List of improvisational theatre companies

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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, modern improv began with the teachings of Viola Spolin in Chicago, Illinois, USA and Keith Johnstone during the 1940 50s in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 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. 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
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|Ligue nationale d'improvisation||Professional||Improvisational||Quebec||1977||
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|Loose Moose Theatre||Professional||Theatresports||Calgary, Alberta||1977||
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|Rapid Fire Theatre||Professional||Theatresports||Edmonton, Alberta||1982||
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NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReferenceACME Comedy TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsLos Angeles, California1989Baltimore Improv GroupProfessionalMultipleBaltimore, Maryland2004 The Annoyance TheatreProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1987BassprovProfessionalLong formChicago2000BATS ImprovMajor ProfessionalTheatresports, Long form, MusicalsSan Francisco, California1986The Bent TheatreProfessionalMultipleCharlottesville, Virginia2004Blackout ImprovProfessional Minneapolis, Minnesota2015Bovine Metropolis TheaterProfessionalMultipleDenver, Colorado1998The Brave New Workshop Comedy TheatreProfessionalMultipleMinneapolis, Minnesota1958Chicago City LimitsMajor ProfessionalShortformNew York City, New York1977Comedy Arts Theater of CharlotteProfessionalLongformCharlotte, NC2016ComedySportzMajor ProfessionalShortformMilwaukee, Wisconsin1984Compass PlayersProfessionalCabaretChicago, Illinois1955*Complete Theater CompanyProfessionalImprovisationalManhattan, New York2009Dad's Garage Theatre CompanyProfessionalMultipleAtlanta, Georgia1995Dead Parrot's SocietyCollegiateMultipleBellingham, Washington1998The DiggersProfessionalGuerrillaSan Francisco, California1966*Erasable Inc. CollegiateImprovisationalCollege Park, Maryland1986Face Off UnlimitedProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York2003The Focus GroupProfessionalLong formBangor, Maine2009Friday Night ImprovsCollegiateImprov JamPittsburgh, Pennsylvania1989The GroundlingsMajor ProfessionalSemi improvisationalLos Angeles, California1974Highwire ImprovProfessionalMultipleBaltimore, Maryland2020 HUGE TheaterProfessionalLong formMinneapolis, Minnesota2005The Immediate Gratification PlayersCollegiateLong formCambridge, Massachusetts1986ImprovOlympicMajor Professionalthe HaroldChicago, Illinois1980Improv AsylumMajor ProfessionalSemi improvisationalBoston, Massachusetts1998ImprovBostonMajor ProfessionalMultipleCambridge, Massachusetts1982Improv EverywhereProfessionalGuerrillaNew York City, New York2001Improv for the PeopleProfessionalMultipleLos Angeles, California2009Improv InstituteProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1983*Jet City ImprovProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992Just Add WaterCollegiateImprovisationalNew Haven, Connecticut1986Laughing MattersProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1985The LobbyProfessionalShortformFullerton, California2005Madcap TheaterProfessionalShortformWestminster, Colorado2006Magnet TheaterMajor ProfessionalLong FormNew York City, New York2005The N CrowdProfessionalShortformPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005The National Comedy TheatreMajor ProfessionalShortformSan Diego, California On Thin IceCollegiateShortformCambridge, Massachusetts1984Peoples Improv TheaterMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York2002Philly Improv Theater (PHIT)Major ProfessionalMultiplePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005The PlaygroundProfessionalLong formChicago, Illinois1997Providence Improv GuildProfessionalMultipleProvidence, Rhode Island2013The Purple Crayon of YaleCollegiateLong formNew Haven, Connecticut1985SAK Comedy LabMajor ProfessionalMultipleOrlando, Florida1991The San Francisco Improv AllianceProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2005The Second CityMajor ProfessionalSemi improvisationalChicago, Illinois1959Second Nature ImprovCollegiateLong formLos Angeles, California2002Starla and SonsCollegiateLongformProvidence, Rhode Island2006Stevie Rays ComedyProfessionalMultipleChanhassen, Minnesota1988Theatre Strike ForceCollegiateMultipleGainesville, Florida1989The National Comedy TheatreProfessionalMultiplePhoenix, Arizona2007Unexpected CompanyProfessionalLong formWarwick, Rhode Island2003Unexpected ProductionsProfessionalTheatresports, Long formSeattle, Washington1983Under the Gun TheaterProfessionalMultipleChicago, Illinois2014 The Upfront TheatreProfessionalMultipleBellingham, Washington2004The Un Scripted Theater CompanyProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2002Upright Citizens BrigadeMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York1999Washington Improv TheaterProfessionalLongformWashington, DC1998Whole World TheatreProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1994Wing It ProductionsProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992
*This group is no longer performing.