Unfortunately, we can’t always go see improv live. And when we can, we are limited by the city we live in: my chances to see a show at iO are nil unless I buy a plane ticket to Chicago. Thankfully, the internet is here to expand our improv horizons with a plethora of recorded improv performances.
Here are some of my very favorite improv videos and podcasts, so you can discover new groups and great performances no matter where you are.
Best Improv Podcasts
Off Book, The Improvised Musical Podcast
Musical improvisers/actors Jessica McKenna and Zach Reno perform an hour-long improvised musical on their podcast every Tuesday, joined by a special guest and a three-person band. Even with no visuals and only two or three improvisers, Zach and Jess create a musical on the spot that will pull you into an uproariously absurd and hilarious world each week. This is musical improv at its best.
I would recommend this improv podcast to anyone, but if you grew up going to church—especially of the evangelical megachurch variety—this one hits it out of the park. In Mega, improvisers Greg Hess and Holly Laurent satirize a fictional megachurch, transforming into church members Gray Hass and Halle Labont who are hosting a podcast for Twin Hills Community Church, a “megachurch with a tiny family feel.” Each week, “Gray” and “Halle” bring on a special guest, improvising as a member of this fictional church, to interview. From the youth group, CLIMAX, to the gender politics of church leadership, this podcast not only takes a magnifying glass to the megachurch community—it has a lot of fun while doing it.
Comedy Bang Bang, hosted by Scott Aukerman, blends improv with interviews with actors, comedians, and other performers. Each weekly episode begins with Scott interviewing a special guest, but soon improvised characters begin popping in, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. It’s a silly and fun ride featuring talented improvisers.
improv4humans with Matt Besser
This is one of the most often recommended improv comedy podcasts for a reason. Matt Besser (of Upright Citizens Brigade and Assscat fame) brings on one or more guest improvisers each episode for a fully improvised (and hilarious) podcast.
Best Improv YouTube Channels
Baby Wants Candy YouTube Channel
Baby Wants Candy is top-tier musical improv. They take things up a notch and perform fully improvised musicals with a full band. There’s character development, clever lyrics, and choreography, and they make it look easy. And you can watch clips of their live shows on YouTube.
Made Up Theatre (MUT) YouTube Channel
The Made Up Theatre (or MUT for short) is an improv comedy theatre based out of Fremont, California, and their YouTube channel is home to a ton of amazing educational content for improvisers. Their MUT Improv Tips series contains over 140 videos, covering everything from guidance for specific long forms, short-form game how-tos, musical improv tips, and key skills for improving your improv game, like building better relationships, dealing with the absurd in scenes, and getting out of your head. You can also view recordings of some of their live improv and sketch shows.