Know a young person that could benefit from learning skills such as team work, thinking outside the box, and public speaking? Have a young comedian in your life that might be interested in improv or sketch? Then iO Theater’s Teen and Youth programming is for them! Class lengths and number of meetings vary by each class, so learn more about our different options below.
We have program offerings for after school classes, improv during the weekends, and camps during breaks from school. Click the each drop down below to learn more about the goals and curriculum of each program. Check back frequently as our offerings are always changing!
IMPROV CLASS REGISTRATION
SPECIALTY CLASSES
iO THEATER YOUTH PROGRAMMING
The historic iO Theater believes that improv is an art form that youth and teens can benefit greatly from learning. Improv helps grow their creativity, self confidence, public speaking skills, and ability to work with others, all while having fun! Taking a comedy class with iO helps both personal development and academic success!
We offer robust improv classes, such as our Basic and Advanced Improv courses, and more personalized improv residency classes where we can make a customized improv class experience for your community of students as a “one off” or series.
2026 TEEN AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE
Session 1: January 16th – March 21st – Registration open now!
- Basic & Advanced Improv (Ages 6-14) – Fridays from 4pm-5:30pm
- Teen Improv (Ages 15-18) – Saturdays from 12pm-2pm
Session 2: April 3th – June 6th
Session 3: September 4th – November 7th
AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES
Want to see your young improviser’s imagination and creativity come to life in a collaborative environment after the school day ends? Then join iO Theater for our afterschool programming, designed specifically for budding young comics! Whether your child has a knack for comedy and wants to explore their creative side or has no performance experience at all, this is the perfect opportunity for them!
Students will not only gain valuable performance skills, but also develop essential life skills such as confidence, teamwork, effective communication techniques, and most importantly have fun!
All classes are held at our historic theater located in Lincoln Park!
BASIC IMPROV (AGES 8-10)
Registration now open!
This class will meet weekly from 4:00pm-5:30pm on Fridays from January 16th – March 20th!
For performers aged 8-10
In this program kids will learn the basics of improv to create and explore their own worlds. Through improv and theater games, students will grow in confidence, interpersonal skills, and as young comedians in training. This program is great for kids who have performance experience or for students who have never gotten up on stage before!
This program meets onsite at the historic iO Theater in Lincoln Park, and culminates in a showcase open to friends and family at 5:00pm on Friday, March 20th!
ADVANCED IMPROV (AGES 11-14)
Registration now open!
This class will meet weekly from 4:00p-5:30pm on Fridays from January 16th – March 20th!
For performers aged 11-14
In this program young comedians will dive into the world of comedy while discovering what makes them uniquely funny. Through improv and theater games, students will grow in confidence, public speaking, and as comedians. This is ideal for young comedians who are interested in honing their comedic chops or for students who have never gotten up on stage before!
This program meets onsite at the historic iO Theater in Lincoln Park and culminates in a showcase open to friends and family at 5:00pm on Friday, March 20th!
TEEN IMPROV PROGRAM (AGES 15-18)
The iO’s Teen Improv Program cohort will meet weekly from 12:00-2:00pm on Saturdays from January 17th – March 21st!
For performers aged 15-18 (younger improvisers welcome to inquire)
This small, immersive group will meet with an assigned coach to study long form improv and present an ensemble-based show for friends and family on Saturday, March 21st.
iO COMEDY CAMP:
SCHOOL BREAK & OFF-DAY PROGRAMS
Join us at the iO Theater whenever your young improviser is off from school for exciting week-long and one day comedy classes designed specifically for budding young comics! Whether your child has a knack for comedy and wants to explore their creative side or this is their first time performing, this is the perfect opportunity for them!
During these dynamic and engaging programs, students will dive headfirst into the world of comedy, learning from experienced instructors who have honed their craft at the renowned iO Theater. Located in the heart of Lincoln Square, iO Theater has trained some of the funniest and most talented comedians in the world.
Students will not only gain valuable performance skills, but also develop essential life skills such as confidence, teamwork, and effective communication techniques. Improv is not just about being funny on stage – it’s about embracing spontaneity, taking risks, and strengthening their own personal voice.
The iO Theater’s break camps and off-day programs are an incredible opportunity to explore creativity, meet new friends, and build memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience! We can’t wait to laugh, learn, and create with you at the iO Theater!
2026 iO COMEDY CAMP SCHEDULE
- SPRING BREAK – March 23th – 27th
- EARLY SUMMER – June 8th – 12th
- LATE SUMMER – August 10th – 14th
YOUTH IMPROV CAMP (AGES 6-12)
March 23rd to 27th from 10am – 4pm, Monday through Friday
(with a one-hour lunch break from 12:30pm-1:30pm)
Join us during School Breaks for an exciting and immersive week-long improv class for young comics! If your child has a knack for comedy and wants to explore their creative side, this is the perfect opportunity to do so!
