Magnet Theater NYC

Magnet Theater is a New York City improv theater and school that has earned a devoted following for its innovative approach to long-form improv, its emphasis on narrative-driven and format-based performance, and its strong community culture since its founding in March 2005 by Armando Diaz, Ed Herbstman, and Shannon Manning. The theater is located at 254 West 29th Street in Manhattan and has been described as the 'epicenter of the city's growing improv movement,' reflecting its role in pushing the boundaries of what improvised performance can achieve. What distinguishes Magnet from other NYC improv institutions is its emphasis on innovative formats, narrative improv, and experimental approaches that go beyond the standard Harold-based training offered at other schools — Magnet encourages performers to develop new forms, explore storytelling through improv, and create sophisticated, emotionally resonant performances. The theater's alumni include Matt Koff (writer for The Daily Show), George Basil (The Pete Holmes Show, College Humor), Sydney Duncan (Wild'N Out), and performers who have appeared on SNL and other major comedy platforms. Magnet presents shows every single night of the week, creating a nightly performance laboratory where students, house teams, and independent groups can develop their work in front of live audiences. The LIVEWIRE sketch teams program provides additional performance opportunities for selected performers, and the theater's commitment to innovation means new formats and experimental shows are a regular part of the programming.

In 2025, Magnet Theater operates as a vibrant performance venue and training center offering classes in improv, musical improv, sketch writing, and storytelling from its 29th Street location. The training curriculum progresses through multiple levels covering improv fundamentals, scene work, and advanced long-form structures, with a teaching philosophy that values emotional honesty, narrative sophistication, and the exploration of innovative improvised forms. What sets Magnet's approach apart from UCB's game-based methodology or iO's Harold-focused training is the emphasis on developing improvisers who can create rich, layered scenes with genuine emotional depth and narrative arc — Magnet-trained performers tend to be particularly strong at building worlds, developing characters over the course of a performance, and finding the humanity in comedic situations. The theater offers free introductory classes that allow prospective students to experience Magnet's approach before committing to a full course, removing the financial barrier to discovery. The community around Magnet is notably tight-knit and collaborative, with performers, students, and staff forming the kind of close relationships that define the best independent theater communities. The nightly show schedule provides a constant flow of performance opportunities, and the theater's willingness to program experimental and format-breaking shows creates an environment where creative risk-taking is celebrated rather than penalized. Summer and winter break intensives provide concentrated training opportunities for students who want to accelerate their development or who are visiting New York specifically for comedy education.

Enrollment at Magnet is open to all students for entry-level classes, with no audition or prior experience required. The free introductory classes provide a zero-risk way to experience Magnet's teaching style and community before enrolling in a full course. Advancement through the levels is based on course completion, with instructors providing feedback that helps students identify their strengths and growth areas. A typical 6-week class costs approximately $375, with pricing varying by course type and length — the storytelling class, for example, runs $375 for six sessions. Specialized workshops and intensives are available at additional cost, and the theater periodically offers focused training opportunities in areas like musical improv, sketch writing, and advanced scene work. The 29th Street location is centrally located in Manhattan, accessible by multiple subway lines, and the theater's box office can be reached at (212) 244-8824 for registration and scheduling questions. Applications for the LIVEWIRE sketch teams are accepted periodically, providing an additional performance pathway for students who want to develop and perform original sketch material. The theater's welcoming culture means that new students can enter at any time and quickly feel integrated into the Magnet community.

The Magnet training curriculum is designed to develop improvisers who are technically skilled, emotionally engaged, and creatively adventurous. Foundational levels cover the core principles of improvisation — listening, agreement, scene initiation, and collaborative creation — while establishing the emotional honesty and scene-building skills that are central to Magnet's approach. Intermediate levels deepen scene work, introduce more complex two-person and group dynamics, and begin exploring the long-form formats and structures that distinguish advanced improvisation. Advanced levels focus on innovative format work, narrative improv, and the sophisticated scene construction that Magnet is known for — students learn to create improvised performances that tell stories, develop characters, and reward audiences with emotional and comedic payoffs. The musical improv classes combine singing and musical structure with improv skills, producing performers who can create improvised musicals with coherent songs, characters, and plotlines. The sketch writing curriculum teaches students to develop and perform original comedic material, complementing the improv training with material-creation skills. The storytelling classes develop narrative skills that enhance both improv and other forms of performance. The emphasis on innovative formats means that advanced Magnet students learn to create and perform in forms that may not exist at other schools — the theater encourages performers to invent new structures rather than simply repeating established ones. The nightly show schedule provides context for the training, as students can see how the skills they are developing translate to live performance every night of the week.

