Dramatic Improv Festival
The Dramatic Improv Festival (DIF) is a four-day annual festival celebrating emotionally grounded and narratively rich improvisation, held in Chicago, Illinois. Produced by Theatre Momentum, a Chicago theatre dedicated exclusively to dramatic improvisation, the festival features performances, workshops, and over 100 performers.
History
The festival was founded in 2019 by Tony Rielage, artistic director of Theatre Momentum, growing out of the Dramatic Improv Worldwide Facebook group, which demonstrated demand for this style of work.
Significance
DIF is one of the few festivals dedicated entirely to improvisation approached through a dramatic lens, emphasizing honesty, vulnerability, and bravery in performance.
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). Dramatic Improv Festival. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/festivals/dramatic-improv-festival
The Improv Archive. "Dramatic Improv Festival." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/festivals/dramatic-improv-festival.
The Improv Archive. "Dramatic Improv Festival." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/festivals/dramatic-improv-festival. Accessed September 21, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.