Improvisational theatre companies, also known as improv troupes or improv groups, are the primary practitioners of improvisational theater. Modern companies exist around the world and at a range of skill levels. Most groups make little or no money, while a few, well-established groups are profitable.

Although improvisational theater has existed in some form or another since the 16th century,Mel Gordon, Lazzi: The Comic Routines of the Commedia dell'Arte 2001, modern improv began with the teachings of Viola Spolin in Chicago, Illinois, USA and Keith Johnstone during the 1940-50s in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.Improvisation for the Theater (1963)Reddick, Grant. "Keith Johnstone," Theatre 100. Calgary: Alberta Playwrights Network, 2006 Spolin's teachings led to the creation of The Compass Players, the first modern improvisational theater company, in 1955. The presence of The Compass Players, The Second City, and ImprovOlympic in Chicago created a strength in the form within the city that continues to this day.Bernstein, David (September 3, 2005). "In Chicago, Honoring Athletes of Improv". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2009. New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Toronto are other major hubs of improvisational theater in the North America.

Many companies host improvisational theatre festivals or give improvisational theatre classes. Professional groups often perform a regular stage show acted by the most senior members. Along with this, they host "house" improv teams made up of improv students or graduates from their classes. In the past decade, professional improvisational theater groups have gradually started working more with corporate clients, using improvisational games to improve productivity and communication in the workplace.

Major Professional companies have branches in more than one city, have touring groups, and/or host large-scale improvisational comedy schools. Professional troupes are those not affiliated with a university or secondary school. Collegiate groups are those associated with a post-secondary educational institution. If a company performs more than one type of improvisational comedy, they are defined as using Multiple improvisational comedy types. If it is unclear what particular kind of improvisational comedy a group performs, they are defined as Improvisational. Those marked Semi-improvisational generally perform shows that are partially improvised and partially scripted.

The following is a list of noteworthy improvisational theatre companies from around the world.

Improvisational theatre companies in Canada

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReferenceThe Bad Dog Theatre CompanyProfessionalMultipleToronto, Ontario2003Die-NastyProfessionalTelevisionEdmonton, Alberta1991Irvine, Lindesay (December 22, 2005). "Say yes to improv", Guardian Unlimited, Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved January 6, 2008.Ligue nationale d'improvisationProfessionalImprovisationalQuebec1977Loose Moose TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsCalgary, Alberta1977Rapid Fire TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsEdmonton, Alberta1982

