List of improvisational theatre companies
Improvisational theatre companies, also known as improv troupes or improv groups, are the primary practitioners of improvisational theater. Modern companies exist around the world and at a range of skill levels. Most groups make little or no money, while a few, well-established groups are profitable.
Although improvisational theater has existed in some form or another since the 16th century,[1] modern improv began with the teachings of Viola Spolin in Chicago, Illinois, USA and Keith Johnstone during the 1940-50s in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.[2][3] Spolin's teachings led to the creation of The Compass Players, the first modern improvisational theater company, in 1955. The presence of The Compass Players, The Second City, and ImprovOlympic in Chicago created a strength in the form within the city that continues to this day.[4] New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Toronto are other major hubs of improvisational theater in the North America.
Many companies host improvisational theatre festivals or give improvisational theatre classes. Professional groups often perform a regular stage show acted by the most senior members. Along with this, they host "house" improv teams made up of improv students or graduates from their classes. In the past decade, professional improvisational theater groups have gradually started working more with corporate clients, using improvisational games to improve productivity and communication in the workplace.
Major Professional companies have branches in more than one city, have touring groups, and/or host large-scale improvisational comedy schools. Professional troupes are those not affiliated with a university or secondary school. Collegiate groups are those associated with a post-secondary educational institution. If a company performs more than one type of improvisational comedy, they are defined as using Multiple improvisational comedy types. If it is unclear what particular kind of improvisational comedy a group performs, they are defined as Improvisational. Those marked Semi-improvisational generally perform shows that are partially improvised and partially scripted.
The following is a list of noteworthy improvisational theatre companies[nb 1] from around the world.
Improvisational theatre companies in Canada
Name | Group Level | Improv Type | Location | Date Established | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Bad Dog Theatre Company | Professional | Multiple | Toronto, Ontario | 2003 | |
Die-Nasty | Professional | Television | Edmonton, Alberta | 1991 | [5][6] |
Impro Montréal / Montreal Improv | Professional | Multiple | Montreal, Quebec | 2008 | |
Ligue nationale d'improvisation | Professional | Improvisational | Quebec | 1977 | |
Loose Moose Theatre | Professional | Theatresports | Calgary, Alberta | 1977 | [7] |
Rapid Fire Theatre | Professional | Theatresports | Edmonton, Alberta | 1982 | |
Vancouver Theatresports League | Professional | Theatresports | Vancouver | 1980 |
Improvisational theatre companies in the United States
*
This group is no longer performing.
Improvisational theatre companies in the United Kingdom
Name | Group Level | Improv Type | Location | Date Established | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Comedy Store Players | Professional | Improvisational | London, England | 1985 | |
Black Cherry Company | Professional | Impro/Musical | Bournemouth, Dorset | 2010 | |
Improverts | Collegiate | Theatresports | Edinburgh, Scotland | 1989 | |
Hoopla Impro | Professional | Multiple | London, England | 2005 | [74] |
The Free Association | Professional | Long-form | London | 2014 | [75] |
The Oxford Imps | Semi-Professional | Improvisational | Oxford, England | 2003 | [76] |
Showstoppers | Professional | Musical Theatre | London, England | 2008 | [77] |
The Suggestibles | Professional | Improvisational | Newcastle upon Tyne, England | 2001 | [78] |
The Spontaneity Shop | Professional | Multiple | London, England | 1996 | |
The Antics | Collegiate | Shortform | Sheffield, England | 2008 | [79] |
The Maydays | Professional | Longform | Brighton, England | 2003 | [80] |
Austentatious | Professional | Longform | London, England | 2011 | [81] |
Mischief Theatre | Professional | Multiple | London, England | 2008 | |
Rhymes Against Humanity | Semi-Professional | Musical Theatre | Nottingham, England | 2016 | |
The Blank Slates | Collegiate | Multiple | London, England | 2011 | |
Three Worlds | Professional | Improvisational | London, England | 2015 |
Improvisational theatre companies in Asia
Name | Group Level | Improv Type | Location | Date Established | Language | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tokyo Comedy Store | Professional | Multiple | Tokyo, Japan | 1994 | [83] | |
Yours Truly Theatre | Professional | Multiple | Bangalore, India | 2003 | ||
Pirates of the Dotombori | Semi-Professional | Bilingual | Osaka, Japan | 2005* | English, Japanese | |
Seoul City Improv | Professional | Multiple | Seoul, South Korea | 2007 | [84][85] | |
TBC Improv HK | Professional | Multiple | Hong Kong | 2014 | English | [86] [87] [88] |
Pirates of Tokyo Bay | Semi-Professional | Multiple | Tokyo, Japan | 2009 | English, Japanese | [89] |
Second Circle | Semi-Professional | Long-form | Tokyo, Japan | 2018 | Japanese | |
The Improv Company | Professional | Multiple | Singapore | 2013 | [90] | |
Impro Comedy Bangalore | Professional | Multiple | Bangalore, India | 2015 | ||
Beijing Improv | Semi-Professional | Multiple | Beijing, China | - | English | [91] |
Zmack | Semi-Professional | Multiple | Shanghai, China | 2009 | English, Chinese | [92][93] |
Crammers' Collective | Youth | Multiple | Manila, The Philippines | - |
*
This group is no longer performing.
