This is a list of shows in Los Angeles that accept submissions from indie improv teams in Los Angeles. Typically they offer between 15-20 minutes of stage time. Most shows are free and ask only for a donation to help them pay rent on the room, usually in exchange for free beer. The list is arranged by venue.
The Clubhouse
The following shows are at The Clubhouse, an indie improv and comedy venue founded and run by Rebecca Drysdale, with help from Suzi Barrett and Jesse Glasgow. It features a theater upstairs, with a lounge and a classroom space downstairs. It's quickly established itself as one of the main indie improv hubs in L.A. In addition to shows, several independently-run comedy workshops and classes call the Clubhouse home, including Boot Camp, Tara Copeland's musical improv class, Sketch Guild, Sergio Cilli's video sketch comedy class, and of course Drysdale's own improv classes. In 2013, LAist.com named The Clubhouse one of the nine best comedy clubs in Los Angeles. It's located in Hollywood at 1107-A N El Centro Ave.
Website: http://theclubhouseimprov.com/
The Clubhouse
| Name
|
Day/Time
|
Type of Show
|
Hosts
|
Website/Page
|
Contact Email
|
Notes
|
| Sketchbar
|
Sundays, 6pm
|
Indie sketch/stand-up/variety show.
|
Jessica Jardine, Adam McCabe, Ryan Meharry, & Yamara Taylor
|
[1]
|
[2]
|
|
| Crashbar
|
Sundays, 7pm
|
Indie improv/stand-up show
|
TAB
|
[3]
|
[4]
|
Includes a jam and a lottery. If your improv team has a coach, they ask that you cc them on the submission email.
|
| The Wrangle
|
Sundays, 11pm
|
Three-way improv cagematch
|
Ryan Hitchcock
|
[5]
|
[6]
|
Three-way improv cagematch.
|
| Icky Pep Mondays
|
Mondays, 7pm
|
Indie improv/sketch/stand-up show.
|
Luke Klompien, Brady Morphy, Matt Cordova, & Thomas Ouellette
|
[7]
|
[8]
|
|
| Monday Night Improv
|
Mondays, 8pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Los Dos De Lunes
|
[9]
|
[10]
|
|
| One Love Improv
|
Mondays, 11pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Mike Callaghan
|
[11]
|
[12]
|
Includes a jam.
|
| Tuesday Night Thunder (TNT)
|
Tuesdays, 8pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Thunderstruck
|
[13]
|
[14]
|
Includes a jam.
|
| Room 101
|
Wednesdays, 8pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Shakedown
|
[15]
|
[16]
|
Includes a jam. If your improv team has a coach, they ask that you cc them on the submission email.
|
| Where Eagles Dare
|
1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, 8pm
|
Indie improv/sketch show.
|
Joseph Clift & Ryan Hitchcock
|
[17]
|
[18]
|
Includes a lottery team.
|
| Shapeshift Improv
|
2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, 8pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Werner Hotdog
|
[19]
|
[20]
|
Books improv teams that do unique and uncommon forms.
|
| The Lady Jam
|
1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, 10pm
|
Improv jam.
|
That's What She Said
|
[21]
|
[22]
|
An improv jam exclusively for ladies.
|
| The 11th Hour Show
|
Thursdays, 11pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Imaginary Friends
|
[23]
|
[24]
|
Includes a jam.
|
| The Manifesto Show
|
Fridays, 8pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Comrades
|
[25]
|
[26]
|
Includes a jam and a team lottery slot.
|
| CAMP
|
Fridays, 11:30pm
|
Indie improv/sketch/stand-up/whatever variety show.
|
Warlock Sex Tape
|
[27]
|
[28]
|
Includes a mash-up team.
|
| Minor League Harold Night
|
1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, 6:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
APE
|
[29]
|
[30]
|
Books improv teams that do the Harold. Includes mash-up teams.
|
| Hate Mail
|
2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 7pm
|
Indie sketch/stand-up/variety show.
|
Beer and Cake
|
[31]
|
[32]
|
|
| The Local
|
Saturdays, 10pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
The Local
|
[33]
|
[34]
|
Includes a jam.
|
The Middle Theatre
| Name
|
Day/Time
|
Type of Show
|
Hosts
|
Website/Page
|
Contact Email
|
Notes
|
| I Scream Sundays
|
Sundays, 8pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Sweet Dalai Lama
|
[35]
|
[36]
|
Includes a jam.
|
| Monday Night Service
|
Mondays, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Too Cool Jeff
|
[37]
|
[38]
|
|
| Tiny Marbles' Giant Hour
|
Thursdays, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Tiny Marbles
|
[39]
|
[40]
|
|
| Hot Improv Nights
|
Fridays, 10pm
|
Indie improv/sketch show.
|
Joseph Cabello & Fred Le
|
[41]
|
[42]
|
Includes a jam.
|
| Saturday Spunk
|
Saturdays, 10pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Comrade!
|
[43]
|
[44]
|
Includes an afterparty.
|
The Middle Theatre
The Middle Theatre is the other indie improv/comedy hub to pop up this year, running shows several nights of the week. Founded and run by Jeffrey Thompson, the Middle Theatre also runs its own classes and has its own house teams. It's located in Hollywood at 6605 Hollywood Blvd, #110. UPDATE: The Middle Theatre is currently CLOSED while they search for a new space. Some of the shows run here are also looking for new homes in the meantime.
