The Assembly Theatre
The Assembly Theatre is a Toronto long-form improv company founded in 2017 by Geoffrey Cork, Martha Stortz, and Spencer Thompson, opening at 1479 Queen Street West in partnership with Leroy Street Theatre in September 2017. Described as Toronto's only dedicated long-form improv company, The Assembly hosts 14 or more resident long-form teams and produces Haroldfest, Toronto's annual long-form improv festival.
History
Founding and Origins (2016 to 2017)
Geoffrey Cork, Martha Stortz, and Spencer Thompson founded The Assembly after long-form improv teams lost their regular performing home at The Second City Toronto when that organization changed its show schedule. Stortz founded Haroldfest, Toronto's long-form improv festival, which ran its inaugural edition in 2016 before The Assembly had a physical home. In September 2017 the company opened at 1479 Queen Street West in partnership with Leroy Street Theatre. An earlier iteration of the organization had been located in the basement of a Shoppers Drug Mart.
Long-Form Mission
The Assembly operates exclusively in the Harold tradition and game-based long-form formats, positioning itself as the dedicated home in Toronto for performers and audiences interested in the longer, character-driven form. The company's 14-plus resident teams include ensembles with alumni from The Second City.
Haroldfest
Haroldfest, produced by The Assembly, is Toronto's annual long-form improv festival. The festival ran annually from its 2016 inaugural edition through at least 2019.
Artistic Identity
The Assembly Theatre is Toronto's dedicated long-form improv company, committed exclusively to Harold-tradition and game-based long-form with resident teams and the annual Haroldfest festival.
Key Events
Haroldfest Launches in Toronto
Martha Stortz founded Haroldfest, Toronto's long-form improv festival, in 2016, preceding the opening of The Assembly Theatre's physical home and signaling the collective's mission to establish a dedicated long-form improv space in the city.
The Assembly Theatre Opens at 1479 Queen Street West
Geoffrey Cork, Martha Stortz, and Spencer Thompson opened The Assembly Theatre at 1479 Queen Street West, Toronto in September 2017 in partnership with Leroy Street Theatre, establishing Toronto's dedicated long-form improv home.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). The Assembly Theatre. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/companies/the-assembly-theatre
The Improv Archive. "The Assembly Theatre." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/companies/the-assembly-theatre.
The Improv Archive. "The Assembly Theatre." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/companies/the-assembly-theatre. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.