Baltimore Improv Group

Founding (2004)

Mike Subelsky founded Baltimore Improv Group in 2004, establishing one of the city's first dedicated improv organizations. For over a decade BIG operated without a permanent home, performing in rented and borrowed spaces across Baltimore while building its class program and performer community.

Station North Venue (2017)

In 2017 Baltimore Improv Group secured a permanent home at 1727 North Charles Street in the Station North Arts District, giving the organization its first dedicated performing and training space. The venue allowed BIG to expand its class schedule and host regular shows in a space designed for improv performance.

Baltimore Improv Group serves the Baltimore improv community through long-form performance and structured training at its Station North Arts District home.

House teams Six Nice Friends and MVA performing weekly. The Baltimore Improv Festival, running annually since 2007 (the 2019 edition drew over 400 performers in 100+ teams from 25+ cities across 15 states and 2 countries, spanning 45 shows over 7 days). U-HAHA, a mobile theater program bringing improv to Baltimore neighborhoods. Free Thursday night shows at 7, 8, and 9 PM. BIG University five-level curriculum (101 through 501) culminating in Harold training.

Founded by Mike Subelsky in 2004 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Grew from a small group to over 100 active performers and audience attendance from 3,000 in 2016 to 27,000+ in 2019. Opened the BIG Theater in Station North in October 2017, a 3,000-square-foot dedicated venue after years performing at Fells Point Corner Theatre and The Single Carrot Theater. Named best comedy outlet by Baltimore City Paper in 2017. BIG teams have performed at the Del Close Marathon, NYC Improv Festival, Chicago Improv Festival, Out of Bounds Comedy Festival (Austin), Atlanta Improv Festival, North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival, Philadelphia Improv Festival, and DC Comedy Fest. Young Audiences of Maryland partner delivering school residencies.