]
Improv EverywhereProfessionalGuerrillaNew York City, New York2001[52]
Improv HawaiiProfessionalMultipleHonolulu, Hawaii2012[53]
ImprovhiProfessionalMultipleHonolulu, Hawaii2012[53]
Improv InstituteProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1983*
The Improv ShopProfessionalImprovisationalSaint Louis, Missouri2009[54]
In Between The Lines Comedy Improv TroupeCollegiateShortformRochester, New York1999[55]
Jet City ImprovProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992[56]
Just Add WaterCollegiateImprovisationalNew Haven, Connecticut1986[57]
Just The FunnyProfessionalMultipleMiami, Florida1999[58]
Laughing MattersProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1985[59]
Lee County Flannel ClubCollegiateShortformAuburn, Alabama2011[60]
LeelaProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2003[61]
The LobbyProfessionalShortformFullerton, California2005[62]
Madcap TheaterProfessionalShortformWestminster, Colorado2006[63]
Magnet TheaterMajor ProfessionalLong-FormNew York City, New York2005[64]
Monkey Business InstituteProfessionalShortformMadison, Wisconsin2004[65]
My Mother's FleabagCollegiateShort-formChestnut Hill, Massachusetts1980[66]
The N CrowdProfessionalShortformPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005[67]
The National Comedy TheatreMajor ProfessionalShortformSan Diego, California[68]
Odd Lot ImprovProfessionalShortformSavannah, Georgia2010[69]
On Thin IceCollegiateShortformCambridge, Massachusetts1984[70]
Peoples Improv TheaterMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York2002[71]
Philly Improv Theater (PHIT)Major ProfessionalMultiplePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005[72]
The PlaygroundProfessionalLong-formChicago, Illinois1997
Providence Improv GuildProfessionalMultipleProvidence, Rhode Island2013[73]
The Purple Crayon of YaleCollegiateLong-formNew Haven, Connecticut1985[74]
Sacramento Comedy SpotMajor ProfessionalMultipleSacramento, California2004[75][76][77]
SAK Comedy LabProfessionalMultipleOrlando, Florida1991[78]
The San Francisco Improv AllianceProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2005
The San Francisco Improv Co-OperativeProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2000
San Francisco Improv CollectiveProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2013[79]
Sea Tea ImprovProfessionalMultipleHartford, Connecticut2009[80]
The Second CityMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalChicago, Illinois1959[81][82]
Second Nature ImprovCollegiateLong-formLos Angeles, California2002
SEE Saw ComedyProfessionalMultipleSayville, NY2006[83]
Sick Puppies ComedyProfessionalMultipleBoca Raton, Florida2012[84]
Silverbacks Improv TheatreProfessionalMultipleLafayette, Louisiana2012[85]
State Theatre Improv Fun ForceProfessionalMultipleEustis, FL2015[86]
Starla and SonsCollegiateLongformProvidence, Rhode Island2006[87]
Steel City Improv TheaterProfessionalLongformPittsburgh, PA2010[88]
Syracuse Improv CollectiveProfessionalMultipleSyracuse, New York2011[89][90]
Theatre 99ProfessionalMultipleCharleston, South Carolina2000[91][92]
Theatre Strike ForceCollegiateMultipleGainesville, Florida1989[93]
Tucson Improv MovementProfessionalMultipleTucson, Arizona2012[94]
The National Comedy TheatreProfessionalMultiplePhoenix, Arizona2007[95]

http://www.freepresshouston.com/pay-what-you-should-beta-theater-moves-on/

Unexpected CompanyProfessionalLong-formWarwick, Rhode Island2003[96]
Unexpected ProductionsProfessionalTheatresportsSeattle, Washington1983[97]
Under the Gun TheaterProfessionalMultipleChicago, Illinois2014 [98]
The Un-Scripted Theater CompanyProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2002
Upright Citizens BrigadeMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York1999
Vaudeville Performing Arts (Vaudeville Central Florida)ProfessionalShort Form/ImprovisationalOrlando, Florida2015[99][100]
Washington Improv TheaterMajor ProfessionalLong-formWashington, DC1995[101]
Whole World TheatreProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1994[102]
Wing-It ProductionsProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992[56]
The Yale Ex!t PlayersCollegiateShort-formNew Haven, Connecticut1984[103]
WHIP Comedy ImprovCollegiateMultipleWestfield, Massachusetts2012[104]

*This group is no longer performing.

