About Fort Wayne Improv

Fort Wayne Improv is an itinerant theater group established in 2024 founded on the principle of fostering a love of improv and sketch comedy in the Fort Wayne and surrounding Indiana area. With a mission to engage the community through laughter and creativity, the group hosts regular workshops, performances, and community events that highlight the talent of local comedians and performers.

The founders, a passionate collective of improvisers and comedy sketch writers, envisioned a space where individuals of all ages could explore their comedic potential, regardless of their experience level. Each workshop is designed to be inclusive and fun, encouraging participants to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the spontaneity of improvisation.

Fort Wayne Improv also collaborates with local schools and organizations to teach the fundamentals of improv while also emphasizing inspiration, teamwork, communication, and to build confidence among the students. In addition to workshops, the group presents shows in front of a live audience at various venues throughout Fort Wayne, showcasing both original sketches and classic improv formats. These performances not only provide a platform for local talent but also aim to entertain and connect with the audience, fostering a shared experience of joy and laughter.

As Fort Wayne Improv continues to grow, the group is committed to expanding its outreach, exploring partnerships with other arts organizations. Through their efforts, Fort Wayne Improv hopes to establish Fort Wayne as a hub for comedic arts, encouraging individuals to laugh together and celebrate the art of spontaneity. 

What is Long-Form Improv Comedy?

Long-form improvisational comedy is a spontaneous, creative artistic expression usually inspired by one audience suggestion at the beginning of the show usually consisting of a scene or series of connected scenes. In general, most people think of improv as funny, but it doesn’t have to be. In long-form improv, an improviser is free to explore the performance to find the interesting parts. It is completely made up on the spot. (Examples: Murderville, Middleditch and Schwartz)

What is Short-Form Improv Comedy?

Short-form improv comedy is very interactive and relies more heavily on audience participation than long-form. Generally performed as a series of games with rules that the actors follow, it is completely improvised on the spot. (Examples: Whose Line Is It Anyway?)

What is Sketch Comedy?

Sketch comedy has its roots in vaudeville and consists of short–usually between 10 seconds and 5 minutes–scripted vignettes which are written by a writer or group of writers and usually rehearsed, performed, and perfected. (Examples: Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele, The Kids in the Hall, Mad TV, Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, and many, many more)

What is Stand-Up Comedy?

Stand-up comedy is probably the most familiar form of comedy to the majority of people. Usually, it is a scripted series of jokes performed by one comic with a microphone. Some stand-up comedians take the stage in the guise of a character, but more often, the comedic content comes from an honest place and a connection with the crowd. (Examples: What every comedian’s mom thinks they do, What Netflix spends money on)

Kelsey Bradt and Michael Bradt performing long-form improv comedy as M’Kay.

A man makes prayer hands as a woman gestures to him.
A man and a woman sit down as the man rests his feet on an invisible ottoman.
A man and a woman fist bump as they improvise a comedy scene.
A man gets lectured to by a woman during an improvised comedy scene.
A woman points to a man during an improv comedy scene.
A man tries to justify his actions to a woman who has her back to him.