Website: http://themiddletheatre.com
Direct email: [45]
Main Stage
| Name
|
Day/Time
|
Type of Show
|
Hosts
|
Website/Page
|
Contact Email
|
Notes
|
| The Consistent Monday Improv Jam
|
Mondays, 6:30pm
|
Short-form & long-form improv jam.
|
Neil Figuracion
|
[46]
|
|
|
| One With Everything
|
1st & 3rd Mondays of the month, 9pm
|
Half-hour guest slot.
|
Less Hot Dog
|
[47]
|
[48]
|
Books improv teams that do unique and uncommon forms.
|
| Cherry Crush
|
Mondays, 10pm
|
Improv cagematch.
|
Cherry
|
[49]
|
[50]
|
Includes a lottery team at around 11.
|
| iO Student Cagematch
|
Mondays, 11:30pm
|
Improv cagematch.
|
Joscar Joseph Herrera & Josh Tariff
|
[51]
|
[52]
|
All members of each team must be current iO students to be eligible.
|
| iO Cagematch
|
Thursdays, 11:30pm
|
Improv cagematch.
|
Joscar Joseph Herrera & Josh Tariff
|
[53]
|
[54]
|
|
iO West
IO WEST is, of course, the Los Angeles branch of the ImprovOlympic in Chicago. They've been putting up indie improv teams since time immemorial, or at least since before the term "indie improv" came into use. There are three stages at iO: the Main Stage (through the front entrance and bar on Hollywood Blvd), the Del Close Theatre, and The Loft (both through the side entrance on Cosmo street). In addition to the shows listed below, you can also book a half-hour or hour Main Stage slot for your team or show by emailing iO West Artistic Director James Grace at [55]. It's located in Hollywood at 6366 Hollywood Blvd.
Website: http://ioimprov.com/west/
Del Close Theatre (Formerly Andy Dick Black Box Theatre, aka The Dick Box)
| Name
|
Day/Time
|
Type of Show
|
Hosts
|
Website/Page
|
Contact Email
|
Notes
|
| Sunday Night Formal
|
2nd & 4th Sundays of the month, 8:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Tricycle
|
[56]
|
[57]
|
Books improv teams that do unique and uncommon forms.
|
| 3, 2, 1, Cagematch!
|
Sundays, 10:30pm
|
Three-way improv cagematch featuring only two-person teams.
|
One Man Show
|
[58]
|
[59]
|
Only books two-person improv teams.
|
| Mystic Mondays
|
Mondays, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv/sketch show.
|
Tarotdactyl
|
[60]
|
[61]
|
|
| The One Hour Improv Festival
|
Tuesdays, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
English Speaking Moose
|
[62]
|
[63]
|
Includes a jam.
|
| Wednesday Night Variety Pack
|
Wednesdays, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv/sketch/stand-up show.
|
Sugar Daddy, The Ark, Bootsy Collins, We The People
|
[64]
|
[65], [66]
|
Hosted over the course of the month by four different teams.
|
| Ruffneck Improv
|
1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month, 8:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Ruffneck
|
[67]
|
[68]
|
|
| Value Menu Presents
|
2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month, 8:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Value Menu
|
[69]
|
[70]
|
|
The Loft
| Name
|
Day/Time
|
Type of Show
|
Hosts
|
Website/Page
|
Contact Email
|
Notes
|
| The Sunday Social
|
Sundays, 8:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Nerdvana
|
[71]
|
|
|
| Supernova Sunday
|
1st Sunday of the month, 10pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Mercury 12
|
[72]
|
[73]
|
|
| The Weekender
|
2nd Sunday of the month, 10pm
|
Indie improv/sketch show.
|
Kyle and Corte Do Sketch
|
[74]
|
|
|
| theElainehour
|
3rd Sunday of the month, 10pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Elaine
|
[75]
|
[76]
|
|
| Danger Snack Does...
