Improv Companies

Eskişehir short-form improv comedy company founded 2018, performing approximately twice monthly at ArtCorner Sahne. Confirmed ticketed show March 2025.

An improv theatre school in Buenos Aires with locations in Palermo (Niceto Vega 4802) and Villa Crespo (Malabia 852), offering classes at all levels as well as corporate workshops and public jams.

English-language improv workshop and performance organisation founded by Dutch drama teacher Albert Schimmel, operating in Düsseldorf and Cologne. Runs weekly classes, weekend workshops, open improv stages, and corporate workshops throughout Germany.

FIG (Formosa Improv Group, 福爾摩沙即興組合) is Taiwan's first fully bilingual improv team, founded in 2018 in Taipei. They perform monthly shows and run weekly bilingual improv workshops.

Ecuador's first and longest-running theatrical improvisation company, founded in 2003 by Hugo Avilés and Ruth Coello after seeing an improvisation match by LPI (Liga Profesional de Improvisacion) in Buenos Aires. Fantoche organised the first-ever improvisation match in Ecuador in August 2003, and in 2010 opened Casa Fantoche, a dedicated 25-seat micro-theatre space at Rocafuerte 264 y Loja in central Guayaquil offering regular improv shows and training workshops.

A Birmingham improv comedy arts space founded by the Gladys long-form improv group, offering improv shows and a leveled class curriculum from Intro to Advanced.

San Diego's dedicated longform improv training center and performance venue, founded September 2012 by Amy Lisewski. Opened first physical theater at the Lafayette Hotel (North Park) in Fall 2013; relocated to Hillcrest in December 2018. Offers weekly performances and a multi-level class program.

A non-profit English-language improv association founded in 2015 in Tampere, offering classes and workshops for all levels, live performances, and the annual Tampere Improv Festival.

A dedicated improv theater and school in Wichita offering weekly shows and drop-in classes at multiple levels.

Four Day Weekend is a Fort Worth-based improvisational comedy company presenting weekly audience-driven shows since 1997, performing at Stage West Theatre and expanding to Dallas.

A nonprofit improv theatre founded in 1991 in Chicago, known for unscripted parody. The Free Associates had a successful run at the Ivanhoe Theater's second stage beginning in 1994 until the theatre was sold in January 2001.

Chiang Mai-based community improv group founded in February 2016, with around 20 performers. Free Birds holds weekly workshops open to all ages and backgrounds, with no language barrier required.

Founded in 2014, Funnylicious Theater is Slovakia's first English-language improv comedy troupe and training centre, offering monthly mainstage shows and beginner through advanced classes, with students invited to perform in mainstage productions.

Seoul's dedicated comedy theatre, billing itself as Korea's only stage for stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy. Founded in 2015 in Yongsan-gu, Funtastic Theater is the home venue for Seoul City Improv and hosts regular Theatresports events.

Garden City Improv is a Victoria, BC improv company offering weekly shows and classes from beginner to advanced, led by Second City Toronto veteran Kevin Matviw. Classes are held at Theatre SKAM and include longform improv and sketch comedy.

Active since 2005, Gbgimpro (Göteborgs Improvisationsteater) is one of Sweden's most established improv companies, performing continuously at Redbergsteatern and satellite venues, offering the broadest range of improv formats in Sweden and hosting the annual Improfest Gothenburg.

Regina improvisational theatre troupe known for producing and touring improv comedy. Notable alumni include Tatiana Maslany and Amy Matysio. Nominated for Best Improv Troupe at the Canadian Comedy Awards in 2010. Performed regularly at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.

Glasgow's dedicated improv theatre and school, offering structured classes, house teams, workshops, and regular shows including performances during the Glasgow Comedy Festival. Operates from The Old Hairdressers venue on Renfield Street.

Founded in 2008 in Ferndale, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. Go Comedy! is metro Detroit's dedicated improv theatre, producing nightly shows and operating a training center. The theatre has helped build an improv community in the Detroit area.

Established in 1987 as The Groundlings East, a sister company of the Los Angeles-based Groundlings. The theatre became independent and renamed itself Gotham City Improv in 1988. The board suspended performances around 2015.

Budapest's first and largest improv theater and training center.

A Taipei-based improv theatre company that performs and teaches improvisation in Taiwan. Guts has helped establish an improv community in Taipei alongside venues like Two Three Comedy, Taiwan's first full-time bilingual comedy club.

