Philly Improv Theater

Going to a PHIT show is a great, original choice for a date night, especially if you live in Center City. There are some fantastic improv and sketch groups that perform here. And it’s not a big commitment — tix are inexpensive, and shows are about 1 hour. But keep in mind, this is LIVE theater, made up on the spot, where anything can happen. There are some very talented and funny performers here. Usually they hit the mark, and sometimes not so much. But that’s part of the fun. You never know! I was there Sat night for two shows in a row and they were both awesome. If you ever watched Saturday Night Live, it’s like that — you know it’s a crapshoot — some sketches will be great, others fall flat. Come with an open mind and a willingness to see how awesome it is for performers to get up there and take big chances. The shows on Fri and Sat nights probably feature the strongest teams, but you can get a good one anytime. There may be some for whom this just doesn’t resonate. We are used to scripted tv shows with predictable laughs. But when it works, it’s not like anything else. There will always be some great laughs, even in a less inspired show — it’s SO much better than tv. In particular, look for improv comedy teams The Future, Big Baby, Untitled, the Wadsworth Constant, and great sketch comedy teams too (scripted, not improv). And there are many more great ones.
And taking classes there is also a great experience (I’m on my fourth class).

It was a major let down. To start, I was essentially the only person in the audience who wasn’t part of the improv program there. The first group to perform was just plain bad, they ignored the initial suggestion from the audience and then just acted really awkward in addition to their bad jokes. Despite this terrible first group, I decided to power through and crossed my fingers (and toes) that the second main group would be significantly better. And then It wasn’t. While they were more confident and less awkward, it seemed like the majority of the humor or what was intended to be humor consisted of inside jokes between the improv people who were performing. This place is a waste of time and $ 10. They have a long way to go before they should even consider charging for a show.

Weird … Just plain weird… Not my crowd at all. I’m from NYC I’m used to a different type of comedy… Never again.

So much love for this theatre! The people are so friendly and shows are so much fun.

After my first negative review, the Executive Director Greg sent me a really thoughtful message, encouraging me to try again. He also offered to let us come back on them with four free tickets. I had some friends in town this weekend, so I invited them to come along. We were super hopeful, especially because Greg recommended which groups were funniest and which night to go.
I really tried to give this place a second chance. First of all, the theatre itself is really really nice. The customer service is also, obviously, great. The theatre is located in an awesome part of town. We even saw Doug Benson tonight. We saw him walking around – not like we saw him actually performing. But we’ll get to the performance… oh, and the audience.
Ok, the biggest issue is that the format of the program is just not conducive to good improv. 40 minutes on one topic is not going to be funny after probably the first…5 minutes. Seriously, tonight we watched a 40 minute sketch with the prompt «gummy bears.» 30 minutes of that, one of the performers was laying on the ground. Although, some of his physical comedy was the best part of the whole thing.
The audience did not help the fact that this was not funny. There has to be plants in the audience. And they are ruining the show by laughing at not funny things because then the performers think they’re doing a great job. And then they’re not ending a sketch that is clearly dead in the water.
We left after the first sketch. (Remember, it lasted 40 minutes). I appreciate the second chance and the wonderful customer service in a great theatre, but I am never coming back.

Came here on a date on Sunday night expecting a fun show with plenty of laughter. Having experienced the Groundlings and UCB in LA many times, I am a big fan of comedy and improv overall and thought this would be a great night out. Sorry to say I was wrong. Theater is intimate which is a plus and it’s BYOB, but I felt like I was back in college at a freshman improv workshop. Crowd was kind of weird and they all seemed to know each other. Performers were enthusiastic but ranged from awful to amateurish for the most part. Structure of the show was poor. The entire first half consisted of an untalented and unfunny couple transitioning randomly from one convoluted scene to another with no apparent humor, logic, or sense whatsoever. Makes me sad that this is all that Philly has to offer.

We went to super free Sunday shows, it was really good! Others reviews are accurate, small crowd maybe 40 max. It’s Byob but they don’t have any accommodations so bring your bottle openers, cups, ice, anything you need. It really is improv, they ask the audience for ideas to act out.

Blown away. Thats all I can say.
The performances at Philly Improv Theatre are amazing. The class I am currently enrolled in here is outstanding. And to top it off the community of teachers, performers (often one and the same) and fellow students is welcoming, kind and supportive.
If you are thinking of taking classes here, check out a free trial class. If you are thinking about going to a show here, do it.
Maybe I’m a bit biased because the shine and gleam of a warm, intelligent, and wonderful environment is new, but from everyone I’ve spoken to who have been working and playing there for a while– it doesn’t seem to be the case. People come from distances to be there, and do so many times a week. They’ve gone from students to teachers and performers.
Happy to be at PHIT any chance I get.

Hilarious and cheap. Would definitely like to come back.

This entire crowd is awesome. The shows range from haha laughs to downright hysterical.
They have Improv, Standup and Sketch Comedy shows as well as classes for all three of those.
The shows are BYO!
What gives this theater company a full five stars are the classes. These are soooo much fun to take and it really becomes a great, fun social hobby that fills up a lot of your free time. They get you out of your head and help you lose your self conscious mindset.
Though they can be hit or miss sometimes, live improv shows are the best. Sometimes it’s a full house, sometimes it’s a mostly empty one. Forget what you’ve seen on Whose Line is it Anyway and see a real live improv show and give it more than one try.

Ok this review is ONLY for the improve comedy they have Friday nights at 10pm. One random night I came here with a few friends to check out the improv show. We had no expectations and found out about it online and thought for $ 10 a ticket and a BYOB it would make for a fun Friday night. Well it was more of an amateur improve comedy night and the audience including us was about 10 people. I felt like everyone knew each other and we might have come by mistake. Since the audience is so small they will make you go on stage at some point and participate. My overall feeling was that it was different. Improv comedy is hard and a few of them did a good job but overall I have to give it two stars.

