Big Fork Theatre
Big Fork Theatre is Brisbane's dedicated improv and sketch comedy venue, founded in 2015 by Cameron Watson, Rosa Sottile, Taylor Edwards, and Chris Martin. All four original founders trained at iO Chicago and other major North American improv institutions. The company moved from its original Paddington venue to its own dedicated space at Level 2, 252 St Paul's Terrace, Fortitude Valley in 2022.
History
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.
Artistic Identity
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.
Key Events
Big Fork Theatre Founded in Brisbane
Cameron Watson, Rosa Sottile, Taylor Edwards, and Chris Martin founded Big Fork Theatre in Brisbane in 2015, bringing Chicago-trained improv and sketch comedy to Queensland.
Big Fork Theatre Opens Dedicated Fortitude Valley Venue
Big Fork Theatre opened its own venue at Level 2, 252 St Paul's Terrace, Fortitude Valley in 2022, establishing Brisbane's only dedicated space for improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Big Fork Theatre. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/companies/big-fork-theatre
The Improv Archive. "Big Fork Theatre." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/companies/big-fork-theatre.
The Improv Archive. "Big Fork Theatre." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/companies/big-fork-theatre. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.