İzmit-based improv group, participants in the 2016–2017 BKM Mutfak Doğaçlama Tiyatro Ligi (a respected national improv league). Current activity status uncertain.

HUGE Theater was a Minneapolis long-form improv theater and training center that grew from a collective founded in 2005 into a major Twin Cities improv institution before closing in October 2024.

Founded in 2009 by five professional actors, HaHaHa Impro Theater is Bulgaria's first professional improv group, performing regular short-form and long-form shows at Vlaykova Cinema in Sofia and running Impro Klas, a training programme with over 100 professional graduates.

Regina's independent improv theatre group, offering weekly workshops and regular public performances.

Eskişehir improv group founded 2013. Performed joint shows with Tiyatro Alegori and ran regular Friday evening shows. Last documented activity 2017; current status uncertain.

Regina improv company founded in 2013 by Andrew Parry, Cameron Chomyn, Danny Murphy, and Samantha Gross. Ran regular shows and workshops in Regina before closing.

Hong Kong Improv (HKI) was founded in 2015 to grow the art of improvised comedy in Hong Kong. They present regular shows, host classes for all levels, and organize workshops with local and international teachers.

Hong Kong's English-language improv community, with troupes including Pajama Party!, 852 Crew, and 3 Dudes Improv performing long-form, short-form, and free-form improvisation. The community has organized the HK International Improv Festival.

Founded in 2006 by Steve Roe, Hoopla is London's largest improvisation training company and theatre. Hoopla runs courses, drop-in workshops, and produces shows across multiple London venues. It has been instrumental in growing the UK improv scene and making improvisation accessible to a wide audience.

Winner of the NYC Tournament of Improvisers, an improv comedy company offering professional shows, classes, and corporate workshops in New Jersey for over 15 years.

Ljubljana's dedicated improvisational theatre company offering regular performances and the IGLU Impro School, providing multi-semester training programmes including a classical improv theatre track and personal development workshops.

Dubai's premier improv comedy troupe and training company, active since at least 2016. Offers regular performances and improv classes for adults.

Indonesia's first improvisational comedy group, a five-person ensemble of national stand-up comedians based in South Jakarta. IMPROVINDO performs live shows and collaborates with Hahaha Corp for larger productions.

Seoul-based bilingual improv troupe founded in 2014 by Hellena Jang, a Chicago-trained improv performer (iO, Second City, Annoyance, ComedySportz). Imfrog is likely the first Korean-language improv company on the peninsula and co-produces shows with Seoul City Improv.

Founded in 2019, ImpAct Improv offers weekly in-person classes for all levels and community shows in Dublin, with a curriculum originally developed in Munich and expanded internationally.

Impact Comedy HK offers improv comedy school programs and edutainment shows in Hong Kong, using improvisation to foster teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.

A long-form improv training and performance company founded by Kevin Patrick Robbins in Toronto. The Impatient Theatre Co. was largely responsible for the proliferation of long-form improvisation in Toronto. The company closed in 2013 when Robbins transitioned to full-time photography.

Imposters Theater is Cleveland's dedicated improv and comedy theater offering a full program of long-form improv, sketch, stand-up, and storytelling classes taught by industry professionals.

Founded in 2010, Imprevisti Su Misura is a Milan-based improv troupe specialising in fully unscripted short-form shows built from audience suggestions, as well as improv courses and event performances.

Impro ACT is Canberra's longest-running improvised theatre company, founded in 2005, offering classes at all levels and performing comedic, dramatic, musical, and experimental unscripted theatre including the annual Canberra International Festival of Improvisation (Improvention).

A school and performing troupe in Paris offering English and French improv classes and shows.

An English-language improvisation theatre company in Brussels offering classes at all levels, regular public shows, and the annual Brussels Shuffle international improv festival.

Founded in 2018, Impro Helsinki is Helsinki's leading long-form improv school and performance company, offering a structured curriculum from beginner to advanced and regular public shows.

Founded in 2001, Impro Japan (formerly Tokyo Improv Group) is one of Japan's earliest English-language improvisation companies. The group performs Theatresports-style shows and offers training, helping to establish an improv scene in Tokyo.

Founded in 1996 by Russell Fletcher and Christine Keogh, Impro Melbourne produces improvised theatre performances and training in Melbourne. The company has been a key institution in the Australian improv scene and produces the annual MILFest (Melbourne Impro & Laughs Festival).

A leading French-language improvisational theatre school and performance company in Montreal, offering training programs and public shows.

