iO Chicago
iO Chicago, formerly known as ImprovOlympic, is an improv theater and training center located in central Chicago, Illinois. The theater teaches and hosts performances of improvisational comedy. It is known for notable alumni including Amy Poehler and Stephen Colbert.
History
iO Chicago was founded in 1981 by Del Close and Charna Halpern, with its first classes and shows held at The Players Workshop before moving to its own space at CrossCurrents theatre in 1982. The theater later expanded with branches in Los Angeles (iO West, 1997–2018) and Raleigh, North Carolina (iO South). The Chicago location closed briefly in 2020 and reopened on November 3, 2022.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). iO Chicago. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/companies/io-chicago
The Improv Archive. "iO Chicago." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/companies/io-chicago.
The Improv Archive. "iO Chicago." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/companies/io-chicago. Accessed October 11, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.