Endgames Improv (San Francisco)

Endgames Improv was founded in 2010 by Peter Kim, with Max McCal and Chris Blair joining as co-founders shortly after, establishing what would become San Francisco's primary dedicated improv training center and performance venue. The organization grew rapidly in its early years, with Dan Burt joining the leadership team in 2012 and Scott Meyer in 2013, building the infrastructure needed to serve the Bay Area's growing appetite for improv training. Endgames established its flagship location — the Training Center South at 2989 Mission Street in San Francisco's Mission District — and in 2018 acquired a second building, the Training Center North at 2081 Mission Street, expanding its capacity to serve more students and host more performances. Shows are presented at Stage Werx Theater at 446 Valencia Street, giving Endgames a dedicated performance venue separate from its training spaces. The organization's growth trajectory — from a small startup to a two-building operation with a regular performance schedule — reflects both the quality of its programming and the genuine demand for improv training in a city that, despite its vibrant arts culture, had historically lacked the dedicated improv infrastructure found in Chicago, New York, or LA. Endgames owns both of its training center buildings, a remarkable achievement for an independent improv theater that provides long-term stability and insulation from San Francisco's notoriously volatile commercial real estate market.

In 2025, Endgames Improv operates as the Bay Area's most comprehensive improv institution, offering a structured training curriculum alongside a packed schedule of over 10 weekly shows at Stage Werx Theater. What distinguishes Endgames from improv theaters in other cities is its 'no gatekeeper' philosophy — the organization believes that students should decide for themselves when they are ready to perform, rather than having that decision made for them through auditions or instructor approval. This anti-elitist approach, combined with a commitment to keeping all ticket prices at $20 or under (with some shows completely free), reflects Endgames' core belief that improv should be accessible to everyone as both performer and audience member. The organization does not impose performer ticket minimums — the common practice at many comedy clubs of requiring performers to sell a certain number of tickets to their friends — which removes a major barrier that prevents newer performers from getting stage time. Endgames' teaching approach blends influences from multiple improv traditions: Chicago's long-form and pattern-focused techniques, New York's game-based methodology, and a West Coast sensibility that values authenticity and emotional connection. In July 2024, Endgames obtained a full liquor license, adding bar service to its performance venues and creating an additional revenue stream that supports the organization's mission of affordable comedy.

Getting started at Endgames begins with imp101: Group Dynamics, the first level of the core improv curriculum, which requires no prior experience. Registration is handled through the Endgames website, with new class sessions starting regularly throughout the year. The core curriculum consists of five progressive levels: imp101 (Group Dynamics), imp201 (Character), imp301 (Scene Work), imp401 (Advanced Scene Work), and imp501 (Shows Beginning to End). Each level runs seven consecutive weeks, providing 21 hours of instruction plus a graduation show at the end of each level — a structure that gives students regular performance experience from the very beginning of their training. Beyond the core improv track, Endgames offers specialty courses including mus101 (Singprov — musical improv) and ske101 (Sketch Writing), allowing students to diversify their comedy skills within the same institution. Class sizes are kept manageable to ensure each student receives adequate attention and stage time. The seven-week format, with classes meeting once per week for three hours, creates a focused, intensive learning experience that builds strong ensemble bonds within each class cohort.

The training experience at Endgames emphasizes ensemble dynamics, character depth, and scene craft — building performers who can create compelling, emotionally honest improv rather than simply generating quick laughs. The curriculum is designed so that each level addresses a specific dimension of improvisation: Level 1 establishes group trust and agreement, Level 2 develops character work and point of view, Level 3 focuses on two-person scene technique, Level 4 advances scene work with game and pattern recognition, and Level 5 integrates everything into full-show performance. Instructors are experienced Endgames performers who bring diverse training backgrounds from institutions across the country, creating a teaching team that represents multiple improv traditions rather than adhering to a single methodology. The graduation show at the end of each level is one of Endgames' most distinctive features — students perform for a live audience at Stage Werx Theater, gaining real performance experience in a professional setting rather than merely doing exercises in a classroom. Beyond the core curriculum, Endgames' performance schedule provides ample opportunities for students to observe experienced performers — with 10+ weekly shows, students can attend multiple performances each week to study different styles and formats. The organization's free flagship show, 'Your Fucked Up Relationship' (running continuously since 2011), has become a Bay Area comedy institution in its own right.