|
1st Monday of the month, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Danger Snack
|
[77]
|
[78]
|
|
| Ham Radio
|
2nd & 4th Mondays of the month, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Amanda Lund & Tilt Tyree
|
[79]
|
|
|
| Buckaroo Presents
|
3rd Monday of the month, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Buckaroo
|
[80]
|
|
|
| Key Party
|
1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Key Party
|
[81]
|
[82]
|
|
| Mr. Body
|
2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Mr. Body
|
[83]
|
|
Books improv teams that do genre forms.
|
| Chompie Chomp's Improv Romp
|
Wednesdays, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Chompie Chomp
|
[84]
|
[85]
|
|
| Black Hot Fridays
|
Fridays, 8pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Bobby Hot Stuff
|
[86]
|
[87]
|
|
| Top Shelf
|
Fridays, 11pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Top Shelf
|
[88]
|
[89]
|
|
| Saturday Night Block Party
|
Saturdays, 8:00pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Howie Kremer & Tracy Meyer
|
[90]
|
[91]
|
|
| Fusion Saturday
|
Saturdays, 11:00pm
|
Indie improv/stand-up show.
|
Justin Alexio & Jeremiah Watkins
|
[92]
|
[93]
|
|
The Neon Venus Art Theatre
| Name
|
Day/Time
|
Type of Show
|
Hosts
|
Website/Page
|
Contact Email
|
Notes
|
| A Pretty Reasonable Show
|
1st Sunday of the month, 9pm
|
Indie improv/sketch show.
|
Just Mimsy
|
[94]
|
[95]
|
|
| Trick Chair
|
2nd & 4th Sundays of the month, 10pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Flash Garden
|
[96]
|
[97]
|
|
| Hornet Sketch Hour
|
Mondays, 10:30pm
|
Indie sketch show.
|
BION
|
[98]
|
[99]
|
|
| Insert Here
|
Tuesdays, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Insert Here
|
[100]
|
[101]
|
|
| Frenemies and Friends! And Enemies!
|
2nd Thursday of the month, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Frenemies
|
[102]
|
[103]
|
|
| Kill Bot
|
3rd Thursday of the month, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
False Restart
|
[104]
|
[105]
|
|
| Thrashtown! Improv Night
|
2nd Friday of the month, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Thrashtown
|
[106]
|
[107]
|
|
| Fifty a Page and Friends
|
4th Friday of the month, 9:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Fifty a Page
|
[108]
|
[109]
|
|
| Trouble
|
1st Saturday of the month, 9:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Capital T
|
[110]
|
[111]
|
|
| Coco Van's Monthly Improv Extravaganza
|
4th Saturday of the month, 10:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Coco Van
|
[112]
|
[113]
|
|
The Neon Venus Art Theatre
The Neon Venus Art Theatre has pretty much everything you can think of that falls under the umbrella of "art", and that includes a pretty extensive indie improv/comedy schedule. It's located in Hollywood at 7023 Melrose Ave.
Website: http://www.neonvenustheatre.com/
Direct Email: [114]
The Complex
| Name
|
Day/Time
|
Type of Show
|
Hosts
|
Website/Page
|
Contact Email
|
Notes
|
| The Sunday Bash
|
Sundays, 8pm
|
Indie improv show, in the Flight Theatre.
|
The Splash
|
[115]
|
[116]
|
Pay-to-play show. $20 for a slot. Includes a jam.
|
| Disco Camp
|
Thursdays, 9pm
|
Indie improv show, in the Flight Theatre.
|
Ladies Lunch
|
[117]
|
[118]
|
|
The Complex
The Complex is probably best known to improvisers as the current home of The Miles Stroth Workshop, and the former home of The Little Modern Theater and Room 101. There are approximately seventy-eight theaters inside this building. It's located in Hollywood at 6476 Santa Monica Blvd.
Website: you weren't actually going to look at The Complex's website, were you? Here's Miles's instead: http://milesimprov.com/
UCBTLA
| Name
|
Day/Time
|
Type of Show
|
Hosts
|
Website/Page
|
Contact Email
|
Notes
|
| The Cagematch
|
All but the last Wednesdays of the month, 11pm
|
Improv cagematch.
|
Harrison Brown
|
[119]
|
[120]
|
All members of each team must have completed at least one level of improv classes at UCB to be eligible.
|
| Sketch Showdown
|
Last Wednesday of the month, 11pm
|
Three-way sketch cagematch.
|
Sergio Cilli & Casey Feigh
|
[121]
|
[122]
|
80% of your team must have completed either Sketch 101 or Improv 401 at UCB to be eligible.
|
| Long Hard Improv Jam
|
Fridays, 5:30pm
|
Improv jam.
|
Jacob Reed
|
[123]
|
|
UCB-student focused, but anyone has a shot at playing. Frequently features UCB performers as guests.
|
| Not Too Shabby
|
Fridays, 11:59pm
|
Indie sketch show.
|
Dave Ferguson, Mike Hanford, & Mike Mitchell
|
[124]
|
[125]
|
|
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Los Angeles
Indie slots at UCB are pretty sparse, but there are a few. It's located in Hollywood at 5919 Franklin Ave.