Founded in 2015 by Terje Brevik, Impro Neuf is Norway's largest improv community, a volunteer-run non-profit at Chateau Neuf offering free weekly beginner workshops, shows, and organising the annual Oslo Impro Festival.

Founded in 1998 in Los Angeles, Impro Theatre specializes in fully improvised plays in the style of specific authors and genres. The company creates unscripted full-length plays in the style of Jane Austen, Anton Chekhov, Shakespeare, and other literary traditions. This genre-specific long-form approach is distinctive in American improvisation.

Founded by Kelly Agathos in 2017, ImproBubble brings English-language improvisation to Brussels. Monthly shows feature world-renowned guest improvisers, and the company offers training and workshops for the international community in Belgium's capital.

One of the pioneering improv troupes in South Africa, ImproGuise performs in Johannesburg and has contributed to the growing South African improv scene through performances and workshops.

Founded in 2004, ImproMafia is Brisbane's premier improvisation company, producing shows and training programs in long-form and short-form improvisation. The company has been a cornerstone of the Queensland improv scene.

Munich's bilingual improv platform offering made-to-order workshops, courses, and shows in English and German. Co-founded by Jodi Pfleghar and partnered with Bake This Improv as Munich's corporate improv school.

ImproNOW! is South Australia's only International TheatreSports™ Institute license holder, presenting Keith Johnstone's TheatreSports™ shows and running improv workshops for schools, clubs, and corporate groups since 2003.

Manchester-based improv and comedy theatre company offering shows, open jams, and structured improv and acting courses at multiple levels. Founded by performer Eji Osigwe.

ImproTas is Hobart's dedicated improv and sketch comedy theatre company, presenting TheatreSports™ shows, acting classes, and school programs across Tasmania.

Founded in 2012 by Menelaos Prokos, ImproVIBE is Greece's first and only dedicated improv comedy theatre school, offering classes and performances in English and Greek as well as applied improv for businesses; it also produces the Mt. Olymprov international improv festival.

A Copenhagen-based improv group focused on long-form and ensemble development.

An AI-human collaborative improv show and school based in Prague.

An improv school and company in Sao Paulo's Vila Mariana neighbourhood, directed by Michelle Gallindo, offering regular classes and performances in theatrical improvisation.

One of Buenos Aires' leading improvisational theatre companies. Improcrash has been part of the vibrant Argentine improv scene, which draws on both North American improv traditions and the country's rich theatrical heritage including the influence of Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed.

Frankfurt improv theatre group offering monthly shows at Kellertheater Frankfurt and weekly Wednesday workshops, with monthly Saturday workshops and advanced jams. Active member of the German amateur theatre association.

Impromptu Teatro is the oldest theatrical improvisation company in Costa Rica, founded in April 2006 by director Javier Monge and actor-improviser Rolando Salas. The group has performed at festivals in more than 12 countries across Latin America and Europe and organizes the Festival Internacional de Impro Costa Rica.

Impronunciables Impro Teatral Guatemala is a theatrical improvisation company based in Guatemala City that researches, develops, and stages competitive and long-form improv shows. The group has been active since at least 2017.

Founded in 2007, Improspekcije is a Zagreb-based initiative dedicated to developing and promoting improvisation in Croatia, organising workshops, performances, and the annual international Improspections Festival.

A professional improv theatre in Tallinn whose members are working actors from Estonian drama companies, performing in a dedicated 96-seat multifunctional theatre-bar at Põhjala Factory with shows in both Estonian and English.

Founded in 2018 by Andrei Bratu, Improteca is a Bucharest improv theatre, school, and creative lab offering shows, improvisation courses for children and adults, and corporate training across two dedicated venues.

A prominent improv ensemble in Bremen known for their diverse show formats and regular performances.

Louisville's dedicated improv school and performance troupe offering multi-level classes and regular showcase performances.

Improv Asylum is one of Boston's best-known comedy venues, offering long-form and short-form improv shows and a multi-level improv training program in the North End/Bulfinch Triangle area.

Improv Bandits is New Zealand's longest-running improvised comedy troupe, founded in 1997 in Auckland, performing regularly at the Covert Theatre and offering improv workshops and corporate training.

Improv Cincinnati is an award-winning improv comedy theater and acting academy dedicated to lifting spirits and inspiring personal growth through improvisation performance and education.

Yangon improv comedy club founded 2015 by Martin Zdarek. Operated as Yangon's improv performance and workshop venue; likely ceased operations following the February 2021 military coup.

