OCEAN STATE IMPROV FESTIVAL Returns With 37 Troupes From 13 States

The Ocean State Improv Festival, now in its 8th wildly entertaining year, will return to The Contemporary Theater Company in Wakefield, Rhode Island June 3–7, 2026, bringing together some of the best improvisers in the country for five days of performances, workshops, and more.

Thirty-seven troupes from thirteen states performing and every single moment is made up on the spot.

The Contemporary Theater Company invites comedy lovers, theater enthusiasts, and anyone curious to come experience what happens when incredibly talented performers walk onstage with nothing but each other and their wits. It's hilarious, surprising, moving, and unlike anything else you'll see this summer.

This year's lineup is stacked with returning fan favorites and exciting newcomers. Juliet & Juliet — a duo who have performed at every single OSIF since the festival launched in 2017 — are back to deliver their jaw-dropping improvised Shakespeare. Magical Lying Hour returns with its delightfully unhinged premise: one actor has a script memorized, and the other is making up every single line. Hell Yeah! from New York City brings their renowned improvised musicals, and But of Mind performs their eerie, captivating take on improvised Twilight Zone. New to the festival this year, Trash Can Orchestra from Seattle takes inspiration from STOMP and the Blue Man Group, turning household objects into percussion instruments and pure theatrical joy.

"OSIF is one of my favorite festivals worldwide," says Ross Flores, returning this year with his groups The Manny Rodriguez Show and Create the Sound. "Inclusive community, Great Performances from all over the country, hilarious mixer/bit shows, engaging workshops, and tasty ice cream across the street — all with the beach nearby. Whether you do improv or not, if you're in the Northeast or have some extra miles to spare: make the trip!"

The fun runs Wednesday through Saturday night, with shows on Wednesday at 7 pm & 9:30 pm, Thursday at 5 pm, 7 pm, and 9:30 pm, Friday at 5 pm, 7 pm, 9:30, and 11 pm, and Saturday at 2 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm, 9:30 pm, and 11 pm.

But if there's one thing not to miss, it's the mixer shows at 9:30 pm Thursday through Saturday — Pirate Improv, Micetro, and Theatresports — where performers who have never shared a stage together are thrown into the deep end and catching lightning in a bottle.

The festival wraps up Sunday afternoon with the free Duo Bracket Challenge on the CTC's outdoor patio at 1:30 pm: 16 brand-new duos go head to head with 2 minutes onstage. The only rule? The two performers cannot have performed together before this festival. It's one part show, one part send-off party, and one hundred percent chaos in the best possible way.

For those who want to do more than watch, the festival offers over a dozen workshops Thursday through Sunday from teachers who really know their stuff. Want to improvise with puppets? Learn to find courage onstage? Make your scenes feel like a big-budget action film? Tap into your deepest emotions? Tackle death and dying with grace? Play an inanimate object with complete sincerity? There's a workshop for all of that and more. Take nine or more hours of workshops and you'll earn a free All-Access Festival Pass — which, frankly, is a great deal and an even better weekend.

The festival is easy to get to from anywhere in the Northeast — 20 minutes off I-95, accessible by Amtrak and commuter rail, and just a half hour from Providence's T.F. Green Airport. Once you're in Wakefield, the beach is nearby, ice cream is across the street, and the company is excellent.

Tickets are available now with flexible pricing so everyone can join the fun. For individual show tickets, you can choose your price from $10 - $45. Day Passes are $40 for Wednesday/Thursday and $60 for Friday/Saturday. All-Access Festival Passes — which include a festival t-shirt and admission to every single show — are $160.

"I've never heard anyone complain that they came to too many shows," says Maggie Cady, General Manager at the theater. "I've only had people tell me how they regret only coming for one show. So I recommend going for it — get some day passes, or better yet a full festival pass, and sit back and enjoy the ride."

For the full schedule, workshop descriptions, ticketing, and travel information, visit www.contemporarytheatercompany.com/ocean-state-improv-festival or call the box office at (401) 218-0282.

LISTINGS

INTO THE WOODS

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine

Previews Jun 26 - Jun 27, 2026

Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm, Jul 3 - Jul 25, 2026

Sundays at 2pm, Jul 12, Jul 19, 2026

Once upon a time, in a far-off kingdom… wishes are made, bargains are struck, and someone loses a slipper. A baker and his wife set out to reverse a curse, while Cinderella, Jack, Rapunzel, and Little Red chase their own dreams to find their happy endings. But wishes come true, not free. This witty, poignant, and unforgettable musical with Stephen Sondheim's gorgeous score reveals what lies beyond “happily ever after.”

Tickets: $35 (Choose your price between $10-$45)

Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

SHAKESPEARE ON THE SAUGATUCKET: LOVE'S LABOURS LOST

By William Shakespeare

Previews Jul 8 & Jul 12, 2026

Wednesdays and Sundays at 7 pm, Jul 15 - Aug 2, 2026

Friday and Saturday at 7 pm, Jul 31 and Aug 1, 2026

Shakespeare on the Saugatucket returns for another summer with the Bard in the gardens and under the stars. In Love's Labour's Lost, the King of Navarre and his friends forswear all romance—until the Princess of France arrives and turns their plans upside down. Full of witty wordplay, disguises, and laughter, this comedy sparkles on our beautiful riverfront patio.

Tickets: $35 (Choose your price between $10-$45)

Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company Riverfront Performance Patio, 321 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

By Oscar Wilde

Previews Aug 7 - Aug 8, 2026

Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm, Aug 14 - Sep 12

Sunday at 2 pm, Sept 6

(No Shows Aug 28 - Aug 29)

Two young bachelors invent alter egos to escape social obligations, only to have their romantic schemes hilariously unravel. Overflowing with sharp wit and outrageous twists, The Importance of Being Earnest is a delightful romp that proves the truth is rarely as entertaining as a good lie.

Tickets: $35 (Choose your price between $10-$45)

Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

OCEAN STATE RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Aug 22-24

Hark! Rhode Island's one-and-only Renaissance Faire doth commence with Friday's Revels on the River at the Contemporary Theater Company, where merriment, music, drink, and secret delights await. Come the weekend, the Faire shall be in full splendor with pirates, swordplay, wares of fine makers, hearty feasting, contests of costume and wit, and revels fit for all good folk!

Tickets: Saturday or Sunday Day Pass: $15 for anyone 10 or older (under 10 is free!), Friday Revels on the River: $40 or $65 VIP

More on The Contemporary Theater Company

Upcoming Shows

The Moors

5/1 - 5/28/2026

Into the Woods

6/26 - 7/25/2026

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Contemporary Theater Company Announces 8th Annual Ocean State Improv Festival

5/16/2026

Photos: THE MOORS At The Contemporary Theater Company

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