About Improv Nashville
Improv Nashville is Music City's only dedicated comedy company.
Founded in 2005, Improv Nashville now boasts the area's best improvisers performing and sharing what they have been doing for years! It's the hippest thing going...so join IN!
We create an evening's entertainment unlike any other in Nashville. Our cast members have performed in hundreds of shows in troupes all over the country, and we take a mature approach to improvisation, focusing more on character and story than gags or gimmicks.
In our ninety minute shows, we create scenes, stories, and songs on the fly from audience suggestions. Our audience ages range from young to old and come from all over the Nashville area. They come to see our show because they are fans of improvised, live theater, or they want something other than music or a movie. Improv Nashville offers corporate team building and communication workshops, classes, and a variety of shows all of which insure the company creates a growing bottom line.
Improv Nashville is dedicated to bringing a positive, supportive improv community for all ages to Music City. Whether you love the challenge of being quick on your feet, want to learn how they do it on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, want to further your acting skills, teach your office workers teambuilding, are looking for just the right entertainment for your corporate or private party or just want to laugh uncontrollably, we say:
Welcome to the IN crowd!
Frequently asked questions:
General Questions:
Q: What is Improv?
Improv is theater on the fly. Acting without a script. We make things up as we go, but we listen to each other carefully onstage and respond to what we hear. That's pretty much it! You don't even have to be funny. Funny takes care of itself.
Q: I want to fill my closet with Improv Nashville t-shirts? How can I get them?
You can obtain an IN crowd shirt in a couple of ways: Take our Intro A class and you get one FREE! Or you can buy them online or at our shows.
Q: How do I book Improv Nashville to perform at my event?
Email emily@improvnashville.com or call 418-0905 for schedule and pricing.
Q: What sort of volunteer opportunities are there at Improv Nashville?
You might be surprised what it takes to keep an organization like ours running. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated to help with advertising, show staff, sound, etc. The benefits for donating services and time include free passes to our shows, credit in publications, and our unending gratitude.
Questions about our Classes:
Q: What are the minimum ages for your adult classes? What can my child take?
The minimum age for our adult classes is 18 years old (with no maximum), however we offer a variety of workshops and summer camps for children and teens. See our Classes for more information.
Q: Can I try improv out before I have to sign up for anything?
Yes! We offer a FREE Improv for Adults Workshop every quarter. The workshop is always on a Saturday for two hours, and there is no obligation to sign up for anything afterwards.
Q. I'm not an actor, and I have no experience. Is that okay?
Yes! The people who take classes with us come from all backgrounds. Some are working actors but most are not. People take our classes to help with their work, gain confidence, and a host of other reasons.
Q: I have improv experience. Do I have to start with Intro A?
Our curriculum is a sequential process where students learn Improv Nashville's style of improvisation. Some students who have prior professional training at an equivalent training center may be allowed to begin with Intro B. Please contact Emily Volman for more information. If you have one year of formal training in improvisation and some acting training you may qualify to audition our Comedy College in April or October.
Q. Can I just show up to a class?
It is important to pre-register for the class. If not enough students are enrolled, the class will be canceled. Also, you could show up for a class that is already maxed out. Therefore, we ask that you enroll in advance. You can do so here.
Q. Can I just sit in and watch one of your classes?
In order to create classes that are uninhibited and encourage self-growth, auditing, drop-ins and guests are not allowed, unless the class is specifically labeled as such.
Q: Who teaches your classes?
You can learn about our teachers here. Please note that there is no guarantee that you will be assigned to a particular teacher.
Questions about our Shows:
Q: What are your shows like? How long are they?
The Improv Nashville Show is completely improvised and features a combination of "short-form" games, similar to the popular television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and a "long-form" theatrical story, similar to a short movie or one-act play. Shows are typically 90 minutes, with a brief intermission.
Q: Are you really making it up during the show?
Our improv shows are completely performed on the fly. The art of improv holds certain values on which we, as a troupe, must agree (such as accepting anything said or done as a gift and adding new information to it), but that is all we know before taking audience suggestions.
Q: Can I bring my kids to the shows? And do you offer a child's discount?
While we do try to keep our shows "clean and clever", we are performing without prior preparation and frequently draw upon our own life experiences. Therefore, we officially claim our shows to be rated PG-13, however, we leave it up to the parent's discretion as to whether or not to bring children under 13 years of age. Because of this rating, we do not offer any show discounts for children or teens.
Q: How do I get tickets? How early do I need to show up?
You can purchase general admission tickets online to guarantee your seats or buy cash tickets at the door. Doors open at 7:30pm (shows start at 8pm), and any latecomers will be asked to wait outside until an appropriate seating time becomes available.
Q: I've never been to an improv show before. Do you embarrass audience members?
No. We ask the audience for suggestions and anyone is free to yell out. We occasionally ask for a volunteer to participate on stage, but we will NEVER take someone against their will. It is our commitment to provide a safe environment for both the players and the audience at all times.
Q: How do I become an Improv Nashville player?
We choose cast members from our classes, as well as hold open auditions in April and October. Taking our classes and coming to our shows can help you become familiar with the Improv Nashville style of improv before you audition!
Q: You wear white shirts with black ties. Are you waiters?
Our cast members span the occupational range from accountant to scientist to professional actor. Oddly enough, not a single one of us is in foodservice. That said, being in foodservice does not preclude you from involvement.
Q: You did not answer MY question, so just stop wasting my time. How do I reach you?
You can email us info@improvnashville.com or call us at 418-0905. And please try to be nice to us. We're actors and have fragile egos. Except for the scientist. He's unflappable.
