🎭 Improv Shows in Chicago

Chicago is where modern improv was invented, and it's still the best city in the world to watch it — 221 upcoming improv and musical improv shows at 12 venues. Updated daily.

Open Mics Stand-Up Sketch Free Shows Tonight

Mon, Jul 6

The Armando Diaz Experience
iO Theater · 7:00 PM
$17
Short Form Improv Jam (Student Show)
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM
FREE
$10 Improv Night
iO Theater · 9:00 PM
$10
Improv - Student Jam (Student Show)
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
FREE

Tue, Jul 7

Ya'll Mic
Annoyance Theatre · 5:30 PM
FREE
Improvised Broadway
Second City e.t.c. Theater - Chicago · 7:30 PM
$25
Tuesday Musical Improv
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM
$0–$10
BYOT - Free!
Annoyance Theatre · 9:00 PM
BYOT (Bring Your Own Team)
Annoyance Theatre · 9:00 PM
FREE
Open Stage
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
FREE

Wed, Jul 8

Jam Sandwich
Second City Donny's Skybox Theater - Chicago · 6:00 PM
$10
Respawn Improv with Blue.0
iO Theater · 6:00 PM
$10
Play Time
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
Play Time
$15–$30
Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89
The FREE WEDNESDAY SHOW feat Dumb John and Birdlady
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
FREE
Dating Dell'Amico
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
Dating Dell'Amico
$15–$30
smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94
RIFF: Chicago's Music Improv Party
The Newport Theater · 8:00 PM
$23.18
Green Room - An Improv Jam
iO Theater · 9:00 PM
FREE
The Orbit
iO Theater · 9:00 PM
$5–$15
Insignificant Mile
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
$15
Jury Duty
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
$10
The Fizz Show: Carbonated Chicago Comedy
iO Theater · 10:00 PM
$12

Thu, Jul 9

Thursday Night Improv Hosted by Creamboy
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$7.50–$15
Improv: The Play
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$14
The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18
Who All Over There?
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$20
Cafe Lounge Underwater
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM
$15
Duluth: An Improvised Midwest Murder
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM
$20
Revolving Door
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
Blueprint
iO Theater · 10:00 PM
$10

Fri, Jul 10

Devil's Daughter
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$22
Improvised Shakespeare Chicago
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$20–$45
Missed Call
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM
MAIN STAGE Improv Showcase
The Comedy Clubhouse · 8:30 PM
$12–$15
Honk!
iO Theater · 9:00 PM
$10
Wine Down Comedy
iO Theater · 9:30 PM
$15–$40
Hitch*Cocktails
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
Kohl's Cash: TGIF (That's Good Improv Fridays)
iO Theater · 9:30 PM
$12
Creature Feature Presents: Jaws
The Playground Theater · 10:00 PM
Creature Feature Presents
FREE
Series Regulars: Are They Okay In There?
iO Theater · 10:00 PM
Series Regulars
$17–$32
Holy Fuck Comedy Hour
Annoyance Theatre · 11:59 PM
FREE

Sat, Jul 11

The Early Bird Jam
iO Theater · 3:30 PM
FREE
Main Character Syndrome: A Solo Character Showcase
iO Theater · 6:00 PM
$15–$30
Indie City
iO Theater · 6:00 PM
Indie City
$15–$30
Improvised Jane Austen
iO Theater · 6:00 PM
$15–$35
ComedySportz
iO Theater · 6:00 PM
$20–$35
Musical Improv Troupe Showcase
The Comedy Clubhouse · 6:30 PM
$12–$15
Trigger Happy: Annoyance's Signature Improv Show
Annoyance Theatre · 7:00 PM
Mick Napier
$12
Hitch*Cocktails
Annoyance Theatre · 7:00 PM
$10–$35
Best of iO Improv
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$18–$33
Improvised Shakespeare Chicago
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$20–$45
ComedySportz
iO Theater · 8:00 PM
$20–$35
Fire and Beer: Annoyance House Ensemble
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM
Cafe Lounge Underwater
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM
MAIN STAGE Improv Showcase
The Comedy Clubhouse · 8:30 PM
$12–$15
Steamworks The Musical 2026
Annoyance Theatre · 9:00 PM
$20–$23
D.A.R.E. Dropouts Presents: After School Special
iO Theater · 9:30 PM
$15–$30
The Soccer Show
Annoyance Theatre · 10:30 PM
$12
Harolds After Dark
iO Theater · 11:00 PM
$7
We Took Edibles an Hour Ago
Annoyance Theatre · 11:59 PM

