Improv Institute


The Improv Institute was an improvisational comedy company in Chicago from 1984 until 1994. The mainstage show was improvised following audience suggestions. The troupe had two storefront-theaters, both on West Belmont Avenue on Chicago's North side, first at 2939 W. Belmont, and later at 2319 W. Belmont.
Many theatrical productions had their debuts at the Improv Institute, including Flanagan's Wake on March 19, 1994.
The Second City producer Kelly Leonard has stated that the Improv Institute was "my favorite place to see improv, other than The Second City." - Chicago Tribune, January 15, 2004

History

The Improv Institute was founded in late 1983 by John Michael Michalski, who would go on to direct at The Second City in Chicago. The original cast included Michalski, Rick Hall, Kate Kirkpatrick, Patricia Musker, Michael Raysses, Andrew J. Sten, and Jill Talley. They were later joined by Ron West. Later incarnations of the mainstage cast would include Jack Bronis, Mark Czoske, Evan Gore, Ross Gottstein, Laura Hall, Tom Hanigan , Amy Hartl, Phil Lusardi, Patricia Musker, Bonnie Shadrake, and Brad Sherman.
Several Improv Institute performers went on to create The Noble Fool Theater Company.
Other notable performers who made appearances at the Improv Institute have included Rose Abdoo, Sean Abley, Mark Belden, Mark Belzman, Kevin L. Burrows, Cindy Caponera, Will Clinger, Kevin Crowley, Paul Dinello, Jon Favreau, Jeff Garlin, Chris Hogan, Bonnie Hunt, Carlos Jacott, Jenna Jolovitz, Jeff Kahn, John Lehr, Joe Liss, Michael McCarthy, Adam McKay, Susan Messing, Theresa Mulligan, Joel Murray, Aliza Murietta, Peter Murietta, Dave Pasquesi, Paula Poundstone, John Rubano, Ruth Rudnick, Horatio Sanz, Lynda Shadrake, Casey Siemaszko, Faith Soloway, Matt Tiegler, Barb Wallace, Dan Johnson-Weinberger, George Wendt, and Jim Zulevic.
The 30th anniversary of the Improv Institute was celebrated as part of the 2014 Chicago Improv Festival at Stage 773 in Chicago.