iO Theater

iO Theater (formerly ImprovOlympic) holds a unique and irreplaceable position in the history of comedy as the institution where long-form improvisational comedy was invented and codified. Founded in 1981 by Del Close and Charna Halpern, iO is credited with developing the Harold — the foundational long-form improv structure that has been adopted and adapted by improv theaters worldwide and that fundamentally changed what improvisation could be, transforming it from a collection of short-form games into a sophisticated art form capable of sustaining full-length performances with complex themes, recurring patterns, and emotional depth. The alumni list is legendary: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler famously met in iO classes in 1993, forging a creative partnership that would define a generation of comedy; Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Adam McKay, Jordan Peele, Seth Meyers, Tim Meadows, and Rachel Dratch all developed their skills on iO's stages. The theater operates from its Chicago location, having reopened in November 2022 after a pandemic closure that threatened its survival. Del Close, who passed away in 1999, left an artistic legacy that continues to define iO's training philosophy — his belief that improvisation should aspire to the quality and depth of scripted theater, that ensembles can achieve a 'group mind' that transcends individual ability, and that the art of improv deserves the same respect as any other performing art form. iO's Training Center Program, which has operated for over 40 years, is the oldest continuously running long-form improv training program in the world.

In 2025, iO Theater operates as both a professional improv theater presenting nightly shows and a training center offering one of the most respected long-form improv curricula in the world. The Training Center Program progresses through five levels over approximately one year, building students' skills from foundational improv principles through advanced long-form performance, with each level developing the specific competencies needed for the next. iO's training philosophy is fundamentally ensemble-focused — the school teaches that the highest quality improv emerges when performers achieve 'group mind,' a state of heightened collaborative awareness where the ensemble thinks and creates as a single organism rather than a collection of individuals competing for attention. The Harold remains the centerpiece of iO's advanced curriculum, and learning to perform Harolds at a high level is the primary goal of the training program — students learn to open scenes, identify patterns, build thematic connections, and create satisfying full-length improvised performances that reward audiences with the same depth and coherence they would find in scripted work. Students who complete the program can audition for iO house teams, earning regular stage time on iO's stages in front of audiences that include fellow performers, comedy enthusiasts, and industry professionals. The theater also hosts the annual iO Fest (scheduled for July 24-27 in 2025), which brings improv teams from across the country to Chicago for a celebration of the art form. The post-pandemic iO has maintained its commitment to the artistic principles established by Del Close while adapting to the evolving comedy landscape and rebuilding the community that was disrupted by the closure.

Enrollment in iO's Training Center Program begins with Level 1, which is open to all students without prior experience or audition requirement. The program progresses through five levels, each building on the skills developed in the previous stage, with students advancing based on completion of each level. Classes meet weekly over 8-week sessions, with three hours of instruction per session providing consistent, intensive training. iO also offers a Summer Intensive program at $1,650, which compresses five weeks of training into an immersive experience running four days per week (Monday-Thursday, 11 AM-5 PM), providing six hours of daily instruction — this intensive format is ideal for students who want to accelerate their training or who are visiting Chicago specifically for comedy education. A $825 half-payment option is available to secure a spot in the Summer Intensive. The session-based scheduling means new students can begin the program at regular intervals throughout the year, and iO publishes its session schedules in advance to help students plan their training. The theater's central Chicago location makes it accessible by public transportation and positions students in the heart of one of the world's greatest comedy cities. Students enrolled in classes receive a free iO Student ID that provides access to all iO shows during their enrollment period, allowing them to watch advanced performers and house teams as part of their education.

The five-level Training Center curriculum is structured as a progressive developmental arc that builds from foundational improv skills through advanced Harold performance. Level 1 establishes the core principles of long-form improv including listening, agreement, relationship building, and the concept of 'Yes, And' — the foundational principle of accepting and building on your scene partner's contributions. Level 2 introduces scene structure, character development, and the beginnings of pattern recognition that will be essential for Harold work. Level 3 deepens scene work and introduces the Harold format, teaching students to understand and perform the specific structure — including the opening, first beats, group games, second beats, and third beats — that Del Close developed as the definitive long-form improv form. Level 4 focuses on advanced Harold performance, developing students' ability to create thematic connections, make sophisticated pattern moves, and perform Harolds that achieve the artistic depth and coherence that Del Close envisioned. Level 5 is the most advanced level, preparing students for house team auditions and professional-level performance. Throughout all levels, the emphasis on ensemble and 'group mind' is paramount — iO teaches that the best improv comes not from individual brilliance but from collective intelligence, and students are trained to prioritize the group's creative vision over personal agenda. The training also addresses the philosophical and artistic principles that Del Close articulated throughout his career, giving students an intellectual framework for understanding improvisation as an art form worthy of the same respect as any other theatrical discipline.