Best kept secret in Philly Comedy! I’ve been to other venues in the city and this one feels intimate. I was there on a Saturday night at 9pm and it was standing room only. I like that the show was simple in its presentation yet got very complex as the performers pulled things back from the beginning of the show.

Do not go here. Not worth the money. Not funny. Was two people on stage for 45 minutes. Not worth 12 dollars. This is not a professional show! Go to comedy sportz or helium instead.

Took a free 2-​hour introductory class in late 2013 with my girlfriend and was immediately hooked. Our 101 class was one of the last to perform in the Shubin and I thought we had all progressed immensely. We followed that with 201, and 301 and plugged holes with workshops and practice sessions. There was always something going on, whether that means learning or seeing shows. And the community is extremely supportive! On top of that, when you’re enrolled, you get into all shows for free. All I know is that I’ve gone and seen other improv performances by teams that had been together for some time, and the show that my 101 class put on was better than most of them. PHIT knows their stuff!

Took my first Improv class with Alex Gross and it was amazing! Most of the folks in the class were there to loosen up and tap into creative energy. There were a few folks interested in comedy or acting which was a nice mix. Alex is awesome — encouraging and a natural leader. I was surprised how much I benefitted from this class, they made it easy to be a beginner. Plus the shows are cheap and enjoyable too!

Last night my boyfriend and I saw two shows; The Bat and House Team Night. We have seen other shows over the last few months as well. Super cheap and super fun. Get to the theatre early! Great for a date or with friends. Bring a six pack.

PHIT is a great place to go for a fun Saturday night with friends or a date. It’s BYOB, which is great since other comedy theaters that aren’t BYOB charge an arm and a leg for alcohol. The atmosphere is very friendly and inviting. The improv is great and the cost is low for an evening of entertainment.

The center for comedy in Philadelphia is PHIT. Period.
I’ve taken Improv classes and they were awesome (I’m even registered for an upcoming writing workshop!). The instructor had many years of experience, including work at some of the world renowned comedy theaters in Chicago, so I knew when he had things to say, he had the background to back it up. His goal was to make us great improvisors and he succeeded. A good portion of my class went on to take the next class in the series and I see them at or in shows often. Even the ones that didn’t are happy they took the class as it helped them with communicating in their jobs and in relationships! Another awesome fact: the classes are cheaper then they are in NYC and closer to home without losing a single bit of quality. The faculty cares. Period.
The home theatre of PHIT is the Shubin, at 4^th and Bainbridge. The best part of the shows is that it is not just Improv, but also Sketch and Standup Comedy (and even Storytelling!). The shows are super cheap and BYOB, so in one night you might see 5 standups, a sketch show and some improv. Try and do that in NYC and you’ll not only pay out the wazoo for it, but you’ll not find half as much funny people, doing funny things.
These aren’t just some people off the street who just decided to hop on stage. The Improvers have taken their troops to Chicago, New York and Boston for very prestigious festivals. The standups have been all across the country performing in festivals and in clubs to great reviews. The sketch groups have also been all over as well, with more and more fanfare coming their way. Even storytelling has a home at PHIT, and it is always funny and riveting!
What binds them all is that they all are at PHIT. Is PHIT a sort of comedy incubator, giving performers a chance to work on thier craft before releasing them into the wild? Perhaps. Is it the best place to see comedy of all sorts for a super cheap price? Indeed. Will you see these people some day on tv and film? The definitive answer is: yes!
So, go and check it out before these people break out so you can say you saw them way back when! You won’t regret it. And if you are feeling like you might want to take a class and see what it’s all about? It’s worth every penny of your hard earned money and every minute of your time.

I just wanted to comment on Claude’s completely misinformed statements about PHIT classes. I took both a 101 and 201 improv class at PHIT. My 101 teacher was Nick Gillette, and my 201 teacher was Steve Kleinedler. Steve has been performing improv comedy for nearly ten years and performing since the early 80’s, notably with ImprovBoston. To state that they would let ‘anybody’ teach their classes is an outright lie. I am not offended by your critique of performances — to each his own — but I *am* deeply offended by your perpetuation of falsities.
PHIT has grown in popularity and reputation over seven years, and people like Matt Besser of Upright Citizen’s Brigade and Kevin McDonald from Kids in the Hall have come to teach classes or give performances. The shows — in MY opinion — are diverse in content and always a blast.
If you have ever considered taking an improv comedy class you really can’t go wrong with PHIT.

I’ve already taken Improv 101 with Joanna Schmitt, and am now in 201 with Mike Marbach. All I can say is that this has been some of the best educational fun I’ve ever spent money on — that’s including my latest battery of high-​priced academic hookers.
PHIT specializes in long form improv, which focuses more on developing characters and situations, rather than slapstick, schtick, or one-​off jokes (though all of those elements are encouraged and applauded). What results is a wacky good time in the vein of «playing house» like when you were a kid. Only now since we can make adult jokes, our «house» can be filled with crack and shattered dreams, which is infinitely more entertaining than «play vacuuming.»
Furthermore, everyone I’ve met through classes at PHIT has been a combination of hilarious, fun-​loving, and totally willing to day drink with me. It’s been an awesome ride so far, and there are no signs of stopping!
My review of the Shubin theater will say more about actual shows.
Pro-​tip: Go see their shows at the Shubin theater! Registering for a class gets you in for free any night of the week for any number of shows! Also, register early because classes fill up.