Magnet attracts improvisers who are drawn to the theater's creative innovation, its emphasis on narrative and emotional depth, and its tight-knit community. The student body tends to include performers who have some prior improv experience and are seeking a more sophisticated, artistically adventurous approach than they have found at other institutions, alongside complete beginners who are attracted by the free intro classes and welcoming culture. The community around Magnet is one of its most valuable assets — performers describe it as a creative home where they feel supported, challenged, and inspired by their peers. Alumni like Matt Koff, George Basil, and Sydney Duncan represent the kind of versatile, creative comedy professionals that Magnet's training produces — performers who bring depth and originality to their work. The theater's nightly shows create a vibrant ecosystem where students and house teams perform alongside more established acts, and the constant flow of performance keeps the creative energy high. For improvisers who have trained at other schools and are seeking something different, Magnet's emphasis on innovation and narrative provides a complementary perspective that deepens their overall skill set. The LIVEWIRE sketch teams connect performers interested in original material creation with a structured platform for developing and performing sketch comedy.

Classes at Magnet Theater are priced at approximately $375 for a typical 6-week course, with variations depending on the specific class type and duration. The free introductory classes remove the financial barrier to trying Magnet's approach, allowing prospective students to experience the teaching style and community before committing to a full course. Show tickets are affordably priced at $10-$17, with premiere shows like The Improvised Musical and Friday Night Show at the higher end, making regular show attendance financially accessible for students. Compared to UCB ($400-$500 per level) and The Groundlings ($580 per course), Magnet's pricing is competitive, particularly given the strong focus on innovative formats and community. The PIT's dynamic pricing model may offer lower entry-level prices, but Magnet's consistent pricing provides predictability. The 29th Street location in Manhattan means students face the high cost of New York City living alongside their training expenses, though the neighborhood's accessibility by public transit minimizes transportation costs. Magnet does not have a formal scholarship program, but the free intro classes and relatively moderate pricing make the training accessible to a broad range of students.

Magnet Theater is an excellent choice for NYC improvisers who want training that goes beyond standard improv methodology to explore innovative formats, narrative improv, and emotionally sophisticated scene work in a tight-knit, creatively adventurous community. If you are drawn to improv as a storytelling art form and want to develop the skills to create improvised performances with genuine depth and originality, Magnet's approach will resonate with you. The theater is particularly well-suited for performers who have trained elsewhere and are seeking a more artistically ambitious complement to their existing skills. For students who want a specific, structured methodology (like UCB's game approach), UCB may be a better primary training center. For the most affordable, accessible NYC improv training, The PIT offers a more budget-friendly alternative. Most NYC improvisers benefit from training at multiple institutions, and Magnet pairs exceptionally well with UCB (for analytical game work) or The PIT (for community and accessibility) as a complement that adds narrative depth and creative innovation to the toolkit. The free intro classes make it easy to try Magnet's approach with no financial commitment.

Start with a free introductory class to experience Magnet's teaching style and community before committing to a full course — this risk-free sampling is one of Magnet's best features and will help you determine if the theater's approach resonates with you. Attend Magnet shows regularly, particularly the innovative format shows and experimental performances that showcase the creative ambition the theater is known for. Build relationships with the Magnet community from your first class, as the tight-knit culture means that the connections you make here will likely become some of your most enduring creative partnerships. Explore classes in musical improv and storytelling alongside the core improv track to develop the narrative and performance skills that distinguish Magnet-trained performers. Apply for the LIVEWIRE sketch teams when applications open if you are interested in developing and performing original material. Supplement your Magnet training with classes at another NYC institution to develop a well-rounded comedy skill set — the combination of Magnet's narrative depth with UCB's analytical game work or The PIT's emotional warmth creates a comprehensive comedic education.