Endgames' student body reflects San Francisco's unique demographics — the Bay Area's concentration of tech professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, and international residents produces an improv community that is intellectually curious, culturally diverse, and often brings unconventional perspectives to the stage. Many students are tech industry workers seeking a creative outlet and social community outside of their professional lives, and the analytical thinking skills they bring to improv can produce unexpectedly sharp and clever scene work. The no-gatekeeper philosophy means Endgames' performing community is broader and more varied than what you find at theaters with selective audition processes — performers of all experience levels take the stage, which creates an egalitarian culture but also means the quality of any given show can vary more widely than at more curated theaters. While Endgames has not yet produced the nationally famous alumni that institutions like UCB and the Groundlings can claim, the organization has built a loyal and active performing community that sustains the Bay Area's improv scene. The tech industry connection also means that Endgames alumni frequently apply their improv skills in professional contexts — product presentations, team leadership, public speaking, and startup pitching — creating practical value beyond the stage.

Classes at Endgames Improv cost $399 to $425 per level in 2025, with each level providing 21 hours of instruction across seven weekly sessions plus a graduation show. The complete five-level core curriculum represents a total investment of approximately $2,000 to $2,125, which places Endgames at the higher end of pricing among regional improv theaters but is comparable to what UCB and the Groundlings charge in Los Angeles and New York. The pricing reflects San Francisco's high operating costs — particularly real estate, even though Endgames owns its buildings — as well as the generous 21-hour per-level format and the inclusion of a graduation show in each level. Specialty courses (musical improv and sketch writing) are priced similarly to the core curriculum levels. Endgames offers scholarship programs for students who need financial assistance to access training, demonstrating the organization's commitment to accessibility despite the relatively high price point. All shows are priced at $20 or under, with some free, making it affordable to attend performances even if the class tuition is a stretch. The absence of performer ticket minimums also means that students who advance to performing never face the hidden cost of buying tickets to their own shows.

Endgames Improv is the essential training destination for anyone living in the San Francisco Bay Area who wants structured, comprehensive improv education — it is the only institution in the region that offers a full five-level curriculum with dedicated training facilities and a regular performance schedule. If you are a tech industry professional looking for a creative community and communication skills development, Endgames will deliver on both fronts and connect you to a like-minded community of Bay Area performers. The graduation shows provide valuable performance experience that makes Endgames training more immediately practical than programs where students only perform in their final level. However, if your goal is a professional career in entertainment, view Endgames as a strong foundation that you will need to supplement with training at a nationally recognized institution — the most common path for Bay Area performers is to build skills at Endgames and then pursue advanced study in LA or Chicago. For Bay Area residents who want improv as a hobby, creative outlet, and social community, Endgames provides everything you need within the region. If you are visiting San Francisco, attending an Endgames show (especially the long-running 'Your Fucked Up Relationship') is one of the best ways to experience the city's comedy culture.

Commit to attending multiple Endgames shows per week during your training — with 10+ weekly shows and all tickets at $20 or under, there is no more affordable way to immerse yourself in improv and accelerate your learning through observation. Take advantage of the graduation shows at the end of each level by inviting friends, colleagues, and anyone you want to introduce to improv — these shows are real performances, not rehearsals, and treating them seriously will help you develop the performance mindset you need for more advanced work. If finances are a concern, ask about the scholarship program before deciding you cannot afford to enroll — Endgames is genuinely committed to accessibility and will work with you. Supplement your Endgames training with open jams and practice groups in the Bay Area — the more improv you do outside of class, the faster you will develop, and the community connections you build at jams will expand your network beyond your Endgames classmates. If you are a tech professional, look for ways to apply your improv skills at work — many of the biggest tech companies in the Bay Area now recognize the value of improv training for team communication, product pitching, and leadership development, and you may be able to advocate for your company to sponsor improv training for your team.