The Improv Conspiracy is Melbourne's Chicago-style long-form improv and sketch comedy theatre, founded by Adam Kangas in 2012. Starting with private Harold-format training sessions, the company opened its own dedicated training centre and theatre at Meyers Place in the Melbourne CBD in March 2015 and has been Melbourne's primary home for Harold-based long-form improvisation since.
History
Origins and Founding (2011-2012)
Adam Kangas launched the first private Harold-format training session in September 2011, drawing on experience with Melbourne's existing improv community including companies such as The Baby Seals and The Big HOO-HAA!. The first public Harold performance followed in February 2012, alongside the launch of monthly shows, which mark the company's formal founding date.
Early Venues (2012-2015)
The company's early shows were held at the Dan O'Connell Hotel in Carlton. A Melbourne Fringe production at the Croft Institute followed in September 2012, and the company debuted at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April 2013 with a sold-out season. In August 2014 the company made its first international performance in Austin, Texas.
Dedicated Theatre (2015)
In March 2015, The Improv Conspiracy opened its own training centre and theatre at 1/19 Meyers Place in the Melbourne CBD. From January 2016 all shows consolidated at the dedicated venue, which hosts performances Thursday through Sunday.
Senior Team
Early senior team members alongside Kangas included Broni Lisle and Laura Buskes.
Artistic Identity
The Improv Conspiracy is Melbourne's home for Chicago-style long-form improv, built on the Harold format from a 2012 founding and anchored by its own CBD theatre since 2015.
Key Events
The Improv Conspiracy Founded in Melbourne
Adam Kangas launched the first public Harold performance and monthly show series in February 2012 in Melbourne, formally founding The Improv Conspiracy after private training sessions began in September 2011.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). The Improv Conspiracy. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/companies/the-improv-conspiracy
The Improv Archive. "The Improv Conspiracy." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/companies/the-improv-conspiracy.
The Improv Archive. "The Improv Conspiracy." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/companies/the-improv-conspiracy. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.