iO attracts serious improv students who are drawn to the theater's historical significance, its ensemble-focused philosophy, and the depth of its long-form curriculum. The student body ranges from complete beginners discovering improv for the first time to experienced performers from other cities and traditions who come to iO to study at the source of long-form improvisation. The alumni network includes some of the most influential figures in comedy history — the fact that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler met in iO classes in 1993 and went on to become two of the most important comedy voices of their generation is perhaps the most vivid illustration of the creative partnerships that form in iO's ensemble-focused training environment. The Chicago comedy community provides a rich ecosystem for iO students, with Second City, the Annoyance, and dozens of smaller theaters creating a density of performance and training opportunities that is unmatched anywhere in the world. For students who complete the program and earn house team spots, the regular stage time at iO provides invaluable performing experience and the opportunity to develop as improvisers in front of audiences over extended periods. The culture at iO tends to be more artistically serious and philosophically oriented than some other improv schools, reflecting Del Close's belief that improvisation should aspire to the highest artistic standards — students who share this commitment to the art form tend to thrive in iO's environment.

Regular 8-week classes at iO are priced competitively among major improv training centers, with the five-level program representing a cumulative investment spread over approximately one year of training. The Summer Intensive at $1,650 provides an accelerated option that compresses extensive training into five intensive weeks, representing strong value for the 120+ hours of instruction included. The free student ID providing access to all iO shows during enrollment adds significant value, as regular show attendance is an essential complement to classroom training. Compared to UCB ($400-$500 per level) and The Groundlings ($580 per course), iO's pricing is generally in line with or slightly below the rates at other major institutions. Chicago's cost of living is significantly lower than New York or Los Angeles, making iO one of the most financially accessible paths to training at a world-class improv institution — students can live affordably in Chicago while dedicating themselves to their comedy development. The theater does not offer formal scholarship programs, but the affordable pricing and lower living costs make iO training accessible to a broader range of students than coastal alternatives. Students should budget for housing, transportation, and living expenses alongside class fees when planning their training at iO.

iO is essential training for any serious improviser who wants to understand and master long-form improv at its source — if you are committed to the art of improvisation as a performance discipline, there is no substitute for studying where it was invented and where its principles are most deeply understood. The program is particularly well-suited for performers who are drawn to the ensemble philosophy, who want to achieve the creative transcendence that 'group mind' produces, and who see improvisation as an art form worthy of the same dedication and rigor as scripted theater. If you are primarily interested in sketch comedy writing, Second City's curriculum is more directly aligned with that goal. For performers who find the Harold format too structured, the Annoyance Theatre's no-rules approach provides a liberating alternative. UCB's 'game of the scene' methodology offers a complementary analytical framework that many performers study alongside iO's ensemble approach. Most serious Chicago improvisers train at multiple institutions — iO for long-form ensemble work, Second City for sketch creation, and the Annoyance for creative freedom — and this combination produces the most well-rounded comedy performers. If you cannot relocate to Chicago, UCB offers the closest approximation of iO's long-form focus with locations in New York and Los Angeles.

Begin your iO training with an open mind and a willingness to subordinate your individual cleverness to the group — the ensemble philosophy that defines iO's approach requires genuine commitment to collective creation, and students who arrive trying to be the funniest person in the room will struggle to advance. Attend iO shows regularly, including during your training and beyond — watching house teams perform Harolds at a high level will teach you things about the form that classroom instruction alone cannot convey. Study Del Close's philosophy by reading 'Truth in Comedy' (by Close, Halpern, and Kim 'Howard' Johnson) and engaging with the intellectual tradition that underlies iO's approach — understanding the 'why' behind the technique will deepen your practice. Take advantage of the free student show access by attending shows across multiple nights and house teams, noting the different approaches and styles that emerge from the same foundational training. If budget allows, consider the Summer Intensive for accelerated, immersive training that builds skills and community rapidly. Immerse yourself in Chicago's broader comedy ecosystem by attending shows at Second City, the Annoyance, and smaller theaters — the density of comedy talent and creativity in Chicago is unmatched, and exposure to different approaches will make you a more versatile, thoughtful performer.