Improvisational theatre companies in the United Kingdom

Name Group LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
The Comedy Store Players ProfessionalImprovisationalLondon, England1985
Spontaneous Theatre Company ProfessionalImprovisationalBristol, England2013 Shoot From The Hip! ProfessionalMultipleLondon, England2011[105]
Men With Coconuts ProfessionalMultipleEdinburgh, Scotland2013[106]
Improverts CollegiateTheatresportsEdinburgh, Scotland1989
The Oxford Imps Semi-ProfessionalImprovisationalOxford, England2003[107]
Showstoppers ProfessionalMusical TheatreLondon, England2008[108]
The Shrimps CollegiateShortformSheffield, England2006[109]
The Suggestibles ProfessionalImprovisationalNewcastle upon Tyne, England2001[110]
Shellshock! CollegiateMultipleDurham, England2002[111]
Hoopla Professional Multiple London, England 2006
Music Box Professional Longform London, England 2009
Do Not Adjust Your Stage ProfessionalLongformLondon, England2010[112]
The Spontaneity Shop ProfessionalMultipleLondon, England1996
The Antics CollegiateShortformSheffield, England2008[113]
The Maydays ProfessionalLongformBrighton, England2003[114]
To Be Continued... ProfessionalMultipleEdinburgh, Scotland2009[115]
Upstairs Downton ProfessionalLongformLondon, England2012[116]
CSz Manchester... ProfessionalMultipleManchester, England2001[117]
Monkey Toast ProfessionalMultipleLondon, England2013[118]
The Free Association Professional Multiple London, England 2014
The Nursery Professional Multiple London, England 2011
Austentatious Professional Longform London, England 2011
Mischief Theatre Professional Multiple London, England 2008
The School of Night Professional Esoteric / Poetic London, England 2005 Ken Campbell#The School of Night

Improvisational theatre companies in Australia

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
The Improv ConspiracyProfessionalLongformMelbourne, Victoria2012[119][120]
The Sherbet Underground Improv TheatreAmateurLongformBrisbane, Queensland2009[121]
ImproMafiaAmateurMultipleBrisbane, Queensland2004[122]
Edge ImprovAmateurMultipleBrisbane, Queensland2001[123]
ImprovactuallyAmateurLongformSydney, New South Wales2009[124]
Ivan Chew - Improv Your LifeProfessionalMultipleSydney, New South Wales2011[125][126][127][128][129]

Improvisational theatre companies in other countries

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference
Stranger Things Have HappenedProfessionalMultipleGroningen, Netherlands2009[130]
Boom ChicagoProfessionalMultipleAmsterdam, Netherlands1993[131]
ImpromptuProfessionalLong-formAmsterdam, Netherlands2002[132]
IGLU TheatreProfessionalMultipleLjubljana, Slovenia2013[133]
NarobovProfessionalTheatresportsLjubljana, Slovenia2004
Tokyo Comedy StoreProfessionalMultipleTokyo, Japan1994[134]
ImprovvisartProfessionalMultipleLecce, Italia2008
ImproBeirutProfessionalMultipleBeirut, Lebanon2008[135]
Improvtheater - IsraelProfessionalLongformTel-Aviv, Israel2009[136]
Foxy FreestyleProfessionalLongformBerlin, Germany2007[137]
Impro BrasilProfessionalShortformRio de Janeiro, Brazil2013[138]
Théâtre de l'OignonProfessionalMultipleStrasbourg, France2003[139]
Kinengkoy Comedy ExpressProfessionalShort & LongformBacolod, Philippines2000[140]
Os ImprováveisProfessionalMultipleLisboa, Portugal2008[141]
InstantâneosProfessionalMultipleLisboa, Portugal2011[142]
KurzFormChaosAmateurMultipleDarmstadt, Germany2010[143]
Zigzag Improv GenevaAmateurMultipleGeneva, Switzerland2010[144]

