Big Fork Theatre

Founding (2015)

Cameron Watson, Rosa Sottile, Taylor Edwards, and Chris Martin founded Big Fork Theatre in Brisbane in 2015, having all trained at iO Chicago (formerly Improv Olympic), Upright Citizens Brigade, and The Second City, and studied under teachers including Miles Stroth, Kevin Mullaney, Joe Bill, Jet Eveleth, Tara DeFrancisco, and Jason Chin. The company describes itself as dedicated to collaborative, ensemble-based improvised and sketch comedy.

Paddington Venue (2017-2021)

From 2017 to 2021, Big Fork Theatre ran twice-weekly shows at a venue in Paddington, Brisbane, building its audience before those packed shows outgrew the space.

Fortitude Valley Venue (2022)

In 2022, Big Fork Theatre opened its own venue at Level 2, 252 St Paul's Terrace, Fortitude Valley, establishing Brisbane's only dedicated space for improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy. Classes run four nights a week.

Brisbane Improv and Comedy Festival

Big Fork Theatre launched the Brisbane Improv Festival in 2021. From 2025 this event was rebranded as the Big Fork Comedy Festival. Current directors also include Mark Grimes and Janette McBride.

Big Fork Theatre brings Chicago-trained ensemble improv and sketch comedy to Brisbane from a dedicated Fortitude Valley venue, founded in 2015 by four performers with deep roots in North American improv institutions.

Cage Match, a weekly Thursday night competition where indie improv teams perform 20-minute sets judged by audience vote, with reigning champions defending the title belt. Wer Ya From, a multicultural improvised comedy show based on true stories of heritage and culture, founded and directed by Janette McBride. The Women's Show and Queer Show (long-running ensemble formats). The Big Fork Comedy Festival (annual, celebrating the theatre's 10th anniversary in July 2025 with 25+ performances, 24 workshops, and a gala at Brisbane Powerhouse). MELT improv festival series.

Co-founded in 2015 by Cameron Watson, Chris Martin, Taylor Edwards, Jim Reynolds, and Rosa Sottile as a not-for-profit cooperative in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Operates as Brisbane's only dedicated comedy theatre. Training programs feed graduates into indie teams that compete in the Cage Match circuit. Janette McBride, director since 2025, also co-produces the BrisAsia Festival and Brisbane Improv Festival. Chris Martin served as general manager from 2015 to 2025.