Dad's Garage Theatre (Atlanta)

Dad's Garage Theatre was founded in 1995 by nine Florida State University graduates — Chris Blair, Marc Cram, Sean Daniels, George Faughnan, John Gregorio, David Keeton, Joseph Limbaugh, Matt Stanton, and Matt Young — who moved to Atlanta with the audacious goal of building a world-class improv and comedy theater in the South. What started as a scrappy startup quickly grew into Atlanta's most beloved comedy institution, known for its raucous, boundary-pushing shows that blend improv with theatrical spectacle, audience interaction, and fearless creative energy. The theater originally operated from a space on Elizabeth Street in the Inman Park neighborhood, where it built a devoted following over nearly two decades. In 2013, Dad's Garage lost its Inman Park home to mixed-use development, sparking a community-rallying fundraising effort that resulted in the theater's move to its current purpose-built venue at 569 Ezzard Street SE in Atlanta's historic Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. Remarkably, several of the original nine founders — including George Faughnan, Matt Stanton, and Chris Blair — still perform with the company three decades later, a testament to the theater's staying power and the enduring bonds forged by its ensemble culture. Dad's Garage has won Creative Loafing's Best Theater and Best Improv Group awards multiple times and brings in over 30,000 audience members annually.

In 2025, Dad's Garage Theatre operates as the undisputed center of Atlanta's comedy community, producing over 400 shows per year from its Old Fourth Ward venue while running a comprehensive training program that serves hundreds of students annually. What makes Dad's Garage unique is its combination of high-energy improv with ambitious original theatrical productions — the theater is not just an improv school with a stage, but a full-fledged theater company that creates original scripted shows, immersive theatrical events, holiday spectaculars, and genre-bending performances that regularly sell out. Atlanta's transformation into a major entertainment industry hub — driven by Georgia's generous film and television tax credits that have attracted productions from Marvel, Netflix, Tyler Perry Studios, and dozens of other studios — has made Dad's Garage increasingly relevant to performers building professional careers. The theater's alumni have appeared in Archer, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, the viral sensation Too Many Cooks, Selma, and numerous other film and television productions that shoot in Georgia. Dad's Garage has positioned itself as a pipeline for comedic talent into Atlanta's booming production industry, and the relationships students build here increasingly translate into professional opportunities in film, television, and commercial work.

Getting started at Dad's Garage begins with the Level 1 improv class, which focuses on the basics of improvisation and short-form games and requires no prior experience. Registration is handled through the theater's website, with new class sessions starting regularly throughout the year. The training program consists of five progressive levels: Level 1 (basics and short-form), Level 2 (narrative scene-based improvisation), Level 3 (advanced short-form and narrative techniques), Level 4 (advanced games, culminating in a student showcase), and Level 5 (long-form improvisation, also culminating in a showcase). The five-level track takes approximately 10 months to complete at a steady pace. After completing Level 5, dedicated students can audition for the Conservatory — a year-long capstone program that represents the most intensive training Dad's Garage offers. Graduates of the Conservatory become eligible for the company's performing ensemble, the highest tier of involvement at the theater. Dad's Garage also offers classes in sketch comedy, stand-up, and comedic acting, as well as youth programs (camps and classes for kids and teens) and corporate training workshops.

The training experience at Dad's Garage reflects the theater's personality — high-energy, fearlessly creative, and deeply collaborative, with an emphasis on making bold choices and supporting your ensemble. Classes are taught by members of the Dad's Garage company and experienced performers from the Atlanta comedy scene, all of whom bring real stage experience and genuine passion for teaching. The curriculum balances technical improv skills with the theatrical sensibility that distinguishes Dad's Garage from more traditional improv schools — students learn not just how to build scenes and play games but how to create immersive, audience-engaging theatrical experiences. The showcase performances at the end of Levels 4 and 5 give students the thrill of performing on the Dad's Garage stage for a live audience, bridging the gap between classroom training and real performance. One of the most distinctive features of Dad's Garage's training ecosystem is the breadth of performance opportunities available beyond the core curriculum — the theater regularly produces original shows that draw on the talent pool of students and alumni, and the company's culture of creative experimentation means there are always new projects seeking performers. Corporate training programs, taught using the same improv principles adapted for business settings, also provide income-generating opportunities for advanced students.

