Seattle Festival Of Improv Theater Begins Next Week

The sixteenth annual Seattle Festival of Improv Theater (SFIT) features five unique, unforgettable nights of live comedy in the U District. From February 14-18th, audience members will laugh with 25 of the funniest local and worldwide improv comedy groups.

What is improv comedy? Unlike sketch comedy or stand-up comedy, improv comedy is 100% unscripted. Improv comedy groups ask the audience to shout out a topic, and then they make up everything on the spot.

Worldwide groups include Black Don't Crack, Fistful of Kicks and more. Los Angeles' Black Don't Crack will make you laugh and leave you with a message of positivity and unity. Vancouver's Fistful of Kicks is an all-Asian cast that improvises kung fu movies. Acts from Chicago, Portland, Philadelphia and Minnesota are also heading to Seattle to perform.

Local groups include fan favorites like Death and Taxes and A Tribe Called Yes. Heavily influenced by slapstick and existential dread, Death and Taxes will make you laugh and look inward. A Tribe Called Yes is an immersive hip-hop improvisational experience that brings together actors, musicians and MCs to tell the story of underdogs on a freestyle trip to fame and misfortune. People can view the entire list of local and worldwide groups at seattleimprov.com/groups.

"Seattle is known as a destination for comedy," said Chris Dewar, Artistic Director of Jet City Improv and Executive Director of SFIT. "I'm proud to say that our local improv comedy groups can go toe to toe with the funniest groups in the world."

SFIT has too many shows for a single theater. Depending on the day, shows start at 8 pm and 10:30 pm at Jet City Improv (5510 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105) and the SFIT Second Stage (3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105). People can view the entire show schedule at seattleimprov.com/show-schedule.

Limited seating. Tickets are $22 online and at the door (cash or card). Discounts are available for military, seniors (55+), students, Amazon employees and TPS members with ID. All Access Passes are also $74 online. All Access Pass holders get access to every show, plus a limited edition t-shirt. Finally, people can add 10+ adult online tickets to their cart and use the discount code GROUP to save $10 per ticket. Tickets and All Access Passes are on sale now at seattleimprov.com/tickets.

SFIT is hosted by Jet City Improv and sponsored by The Stranger, Fremont Brewing and Rooftop Brewing Company.

Jet City Improv is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that strives to enlighten, educate and entertain audiences through the art of improvisation. The organization performs free comedy shows for children with disabilities and illnesses in Washington and teaches free comedy workshops to homeless and incarcerated youth in Seattle. Now in its 26th year of operation, Jet City Improv employs 5 full-time staff members, 3 part-time staff members and upwards of 50 actors and theater professionals at any point during the course of a production season.