WIT - Washington Improv Theater (DC)

Washington Improv Theater (WIT) was originally founded in 1986 by Carole Douglis as one of the earliest improv companies in the Washington, DC, area. The original company disbanded in 1992, but a group of dedicated improvisers reborn it as a consensus-based collective that was formally reinstated on November 27, 1998, beginning the modern era of WIT that continues today. Over the following decades, WIT transformed from a small performance group into the capital region's premier improv institution, building an infrastructure of classes, house teams, shows, and community events that created a thriving improv culture in a city historically known for politics and policy rather than comedy. For its first 28 years, WIT operated without a permanent home, borrowing space from partner venues and adapting to whatever stages were available — a nomadic existence that paradoxically strengthened the community by forcing it to rely on the quality of its people and programming rather than the appeal of a fixed venue. WIT's performance home base became Studio Theatre on the 14th Street corridor, where the organization presents the majority of its shows. The theater has grown to serve over 1,100 students annually and stages more than 300 performances each year, making it one of the most active improv organizations in the eastern United States.

In 2025, WIT is working toward creating its first permanent home — a dedicated creative hub that will consolidate its training, performance, and community programming under one roof after nearly three decades of operating in borrowed spaces. What distinguishes WIT from improv institutions in major comedy markets like Chicago, New York, and LA is its unique position at the intersection of comedy and the capital's intellectual culture — DC's population of policy experts, journalists, lawyers, academics, and government professionals brings an unusual level of analytical rigor and social awareness to the improv stage, producing a house style that tends toward the thoughtful, articulate, and politically savvy. WIT's curriculum is rooted in long-form improv, drawing on influences from the Chicago tradition (particularly Harold-based structures) while developing its own distinctive pedagogical approach that emphasizes joy, play, and genuine human connection alongside technical skill. The organization operates as a nonprofit, which means revenue is reinvested in programming, community access, and artist development rather than extracted as profit. WIT has also established itself as a significant presence in the national improv community, hosting an annual festival and participating in exchanges with improv theaters across the country. The theater's location at 1501 14th Street NW places it in one of DC's most vibrant cultural corridors, with all class locations accessible by Metro.

Getting started at WIT begins with Level 1: Foundations of Improv, which requires no prior experience and is open to all adults. WIT also offers free 'Improv for All' introductory workshops — 60 to 90-minute sessions held year-round at locations across the city — that give prospective students a zero-risk taste of improv before committing to a full class. Registration for paid classes is handled through WIT's website, with new sessions starting regularly throughout the year. The core curriculum consists of five progressive levels, each providing 20 hours of instruction for a total of 100 hours across the full track: Level 1 (Foundations of Improv), Level 2 (Scene Dynamics), Level 3 (Game), Level 4 (Ensemble), and Level 5 (Harold). New students are typically placed in Level 1 or Level 2 based on prior experience, and advancement requires completing the prerequisites at each stage. The five-level structure is more streamlined than some institutions' longer curricula, but the 20 hours per level means each class goes deeper than the typical six-session format at other theaters.

The training experience at WIT reflects the organization's philosophy of balancing rigor with joy — classes are technically demanding but maintain a warm, supportive atmosphere that encourages risk-taking and creative exploration. The curriculum progresses from fundamental scene-building skills in Levels 1 and 2, through game identification and heightening in Level 3, to ensemble dynamics and group mind in Level 4, culminating with the Harold — the foundational long-form structure — in Level 5. Instructors are drawn from WIT's community of experienced performers, many of whom have trained at institutions across the country and bring a breadth of influences to their teaching. Beyond the core curriculum, WIT offers elective workshops in specialty topics, drop-in jams where students and community members can practice together, and intensive programs for students who want to accelerate their training. WIT's house team system is one of the most robust outside of major comedy markets — multiple ensembles perform on a regular schedule, giving advanced students a clear pathway from training to performance. The organization also runs an inclusion scholarship program to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent interested students from accessing training.

WIT's student body reflects DC's unique demographics — the training program attracts a high concentration of professionals from government, policy, law, journalism, technology, and international affairs, alongside actors, comedians, and artists who constitute a smaller but vital portion of the community. This mix produces improv that is unusually intelligent and culturally aware, with scenes that naturally draw on the knowledge and experiences of performers who spend their day jobs navigating some of the most complex institutions in the world. Notable WIT alumni include Natasha Rothwell (The White Lotus, Insecure), Aparna Nancherla (Comedy Central's Corporate, BoJack Horseman), and Rory Scovel (Apple TV+'s Physical), along with performers and writers who have gone on to work on The Daily Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Saturday Night Live, and numerous other productions. WIT's community extends well beyond its most visible alumni — the organization has trained thousands of DC-area residents who use improv skills in their professional lives, from educators and therapists to tech entrepreneurs and diplomatic staff. The resulting community is remarkably engaged and loyal, with many members continuing to attend shows, take elective workshops, and participate in jams years after completing the core curriculum.

WIT classes cost approximately $250 to $300 per level in 2025, with each level providing 20 hours of instruction spread across weekly sessions. The complete five-level core curriculum represents an investment of roughly $1,250 to $1,500 — comparable to similar programs in major comedy markets but with significantly more instructional hours per level than most competitors offer. WIT's free 'Improv for All' workshops make it possible to sample the training at zero cost before committing, which is a valuable option that few other theaters provide. The organization's inclusion scholarship program provides financial assistance to students who need support, reflecting WIT's nonprofit mission of making improv accessible to all DC-area residents. Elective workshops and drop-in jams are priced separately, typically in the $15 to $75 range depending on the format and duration. WIT does not charge performance fees for house team members, and attending WIT shows is affordable with most tickets priced under $20. The organization's nonprofit structure means tuition revenue is reinvested directly into programming, instructor compensation, and community access initiatives.

WIT is the essential training destination for anyone living in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area who is interested in improv — there is simply no comparable institution in the region, and the quality of instruction and community rivals what you would find in much larger comedy markets. If you are a DC professional looking for a creative outlet that will also sharpen your communication, leadership, and collaborative skills, WIT's training will deliver both personal and professional benefits that extend far beyond the stage. The free 'Improv for All' workshops make it completely risk-free to try improv for the first time, and the inclusion scholarship program ensures that finances do not have to be a barrier. However, if you are pursuing a professional comedy career and plan to relocate to a major entertainment market, view WIT training as a strong foundation that you will build upon with additional study at an institution like UCB, Second City, or the Groundlings. For performers visiting DC temporarily, WIT's drop-in jams are a great way to connect with the local community and get stage time in a new city. Military and government personnel stationed in the DC area should particularly consider WIT — the improv skills you develop here will serve you in ways that extend into your professional life.

Take advantage of the free 'Improv for All' workshops before enrolling in a paid class — they will give you a genuine sense of whether improv resonates with you and whether WIT's teaching style fits your learning preferences. Once enrolled, commit to attending shows regularly — WIT's house teams perform frequently, and watching experienced improvisers is the most effective supplement to classroom instruction. If your schedule allows, take classes at a pace that maintains momentum — taking Level 2 soon after completing Level 1 will preserve the skills and habits you have built, while long gaps between levels can mean repeating foundational work. Ask about the inclusion scholarship program if finances are a concern — WIT is genuinely committed to accessibility and will work with you. Build relationships with your classmates outside of class — DC's improv community is tight-knit, and the connections you make at WIT will extend into social, professional, and creative opportunities throughout the region. If you complete the five-level curriculum and want to continue developing, ask your instructors about elective workshops, house team auditions, and independent team formation — there are multiple pathways to ongoing stage time and growth within the WIT community.