During this dynamic and engaging program, students will dive headfirst into the world of improvisational comedy, learning from experienced instructors who have honed their craft at the renowned iO Theater, located in the heart of Lincoln Square. The iO Theater has trained some of the funniest and most talented comedians in the world and it is from these same principles that students will learn to think on their feet, trust their instincts, build confidence, and foster strong connections with their fellow classmates. No previous experience required.
At the end of the week, students will have the opportunity to showcase their newfound skills in a live performance for family and friends. Don’t miss this opportunity to shine on stage and share the joy of improv with others!
TEEN IMPROV CAMP (AGES 13-18)
March 23rd to 27th from 10am – 12:30pm, Monday through Friday
Join us during School Breaks for an immersive week-long improv class designed specifically for teen comics.
Dive headfirst into the world of improvisational comedy, learning from experienced instructors who have honed their craft at the renowned iO Theater, located in the heart of Lincoln Square. The iO Theater has trained some of the funniest and most talented comedians in the world and it is from these same principles that students will learn to think on their feet, trust their instincts, build confidence, and foster strong connections with their fellow classmates. No previous experience required.
At the end of the week, students will have the opportunity to showcase their newfound skills in a live performance for family and friends. Don’t miss this opportunity to shine on stage and share the joy of improv with others!
TEEN SKETCH CAMP (AGES 13-18)
March 23rd to 27th from 1:30pm – 4:00pm, Monday through Friday
Join us during School Breaks for an immersive week-long sketch writing class designed specifically for teen comics.
Dive headfirst into the world of sketch comedy, learning from experienced instructors who have honed their craft at the renowned iO Theater, located in the heart of Lincoln Square. The iO Theater has trained some of the funniest and most talented comedians in the world.
Students will build writing and performance skills through sketch comedy that will translate to real life application in interviews, public speaking, making friends, college applications, and more!
At the end of the week, they’ll showcase their skills in a live performance for family and friends. Don’t miss this opportunity to shine on stage and share the joy of sketch comedy with others!
TEEN SKETCH & IMPROV PACKAGE (AGES 13-18)
March 23rd to 27th from 10am – 4pm, Monday through Friday
(with a one-hour lunch break from 12:30pm-1:30pm)
Is your young performer interested in both Sketch and Improv? Well then the iO Comedy Camp – Spring Break Package is for you!
iO DITCH DAYS (OFF-DAY PROGRAMMING)
Spend your CPS days off with us! More info Coming Soon!
TRY OUR MONTHLY TEEN IMPROV DROP-IN!
Looking to try some improv before committing to an afterschool class? Maybe you’re just looking to try something new? Then our monthly drop-in is perfect for you!
Join iO instructor and performer Avery Ford on the first Friday of every month from 4pm-6pm!
AFTER SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS
The iO Training Center is proud to partner with these educational programs and institutions to bring the joy of improv and the skills it teaches to young minds across Chicago!
YOUNG ENGINEERS
REGISTRATION COMING THIS WINTER!
Go beyond just building and start understanding!
Young Engineers uses fun, hands-on classes and motorized brick models to teach kids fundamental classical mechanics and physics concepts. Led by an experienced engineer, our programs combine engineering with improv to help students develop critical problem-solving skills and the confidence to take on any challenge.
Tuesdays: Bricks Challenge (Ages 6-10)
Thursdays: Galileo Technic (Ages 8-12)
4:00pm-5:30pm at the iO Theater in Lincoln Park
1501 N Kingsbury St
CHALLENGE ISLAND / STEAMprov
REGISTRATION COMING THIS WINTER!
Challenge Island is a one-of-a-kind after-school program where kids journey into exciting themed worlds full of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) adventures. iO is proud to partner with the Central Chicago branch to integrate our unique style of improv into these 90-minute, collaborative after school sessions debuting this fall!
Mondays OR Wednesdays (Ages 6-12)
4:00pm-5:30pm at the iO Theater in Lincoln Park
1501 N Kingsbury St
OFF-SITE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING
Want iO to offer an after school class at your school?
iO instructors teach after school classes in improv, sketch, and much more! In iO After School Programs, students will learn the basics of improv to create and explore their own worlds. Through improv and theater games, students will grow in confidence, interpersonal skills, and as young comedians in training. These program are great for students who have performance experience and those who have never gotten up on stage before! If you are looking to get iO to teach an afterschool class at your school, please reach out to Classes@ioimprov.com for more information!