Sun, Jul 12

The Song Bird Music Improv Jam
iO Theater · 4:00 PM
FREE
BABS Babes Improv Takeover AT LINCOLN LODGE!
BABS Comedy Club · 6:00 PM
Marquee: Musical Improv
iO Theater · 6:00 PM
$15
The Great Babs Improv Takeover
The Lincoln Lodge · 6:00 PM
$18.48
Charm Scene 100 - The LIVE 100th Episode
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$15–$30
Harold Night
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$12
Love Island Finale Patio Watch Party
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
FREE
Wheel of Improv
Second City Donny's Skybox Theater - Chicago · 7:30 PM
$25
Deep Schwa
iO Theater · 8:00 PM
$12
The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Mon, Jul 13

The Armando Diaz Experience
iO Theater · 7:00 PM
$17
Game Based Improv Jam
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM
Short Form Improv Jam (Student Show)
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM
FREE
$10 Improv Night
iO Theater · 9:00 PM
$10
Improv - Student Jam (Student Show)
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
FREE

Tue, Jul 14

Ya'll Mic
Annoyance Theatre · 5:30 PM
FREE
House of Improv
Second City Judy's Beat Lounge - Chicago · 7:00 PM
$15
Music Jam - FREE!
Annoyance Theatre · 7:00 PM
Tuesday Musical Improv
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM
$0–$10
BYOT - Free!
Annoyance Theatre · 9:00 PM
BYOT (Bring Your Own Team)
Annoyance Theatre · 9:00 PM
FREE
Open Stage
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
FREE

Wed, Jul 15

Respawn Improv with Blue.0
iO Theater · 6:00 PM
$10
Show and Tell for Grown-Ups
iO Theater · 7:00 PM
$10–$20
Dating Dell'Amico
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
Dating Dell'Amico
$15–$30
The FREE WEDNESDAY SHOW feat Dumb John and Birdlady
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
FREE
smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94
The Orbit
iO Theater · 9:00 PM
$5–$15
Green Room - An Improv Jam
iO Theater · 9:00 PM
FREE
Insignificant Mile
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
$15
Jury Duty
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
$10
The Fizz Show: Carbonated Chicago Comedy
iO Theater · 10:00 PM
$12

Thu, Jul 16

Josephs Tonight
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$15–$30
The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18
Improv: The Play
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$14
Keepin' Tabs
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM
Revolving Door
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
Motorcycle Rocketship
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
Blueprint
iO Theater · 10:00 PM
$10

Fri, Jul 17

Improvised Shakespeare Chicago
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$20–$45
Devil's Daughter
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$22
Missed Call
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM
Honk!
iO Theater · 9:00 PM
$10
Kohl's Cash: TGIF (That's Good Improv Fridays)
iO Theater · 9:30 PM
$12
Series Regulars: Are They Okay In There?
iO Theater · 10:00 PM
Series Regulars
$17–$32

Sat, Jul 18

The Early Bird Jam
iO Theater · 3:30 PM
FREE
ComedySportz
iO Theater · 6:00 PM
$20–$35
Improvised Jane Austen
iO Theater · 6:00 PM
$15–$35
Main Character Syndrome: A Solo Character Showcase
iO Theater · 6:00 PM
$15–$30
Trigger Happy: Annoyance's Signature Improv Show
Annoyance Theatre · 7:00 PM
Mick Napier
$12
Hitch*Cocktails
Annoyance Theatre · 7:00 PM
$10–$35
Improvised Shakespeare Chicago
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$20–$45
Best of iO Improv
iO Theater · 7:30 PM
$18–$33
Fire and Beer: Annoyance House Ensemble
Annoyance Theatre · 8:00 PM

Sun, Jul 19

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Jul 22

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Jul 23

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sat, Jul 25

Pavlov Improv
My Buddy's · 9:00 PM
FREE

Sun, Jul 26

The Monthly Matinee
Logan Square Improv · 1:00 PM
$4.51–$7.18
The Great Babs Improv Takeover
The Lincoln Lodge · 6:00 PM
$18.48
The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Jul 29

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Jul 30

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Aug 2

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Aug 5

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Aug 6

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18
Historically Inaccurate
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM

Sun, Aug 9

The Great Babs Improv Takeover
The Lincoln Lodge · 6:00 PM
$18.48
The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Aug 12

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89
smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Aug 13

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18
RIFF: Chicago's Music Improv Party
The Newport Theater · 8:00 PM
$23.18

Sun, Aug 16

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Aug 19

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Aug 20

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sat, Aug 22

Pavlov Improv
My Buddy's · 9:00 PM
FREE

Sun, Aug 23

The Great Babs Improv Takeover
The Lincoln Lodge · 6:00 PM
$18.48
The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Aug 26

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Aug 27

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sat, Aug 29

Pavlov Improv
My Buddy's · 9:00 PM
FREE

Sun, Aug 30

The Monthly Matinee
Logan Square Improv · 1:00 PM
$4.51–$7.18
The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Sep 2

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Sep 3

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Sep 6

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Sep 9

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94
Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Thu, Sep 10

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Sep 13

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Sep 16

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Sep 17

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Sep 20

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Sep 23

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Sep 24

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sat, Sep 26

Pavlov Improv
My Buddy's · 9:00 PM
FREE

Sun, Sep 27

The Monthly Matinee
Logan Square Improv · 1:00 PM
$4.51–$7.18
The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Sep 30

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Oct 1

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Oct 4

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Oct 7

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Oct 8

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Oct 11

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Oct 14

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94
Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Thu, Oct 15

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Oct 18

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Oct 21

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Oct 22

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sat, Oct 24

Pavlov Improv
My Buddy's · 9:00 PM
FREE

Sun, Oct 25

The Monthly Matinee
Logan Square Improv · 1:00 PM
$4.51–$7.18
The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Oct 28

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Oct 29

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sat, Oct 31

Pavlov Improv
My Buddy's · 9:00 PM
FREE
Baby Wine
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
$12

Sun, Nov 1

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Nov 4

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Nov 5

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Nov 8

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Nov 11

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94
Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Thu, Nov 12

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Nov 15

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Nov 18

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Nov 19

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Nov 22

The Monthly Matinee
Logan Square Improv · 1:00 PM
$4.51–$7.18
The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Nov 25

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Nov 26

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sat, Nov 28

Pavlov Improv
My Buddy's · 9:00 PM
FREE
Baby Wine
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
$12

Sun, Nov 29

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Dec 2

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Dec 3

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Dec 6

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Dec 9

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94
Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Thu, Dec 10

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Dec 13

The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Wed, Dec 16

smallprov
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$4.28–$6.94

Thu, Dec 17

The Thursday Show
Logan Square Improv · 7:30 PM
$7.18

Sun, Dec 20

The Monthly Matinee
Logan Square Improv · 1:00 PM
$4.51–$7.18
The Sunday Show (ft. The Late 90s)
Logan Square Improv · 8:00 PM
$6.94

Sat, Dec 26

Pavlov Improv
My Buddy's · 9:00 PM
FREE
Baby Wine
Annoyance Theatre · 9:30 PM
$12

Wed, Jan 13

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Wed, Feb 10

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Wed, Mar 10

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Wed, Apr 14

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Wed, May 12

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Wed, Jun 9

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Wed, Jul 14

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Wed, Aug 11

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Wed, Sep 8

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Wed, Oct 13

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Wed, Nov 10

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Wed, Dec 8

Lil Weenieprov
The Lincoln Lodge · 7:30 PM
$14.89

Where can I see improv in Chicago?

The venues with the most improv on the calendar right now are Logan Square Improv, iO Theater, Annoyance Theatre and The Lincoln Lodge. The legacy theaters — Second City, iO, and the Annoyance — run shows most nights of the week, and independent teams perform in bars and small theaters across the city.

What's the difference between short-form and long-form improv?

Short-form improv is built on quick games with rules and audience suggestions — the Whose Line Is It Anyway? style. Long-form, which Chicago's iO Theater pioneered with the Harold, uses a single suggestion to launch a sustained set of interconnected scenes. Most Chicago theaters lean long-form, but you'll find both on any given weekend.

Do I need to buy improv tickets in advance?

For Second City mainstage revues and weekend shows at the bigger theaters, yes — they sell out regularly. Weeknight shows and independent team showcases usually have tickets at the door, and some are free or pay-what-you-can. Prices are shown on each listing.