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. ↑ "Improv Embassy studio aims to be Ottawa's comedic hub". Metro Ottawa. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  8. ↑ Calgary Plus. "Loose Moose Theatre Company". Retrieved October 18, 2008.
  9. ↑ .
  10. ↑ .
  11. ↑ "GRIMprov". Late Night Cabaret Review. June 16, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  12. ↑ "The mothers (and fathers) of improv invention". theSpec.com. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Theatre on the Edge". Waterloo Region Settlement Services Directory. March 21, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  14. ↑ .
  15. ↑ .
  16. ↑ .
  17. ↑ .
  18. ↑ .
  19. ↑ .
  20. ↑ .
  21. ↑ .
  22. ↑ .
  23. ↑ .
  24. ↑ http://www.carolinaimprov.com .
  25. ↑ http://charlottecomedytheater.com .
  26. ↑ Best Comedy Clubs in America
  27. ↑ .
  28. ↑ .
  29. ↑ .
  30. ↑ .
  31. ↑ .
  32. ↑ Winn, S. (November 26, 1990). "These Games Are Strictly for Laughs". Sports Illustrated.
  33. ↑ 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.
  34. ↑ .
  35. ↑ .
  36. ↑ .
  37. ↑ .
  38. ↑ "Overview: who were (are) the Diggers?". The Digger Archives. . Retrieved June 17, 2007.
  39. ↑ .
  40. ↑ .
  41. ↑ Woodhouse, Kellie (September 19, 2008). "Do Terrapins have a funny bone?". The Diamondback. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  42. ↑ .
  43. ↑ .
  44. ↑ .
  45. ↑ "Good On Paper: Getting Back To The Basics Of Improv Comedy - Passage". Passage. Retrieved 2016-01-29.
  46. ↑ .
  47. ↑ .
  48. ↑ .
  49. ↑ .
  50. ↑ .
  51. ↑ .
  52. ↑ Gallagher, Brian Thomas. "Prank You Kindly". New York. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  53. 1 2 Official Website . Founded by Kimee Balmilero
  54. ↑ .
  55. ↑ .
  56. 1 2 .
  57. ↑ .
  58. ↑ .
  59. ↑ .
  60. ↑ .
  61. ↑ .
  62. ↑ .
  63. ↑ .
  64. ↑ .
  65. ↑ .
  66. ↑ .
  67. ↑ Walsh, Bruce (July 25, 2007). "The N Crowd: They're Making Philly Funny" (PDF). Philadelphia Metro. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
  68. ↑ .
  69. ↑ .
  70. ↑ "Improv Comedy Groups Play for Laughs". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  71. ↑ .
  72. ↑ McCormack, Max (April 7, 2008). "Philly Improv an Out of Control 'Comedy Vortex'". The Temple News. Retrieved December 26, 2008.
  73. ↑ http://improvpig.com/
  74. ↑ .
  75. ↑ http://www.sacbee.com/2014/09/11/6696426/sacramento-comedy-festival-unleashes.html
  76. ↑ http://www.capradio.org/news/insight/2014/09/08/insight-090814/
  77. ↑ http://www.sactownmag.com/The-Weekender/2014/The-Sactown-Weekend-Update-for-Sept-12-14/
  78. ↑ .
  79. ↑ .
  80. ↑ .
  81. ↑ 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.
  82. ↑ Robertson, Campbell (June 4, 2008). "Paul Sills, a Guru of Improv Theater, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  83. ↑ .
  84. ↑ .
  85. ↑ .
  86. ↑ . Facebook.
  87. ↑ "Improv: Making It Up for Laughs". The Providence Journal.
  88. ↑
  89. ↑ .
  90. ↑ http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/01/syracuse_improv_collective_hos.html
  91. ↑ .
  92. ↑ http://www.theatre99.com/history.php
  93. ↑
  94. ↑
  95. ↑
  96. ↑ "Best Comedy Troupe". Rhode Island Monthly. August 2004. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  97. ↑ Burton, Lynsi (June 12, 2008). "Unexpected Productions Celebrates 25 Years". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  98. ↑ Wachtler, Mark (September 29, 2014). "Under The Gun Theater Opening in Wrigleyville". Illinois Herald. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  99. ↑ .
  100. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/VaudevilleCF/?ref=tn_tnmn
  101. ↑ .
  102. ↑ .
  103. ↑ .
  104. ↑ .
  105. ↑ .
  106. ↑ .
  107. ↑ "The Oxford Imps". BBC. June 2005. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  108. ↑
  109. ↑
  110. ↑ .
  111. ↑
  112. ↑ .
  113. ↑ .
  114. ↑ .
  115. ↑ .
  116. ↑ .
  117. ↑ .
  118. ↑ .
  119. ↑ .
  120. ↑
  121. ↑ .
  122. ↑ .
  123. ↑ .
  124. ↑ .
  125. ↑ .
  126. ↑ .
  127. ↑ .
  128. ↑ .
  129. ↑ .
  130. ↑ .
  131. ↑ van Gelder, Henk (May 6, 2008). "NRC Review: Best Boom Show in 15 Years". NRC Next.
  132. ↑ .
  133. ↑ IGLU: Čar improvizacije sta spontanost in iskrenost, Planet Siol.net, November 19, 2013.
  134. ↑ .
  135. ↑ .
  136. ↑ .
  137. ↑
  138. ↑ .
  139. ↑ .
  140. ↑ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/lifestyle/2014/06/26/summer-bacolod-350334
  141. ↑ .
  142. ↑ .
  143. ↑ .
  144. ↑
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/4/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.