2nd Best Fest
2nd Best Fest is an annual three-day comedy festival held in Richmond, Virginia, produced by the nonprofit Coalition Theater. The festival showcases improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy across four venues in the Downtown Arts District, including Coalition Theater, Theatre Gym at Virginia Rep, Black Iris Social Club, and Gallery5. It draws performers from cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Baltimore, Raleigh, and Washington DC, and also offers workshops from visiting instructors covering topics such as longform structure, narrative skills, and sketch writing.
History
Now in its ninth year as of 2026, the festival has grown to feature national headliners and multiple venues in Richmond's Downtown Arts District. Proceeds support Coalition Theater's mission of funding performances, comedic education, and community outreach.
Significance
2nd Best Fest serves as Richmond's primary showcase for comedy talent, connecting local performers with artists from major national improv and sketch comedy markets.
Need current dates or submissions? This is a historical archive. Visit improvfestivals.org for live festival listings.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). 2nd Best Fest. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/festivals/2nd-best-fest
The Improv Archive. "2nd Best Fest." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/festivals/2nd-best-fest.
The Improv Archive. "2nd Best Fest." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/festivals/2nd-best-fest. Accessed September 21, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.