Improvisational theatre companies in the United States

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReference8th Floor Improv ComedyCollegiateMultipleColumbus, Ohio2004ACME Comedy TheatreProfessionalTheatresportsLos Angeles, California1989Baltimore Improv GroupProfessionalMultipleBaltimore, Maryland2004 The Annoyance TheatreProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1987BassprovProfessionalLong-formChicago2000BATS ImprovMajor ProfessionalTheatresports, Long-form, MusicalsSan Francisco, California1986The Bent TheatreProfessionalMultipleCharlottesville, Virginia2004Blackout ImprovProfessional-Minneapolis, Minnesota2015Bovine Metropolis TheaterProfessionalMultipleDenver, Colorado1998The Brave New Workshop Comedy TheatreProfessionalMultipleMinneapolis, Minnesota1958Chicago City LimitsMajor ProfessionalShortformNew York City, New York1977Comedy Arts Theater of CharlotteProfessionalLongformCharlotte, NC2016ComedySportzMajor ProfessionalShortformMilwaukee, Wisconsin1984Winn, S. (November 26, 1990). "These Games Are Strictly for Laughs". Sports Illustrated.Compass PlayersProfessionalCabaretChicago, Illinois1955*Coleman, Janet (1991). The Compass: The Improvisational Theatre that Revolutionized American Comedy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 362 pages. .Complete Theater CompanyProfessionalImprovisationalManhattan, New York2009BBW NewsDesk (November 18, 2015). Complete Theater Company's US Premiere of Shakespeare (IN SPACE) Begins Tonight".Broadway World.Curious Comedy TheaterProfessionalMultiplePortland, Oregon2008Dad's Garage Theatre CompanyProfessionalMultipleAtlanta, Georgia1995Dead Parrot's SocietyCollegiateMultipleBellingham, Washington1998The DiggersProfessionalGuerrillaSan Francisco, California1966*"Overview: who were (are) the Diggers?". The Digger Archives. . Retrieved June 17, 2007.Erasable Inc.CollegiateImprovisationalCollege Park, Maryland1986Woodhouse, Kellie (September 19, 2008). "Do Terrapins have a funny bone?" . The Diamondback. Retrieved January 5, 2009.Face Off UnlimitedProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York2003Flipside TheatreProfessionalMultipleSuperior, CO2019The Focus GroupProfessionalLong-formBangor, Maine2009Friday Night ImprovsCollegiateImprov JamPittsburgh, Pennsylvania1989The GroundlingsMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalLos Angeles, California1974Highwire ImprovProfessionalMultipleBaltimore, Maryland2020HUGE TheaterProfessionalLong-formMinneapolis, Minnesota2005The Immediate Gratification PlayersCollegiateLong-formCambridge, Massachusetts1986ImprovOlympicMajor Professionalthe HaroldChicago, Illinois1980.ImprovolutionProfessionalNew York City, New York2002Improv AsylumMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalBoston, Massachusetts1998ImprovBostonMajor ProfessionalMultipleCambridge, Massachusetts1982Improv EverywhereProfessionalGuerrillaNew York City, New York2001Gallagher, Brian Thomas. "Prank You Kindly". New York. Retrieved January 5, 2009.Improv for the PeopleProfessionalMultipleLos Angeles, California2009Improv InstituteProfessionalImprovisationalChicago, Illinois1983*Jet City ImprovProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992Just Add WaterCollegiateImprovisationalNew Haven, Connecticut1986.Laughing MattersProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1985The LobbyProfessionalShortformFullerton, California2005Madcap TheaterProfessionalShortformWestminster, Colorado2006Magnet TheaterMajor ProfessionalLong-FormNew York City, New York2005Monks' Night Out Professional Multiple Austin, Texas 1994* Mopco / The Mop and Bucket CompanyProfessionalMultipleSchenectady, New York1995The N CrowdProfessionalShortformPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005Walsh, Bruce (July 25, 2007). "The N Crowd: They're Making Philly Funny" (PDF). Philadelphia Metro. Retrieved July 31, 2007.The National Comedy TheatreMajor ProfessionalShortformSan Diego, California .On Thin IceCollegiateShortformCambridge, Massachusetts1984"Improv Comedy Groups Play for Laughs". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved January 5, 2008.Peoples Improv TheaterMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York2002Philly Improv Theater (PHIT)Major ProfessionalMultiplePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2005*McCormack, Max (April 7, 2008). "Philly Improv an Out of Control 'Comedy Vortex'". The Temple News. Retrieved December 26, 2008.The PlaygroundProfessionalLong-formChicago, Illinois1997Providence Improv GuildProfessionalMultipleProvidence, Rhode Island2013PseudoRandomNoise Improv TheaterProfessionalMultiple and show-basedTemecula, California2010The Purple Crayon of YaleCollegiateLong-formNew Haven, Connecticut1985.SAK Comedy LabMajor ProfessionalMultipleOrlando, Florida1991The San Francisco Improv AllianceProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2005The Second CityMajor ProfessionalSemi-improvisationalChicago, Illinois1959Christiansen, Richard (2004). Grossman, James R., Keating, Ann Durkin, and Reiff, Janice L.:"Second City Theatre". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago 744. Chicago Historical Society. Retrieved March 7, 2008.Robertson, Campbell (June 4, 2008). "Paul Sills, a Guru of Improv Theater, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2008.Second Nature ImprovCollegiateLong-formLos Angeles, California2002Starla and SonsCollegiateLongformProvidence, Rhode Island2006"Improv: Making It Up for Laughs". The Providence Journal.Stevie Rays ComedyProfessionalMultipleChanhassen, Minnesota1988Theatre Strike ForceCollegiateMultipleGainesville, Florida1989The Home Comedy TheaterProfessionalThe Harold Chicago, Illinois2024The National Comedy TheatreProfessionalMultiplePhoenix, Arizona2007Unexpected CompanyProfessionalLong-formWarwick, Rhode Island2003"Best Comedy Troupe". Rhode Island Monthly. August 2004. Retrieved January 5, 2008.Unexpected ProductionsProfessionalTheatresports, Long-formSeattle, Washington1983Burton, Lynsi (June 12, 2008). "Unexpected Productions Celebrates 25 Years". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved January 5, 2008.Under the Gun TheaterProfessionalMultipleChicago, Illinois2014 Wachtler, Mark (September 29, 2014). . Illinois Herald. Retrieved January 14, 2015.The Upfront TheatreProfessionalMultipleBellingham, Washington2004"Bellingham's Upfront Theatre in Four Acts".The Un-Scripted Theater CompanyProfessionalMultipleSan Francisco, California2002Upright Citizens BrigadeMajor ProfessionalMultipleNew York City, New York1999Washington Improv TheaterProfessionalLongformWashington, DC1998Whole World TheatreProfessionalShortformAtlanta, Georgia1994Wing-It ProductionsProfessionalMultipleSeattle, Washington1992The Yale Ex!t PlayersCollegiateShort-formNew Haven, Connecticut1984 *This group is no longer performing.

Improvisational theatre companies in the United Kingdom

NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedReferenceTBC Improv UKProfessionalMultipleEdinburgh, Scotland2009Bristol Improv TheatreProfessionalMultipleBristol, England2012The Comedy Store PlayersProfessionalImprovisationalLondon, England1985ImprovertsCollegiateTheatresportsEdinburgh, Scotland1989Hoopla ImproProfessionalMultipleLondon, England2005The Free AssociationProfessionalLong-formLondon2014The Oxford ImpsSemi-ProfessionalImprovisationalOxford, England2003"The Oxford Imps". BBC. June 2005. Retrieved January 5, 2009.ShowstoppersProfessionalMusical TheatreLondon, England2008The SuggestiblesProfessionalImprovisationalNewcastle upon Tyne, England2001The Spontaneity ShopProfessionalMultipleLondon, England1996The AnticsCollegiateShortformSheffield, England2008The MaydaysProfessionalLongformBrighton, England2003AustentatiousProfessionalLongformLondon, England2011Mischief TheatreProfessionalMultipleLondon, England2008Blanche ImprovProfessionalMultipleLondon, England2023Shoot From The HipProfessionalMultipleLondon, England2011

Improvisational theatre companies in Asia NameGroup LevelImprov TypeLocationDate EstablishedLanguageReferencePirates of Tokyo BaySemi-ProfessionalShortformTokyo, Japan2010English & Japanese Tokyo Comedy StoreProfessionalMultipleTokyo, Japan1994 Seoul City ImprovProfessionalMultipleSeoul, South Korea2007 Kerry, Paul (May 29, 2018). "SCI offers improv course to help you think on your feet" The Korea Herald. Retrieved March 11, 2019.TBC Improv HKProfessionalMultipleHong Kong2014EnglishThe Improv CompanyProfessionalMultipleSingapore2013Beijing ImprovSemi-ProfessionalMultipleBeijing, China -EnglishZmackSemi-ProfessionalMultipleShanghai, China2009English, Chinese *This group is no longer performing.

Improvisational theatre companies in other regions