Improvisational theatre companies in other regions
Name | Group Level | Improv Type | Location | Date Established | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Didinò Improvvisazione Olistica | Semi-Professional | Multiple | Emilia Romagna, Italy | 2018 | |
Improv Bandits | Professional | Multiple | Auckland, New Zealand | 1997 | [94][95] |
Improv Comedy Copenhagen | Professional | Multiple | Copenhagen, Denmark | 2014 | [96][97][98][99] |
The Court Jesters | Professional | Multiple | Christchurch, New Zealand | 1989 | [100] |
Wellington Improvisation Troupe | Professional | Multiple | Wellington, New Zealand | 2004 | [101] |
Boom Chicago | Professional | Multiple | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 1993 | [102] |
easylaughs | Professional | Multiple | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 2005 | |
IGLU Theatre | Professional | Multiple | Ljubljana, Slovenia | 2013 | [103] |
Narobov | Professional | Theatresports | Ljubljana, Slovenia | 2004 | |
Improvvisart | Professional | Multiple | Lecce, Italy | 2009 | |
Cia Improvisoria | Semi-Professional | Multiple | Araraquara-SP, Brasil | 2016 | [104] |
Euphorium Creative | Semi-Professional | Multiple | Geraldton, Australia | 2014 | [105] |
KITAS KAMPAS | Professional | Multiple | Vilnius, Lithuania | 2009 | [106] |
Heraklion Improv Theater | Professional | Multiple | Heraklion, Greece | 2019 | [107] |
See also
Notes
- ^ A company is presumed noteworthy if it has received significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the company and satisfies the inclusion criteria for a stand-alone article.
External links
References
- ^ Mel Gordon, Lazzi: The Comic Routines of the Commedia dell'Arte 2001, ISBN 978-0-933826-69-4
- ^ Improvisation for the Theater ISBN 0-8101-4008-X (1963)
- ^ Reddick, Grant. "Keith Johnstone," Theatre 100. Calgary: Alberta Playwrights Network, 2006
- ^ Bernstein, David (September 3, 2005). "In Chicago, Honoring Athletes of Improv". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ^ Irvine, Lindesay (December 22, 2005). "Say yes to improv", Guardian Unlimited, Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
- ^ "Improv Embassy studio aims to be Ottawa's comedic hub". Metro Ottawa. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ Calgary Plus. "Loose Moose Theatre Company". Archived from the original on October 5, 2006. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
- ^ http://www.acmecomedy.com/ .
- ^ "Maryland improv comedy shows & classes". Baltimore Improv Group (BIG). Retrieved 2020-03-10.
