Located in the heart of State Street, one block from the Wisconsin State Capitol, The Comedy Club on State has hosted well-known performers such as Carlos Mencia, Louie Anderson, Emo Phillips and Pauly Shore. As of February 2010, Thursdays are Showcase Nights, featuring up-and-coming comedians from Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago. The club requires a two-beverage minimum per guest in the showroom, and all performances are 18 and over. Shows run Thursday through Saturday.
The Comedy Club on State
202 State St.
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-0099
madisoncomedy.com
Madison's longest running comedy troupe, ComedySportz presents interactive improv shows suitable for the entire family. Two teams compete for laughs and points as they improvise games, scenes and songs based on audience suggestions. At each fast-paced show, winners are decided by audience vote and a referee calls fouls. Students receive a discount with a valid high school or college I.D. ComedySportz also offers workshops for those interested in learning the art of improv.
ComedySportz
662 State St.
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 255-8888
madstage.com/companies/comedysportz.html
Atlas Improv Company presents TheaterSports every Thursday and Friday night, as of February 2010. In a format similar to that of ComedySportz, two improv teams battle for laughs and votes. Thursday night shows take place at Yola's, located at 494 Commerce Drive. Dinner and drinks are available before the show. Electric Earth Café, located at 546 W. Washington Avenue, hosts Friday-night performances of TheaterSports. A second Friday-night show features three Atlas improv teams performing in an open format. Sandwiches, soups, smoothies, coffee drinks and bottled beer are available before and during the show.
Atlas Improv Company
416 West Mifflin St.
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 259-9999
atlasimprov.com
Every Friday night, Monkey Business Institute Improv Troupe performs improvisational skits, games and challenges, as of February 2010. The second Sunday of each month, the troupe presents "Out-On-A-Limb-Prov," featuring performances by the troupe's up-and-coming performers, all students of veteran improviser Brad Knight. The troupe also offers classes and workshops in the fundamentals of improv, including character and scene work, story structure and various formats of classic improv games. All shows take place at at Glass Nickel Pizza, located at 2916 Atwood Avenue.
Monkey Business Institute Improv Troupe
2916 Atwood Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 658-5153
monkeybusinessinstitute.com