Improvised Jane Austen

Every Saturday at 8pm, Improvised Jane Austen is a comedic ensemble that creates unscripted performances using Jane Austen’s tropes, themes, and language. Playing in Austen’s world, Improvised Jane Austen’s stories delight 21st century audiences with a modern sense and sensibility. Come for the humor, stay for the heart! Throughout the show’s run, Improvised Jane Austen’s has been Chicago Reader Recommended, named a PerformInk Critics’ Pick, voted Best sketch/improv troupe 2019 in the Reader’s Best of Chicago, and was featured on WTTW playlist, in Time Out, on WGN’s Daytime Chicago and most recently on CBS News Chicago. 

2 Square

Two nights only! 10/25+ 10/26. In 2 Square, John Lutz and Peter Grosz take a single suggestion then spin that into a 45 minute longform show featuring the kaleidoscope of scenes, absurdist transitional elements and callbacks – all while never once using a “sweep edit” to get from scene to scene. They play dozens of characters, create environments and locations using every part of the theater and weave it all together in a satisfying conclusion.

Phony Award Winning presents: Improvised Wicked

Phony Award Winning Musical presents: Wicked! A fully improvised musical with singing, dancing, and a whole lot of gravity defying. Travel to the land of Oz and see our wickedly talented cast Oct 6 – Nov. 24 Sundays at 7 in the Weed.

Trick or Treat Screening with Marc Price

Metalheads, heshers, and thrashers of Chicago better get ready for an evening of Halloween badassery and 80’s excess with a screening of 1986’s heavy metal horror-comedy, Trick or Treat! Both iO Theater and local event producer Stephanie Sack are especially delighted to announce that the film’s star, Marc “Skippy” Price, will be in attendance for the screening, providing live commentary to picture. A post-screening costume party and Halloween drink specials ensure attendees of this one-night-only event a headbanging Halloween they’ll never forget!

Improvised Shakespeare Company

Every Friday and Saturday at 8pm since 2006! Inspired by one audience suggestion, these dazzling players create a brand-new Shakespearean masterpiece right before your eyes.  Come witness the shows critics have called “staggeringly brilliant.”

The Apocalypse Roadshow

MEADOWS, WALSH, AND FRIENDS

SOLD OUT :: Join Tim Meadows (Mean Girls, Saturday Night Live), Matt Walsh (Veep), and Joe Canale and Brad Morris of Uncle’s Brother for a night of Chicago-style improv inspired entirely by audience suggestions and experiences.

Whirled News Tonight

Every Saturday at 8pm. Twenty years running! The audience provides inspiration by picking their top stories from the day’s news. From these journalistic suggestions, a team of experienced improvisers create a fast-paced, topical, intelligent, & hilarious show.

Escandalo!

Escándalo is a weekly variety show that showcases Latine comedians, musicians, poets and much more! The show consists of a rotating cast of improvisers, solo performances, and special guests that all come from a Latine background. All are welcome to come join us in building community and celebrating nuestra cultura! WEPA! Fridays at 10pm!

The Improvised Housewives of iO

Duluth: An Improvised Midwest Murder

Thursdays at 7:30pm. Based on the hit FX show “Fargo”, Duluth takes audiences into the world of true crime in the Midwest. Each week, the cast of Duluth will improvise a story of murder, malfeasance, and general mayhem, all set against the backdrop of an audience member’s hometown.

THE FREE SHOW

Every Wednesday at 7:30pm– A free weekly show featuring Dumb John, Birdlady, and other iO House Teams. Never been to an iO show before? This is a great way to check out longform style improv from some of the best!

ComedySportz

Presented by Malarkey Comedy. Chicago’s longest running short-form improv show (founded in 1987) and the only comedy show in Chicago EVERYONE is welcome at – from age 8 to 80, our inclusive ‘everyone is welcome’ approach to comedy makes us perfect for patrons of all ages. Fridays and Saturdays!

Trapped In A Musical

Saturdays at 8pm! Present by Malarkey Comedy, Trapped In A Musical is a completely improvised Broadway-style musical that the cast finds out about in the moment.