- ^ Chillag, Amy (5 July 2018). "How an improv class is relieving anxiety". CNN. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
- ^ Kaltenbach, Chris. "Baltimore's comedy scene continues to grow, nurture aspiring talent". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
- ^ "Baltimore Improv Group tries unconventional method of growing business: offering its shows for free". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
- ^ "Nine Great Improv Scenes from around the Country". pastemagazine.com. 2019-02-03. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
- ^ Gerr, Sheilah Kast, Melissa. "XFest Celebrates Gender Minorities in Comedy". www.wypr.org. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Coffee With: Baltimore Improv Group". Retrieved 2020-03-10.
- ^ Torontoist (2011-05-20). "Fishing for Life's Answers with BASSPROV". Torontoist. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ http://www.benttheatre.com .
- ^ Hewitt, Chris (July 28, 2016). "Blackout Improv strives to shed comedic light on what's not so funny". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ Combs, Marianne (September 20, 2017). "At Blackout Improv, comedy wrestles with tragedy". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ http://www.bovinemetropolis.com/ .
- ^ http://www.bravenewworkshop.com/ .
- ^ http://www.brooklyncc.com .
- ^ Bruckner, D. J. R. (1995-08-18). "THEATER REVIEW; Challenges for a Troupe Of Fast-Thinking Actors". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
- ^ "OB's Chicago City Limits Celebrates Two Decades With New Lineup, Opening June 8". Playbill. 2000-06-08. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
- ^ http://www.commedus.com .
- ^ Winn, S. (November 26, 1990). "These Games Are Strictly for Laughs". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ Coleman, Janet (1991). The Compass: The Improvisational Theatre that Revolutionized American Comedy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 362 pages. ISBN 978-0-226-11345-6.
- ^ BBW NewsDesk ( November 18, 2015). Complete Theater Company's US Premiere of Shakespeare (IN SPACE) Begins Tonight".Broadway World.
- ^ http://www.dadsgarage.com .
- ^ "WWU's Dead Parrots Society wins 2010-2011 national College Improv Tournament | Western Today | Western Washington University".
- ^ "Dead Parrots Society advances to national improv tournament | Western Today | Western Washington University".
- ^ "Dead Parrots Society seeks second national title | Western Today | Western Washington University".
- ^ "Overview: who were (are) the Diggers?". The Digger Archives. [1]. Retrieved June 17, 2007.
- ^ Woodhouse, Kellie (September 19, 2008). "Do Terrapins have a funny bone?" Archived 2008-09-21 at the Wayback Machine. The Diamondback. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ^ http://www.faceoffunlimited.com/ .
- ^ http://www.hugetheater.com/about-us/ .
- ^ http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=506019 .
- ^ http://www.improtheatre.com/what-we-do/ .
- ^ "IO Chicago Theater". Archived from the original on 2009-03-31. Retrieved 2009-03-28..
- ^ http://www.improvasylum.com/ .
- ^ http://www.improvatthecomedypalace.com/ .
- ^ http://www.improvboston.com/ .
- ^ Gallagher, Brian Thomas. "Prank You Kindly". New York. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ^ a b http://www.jetcityimprov.org .
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-03-20. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link). - ^ http://www.laughingmatters.com/ .
- ^ http://thelobbyimprov.com/ .
- ^ http://www.madcapimprov.com/newsupdates/1-latest-news/61-articlequickwittedfamily.html .
- ^ http://www.magnettheater.com/ .
- ^ http://www.momentimprov.com/ .
- ^ Walsh, Bruce (July 25, 2007). "The N Crowd: They're Making Philly Funny" (PDF). Philadelphia Metro. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
- ^ "National Comedy Theatre - San Diego improv comedy, corporate entertainment, San Diego Comedy, San Diego Comedy Shows and Improv Workshops". Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2009-01-06..
- ^ "Improv Comedy Groups Play for Laughs". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
- ^ https://www.packtheater.com/ .
- ^ http://www.thepit-nyc.com/ .
- ^ McCormack, Max (April 7, 2008). "Philly Improv an Out of Control 'Comedy Vortex'". The Temple News. Retrieved December 26, 2008.
- ^ "P.I.G. Providence Improv Guild". Improvpig.com. Retrieved 2017-01-10.
- ^ "The Purple Crayon of Yale". Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2009-06-12..
- ^ {{cite web|url=http://pushcomedytheater.com/push-comedy-theater/}
- ^ http://www.sak.com/ .