One of India's first dedicated improv comedy groups, Improv Comedy Bangalore has been performing and teaching improvisation in Bangalore since 2014. The group performs both short-form and long-form styles and has helped establish an improv community in South India.

Pune-based improv comedy group running workshops and jam sessions, with over 13,000 Instagram followers.

Founded around 2010, Improv Comedy Copenhagen (ICC) is Denmark's premier English-language improv theatre. The ICC Theatre performs regular shows in Copenhagen and offers training courses, bringing Chicago-style improv to Scandinavia.

Hyderabad-based improv comedy performing group and community organisation, active on Instagram and Facebook.

Pioneers of improvisational theatre in India, bringing Chicago-style improv to Mumbai audiences.

Founded in 2019, Improv Comedy Riga is an English-language improv theatre company producing improvised comedy shows and organising workshops led by international instructors.

A Sioux Falls improv troupe founded in 2018 performing fully unscripted long-form and short-form improv comedy shows driven by audience suggestions.

Honolulu's premier improv collective founded in 2012, offering weekly classes at all levels and weekly shows at the Tiny Stage — a 500 sq ft dedicated performance and class space in Kakaako.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2018 as the premier destination for improv classes, workshops, and shows in Cedar Rapids, offering youth camps and adult programming.

Lisbon's primary improvisational theatre organisation, offering open jam sessions, workshops, and courses at multiple levels alongside regular performances.

Arkansas's only weekly improv comedy show, performing continuously for over 20 years and combining scenes, games, music, and formats every Wednesday at Birdies Cabaret in Argenta.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit improv organization founded in 2019 operating a pay-what-you-can model, offering the Improv Lab course, REMIX performance teams, and open jams.

Manchester-based long-form improv company and school founded by Freya Parker and Paul Foxcroft, offering classes and shows in Greater Manchester.

Prague's central hub for English-language improv, offering weekly drop-in workshops, an advanced workshop series, regular shows, and applied improv corporate training.

Founded in 2015, Improv Speakeasy is Oslo's English-language improv troupe, performing weekly at Chateau Neuf and offering corporate workshops drawing on combined teaching experience among its members.

Founded in 2007 by Anna Preminger, Improv Theater Israel is the leading improvisation ensemble in Israel. The company has been performing comedy plays inspired by audience suggestions since 2009 and serves as the Israeli House of Improvisation.

Founded in 2014 by Cale Bain, Improv Theatre Sydney focuses on long-form Chicago-style improvisation in Sydney. Bain brought extensive training from the American improv tradition to establish a Harold-based training program and performance venue in Australia.

Founded in 2015 by artistic director Dóra Jóhannsdóttir, Improv Ísland is Iceland's first and only long-form improv theatre company, performing weekly English-language shows at Tjarnarbíó in Reykjavik.

ImprovAcadia is a Maine-based professional improv company that has operated since 2004, first in Bar Harbor and later through collaborations elsewhere in the state.

Founded in 1982, ImprovBoston was New England's largest and longest-running improvisational comedy theatre and school. Based in Central Square, Cambridge, the theatre operated multiple stages and a comprehensive training program. ImprovBoston permanently closed in 2023 after over 40 years of operation.

A dedicated musical improv theater in Provo founded in 2014, combining improvisation, comedy, and musical theater with shows Fridays and Saturdays plus monthly class programs.

Founded in 2014, Improvidence is a dedicated improvisation theatre and school in Lyon, France. It is one of the few permanent improv venues in France and has contributed to the growth of French-language long-form improvisation.

One of three successor companies formed after The Committee disbanded in 1972. Historically significant as the only post-Committee group to continue performing Del Close's Harold format above a Sav-On drugstore at 149 Powell Street — preserving the long-form improv tradition that would later resurface at ImprovOlympic in Chicago.

The original Improvisation Olympics, created by David Shepherd and Howard Jerome Gomberg in 1972 at the Space for Innovative Development near Madison Square Garden. Featured ten competitive improv events highlighting character, emotion, pantomime, storytelling, and physical performance. The New York format failed to gain traction; Shepherd refined it in Toronto in 1974 before Charna Halpern revived the concept in Chicago in 1981 as ImprovOlympic — the direct ancestor of iO Theater.

Founded in 2008, Improvisneyland is Romania's longest-running improv theatre group, with over 800 shows performed at the National Theatre Bucharest. It also operates the Improv Academy training programme with over 1,000 graduates.

A Central American improvisational theatre company that has performed in major theatres across Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, and Chile. Improvisto has helped spread improvisation throughout the Spanish-speaking Americas.