Website: http://losangeles.ucbtheatre.com/
Second City Hollywood
| Name
|
Day/Time
|
Type of Show
|
Hosts
|
Website/Page
|
Contact Email
|
Notes
|
| Improv Roulette
|
Mondays, 10pm
|
Guest slot, opening for an established Second City team.
|
Smokehouse
|
[126]
|
[127]
|
|
| Thunderdome!
|
Tuesdays, 10pm
|
Improv cagematch.
|
Carrie Weisberg
|
[128]
|
[129]
|
|
| Saturday Night's Main Event
|
Saturdays, 9:30pm
|
Indie improv show.
|
Bro Squad 5
|
[130]
|
[131]
|
|
Second City Hollywood
Not very many indie slots at Second City Hollywood, either. Located in Hollywood at 6560 Hollywood Blvd.
Website: http://www.secondcity.com/
The Improv Space
| Name
|
Day/Time
|
Type of Show
|
Hosts
|
Website/Page
|
Contact Email
|
Notes
|
| Space Wars
|
Tuesdays, 10pm
|
Improv cagematch.
|
Matt Whitlock
|
[132]
|
[133]
|
Improv cagematch.
|
| The Improv Sessions
|
Wednesdays, 9pm
|
Improv jam.
|
Ben 'Gomez' Crutcher
|
[134]
|
|
|
The Improv Space
Ever need to just get the fuck out of Hollywood, but still want to do some improv? Good news! The Improv Space is located in a different part of town entirely. Located in Westwood at 954 Gayley Ave.
Website: http://theimprovspace.com/
Westside Comedy Theatre
| Name
|
Day/Time
|
Type of Show
|
Hosts
|
Website/Page
|
Contact Email
|
Notes
|
| The Jam
|
Thursdays, 11pm
|
Improv Jam
|
Morgan Christensen & Cole Stratton
|
[135]
|
|
|
| Friday Night Cagematch
|
Fridays, 11:59pm
|
Improv cagematch.
|
|
[136]
|
[137]
|
They throw up plastic chicken wire in front of the stage.
|
Westside Comedy Theatre
On a similar note, if you're ever in Santa Monica at night (like maybe you had a real late audition or something?), the Westside Comedy Theatre may just be your ticket. Located in Santa Monica at 1323-A 3rd St.
Website: http://westsidecomedy.com/index.cfm
Ronin Shows
| Name
|
Day/Time
|
Location
|
Hosts
|
Website/Page
|
Contact Email
|
Notes
|
| Catsby
|
Sundays, 8pm
|
Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Boulevard
|
CAT BATH!
|
[138]
|
[139]
|
Features themed mash-up teams.
|
| Palapalooza
|
Sundays, 9pm
|
Impro Theatre, 1727 North Vermont Ave #211
|
Hey Pal
|
[140]
|
[141]
|
| Mix
|
Mondays, 9pm
|
ComedySportz Los Angeles, 733 Seward St
|
Eddie Quintana
|
[142]
|
[143]
|
Books improv, sketch, and stand-up.
|
| Sweet Valley Improv
|
Thursdays, 7pm
|
The Sherry Theatre, 11052 Magnolia Blvd
|
Rinse & Repeat
|
[144]
|
[145]
|
|
| Mach Improv
|
Thursdays, 11pm
|
The Tre Stage, 1523 N La Brea Ave
|
Jake Regal
|
[146]
|
[147]
|
Weekly improv mash-up. Email to be put on the list!
|
| Dark & Stormy Improv
|
Fridays, 8pm
|
The LOFT Ensemble, 929 E 2nd St, #105
|
Love, HARVEY
|
[148]
|
[149]
|
|
| Danger Room
|
Fridays, 8pm
|
The Michael Woolson Studio, 8801 Cashio St
|
Harvey Rocketship
|
[150]
|
[151]
|
Books both improv & sketch. Includes a jam.
|
| Jackpot Improv
|
Saturdays, 8:30pm
|
The Underground Annex, 1308 N Wilton Pl
|
The Weather With Chip Van Der Dyke
|
[152]
|
[153]
|
Books both improv & sketch. Includes a jam.
|
| The Green Room
|
Saturdays, 11pm
|
Impro Theatre, 1727 North Vermont Ave #211
|
Lush Green
|
[154]
|
[155]
|
Ronin Shows
These shows belong to no clan. They're either the only indie improv show renting out a particular black box theatre, or are the only indie show at an already-established comedy/improv theatre.