Dad's Garage attracts a diverse cross-section of Atlanta's creative community, from aspiring professional performers to corporate workers seeking a creative outlet to students from the city's numerous colleges and universities. The theater's Southern location and welcoming culture draw a student body that is somewhat different from what you would find at coastal improv institutions — there is a warmth, openness, and lack of pretension that reflects Atlanta's character and makes Dad's Garage particularly accessible to first-time improvisers who might feel intimidated by the reputation of a Second City or UCB. Alumni have gone on to careers in film, television, voice acting, commercial work, and live entertainment, with an increasing number finding opportunities within Georgia's booming production industry. The theater's ensemble includes performers who have been with the company for decades alongside newer members, creating a multigenerational community of comedic talent. Dad's Garage's youth programs have also made it a family-friendly institution, introducing teenagers to improv and theater in a supportive environment and building the next generation of Atlanta's comedy community.

Classes at Dad's Garage cost approximately $175 to $225 per level in 2025, making it one of the most affordable improv training programs at a major theater in any large American city. The five-level core curriculum represents a total investment of roughly $875 to $1,125 — significantly less than comparable programs at Second City ($1,350 to $2,400), UCB ($2,000 to $2,500), or the Groundlings. The Conservatory program, as a year-long commitment, is priced separately and represents a larger investment but provides the most intensive training the theater offers. Specialty workshops, stand-up and sketch classes, and intensive programs are priced in the $30 to $200 range depending on duration and format. Youth camps and teen programs are competitively priced for Atlanta's market. The theater does not charge performance fees for ensemble members, and the Ezzard Street venue's bar generates additional revenue that helps keep class prices low. Atlanta's significantly lower cost of living compared to New York, LA, or Chicago means that students' overall training investment — when you factor in rent, food, and transportation — is a fraction of what it would cost to train at a coastal institution.

Dad's Garage is the essential training choice for Atlanta-area performers — there is no comparable institution in the region, and the theater's combination of quality instruction, vibrant community, and proximity to Georgia's booming production industry makes it one of the most strategically valuable improv schools in the country for performers who want to build careers outside the traditional coastal hubs. If you are already living in Atlanta or considering a move to take advantage of Georgia's entertainment industry, Dad's Garage should be your first stop for improv and comedy training. The theater is also an excellent choice for complete beginners who want a high-energy, welcoming introduction to improv in an environment that is fun rather than intimidating. However, if your ultimate goal is a career in television comedy writing or performing at the highest levels of the industry, you should plan to supplement Dad's Garage training with study at a nationally recognized institution — a common path is to build a strong foundation at Dad's Garage and then pursue advanced training at Second City, UCB, or the Groundlings. For corporate professionals seeking creative skills for the workplace, Dad's Garage's corporate programs are among the best in the Southeast.

Take advantage of Atlanta's booming film and television industry while training at Dad's Garage — register with Georgia-based casting agencies, attend local industry events, and network with other performers who are booking work on productions shooting in the state. Attend Dad's Garage shows as often as possible, especially the original theatrical productions and immersive events that showcase the theater's unique creative ambition — these shows will expand your understanding of what comedy and improv can achieve beyond traditional formats. If you are considering the Conservatory, talk to current and former Conservatory students about the time commitment and what they gained from the experience before committing to the full year. Get involved in Dad's Garage's community beyond your classes — volunteer at events, attend social gatherings, and participate in open rehearsals and jams to build relationships with the ensemble and other students. If you complete the five-level curriculum and want to continue training but are not ready for the Conservatory commitment, ask about the theater's specialty workshops in sketch, stand-up, and comedic acting as a way to diversify your skill set while staying connected to the community.