National Comedy Theatre
National Comedy Theatre is a San Diego, California short-form improv company founded in October 1999 by Gary Kramer at 3717 India Street in the Mission Hills neighborhood. The company presents entirely audience-driven competitive short-form performances and has logged more than seven thousand shows at the same venue, making it the longest-running show in San Diego history. National Comedy Theatre expanded to a New York City branch in 2004 and offers corporate training through its WITS program.
History
Founding (1999)
Gary Kramer founded National Comedy Theatre in October 1999 at 3717 India Street in San Diego's Mission Hills neighborhood, a venue the company has occupied ever since. The show presents professional comedians performing scenes entirely based on audience suggestions in a competitive format.
Milestones
National Comedy Theatre logged its 5,000th performance in March 2017. By its 25th anniversary in 2024 the company had exceeded 7,000 total performances, establishing it as the longest-running show in San Diego history.
New York and Corporate Expansion
Kramer opened a New York City branch of National Comedy Theatre in 2004. The company developed the WITS corporate training workshop program, delivered nationally and virtually.
Artistic Identity
National Comedy Theatre presents professional short-form competitive improv based entirely on audience suggestions, with an all-ages family-friendly commitment. Its unbroken 25-year run at a single Mission Hills venue and record of 7,000+ performances define its position in San Diego's comedy landscape.
Key Events
National Comedy Theatre Founded in San Diego
Gary Kramer founded National Comedy Theatre in October 1999 at 3717 India Street in San Diego's Mission Hills neighborhood, beginning what would become the longest-running show in San Diego history.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). National Comedy Theatre. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/companies/national-comedy-theatre
The Improv Archive. "National Comedy Theatre." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/companies/national-comedy-theatre.
The Improv Archive. "National Comedy Theatre." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/companies/national-comedy-theatre. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.