Best Professional Improv Theaters In Detroit

Although it might LOOK easy, the art of improvisation is anything but! Once referred to as Metro Detroit's biggest secret in the performing arts, improvisational comedy is now a popular entertainment option almost every night of the week, while training classes for all ages and experience levels are available pretty much all year round. Who knew that making stuff up could be so much fun? – Donald V. Calamia, EncoreMichigan.com

Go Comedy! Improv Theater

261 E. 9 Mile Rd.
Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 327-0575
www.gocomedy.net

Go Comedy! Improv Theater offers a variety of improv and sketch comedy shows Wednesday through Saturday, and alternative productions on Sunday. Named Detroit's best comedy club two years in a row by Metro Times and Real Detroit, Go Comedy offers a wide variety of programs featuring the best troupes in the region as well as up-and-coming student groups. From an improvised game show to an improvised musical, and from original scripted comedies to late night shows, Go Comedy explores every aspect of improvisation five nights a week in downtown Ferndale. And best of all, tickets are affordably priced – and the fully stocked bar (with 36 different beers and six specialty drinks) opens one hour before show time! Go Comedy! also offers Go U: The Improv Academy for anyone looking to learn how to improvise, and GoCorp for private shows for businesses, bachelorette parties and birthdays.

Planet Ant Theatre

2357 Caniff St.
Hamtramck, MI 48212
(313) 365-4948
www.planetant.com

Since its founding in 1996, Planet Ant Theatre has served as a home for Southeast Michigan's ever-expanding improv community. It's a triple treat every Monday night as a different Guest Team opens the evening at 8 p.m., followed by the Improv Colony starring the area's finest, funniest and most seasoned improvisers. Then, after a brief intermission, stay around for AntJam, in which randomly selected teams of improvisers are drawn to call the shots on stage for 15 to 20 minutes. In addition, Planet Ant holds two annual improv festivals – Summer Colony Fest in July and Winter Colony Fest in December – during which improv troupes not directly affiliated with the Ant compete against one another to win an opportunity to create an original late night show at Planet Ant. Improv classes taught by local and nationally recognized professionals are scheduled at various times throughout the year. Please call for details.