iO Theater is turning 45, and the Chicago institution whose performers pioneered longform improv in Chicago is marking the milestone with three days of shows, workshops and reunions at its Kingsbury Street home. The celebration runs Thursday through Saturday this week, bringing together performers who shaped the art form decades ago alongside teams still experimenting with it today.
According to iO Theater, the 45th Anniversary celebration will run November 5-7 at the theater, located at 1501 N. Kingsbury St. in Chicago. The lineup promises, in the venue's words, three days of “improv, sketch, music, stand-up and more along with specialty workshops.” The theater also notes it operates as an all-ages venue with full food and beverage service, making the weekend accessible to a broad range of fans rather than just the late-night comedy crowd.
The anniversary festival's workshop schedule actually stretches a day longer than the main performance run, with sessions happening throughout the day from Thursday, November 5, through Sunday, November 8, per the same iO Theater announcement. The workshop schedule gives attendees a chance to study with performers on Sunday, after the main performance run's Thursday-through-Saturday dates.
Celebrating Chicago Improv Pioneers
The festival celebrates performers who pioneered longform improv in Chicago, according to the WGN-TV segment on the anniversary. The station's Spotlight Chicago program, which airs weekdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., featured guests Brad and Gretchen discussing the anniversary ahead of the festival.
The festival celebrates performers who pioneered longform improv in Chicago.
New Monthly Programming Grows Out of the Festival
Stir Friday Night isn't just performing during the anniversary weekend — the team is using the moment to launch something ongoing. Starting in November, the group plans to host an AAPI-focused improv jam at the theater on the second Sunday of every month, the Tribune reports, turning a one-weekend celebration into a recurring fixture on iO's calendar.
Separately, a showcase called Maggie Winters & Friends is listed as part of what Choose Chicago describes as iO Theater's “historic 45th Anniversary Weekend,” scheduled for Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the venue, offering another entry point for audiences during the busy opening night.
iO's Origins
The Tribune's account states the organization was founded in 1981 as the ImprovOlympic, the brainchild of Charna Halpern and improv pioneer David Shepherd.
What Weekend Passes Do and Don't Cover
For attendees planning their weekend, ticketing details matter. Crowdwork lists a three-day pass for Thursday through Saturday.
