Austin’s downtown venue for improvised theatre and comedy. Shows, classes and professional development.

Improv comedy shows every weekend, Thursday-Sunday. Something for everyone, including a kids’ show on Sunday afternoons! Start your night with some fantastic improv, right in the heart of downtown Austin, TX.

We are in the business of improvisational theatre. We make up all our comedy, plays, and sketches on the spot (unless otherwise noted). Short form, long form, Chicago-Style, NY-Style, CA-Style, Austin-Style – we do it all (especially Austin-Style, it’s our specialty).

We host and produce improv shows Thursday through Sunday. For some of the shows, we invite independent groups to perform (everything you see on Thursday night, for instance) and some of the shows we personally produce (everything you see on Saturday night, for instance).

Troupe – usually means a group of people who work together independently of any theater to create their own style and show. The troupes are usually made up of improvisers who have taken classes, here or elsewhere, and enjoy working and performing together. We have a one regularly performing troupe, Parallelogramophonograph (who perform every Friday at 10pm).

Show – usually means a produced production with a curated director, cast, and crew. A good example is our Saturday night 8pm Mainstage shows. Every Saturday at 8pm you can see a full-scale improvised production. This is the bread and butter of the work we do, so we definitely recommend you checking this out.

Check our calender for information about what’s coming up next!

Get fueled up at the on-site Hideout Coffee Bar

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The last live show I saw was in 2011, at The Hideout Theater. I can’t recall the name of the skit, but it was based on the works of Hayao Miyazaki, a Japanese animated filmmaker; Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are; and C.S. Lewis. It was most excellent, I haven’t laughed as hard & as long as I did at that show, in a long time prior to & after that. I so wish they would do that one again, I would jump at the chance to see a fresh improv based on those works again.
Thomas Bear, 7 years ago
I have taken all 6 levels of classes at the Hideout Theatre and can honestly say it was some of the best money I have ever spent. At first I just thought it would be something fun, and then I went down the wormhole and discovered an art form that is magical, amazing fun, and a great way to build community and make new friends.

The theatre is enormously supportive of new improvisers and there are loads of opportunities to perform at the theatre for those that desire. Also, you have student showcases at the end of each level (except level 1) and the opportunity to build your performing skills. The teachers here are all excellent and regularly perform (so you know they got actual skills!)

Experienced improvisers are very encouraging to new ones, and I remember being encouraged to audition for a show that I was way under qualified for, but the director still made me feel welcome and not like a complete idiot when I fudged my monologue for the audition!

Check them out, it is amazing fun.

I continue to perform here and participate in all the great events they have including but not limited to:

Improv Marathon – every June
OOB Fest – every Labor Day/weekend/week
Maestro – every Saturday night
Monthly happy hours/mixers
Heather M., 9 years ago
I have seen a few shows at the Hideout and always had a blast!

My daughter attended the summer camp there and really loved it. She was on the younger end of the group but felt very confident going every day, made friends, laughed and played a lot of games. The instructors seemed excellent and really gave her the attention and entertainment she needed to enjoy herself!
Julie L., 10 years ago
Hilarious! We went to an hour long murder mystery performance that was part of their 46 hour improv marathon. This was our first time here and the show was hilarious! The actors were good and funny! And to top it off, tickets were only $5 each!
Rashi J., 10 years ago
I’ve seen 2 shows here, and the comedians are extremely talented! Plus they sold drinks at happy hour prices during the show – bonus! The most recent one I saw (Austin Secrets) was a combination of funny and real/dramatic/moving skits. I was impressed at how well they could move back and forth between making you want to laugh and cry.

The theatre room itself is a bit warm and stuffy, and they could use a little more space for seating (but couldn’t we all use more space in Austin?) Intermission is a welcome reprieve for some fresh air. That being said, it’s still great fun, and I’m totally going back! 🙂
Katie C., 10 years ago
This is good entertainment.

I went to see “Austin Secrets” and the experimentation in the craft and the stage skills are remarkable. These actors know how to take a stage without hesitation. Good timing, good presence, and wonderful way to read an audience. I would recommend checking them out to any seasoned or new improv performer.

Great job!
David E., 10 years ago

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The Hideout Theatre

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