- ^ Christiansen, Richard (2004). Grossman, James R., Keating, Ann Durkin, and Reiff, Janice L.:"Second City Theatre". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago 744. Chicago Historical Society. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
- ^ Robertson, Campbell (June 4, 2008). "Paul Sills, a Guru of Improv Theater, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
- ^ "Improv: Making It Up for Laughs". The Providence Journal.
- ^ "Home". theatrestrikeforce.org.
- ^ "National Comedy Theatre | Phoenix's Home for Improv Comedy". National Comedy Theatre.
- ^ "Best Comedy Troupe". Rhode Island Monthly. August 2004. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
- ^ Burton, Lynsi (June 12, 2008). "Unexpected Productions Celebrates 25 Years". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
- ^ Wachtler, Mark (September 29, 2014). "Under The Gun Theater Opening in Wrigleyville" Archived 2014-10-11 at the Wayback Machine. Illinois Herald. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
- ^ "Our Story | the Upfront Theatre | Improv Comedy Club".
- ^ "Bellingham's Upfront Theatre in Four Acts".
- ^ http://witdc.org .
- ^ http://www.wholeworldtheatre.com .
- ^ http://www.exitplayers.com .
- ^ http://www.hooplaimpro.com/ .
- ^ thefreeassociation.co.uk " https://thefreeassociation.co.uk/". Retrieved July 5, 2019.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help)Template:SemiBareRefNeedsTitle - ^ "The Oxford Imps". BBC. June 2005. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ^ "The Showstoppers – The award-winning creators of improvised musicals, comedy and drama". Showstopperthemusical.com. Retrieved 2017-01-10.
- ^ http://www.thesuggestibles.com/ .
- ^ http://www.anticsimprov.com/ .
- ^ http://www.themaydays.co.uk/ .
- ^ "Austentatious".
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ http://threeworldsimprov.com/ .
- ^ http://www.tokyocomedy.com/ .
- ^ https://seoulcityimprov.com/ .
- ^ Kerry, Paul (May 29, 2018). http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180529000851 "SCI offers improv course to help you think on your feet"] The Korea Herald. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
- ^ "Talking improv with TBC". Time Out Hong Kong. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
- ^ "The People Behind TBC Improv HK Just Want To Play". VENDORS. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
- ^ "TBC Improv Comedy: (We're No) Spring Chickens". Sassy Hong Kong. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
- ^ "Pirates of Tokyo Bay (澀谷區) - 旅遊景點評論". Tripadvisor (in Chinese). Retrieved 2022-10-27.
- ^ "The Improv Company". Time Out Singapore. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
- ^ BeijingImprovEnglish (2019-12-02). "Beijing Improv: Improvised Comedy". www.thebeijinger.com. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
- ^ "Lilian Shen on 12 Years of Zmack Improv Comedy Laughs". That's Online. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
- ^ "Zmack Improv Shanghai | SmartShanghai". www.smartshanghai.com. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
- ^ Christian, Dionne (2016-11-23). "Review: Improv Bandits back again". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
- ^ "Improv Bandits". Improv Bandits.
- ^ https://www.improvcomedy.eu/.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ "NYT teater byder på impro-comedy i København". 3 July 2017.
- ^ http://cphpost.dk/news/two-years-and-450-performances-later-how-improv-is-here-to-stay.html.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ "Murmur » Copenhagen says 'yes' to improv comedy".
- ^ http://www.courtjesters.co.nz/ .
- ^ "The Wellington Improvisation Troupe". The Wellington Improvisation Troupe.
- ^ van Gelder, Henk (May 6, 2008). "NRC Review: Best Boom Show in 15 Years". NRC Next.
- ^ IGLU: Čar improvizacije sta spontanost in iskrenost Archived 2014-05-05 at the Wayback Machine, Planet Siol.net, November 19, 2013.
- ^ "Cia. Improvisoria de Teatro". Improvisoria.com.
- ^ "Euphorium Creative". euphorium.com.au.
- ^ https://www.kitaskampas.lt/].
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ "Heraklion Improv Theater".