What Is Improv Comedy?
Something magical happens when a group of comedians or actors get together and flow with improvisational comedy: no props, no lines, just funny people collaborating together for a live audience. With the recent buzz around the Dropout Improv Tour, many people are tuning into the wonder that is improv comedy.
From SNL UK to season 8 of Game Changer, there has been tons of great improv comedy to hit the scene in 2026. The Comedian Company lives for comedy, and will go over improv comedy; what it is and why it is such a popular style of humor.
What is Improv Comedy?
Improv comedy, or “improvised” comedy, is a form of comedy that uses no scripts and instead relies on active listening and teamwork to create funny skits and scenes. Improv comedians sometimes take suggestions from an audience or have a prompt, like an object, to get them started. Everything is performed live and on the spot, making it a bit more challenging than scripted, planned comedy scenes.
Many famous comedians have come out of improv troupes and theaters, such as Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, and Bill Murray, among many other greats.
The Second City in Chicago is known for teaching improvisational comedy and is the oldest improvisational theater troupe to stay in Chicago.
The Upright Citizens Brigade is a well-known improvisational and sketch comedy institution and training facility that also had a Comedy Central sketch series for a few years.
Whose Line Is It Anyway? and ASSSSCAT are two well-known sketch and long-form improv comedy shows. Dropout’s Game Changer is a great comedy panel game show that uses improv comedy to create a brand-new game show every episode.
What is the History of Improv Comedy in the US?
Improvisational comedy can be traced back to ancient times; however, in the late 1950s, improvisational theater was big at the University of Chicago. The Compass Players opened in 1955 and used Viola Spolin’s theater games to train the actors to improvise without dialogue. Then they started incorporating audience participation, and modern improv comedy was born!
The Second City opened in 1959, inspired by The Compass, and became an improv comedy education institution and theater in Chicago.
The Second City now has training centers in Toronto and Los Angeles, where improv comedy continues to spread among many up-and-coming comedians and actors in the United States.
What Is the Core Principle of Improv?
The core principle of improv is saying “Yes, and” to establish truth in the scene and build from there. Comedians don’t literally say “yes, and.” Rather, they accept the truth of the scene being set and add to it. This doesn’t mean characters cannot disagree; in fact, some arguing scenes are hilarious because they’re an agreed-upon argument. Instead of throwing the scene off by discrediting the first actor, the second character builds on the scene with the “yes, and” principle.
What Is an Improv Troupe?
An improv troupe is a group of comedians that work together as a team doing improv comedy. They have no script and simply play off each other. You can tell when a group of improv comedians really have great chemistry. Whose Line Is It Anyway? was a perfect showcase of improv comedy. In fact, many of the show’s cast did travel in touring improv troupes.
What is Dropout Streaming?
Dropout, formerly known as CollegeHumor, is an independent digital subscription service dedicated to unscripted, improv comedy and roleplaying shows. They play 24/7 improv comedy without ads or commercials. They offer a free 3-day trial and various subscription plans. You can find some type of hilarious improv anytime.
What is Dropout Improv Comedy Tour?
The Dropout Improv Tour is a live improv comedy tour featuring cast members and others who appear on the Dropout streaming platform. They engage directly with theater audiences both in the US and internationally.
You can catch the Dropout Improv Tour at Kings Theatre on November 13th at 8:00 PM during the NY Comedy Festival. Then they’ll perform in St. Louis on November 14th at the Stifel Theatre.
Improv Comedy Shows to Look Forward to the Rest of 2026
Let’s take a look at some cool improv comedy troupes and groups that have active tours this year!
- The Whose Live Anyway? 2026 Tour (upcoming shows in Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio.)
The Second City On The Road 2026 (upcoming shows in Texas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania) - Check with Improv.com to find upcoming local comedy improv in the US.
You can also check with local theaters or comedy clubs for improv nights where local talent comes in and performs improv! These events are great opportunities to support community comedians and experience live improv comedy firsthand.
The Comedian Company Has Top Improv Comedians
If you are interested in having an improv comedy show for your next party or event, The Comedian Company can help! We work with many improv comedians who can put on a fantastic show for you. Just fill out our quick form, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to set up an improv comedy show!
FAQs
Can one comedian perform improv?
Absolutely, one person can perform improv, especially with an active audience giving fun suggestions. However, it is much more common to see an improv comedy show with multiple comedians playing off of each other’s energy and chemistry on stage.
Can a stand-up comedian use improv?
Yes! A stand-up comedian can use improv, and many do it wonderfully! They can use improv when they work with the audience or if they go off script. But for the most part, stand-up comedy is pre-written and refined.
Where can I hire improv comedians?
You can hire an improv comedian through the leading comedy booking agency, The Comedian Company. We can get an improv comedy troupe to perform at your next event or a stand-up who is skilled at improv.